Family Ties and the Chains that Bind You.

[Vivacious Elizabeth]

Alright so..It is often the case during gift giving season or special occasions, gifts are loving bestowed upon us.

Gift cards, jewelry, maybe even a great gift certificate to get your hair done or a massage. Whatever the gift, you usual act grateful
regardless if you like it or not.

However, when the gift given is on all levels - a full frontal attack
on you; when it's from a family member, how and what do you say?

Recently - I was a victim to this myself. The family
member in question purchased two beautiful Talbot sweaters for me. They
are beautiful! However they were two sizes too small for me to wear. I
turned to the family member and said..

"WOW, these are great but can you exchange for my size. I love them I want to wear them but.....too small"

The response .."Oh you fit into them soon, when you get your weight down" and then this person smiled.

I was stuck on stupid for a while after that. Finally a few days ago I
gave the sweaters back to the person with a note saying I don't need
any more clothes.

So here is the discussion; What do you say to a family member or friend who commits a minor offense? Is the lure of a pretty thing more
major than minor when it comes to the offense? Is the offense even
greater coming from a close friend or family member? Would it matter
even more so if the item is so many sizes to big or smaller than you?