An etiquette expert advises that you don't need to lie when receiving a bad gift. Instead, here's how to handle the situation.

Recalling holiday seasons past, you can likely remember some of the best and worst gifts you received.

We've all received toys intended for younger children or oversized T-shirts from an aunt who frequently buys clothes.

As a child, you may have complained or given a brief "thank you" before moving on to the next gift. However, as an adult, it is important to accept gifts with poise and sophistication, advises Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert and founder of the Protocol School of Texas.

"The thought, effort, and love put into the gift are what truly matter, not the gift itself," she emphasizes.

If you receive a gift that doesn't perfectly match your preferences, here's how to handle it.

How to act face to face

When you open the box after tearing off the paper, you discover something that doesn't match your expectations. While it's polite to smile and say "thank you," is it acceptable to express any additional thoughts or feelings?

According to Gottsman, the success of a relationship depends on both the individual's temperament and the dynamics of the relationship itself. It's important to pay attention to the environment and the behavior of the other person in order to navigate the relationship effectively.

If someone you don't know well has given you something, a sincere "thank you" is enough. If someone you know well has given you the wrong thing, it's not inappropriate to ask if an exchange might be possible.

If it's the shirt that doesn't fit, you might say, "Oh my gosh, this is lovely. But I have to tell you - would you mind if I switched it for the right size?"

What to do with an unwanted gift when you get home

You've received something that you don't desire.

According to Gottsman, when you arrive home, your initial action should be to compose a thank you note. "You express gratitude for their thoughtfulness during the holiday season," she explains. "You don't need to exaggerate, but you can acknowledge their effort and mention the present."

If you're a coffee drinker, you have the right to donate the tea kettle your friend gave you to charity, according to Gottsman.

Gottsman advises that regifting requires both transparency and tact.

Gottsman advises that if you decide to regift an item, it's important to be truthful and express your intentions clearly, saying, "I received a tea kettle and know you love tea. Would you like to have it if you think you could use it?"

To avoid any hurt feelings, Gottsman advises against regifting within the same group of friends.

“I always say, regift in another city,” Gottsman says.

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