Ah, the holidays! The season of goodwill, eggnog, and—wait... Operation Christmas Cheer is here and your Landlord is passing out gifts again oh... WTF!!! is that your landlord standing at your door with a gift in hand? Yes, the person who once sent you a passive-aggressive note about your "mildly alarming" pile of Amazon boxes on the porch is now trying to make your Christmas merry with a present that might just be a little less festive than you hoped.
So what do you do when your landlord gives you a gift you definitely didn’t ask for (like a porcelain sculpture of a snowman with a mustache)? Don’t panic—this is exactly why we are addressing this now and we got your back. Here’s how to deal with the awkwardness and re-gift your way to holiday success:
1. The Smile and Nod: Pretend This is the Best Gift Ever!
First, the most important thing you need to do is act like this is the best gift ever, even though you’re now wondering if it’s secretly a joke or some sort of bizarre test.
When your landlord hands you a questionable present (like an oversized mug with a picture of them in a Christmas sweater on it), take a deep breath and flash a smile that says, “Wow, you really thought I would love this?” and say, “This is… wow. So… thoughtful...so so thoughtful”
You’re essentially trying to communicate absolutely nothing with your face, but in a way that screams, “OMG!... OMG!...I’m polite, but terrified of what this means for my rent next month.” ... do not break!
Pro Tip: Do not look at the gift too closely and Do not look your Landlord in the eye... that's exactly what he probably wants you to do. The second you examine it, you may start asking questions like, “WTF is this? Is this used? Is this what you give all your tenants?” Just smile, nod, and let your cheery Christmas heart silently scream, “Dear Lord, why is there a gnome on this mug?” - internalize it... it's the healthiest way.
2. Check the Receipt - Is it Returnable?
Let’s be real. You don’t need another monogrammed doormat that says “Welcome, but also please pay your rent on time.” But hold on—maybe you can return it!
Casually inspect the gift for a hidden receipt. If it’s a sweater that smells suspiciously like mothballs, you might just get away with a return. If there’s no receipt, you’ll need to tap into the ultimate survival skill below: re-gifting.
Pro Tip: If it’s a real disaster (like a novelty tie with dancing Santas), act like you definitely and absolutely need it. “Oh, this is great! I’ve been needing something that screams ‘corporate holiday party’… and while also saying ‘I’ll be the first to leave the party for looking so awesome!’”
"...your cousin Craig, who still thinks wearing a Hawaiian shirt is “holiday chic”? He’s your target... yeah, that's your guy."
3. Re-Gifting 101: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Now we get to the good stuff: re-gifting. This is an art form that requires finesse, timing, and a complete lack of guilt. Here’s the basic rule: don’t re-gift it back to the person who gave it to you. That’s just rude... so keep notes. But... your cousin Craig, who still thinks wearing that Hawaiian shirt is “holiday chic”? He’s your target... yeah, that's your guy.
Look for that one person in your life who’ll accept any present with a big smile and a confused “Oh, thank you!” That’s your prime re-gifting candidate.
Pro Tip: If you want to pull off the re-gift like a pro, make sure you re-wrap the gift in such a way that looks like you actually spent time on it. Bonus points for a sparkly ribbon and a card that says something like, “To the man, the myth, the legend, the Craiganator, with love from the North Pole.” - it's not true... but it'll boost his ego and confuse him all the same.
4. The Quick "Fake It Till You Make It" Re-Use
So, you can’t return it and you don’t want to re-gift it (because it’s just too weird, even for Craiganator), and now you’re stuck with a gift that seems to have been crafted in an alternate universe where landlords, this present, and time all collide to create the elusive 4th dimension of awkwardness.
What do you do? Reuse it, of course. You’re just getting creative here. Is it a ridiculously ugly Christmas sweater? Perfect... Wear it proudly to your next Zoom meeting, and let your colleagues pretend they don’t see it. (They do. They’re just too polite to say anything... which is just awesome! and will really add to your holiday joy)
If it’s a hideous framed picture of your landlord wearing a Santa hat, stick it on your mantelpiece and tell guests it’s “modern art.” Oh... your guests will love it... it’ll be the conversation starter you never knew you needed.
Pro Tip: If it’s a truly terrible gift, simply “misplace” it somewhere in your rental. Out of sight, out of mind.
5. The Art of the "I'm So Greateful" Reply
Sometimes, you just can’t get around it—you’ve received a gift that you absolutely cannot hide, return, or re-gift. So, the next best thing? Overdo the gratitude.
When your landlord hands you that mystery gift, start with a heartfelt, “Oh my gosh, you didn’t have to do this! I’m so touched. This is the BEST gift I’ve ever received in my entire life!” Bonus points for throwing in a spontaneous hug. (But only if you’re really feeling bold.) Do NOT blow this one... you are literally running out of options... I'm talking about the whole nine... act like there's an Emmy on the line!
Pro Tip: If the gift is something truly baffling (like an inflatable reindeer with a malfunctioning nose), casually suggest that it’s going to “make an excellent addition to my holiday décor.” Leave the “decor” part vague... interrogation & resistance 101: no need to give more information than absolutely necessary.
... "But Ricardo isn't this just too awkward and possibly just too embarrassing"...
6. The Ultimate Move: The "I Never Opened It" Re-Gift
Now here’s the secret weapon of re-gifting: The unopened gift strategy. It's dicey and as such... it’s a move only the truly gifted (pun intended) can pull off. The trick is to never even open the gift—and here’s why: unopened presents are like untouched pizza—they’re perfect for anyone.
When the time comes to re-gift, simply take the still-wrapped present and hand it to someone else. Act shocked and say, “Oh my gosh, I never even opened it! But I thought you’d love it!” This works best if the person you’re re-gifting it to is someone who you will never see again.
Now, you may be asking... "But Ricardo isn't this just too awkward and possibly just too embarrassing"... I'm not going to lie to you... yes... yes it potentially is, but this is literally your last option to avoid this gift and honestly... I'm running out of ideas... so... go big or go home... wipe your tears and good luck!
Pro Tip: If your landlord gives you a truly terrible gift (like a bobblehead of themselves), just hand it off to a coworker with zero context... and then just sit back and enjoy as you watch how they're going to “accidentally” break it while still trying to be polite... it'll be a sight to see!
Conclusion: Surviving the Landlord Christmas Gift
Look... we get it... you didn't ask for Operation Christmas Cheer and... you didn’t ask for a ceramic Santa or a snow globe that plays “Jingle Bells” at full volume either, but here you are, stuck with a gift from your landlord that you absolutely don’t want. But fear not! Whether you re-gift, re-use, or just “accidentally” forget about it, you’ve got this... like literally... it's yours now... do not give it back.
The holidays are weird. But they’re also full of awkward, hilarious moments that make for some of the best stories (and gifts) you’ll have all year. So, embrace the chaos, practice your re-gifting skills, and remember—next year, ask for gift cards. Maybe your landlord will take the hint... but honestly... he won't.
Happy holidays, and may your unwanted gifts find a better home!
Related: Tenant Holiday Tips and Safety
Did you find this article helpful? Did you enjoy it?
About the Author Ricardo Reis - Learn About Ricardo
Entrepreneur, Inventor, Investor, Military Veteran. Ricardo is a member of G3 Management & Investments a division of Great Lakes Real Estate and a real estate professional. He is a real estate professional and a successful real estate investor for over 15 years.