What to Do When You Get a Gift And You Don't Have One For Them

You're surprised with a gift from someone and don't have anything for them in return. Do you panic/babble/concoct a lie that you forgot their gift?

None of the above, according to Marci Lash, CEO of the Contemporary Etiquette Institute in Washtenaw County, Michigan. The polished Lash is a formally certified etiquette expert and has organized highly esteemed events at places ranging from the White House to the Detroit Institute of Arts to the Kentucky Derby.

Below are Lash's biggest etiquette tips to help you powerfully navigate the holidays.

1. Proceed with a medley of "thank yous" when someone gives you a gift and you don't have one for them. Lash says, "It's one of those sheer delights when someone surprises you with a gift. Be effusive with your thanks yous and say how appreciative you are and how generous they are. Make it about them – not you. If you say 'I didn’t know. I didn't get you anything...' it becomes 'I, I, I.' Say thanks so much and follow up with a thank you note and be done with it."

2. Holiday Instagram etiquette: Don’t take any photos of people with alcohol in their hands. Lash explains "There are plenty of people where that could jeopardize someone’s career. Someone at the party is a doctor and he’s actually on call and he decides to have one cocktail and something goes wrong when he has to check on patients. It happens. You don’t want to be a part of that. Put the glasses down. Crop them out. Alcohol doesn’t equate a good time. Good people equate a good time."

3. When is the proper time to send a thank you? Lash says, "Within a week is awesome. Set yourself up for success. Have note cards and stamps ahead of time so it's just done."

4. There's a formula to writing spectacular thank yous. Lash shares, "There are four components to a thank you note. One: Say thank you once. Two: Thank them for the specific item. Three: Mention how you're going to use it. Four: Say you look forward to seeing them soon. For example, 'Thank you for the book. I love that author and I can't wait to read it. Looking forward to seeing you again!'

5. And everyone who gives you a gift should get a thank you note - whether it's a Secret Santa co-worker or your grandmother! The only time you don't need to write a thank you note is when you receive a hostess gift. Lash says, "Thanking someone for a hostess gift is like thanking someone for a thank you."

For more etiquette instruction with Lash, check out her Facebook page.

Photo by Loren Javier via Flickr