Christmas had sled back to town along with one of the many things everybody looks forward to: receiving gifts. It has become a worldwide tradition to exchange presents during this holiday season. The act is part of the “getting into the Christmas spirit” philosophy. However, sometimes the gifts under the tree weren’t the ones on the list.

What can be done with that unwanted gift? Is it sent to the Island of Misfit Gifts? Is it hurled on the floor while the receiver throws a tantrum? Or demand that it be taken back immediately? Or is the receiver a good sport and simply asks nicely for something else?

Well, what is done with the undesired item should vary depending on what it is, the gift giver, and the receiver’s personality. For instance, if it’s something already owned such as a video game, shoes, or clothing item, there are three options. One can either give it back and ask for something else, keep it to give to someone else, or keep it and sell it.

Junior Kyle Mueller faces that problem every year, “I get the same few gifts like socks [and] there’s really no way to react to [it].” Kyle still has hope that “eventually the blank stare will give them the hint to stop.”

If the present is one that can be considered weird, there are a few options. Undergarments, such as socks and underwear are typically unwanted by the current generation. These articles of clothing are considered very odd Christmas gifts.

For sophomore Alex Thierer, the unwanted gift was the stereotypical sweater. He received it when he “was in sixth grade. It ended up in the back of [my] closet.” Now the sophomore only wears the sweater “when [his] aunt is around.”

Some students don’t run into the whole “I didn’t want that” problem. Yes, there are those select few who are grateful for anything. “There are some things I would love to have, but I really do not ask for much,” said sophomore Aisha Doston. “Whatever my parents get me for Christmas is always special. I enjoy Christmas and spending time with my family.”

When it’s all said and done, don’t be rude about the gift. Don’t be mean and yell or scream because it wasn’t the imaginary “perfect gift”. Remember this for the future holiday season: “It’s the thought that counts.”