Got a gift you didn't care for? If it's from a significant other, hopefully you have kept the appreciative look on your face for long enough. Just think of the advice that Peter Post, great-grandson of etiquette maven Emily Post, gave for giving:

The word that underlies all that we're talking about is 'sincerity.' If you do it within your heart, it's going to be received well.

Just keep that in your head as you wear your light-up reindeer sweater at dinner. She gave it with sincerity in mind. He gave it from the heart. And if "sincerity" doesn't help that much, also remember: That's what gift receipts are for.

(photo courtesy of rrss from stock.xchng)