In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Any present is worth a "thank you." Look the gift giver in the eye and be as direct as you would with any other show of gratitude.  You might say, "thank you! I really appreciate this." You may comment on the kindness and generosity of the present. "What a generous present!" or "how kind of you!" If you struggle to bring a smile to your face to show gratitude for something you'll never use, or something you never wanted, try to appreciate the thought behind it. It's always possible to offer a few words of thanks concerning the thought they put into it.  "Thanks so much! What a thoughtful present!" "I really appreciate that you thought of me!" Think about why they gave you the gift, and thank them for that reason. Even if the gift giver made a bad choice, they probably had at least one good reason for it.  "You must have remembered that I love chocolate!" "Thank you for these colorful socks; you know I like to keep my feet warm." "Thanks for the CD! I'm always looking to expand my collection." Ask your giver about the gift and how they thought of it. This is good distraction from discussing whether or not you'll use it, how often, etc. Ask them where they bought it, ask them if they've got one themselves, or ask how best to use it (if applicable). In general, when reacting to a gift you don't like, put the burden of the conversation on the person who is gifting, and not yourself.  "Do you have this CD too? What's your favorite track?" "I don't think I've ever seen socks like these; where did you get them? Do you have a pair yourself?" "I definitely don't have a sweater like this--how long did it take you to knit? How long have you been knitting?" If you don't have a moral issue with telling small lies to spare the feelings of well-intentioned people, go ahead and say you like it. Most people consider it polite to tell small lies about gifts rather than telling the giver you are disappointed.  However, you should avoid telling a big lie. Say you love the present, but don't say it's the best present ever, or promise to use it every day. If you don't lie, just avoid saying that you hate the gift. "Thank you! What a great present." "This is wonderful, thank you! Where did you find it?" If the person who gave you a gift is someone who knows you well, someone with whom you have a lot of rapport, just tell them the truth if they push. You can laugh about it together. A bad gift is not a big deal, but lying could make it into one. If your gift giver senses you don't like the present, they may start asking you questions about whether you "really"  like it, or when you will use it. Either tell a tiny lie, or counter their questions with more questions so that you don't have to answer theirs.  If you can, coax them into offering a suggestion on how/when to make full use of your gift. Then give a quick "I'll be sure to do that" and move on. In the case of a gift that is clearly mean-spirited, it's acceptable to throw any poise and respect out the window. Don't be afraid to tell them they can keep it.
Summary: Say "thank you". React to the thought of the gift. Appreciate the intention. Ask questions. Lie if you are comfortable lying. Tell the truth if you're close. Defer questions.

Problem: Article: Having hands-on experience with wedding planning will give you practical knowledge that you can use for your business.  You’re likely to get references from colleagues and suggestions for clients as well. This will supplement any formal knowledge you have and give you practical experience working in the field.  Your boss can also act as a reference for you with potential clients. Internships are often unpaid. The experience you gain will be more valuable than a paycheck. Your boss could wind up a long-term mentor as you rise through the profession. It might be useful to take a job with a smaller company at first. This will give you the chance to work in all aspects of wedding planning and greatly increase your knowledge. This will give you the valuable hands-on experience you need -- to say nothing of the chance to prospect for clients at the same time.  Use these friends and family members as references.  Be sure to take photos of any event you work on for your portfolio and future marketing efforts. Use these images on your website or in brochures. Having a list of people whom you can ask questions, draw upon for services, or who are interested in hiring you will put your business on the path to success even in its infancy.  You can meet appropriate people almost anywhere, especially at industry conferences, wedding expos, vendor shops, and, of course, at weddings. Never stop practicing interpersonal skills as you develop your network.
Summary:
Gather experience as a wedding planner. Intern with a wedding planner or event-planning firm. Plan events for friends and family at no cost. Network with other wedding planners and potential clients and vendors.