1. Laughter.

Laugh out of distress, laugh out of fear. All that matters is that they interpret your reaction as one of joy and amusement.

2. Dead silence.

They can assume you’re simply struck by how perfect the gift is, how well they know you, or how deeply touched you are by their generosity.

3. Tears.

If done properly, tears of pain can look like tears of joy.

4. Create a diversion.

Anything will work: A sudden bloody nose, tipping the Christmas tree, creating a small fire, faking passing a kidney stone.

5. Run.

This option is ideal if the gift-giver is significantly less fit than you are.

6. Shove your face with food.

Your hypoglycemia is suddenly acting up and if you don’t get a cookie right this second you might just pass out.

7. Break into song.

Tis’ the season. Preferable one they know the lyrics to so that they can join in and you can forget that the gift giving ever happened.

8. Refuse to open it.

Compliment their careful wrapping job. Promise them you’ll open it just as soon as the Christmas ham is done cooking. Tell them you’re particularly prone to paper cuts and couldn’t possibly risk bleeding on the gift.