The gift receipt and why it comes along
Short answer: A gift receipt shows that the item was bought, but not what it cost. It makes it possible to exchange the size without anyone having to ask, which is why it is especially useful when you give clothes.
What a gift receipt is
A gift receipt is proof that the item was bought, without revealing the price. It goes in the package so the recipient can exchange the item if it does not fit or is not to their taste. It is a small thing, but it makes a big difference to the person opening the package.
What it contains
A gift receipt contains the name of the shop, the item and a date. The price is not shown. That is why it can lie visibly in the package without giving anything away, and you do not have to hide it. The recipient sees at once where the item came from and what it takes to exchange it.
Why the price is left out
The price is left out on purpose, so the gift does not become a conversation about money. The recipient should be able to exchange the item without feeling that the price limits what can be chosen instead. That makes the gift easier to give and easier to receive, for you and for the person getting it.
Why it matters most with clothes
The receipt matters most with clothes, because sizes vary between brands, and because a gift that does not fit otherwise stays in the wardrobe for years. With the receipt in the package, the recipient can go straight to the shop and swap for the right size. See for example bamboo shorts for men.
Sizes vary
The same size can fit differently from brand to brand, so even a well thought out guess can miss. That is nothing to be ashamed of. With a gift receipt in the package, a wrong size becomes a small matter solved with a visit to the shop, and nobody has to explain anything afterwards.
Exchange without asking
The biggest advantage is that the recipient can exchange without having to ask you anything. That makes the gift easier to give, because you do not have to fear getting it wrong. If something needs swapping, the recipient takes the receipt to the shop and picks the size that fits.
Where to get it
Ask for the gift receipt in the shop when you pay, or print it from the order confirmation if you bought online. See bamboo shorts for women and bamboo sleepwear for women for examples of clothes where a gift receipt often makes giving feel safer.
If you bought online
If you bought online, the order confirmation can often be printed without prices. Check that it shows the item, the shop and the date before you put it in the package. If you cannot remove the prices, ask the shop whether it can send a gift receipt, and do so well before the gift is given.
Put it in the package
Put the receipt in the package so it can be found when the gift is unwrapped. It is not rude, and it makes things easier for the recipient. If you like, mention that it is inside, so it does not get thrown out with the paper, and ask the recipient to keep it until the gift has been tried.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a gift receipt valid
The shop decides the deadline, and it is typically printed on the receipt itself. Read it when you give the gift and tell the recipient how long they have to exchange, so the gift does not end up unused.
Is it rude to include a receipt
No. It makes things easier for the recipient, who does not have to ask you anything if the size does not fit. Most people see it as a kind thought and not as a sign of doubt.
What if you bought online
The order confirmation can often be printed without prices, and then it works as a gift receipt. If you cannot remove the prices, ask the shop for a version without prices before you wrap the gift.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
