Help needed (fairly quickly!) to compose a Thank You letter.

Oh dear... I forgot about being google-able, although hopefully she won't think of her own paintings in entirely the same light that I see them in.

I suppose the reason I am torn is that I don't like to lie and although I know I have to on occasion, to save people's feelings, it still goes against my instincts. Wouldn't life be simpler if we could all just be honest. I really do wish her well and hope that someone out there likes her stuff, it just isn't me.

(No, not a goody two-shoes, just too great a fear of being caught out!

I was at my sister's house and one of our older sisters arrived. Before my sister opened the door she said to me "she doesn't know I have this" and quickly put a wooden stand in her cupboard.

Maybe you could do the opposite jane. When your sister is about to visit whip out the painting and hang it on the wall.

Just thank her kindly and when she visits, shift something off the wall and put hers up, then when she's gone home, put it back in the spare room.

By the way, if you Google those painting styles you mention, your post on Gransnet comes up on the first page! A bit too prominent for comfort?

Or perhaps this "lovely painting - for which many thanks - will just fit the last bit of wall space that we have left."

janer more or less what you just said

jane but that's not a thank you letter (your 12:04 post) that's the equivalent of a "Dear John" or "It's not you, it's me..."

You're going to have to say thank you, put it on display for a couple of months and then move it to the bedroom that never gets used!

kitty my thought's exactly!

Gertrude, how kind and thoughtful of you to create something so personal for my birthday. Whilst I am delighted to receive your present, I do feel that your works of art require a level of appreciation that I am obviously not clever enough to have. Perhaps Fred would be happy to receive your next painting.

Oh Lord - the same thing in different colours? You are right.

How about 'It's not really my thing, although I appreciate the work and effort that have gone into it. I know, I'm a Philistine'.?

If you say that about the painting not going with your décor, you know what you're going to get for Christmas!

As a safety valve, if nothing else!

You need Phoenix

I think I went into panic mode. I'm thinking I may write something like

'What an interesting use of colour, what technique did you use? Although sadly it doesn't go with my current décor I am pleased to have something of yours .'

What do you think?

I think you're probably right, janerowena - it's going to be virtually impossible to put her off without offending. Perhaps you could just say 'Thank you so much for the present' and carry on with other news etc.

I do like abstract art actually. But not like this.

No, she isn't on this site. I hope!

No corner is dark enough. And I am too afraid of what I might say if I phone, as I spend a fortune on her presents. I need a carefully crafted letter. I'm just not sure that all the time in the world will give me a something that won't cause offence - and then she will be on the phone to my other two sisters, who are being very encouraging to her face whilst looking horrified behind her back. Maybe I should just give in and say, how lovely!

If she is on this site she already knows what you think of it! Seriously though I think a phone call would be better. Either way, thank her for the thought but explain that you are not into abstract art/ it doesn't really match your decor. If you feel you have to put it up then a dark corner of the hall or landing would be best.