Unwanted present

No I would not give it back, I’ve had things that have been given to me and I’ve given them to tombola stalls the following years., but I do have a close friend if she doesn’t like the things she’s given she passes them on as other presents to other ppl

I was brought up to believe that there is only one correct response when being given a present and that is to smile and say thank you.
If you don't like it then it's hard cheese. You re-gift or give it to charity tactfully. The cheek of some folks is unbelievable.

Just noticed this thread I posted last year has started up again. Since then the person concerned has died! Somehow put things in proportion for me!

But I would never return a present. Always say thanks so much and if appropriate wear it in front of the giver!!

What a horrible thing to do! Many unwanted gifts end up in charity shops.
I presume that this is one person who will be missing from your present list in future?

I do always accept gifts from my daughter and grandchildren with love and always display. Always
But I don't see the point of money spent on a gift that isn't wanted.
Such waste.
Though one year a dear friend gave me a tin of toffees and I never ever eat Toffee but I did lie and say I loved them. I think it was because she is much older than me and I didn't want to disappoint her.

So it all depends really

Unkind and rude.

Answering in general, not specific to OP's present:
Yes it is rude to return the present because you don't like it. Just donate it, give it to somebody who likes it, etc.

However (I can see some of you rolling your eyes : ) ), I can see why it might happen or not be well received
1. When present are passive aggressive jabs, such as a piece of clothing 3 sizes too big or small and the giver knows your size, a diet book for an overweight person, etc., a bottle of wine giver knows receiver hates but it is giver's favourites, etc.
2. A present giver was requested NOT to get. For example, the parents want to give the child a bike, giver knows it and gives that present to child.
3. Presents that one up the other person. For example, parents want to buy a certain toy for their child but the giver borrows that idea and buys the most expensive toy that can be found, stealing the thunder of the parents
4. Presents with strings attached- giver thinks receiver owes them something in exchange of the present
5. Present given with conditions: "this money is yours to go to college as long as your chosen major is X, Y or Z"
6. Presents with a purpose for the giver: how many men give lingerie to the women as presents, when the present is more for him than for her?
7. Receiver knows the giver gets mad if present is not used, giver keeps track of present: "I don't see the picture frame I gave you for your birthday, where have you put it?"

I understand those 7 examples are very rare but they do happen.

In the example I gave my friend is a frequent visitor and it was obvious I wasn't using the candles.
I think if it is a good relationship you an say it in a very gentle way.
I could not spend the rest of my life pretending to like and use scented candles. Some of which are pricey and i hate waste. I gave all I had to another friend.

Maybe it is best to lie if the giver is either very old or lives far away.
And you can do it in a non offensive way.

Giving a gift back is the height of rudeness.
I know how this feels as my Mother has done this too me on numerous occasions.
The last time was with a beautifully decorated homemade Christmas cake. When I next went to see her at Easter ( We live 200 miles apart & I don’t drive ) She gave me back the cake with a tiny slice missing claiming it was too rich for her & had upset her stomach, I was mortified.
I would rather her have dumped it in the bin or given it too a homeless person.
But that is the type of person she is.

There are ways of doing things and of course it depends on the relationship you have.

I am still trying to use up the Youth Dew scent that my DS gave me for Christmas two or three years ago. I only wear it when I know I'll see him, though I don't think he'd notice the difference from the scents I actually like. I wouldn't dream of hurting his feelings by rejecting the gift.