Dear Queenie,
Every time one of our friends has a special occasion that calls for a gift, like a birthday or anniversary, this one friend offers to help me pay for whatever I am getting for that friend of ours. It’s kind of obvious that she just doesn’t want to have to go to the trouble of shopping for something, getting a card, wrapping it all up and getting it delivered.
Queenie, what’s a polite way to refuse her “help”?—Fed-up friend
Dear Friend,
You could make a point of shopping early and tell your “helpful” friend that you have already bought (and possibly sent or delivered) the gift. You also could give her some suggestions as to what she might want to get for and give to that person. But do not let her turn you into her personal shopper.
