When you get flowers, gifts, etc on your special day(s) and you say "You didn't have to do that" do you really mean it?

I simply say Thank you so much.

I have heard other people say that, but for me I simply appreciate the gesture. Saying “you shouldn’t have done that” I think is just a statement of being overwhelmed by the thoughtful gesture of the act.

Well- you didn’t really have to do it- and that is what makes it extra special to us. This is what we say when we are touched deeply. :)

Depends on who it’s from. I spent some holidays with an ex and her family got me stuff. They loved me, but it felt strange knowing they spent their money on me. I’m glad they accepted me, but I guess I wasn’t used to stuff like that.

I just say Thank you. What’s the point of saying something like that?

I don’t say that but I do give a lot of thanks because I absolutely love to be gifted flowers and stuff.

I love to get presents, whatever they may be, I just love that someone took the initiative to pick something out for me.
And I have always been honest about it too, to the people around me, and I don’t understand the you should not have done that thing if it is said when they actually are happy that they were given something.
Only when somebody who is a FC Barcelona supporter has been given a Real Madrid calendar I can understand it.

I do mean it…. however that is just because cut flowers have a destiny of perishing and who wants to put them in the bin prematurely? However, on the other hand when you look at a single flower or a bouquet of flowers that are fresh and twinkling with their joy of being there for you, how can you not think of the whole mystery of life, the whole cycle of life. Flowers have no other purpose than to be enjoyed and appreciated. Like life on this plane.

@smilingheart1 Flowers are perishable, but the smile I heard on the phone this AM isn’t.

@Adirondackwannabe, and there is the answer to your own question, and the mystery of life: to love and be loved and not hold back on showing it! Your mom has a great son.

I only ever say, (“You didn’t have to do that.”) when I’m receiving a gift I really don’t care for.
Like a coat, I HATE coats. I never wear them ever. Give me socks, or one of those corny holiday sweaters, ANYTHING but a coat.

When I tell them they didn’t have to do it I mean it. Most times I give those gifts to others and I don’t keep the flowers since I’m allergic to pollen ^^. Some got offended when they saw i gave their presents to others. I told them .. I did not need them. When I need something I either ask for or tell them I’d wish I had this or that. 80% from what I receive I give to others.

I think if I said that I would really mean I wish they hadn’t done it.

Usually when I say that, I mean it.

I don’t say that.

Yes, I really mean it when I say that.

I never say that. I truly appreciate the remembrance and try to express my appreciation with all the enthusiasm and gratitude that I really feel so the giver will know just how pleased I am. Even if the item isn’t perfect, the sentiment is. And I love receiving flowers.

Oh, thats a yes and a no, depending on who it is from. I’ll usually say it to someone whom I really don’t want to feel obligated to get a gift for them in return or if I know they really shouldn’t have spent the money because they are barely scratching by.
I otherwise won’t say it to those whom I know I have gone way beyond for their gifts. Unless I’m being sarcastic. Like earlier in our marriage my husband use to by me pots and pans or a vacuum or new iron for our anniversary. So when I said you really didn’t have too, “I meant you didn’t have to buy me stuff I didn’t want at all unless you promise to use it more than me. Flowers would’ve been nice.