How do you properly tell someone that you don’t like/love a gift that you received from them?

I appreciate all the comments with sound advice, but most of that applies to material gifts like my title suggests. However my situation is a bit different lol

Sooo long story short(ish) — I made my wife cry this morning during gift exchange. She didn’t buy me any material gifts this year (unlike I did for her — aside from the trip I bought for us) which is fine — the only thing I truly care about is spending quality time together.

Well, one of her ‘gifts’ to me was volunteer work that she had signed us up for and it’s only once per month, 3 hours at a time. I must admit — it is a very thoughtful gift (especially to help others in need). I told her it was a great gift that keeps on giving to others, but aside from that.... she could tell I was being somewhat dreadful about the whole idea.

In my defense, I’m trying to graduate university next semester but am taking 21 credit hours and have to complete 200 hours towards an internship and other school criteria. The thought of doing anything more is just overwhelming to me and I tried explaining this to her, but it was already too late as the tears were already flowing. Now I feel like a selfish, narcissistic asshat.

/r/AskReddit Thread