Ralphie doesn't have to wear the bunny suit all the time, but you better believe he's putting it on when Aunt Clara comes over.

Q: My girlfriend bought me some clothes for Christmas that I really don't want. She tried really hard to pick out things that were "me," but I don't see myself ever wearing them. I don't want to hurt her feelings, but I want to return them. What should I do?

A: First of all, we need to gauge just how awful the threads really are. The clothes might not be "you," but are they completely hideous? Embarassingly so? If not, I recommend hanging onto that vaguely passable sweater and reserving it for dinners out with just her. There's a reason why Sarah Marshall has wistful flashbacks of ex-boyfriend Peter wearing her heinous style selections (perfectly accessorized with a convincing smile) when current beaux Aldous Snow pouts about wearing the Tommy Bahama shirt she bought him. Peter is the good guy here, proving that true love is wearing an Ed Hardy hat someone gave you. So I suppose I'm making a case for just putting up with the really ugly duds, too.

However, you don't want this gift to set a precedent, leaving you staring down the barrel of years of horrible Cosby sweaters and plaid scarves to come. That's why you'll need to resort to a tactic typically championed by women: Drop some hints. Mention how your golf glove is getting worn out or would love to try driving a Lamborghini on one of those rental race tracks. We usually have no idea what to get men, so women are zoning in on clues all year long. Don't bring this up right away; your girlfriend will know you're disappointed with the gift, just keep it in mind for when the next birthday or Christmas rolls around.

If the problem persists and the clothes are uglier than a baboon's butt, feel free to take them back. Clearly, your girlfriend either isn't listening or is trying to impose her own style on you - which, let's face it, sometimes you desperately need - but a Christmas gift is supposed to be for you, not her.