I am quite open about the fact that I do not drink any red wine because the slightest amount sets off my migraines.
Despite this, I have received a couple of bottles of red wine this year as gifts. Is there a polite way to say, "thank you, but I can't have this" that doesn't lead to embarrassment or hurt feelings?
I feel so incredibly embarrassed when I happens. On one occasion my husband stepped in and said, "oh, ha ha! She can't have that!" but the friend is reasonably close and it got laughed off - but I was still embarrassed. On the other occasion I didn't know the person very well, and he was a work colleague, so I simply thanked him graciously and later regifted it.
Then, later on, I had to make sure I never mentioned my red wine problem in front of the second friend in case it led to hurt or embarrassment.