How can I let my friend know she is being tacky without hurting her feelings?

I encouraged my friend to plant a little flower or veggie garden outside her small apartment in the flower bed. She just sent me pics and the garden has been cleaned out and numberous tacky whirlygigs, artificial flowers, and tacky lawn ornaments are resting in a bed of mulch. I did not realize there was that much difference in our interests, and am afraid she has dug out lovely bulbs etc to do this. The landlady may address this, but how can one gracefully let a friend know when something is really tacky.

How can I let my friend know she is being tacky without hurting her feelings?
Well, it is her garden and not yours. I would just say that that is very interesting. It is not polite to tell another person that their garden is tacky. By saying that, it makes you seem tacky.
Reply:I would not risk ruining a friendship over some whirlygigs and garden gnomes. Do not tell her her flower garden makeover is tacky. She obviously likes it and it is outside of her apartment, not yours.





If she asks you if you like it you should say something very non-committal like...."I would never have thought of doing that" or find at least one thing that you like and comment on it.....even if it is about an artificial flower "I see you have calla lilies, I think calla lilies are beautiful". You are not saying that plastic calla lilies are beautiful....just that calla lilies are beautiful.





I know you can find something to say that sounds nice and yet is not a lie.
Reply:If you guys are friends then I don't see it a problem with being honest with her.





You don't have to sound harsh just approach it gently and matter of factly. All you need to tell her is that she did a good job with the garden but that she should have done it better with "live" plants and plant real veggie gardens.





The tackiest thing to do ever is to plant "fake" plants and flowers in a garden.





Tell her that you are willing to help her plant if needed and give her some good advice on how to do that.
Reply:See, to you it is tacky, and to most people it is probablly tacky, but she loves it! I put up hideous colored blinking christmas lights on my balcony during the holidays because I LOVE it! It gets me in the spirit. Someone telling me it was tacky wouldn't make me take it down, and it wouldn't hurt my feelings... but it could hurt your friends feelings so let it go!
Reply:you don't, its none of your business. if she is such an embarasment to you over such superficial things, then you may just be a ***** and dont realize it.





you need to respect her right to be who she is.





If you are in the position of ever being offered a tacky gift then you can always say





"one of the things i like about you is your quirkiness and free spirit but to be honest we have very different tastes, and i'm not sure how i could incorporate this very obscure artpiece into the conventional decor in my home"
Reply:Everyone has different styles and interests, That is why some people dress in all black and others get huge tattoos covering there arms. Really at the end of the day though the only person you need to impress is yourself and if tacky law stuff makes her happy and it doesnt really hurt you I would say let her keep it.
Reply:sounds like what is done is done. Oh well. I wouldn't say anything for something so trivial. Anyway what one person thinks is tacky another might think is cute. If she planted fake stuff that probably means she wouldn't have liked caring for a small flowerbed.... a bunch of dried out dead plants are pretty tacky too.... I just wouldn't bring this one up to her.
Reply:i think if she likes it you should just leave it your taste might be different than hers. something that you might find really pretty or tasteful can look really tacky or ugly to her. if you must tell her i suggest that you just be honest and tell her how you feel about them
Reply:hinting... but you dont want to upset her.


or dont say anything...





let someone else do the dirty work...


they may be the "outspoken" one who cant hold in their opinions and end up looking like the jerk, and im sure you would rather NOT be that person.
Reply:If you are good friends, you just need to tell her flat up. Yeah, it might be awkward but that's better than letting her make a fool of herself. Plus think of her poor neighbors that have to look at that crap. Do it for them!!!
Reply:Look... "tacky" is a word that refers to your personal taste. What you regard as tacky might be beautiful and nice to others. Don't try to impose your taste on others. Otherwise you might appear rude.
Reply:I'm afraid you can't say anything without hurting her feelings. I hate all that junk too, but she probably thinks it looks good. Let the landlandy deal with it, then be sympathetic.
Reply:Just tell her that the "ornaments' might make the flowers/veggies not grow..... Or just turn it into a joke.... like "hey, where are the flowers?????!"


If that doesn't work.... I guess to each her own, right? haha
Reply:It's not your place tot tell her your opinion unless she asks. She may like the way her flower bed looks and unless she brings it up and wants to hear what you think, I would just not comment.
Reply:A garden is suppose to bring pleasure. If the things she put in her garden bring her pleasure, then it serves it's purpose.





She's not hurting anyone, so I'd just let her enjoy her 'garden'
Reply:Well if you two are truely good friends she will take your word on it and not get mad. Better coming from you than from a stranger. Save her the embarassment.
Reply:Give her a "Pink Flamingo" for her next gift. Nothing says tacky like a pink flamingo!
Reply:you dont need to tell her someone else may if they choose but if your a friend keep it to yourself...everyone has different tastes!
Reply:Maybe tell her thats not what you meant. Go to her apartment and kinda help her plant some gorgeous flowers. :]
Reply:dont tell her. she nay just have different taste. its not your place to say its tacky, she can like whatever she wants.
Reply:It's your friends, why is that any of your business. She likes it.
Reply:don't say anything
Reply:Ok firstly you want to write a letter about all her problems and sign it in a different name!





WIN WIN Situation!
Reply:Maybe she finds them very joyful. I'd keep your opinion to yourself.