What do you do with unwanted Christmas gifts?

purplegirluk1

Put away and give to someone else at a later date

I have to say I go through my christmas presents when I bring them home and decide what I want to keep and what I would waste if I don't really wasnt/like/need it. If there are things I will not use I put them in the present box and pass them on throughout the year, if they have not beeb used by christmas they go into the bag of gifts thats we give to the Salvation Army. I do not like waste at all and if I get a present that I would waste I make sure it is found a better use/home.

li'l_p

Can't say I've ever had an 'unwanted' present. Probably because our family have a very open policy of putting forward suggestions of the things we want, and the family then decide what to get each other based on each others suggestions.

Always strikes me as odd when people post on threads saying "I don't know what to get for X" when the simple answer surely is to ASK! Perhaps this would reduce unwanted gifts...

*zippy*

Be careful giving to local charity shops if the present giver lives near you, as I did this a few years back with quite a distinstive item and the relative who gave it to me saw it in there and told me!

jackomdj

I regift, pass on to someone who would appreciate it, freecycle, carboot or charity bag things.

When we moved to our new house (back in 2000) I told people that we would not keep things just because they were a gift if we did not like it. Our house is not huge & neither of us are keen on clutter & lots of ornaments etc. My Mum is good with things for the house (she will ask if I like it) but she does work on the idea that quantity of presents is better than quality & some things just aren't me!

Zippy - I am sure you mentioned this before & I thought OMG how awful then (may have been someone else but your story sounds so familiar)

debidoodle

I usually add it to my pressie stash with a post it of who it was from, then recycle it.

tara747

Give to charity shop

Thanks for all your replies so far, very interesting!!!

To those who would keep it regardless - that is very sweet of you. I am always grateful for a gift and the thought that has gone into it. If it's from my mum/OH then I will always keep it as it has so much more sentimental value IYKWIM.

If it's from a friend or work colleague, then I will ask myself honestly if I'll use it. If not, I feel it's my moral obligation to pass it on to someone else rather than have it go to waste - and I also agree with those who say they want to minimise clutter!! I don't have a problem with someone recycling a gift I've given them either if they won't get any use out of it. Rather that than wasting it and lining some company's pockets next Christmas!

Oh - forgot this one! If it's something I hate from a shop I love (e.g. a horrible necklace from, say, Accessorize) I'll just take it back and exchange it for something I do want.

*zippy* - how embarrassing, poor you!!!!!!!!!!!!

tara747

Give to charity shop

p.s. interesting to see that 25% of those who voted sell them on eBay!!! :rotfl:

Shelldean

Put away and give to someone else at a later date

I usually recycle them. I can't use soaps etc as I have an allergy.
I have a gift cupboard and all unwanted goes in there. Plus I add anything I find cheap/reduced etc during the yr.
I normally put a post it note on the item so it doesn't go to the same person who gave it to me. The items get used through out the year for birthdays etc.
I buy a lot of smellys from Wilkinsons in the sale just after xmas, and DD and DS use these as presents for their mates.

Last yr I was given slippers, i NEVER wear slippers, so in they went. While round sisters the other day I noticed her slippers were on their last legs, so she'll be getting the slippers LOL Should add she likes the boot type slippers and luckly the ones I have are boots!!!

BUT SKS gave me 4 wine glasses and as we never drink wine, they went in the cupboard, but i either didn't put a label on or its come off. Got no idea who gave them to me, but as they're quite distinctive I'm afraid to pass them on in case I give them to the wrong person.

tara747

Give to charity shop

Shelldean wrote: »

I usually recycle them. I can't use soaps etc as I have an allergy.
I have a gift cupboard and all unwanted goes in there. Plus I add anything I find cheap/reduced etc during the yr.
I normally put a post it note on the item so it doesn't go to the same person who gave it to me. The items get used through out the year for birthdays etc.
I buy a lot of smellys from Wilkinsons in the sale just after xmas, and DD and DS use these as presents for their mates.

Last yr I was given slippers, i NEVER wear slippers, so in they went. While round sisters the other day I noticed her slippers were on their last legs, so she'll be getting the slippers LOL Should add she likes the boot type slippers and luckly the ones I have are boots!!!

BUT SKS gave me 4 wine glasses and as we never drink wine, they went in the cupboard, but i either didn't put a label on or its come off. Got no idea who gave them to me, but as they're quite distinctive I'm afraid to pass them on in case I give them to the wrong person.

Is there any way you can narrow it down i.e. is there anyone who definitely didn't give them to you? It's annoying when that happens isn't it!

Or if they're pretty and not too delicate, you can still use them for Shloer, sparkling water etc - just to add a bit of glamour!!

I have a gift cupboard too and fill it up with grabbits/bargains throughout the year... and I reckon we're not the only ones! :rotfl:

I also love boot slippers - and wine glasses come to that if you're really stuck for someone to give them to! Since I definitely didn't give them to you. :rotfl:

*Louise*

Other (please tell us)

I tend to put things away in a cupboard or into a big box in the attic until I either find a use for them, find a person who would appreciate them...or take them to a car boot sale, where they will definitely find someone who can make use of them.

I don't give them to people as presents though. I don't have a problem with others doing that, I would just feel a bit guilty if I done it tbh.:o