recycling presents

BlondeHeadOn

The other thing to be careful of is whether the gift has already been 'recycled' more than once ...

A few years ago my sister gave me a jumper for Christmas that was a bit too big for me, and not really my style - too lacey-knit. It was a nice bright turqouise colour though, so I decided to give it to my Aunt for her birthday - as turquoise was always her favourite colour, and it looked like the kind of jumper she would like. So I did.

Only trouble was, apparently my Aunt had already seen this jumper - she had given it to my sister in the first place....

Ticklemouse

A few years ago, my grandma gave me one of those bathsets that only "older" ladies seem to get/use - you know, lily of the valley, with those foil wrapped bath cubes in? I said my thanks, and squirrelled it away where it eventuually was given away for use as a raffle prize.

However, when I had opened it, the first thing I saw was a piece of masking tape covering the bit that said "To Eva, from Edna". However, my gran was called Ellen, so goodness knows how many of my gran's friends and rellies it had been through before I got it :rotfl:

lynsayjane

i would definatly recycle gifts. a couple of my aunts still buy me pressies at xmas and bdays, dunno why since i'm 24 now! anyways one aunt always buys me a primark nighshirt, i dont wear anythign to bed and if i did it'd be a bit, well, sexier than the things she gives me...so it always goes back to primark for an exchange. i only see her about once or twice a year and she's not likely to see me in my bedclothes anyway so no harm done.

my other aunt used to do body shop parties so her gifts came in handy for recycling but she gave it up

Working_Mum

I totally agree that it is ok to re-cycle unwanted gifts. I have 2 small children and they always receive gifts which I feel are just not right for them.
For my son's 6th birthday i asked for a couple pounds of book tokens as a gift and I was amazed when he received over £200 in cash, £50 of Toys R Us tokens and £50 in book tokens - other Mum's were thrilled that i had done it too! My son was thrilled as he bought exactly what he wanted and realised what value money actually has.
I also re-cycle wrapping paper - being very careful obviously!!
If you feel you cannot re-cycle smellies then why not keep them to one side and contact your local Women's refuge? They often need toiletries for the laides that arrive with families. I send all of my old bedding, towels, smellies etc as they are often in dire need of support.
All the best!

Working Mum

nickyhutch

Ohhh those smellies sets!! I hate them! Why oh why does everyone buy them for everyone?!

ocemeer

I like the smellies sets, in fact my mum and lil sis recycle theirs to me in exchange for jams/pickles etc. If your family is close you could always do a present swap shop, is a scream if you haven't seen some of the presents your family have got.

Contains_Mild_Peril

I still remember getting a set of Barbie accessories from an aunt and uncle I rarely saw... I was about 14 at the time, and had never owned a Barbie doll. I think I "recycled" that one when my school had a charity sale.
Luckily, most of the pressies I get nowadays are more suitable, so I rarely "recycle" them, but when it comes to smellies, there are some I just don't like, and some which give me a headache.
I recently got a dress from my sister - not a birthday or anything, but she bought it for me because it was a bargain and she thought it would suit me. The thing is, it's a size too small, but she thinks that's OK because it's stretchy, and she says I look great in it. I think I need a corset to go with it now!

julybride

Okay I have recently received an abundance of gifts for my baby which is due any day... and as one of the first to have a baby everyone has been very generous.

I have been cheeky and returned a couple of mothercare gifts and exchanged them for bottles as I already had the gift but needed bottles... I was recently given a very expensive body suit... that is wrapped beautifully... but we don't really need it and i know that none of my expectant friends know i got this... am i cheeky to pass it on as a gift to a friend due in July at her baby shower....

It got me thinking about the passing on of presents... I generally give smellies as raffle prizes to my local charity... but what do old stylers think about passing on unwanted gifts?

morganb

Go for it, it's better being passed on to someone than pushed to the back of someone's wardrobe or cupboard, etc.

Pink.

Hi Julybride,

We have an older thread on a similar topic so I've merged yours with it to keep all the replies together. Good luck with your new baby.

Pink