Unwanted gifts

ripplyuk

I received some Christmas gifts from relatives and friends. Although I very much appreciate any gift that someone has given me, it’s often more the gesture than the actual item. I simply have no use for a lot of this stuff. Some things I already have eg: DVD’s and scarves. Other things I just don’t want. I was also given a large wall hanging of a dog which if I’m being honest, is just hideous looking and I really don’t want to put it up.

What is the etiquette to deal with this without hurting anyone’s feelings? Is there a certain length of time I should keep these items before getting rid of them? Some of the items (like the wall hanging) were given to me by people who will visit and probably expect to see these things. I can’t stand clutter and I have a very small house so there’s not a lot of storage space.

Slinky

I was gifted a model cat by a neighbour which I didn't much like. I displayed it for a while so she saw it. I then shifted it on to a non-local charity shop. If she asked, my plan was to say that a friend admired it so much I let her have it. Could you do that with the picture (grin and bear it for a bit?).


Scarves, DVDs, nobody is particularly notice if they don't see these in your home IMO.

ripplyuk

Slinky wrote: »

I was gifted a model cat by a neighbour which I didn't much like. I displayed it for a while so she saw it. I then shifted it on to a non-local charity shop. If she asked, my plan was to say that a friend admired it so much I let her have it. Could you do that with the picture (grin and bear it for a bit?).


Scarves, DVDs, nobody is particularly notice if they don't see these in your home IMO.

I honestly couldn’t bear to have this on the wall for any length of time. It looks like something from a teenagers room in the 1980’s. It’s also huge and would take up most of a wall. I’ve just stored it under the bed for the time being. I’ll have to think of something.

The DVD’s can go to a charity shop but the scarf I’ll have to wear when visiting my Granny or else she’ll ask. I’ve also got a handbag that I don’t like and a large Christmas snowman ornament/soft toy thing. I really don’t want to keep it but I can imagine my friend visiting next Christmas and asking where it is.

MovingForwards

Christmas stuff, if you can store it for a while, give it to a food bank.

The wall hanging etc I would be donating to charities.

oystercatcher

I tend to be brutally honest and say, things like , it was a lovely thought but it's really not to my taste, too big for the room , whatever , Otherwise you will end up with the rest of the matching set next year !!

Scarves can be worn to Grannies though , just whip it off the moment you are out of sight ....Grannies are precious .

Non local charity shops can benefit from this sort of thing...or if you think the friend really likes the dog poster ask if they would like it back !!

Pollycat

ripplyuk wrote: »

I received some Christmas gifts from relatives and friends. Although I very much appreciate any gift that someone has given me, it’s often more the gesture than the actual item. I simply have no use for a lot of this stuff. Some things I already have eg: DVD’s and scarves. Other things I just don’t want. I was also given a large wall hanging of a dog which if I’m being honest, is just hideous looking and I really don’t want to put it up.

What is the etiquette to deal with this without hurting anyone’s feelings? Is there a certain length of time I should keep these items before getting rid of them? Some of the items (like the wall hanging) were given to me by people who will visit and probably expect to see these things. I can’t stand clutter and I have a very small house so there’s not a lot of storage space.

Charity shop the items you don't want.
Tomorrow morning.

Have an early discussion with the people who give you gifts to agree that you will stop buying gifts for each other.

It's quite possible that the people you bought gifts for are looking at something and thinking 'OMG! :eek: Whyever did he/she think we'd appreciate that?

Stop wasting money from both sides.

ripplyuk

Pollycat wrote: »

Charity shop the items you don't want.
Tomorrow morning.

Have an early discussion with the people who give you gifts to agree that you will stop buying gifts for each other.

It's quite possible that the people you bought gifts for are looking at something and thinking 'OMG! :eek: Whyever did he/she think we'd appreciate that?

Stop wasting money from both sides.

I’d feel bad giving them to a charity shop so quickly. Which is silly, I know. I’ll do it eventually anyway.

I have previously suggested not buying gifts but they kept buying things anyway. I doubt they’ll be disappointed with what I bought them as I always ask what they want beforehand whereas they prefer to ‘surprise’ me.

pinkshoes

Tell her a dog obsessed friend saw the wall hanging and fell in love with it, so as it wasn’t your cup of tea you decided she could have it. Obviously this person was THRILLED with it...

Just wear the scarf to granny’s house. Store it in your car and it will double up as a cloth to wipe the windows with.

onwards&upwards

ripplyuk wrote: »

I received some Christmas gifts from relatives and friends. Although I very much appreciate any gift that someone has given me, it’s often more the gesture than the actual item. I simply have no use for a lot of this stuff. Some things I already have eg: DVD’s and scarves. Other things I just don’t want. I was also given a large wall hanging of a dog which if I’m being honest, is just hideous looking and I really don’t want to put it up.

What is the etiquette to deal with this without hurting anyone’s feelings? Is there a certain length of time I should keep these items before getting rid of them? Some of the items (like the wall hanging) were given to me by people who will visit and probably expect to see these things. I can’t stand clutter and I have a very small house so there’s not a lot of storage space.

If they visit and don’t see it they should just quietly realise it was a bit of a misstep, which happen, no harm done. It would be very rude of them to mention it.

onwards&upwards

oystercatcher wrote: »

or if you think the friend really likes the dog poster ask if they would like it back !!

You can’t be serious! :eek:

Pollycat

ripplyuk wrote: »

I’d feel bad giving them to a charity shop so quickly. Which is silly, I know. I’ll do it eventually anyway.

I have previously suggested not buying gifts but they kept buying things anyway. I doubt they’ll be disappointed with what I bought them as I always ask what they want beforehand whereas they prefer to ‘surprise’ me.

You need a pair of big girl (or boy) pants.
Tell them you're not buying gifts - in plenty of time - and say you won't accept any gifts.

Or continue to have a house full of stuff you don't want and are collecting dust until you feel an acceptable time has passed until you can get rid of them.

I can't understand why so many people allow other people to waste money on unwanted gifts.
It makes me very cross.