How to Dispose of "Unwanted" Holiday Gifts

With the spirit of giving comes the giving of "unusable" gifts. It's sad to admit not liking every gift that loved ones bestow upon us. But the truth of the matter is that some presents, while offered with the greatest intentions, sometimes aren't exactly what we'd want, enjoy, or need. Some people simply don't know what kinds of things a person is interested in. Some gift givers spend money on the "wrong" size, style, or color garment. The good nature in all of us makes us feel terrible for not appreciating the virtuous efforts of the loved ones who think of us during the holiday season. So in light of the hard truth that some holiday gifts are not what we want, here are some ways to "dispose" of them without disrespecting the gift giver's intentions.

THROW IT AWAY

This is probably the "cruelest" yet easiest thing to do with gifts that you are not keen on keeping around. Mind you, this will only work if:

a) there is a 99% chance you may NEVER see the gift giver again

b) the gift is inexpensive enough that you won't feel exceedingly guilty

c) the gift is TRULY unusable by you, or anyone else you know

This may sound really insensitive. But I'm referring to present exchange situations like purple faux fur mittens offered to someone who lives in an extremely hot climate and never travels. The truth of the matter is that some people give gifts simply to say that they did so, without really putting too much deliberation into the "giftee's" personality or hobbies. In cases like these, it's a fair assumption to make in saying that the generous giver will never ask his recipient if he/ she enjoyed the present.

EXCHANGE IT

Another popular option for "disposing" of unwanted gifts is to exchange them for something else. This is a much more acceptable alternative to simply throwing the present away. Most often, people purchasing more expensive items for their loved ones will include a 'gift receipt' somewhere in the package. These special receipts usually omit any documentation of the initial financial transaction; they contain the bar code which can be scanned by store personnel in the exchange process. So, the next time you're given a toaster whose make and model you already have, you won't feel so bad about exchanging it for a waffle iron.

RE-GIFTING

Some people frown on giving away the gifts provided to them by loved ones. Our hearts are sometimes just too humane to deliberately trash the kindness of others. In the season of giving, sometimes we feel compelled to give our "unusable" gifts to those who might find better use for them. The truth is that Recipient #2 is almost never privy to the fact that he/she has just been "re-gifted." And ironically, Recipient #2 may pass the present on to the next unwitting "giftee". The point here is to recycle the thoughtfulness instead of disregarding it completely. Again, even though you're not tossing the present into the garbage, you are still in essence, getting rid of it. So you might want to make sure that there is no chance that your selfless giver will ask about the present in the future.

SHRINE IT

If you're in the habit of receiving gifts that you have trouble finding purpose for, why not create a "shrine" of sorts? It's an interesting take on the concept of unusable gift collection. Starting a "shrine" will probably work best if you have a spare room with a fair amount of space. Get a glass case and place the gifts on the shelf, and label the present creatively with the giver's name, the date, or some other funny anecdote or quote that will commemorate the gesture. Have fun with it. Create a time capsule of sorts. That way, you're not feeling guilty about not using the present. Instead you've invented a creative way of honoring the spirit of gift giving, rather than the material things themselves.

TAILOR THE GIFT

If you've got an imaginative personality, you might also consider "reworking" the gift to your liking. One example is the receipt of a "hideous" pair of jeans. Some women cut their jeans to make shorts or capris. Some people adorn their jeans with jewels, artwork or other decorations to completely revamp their look. If you've received something like a lamp or vase that isn't to your liking per se, take a paintbrush to it, and get creative. There is nothing wrong with tailoring a gift in such a way that it's useable to you. If your present-giver inquires about the gift they've offered you, you can either tell them the truth: that you've altered the gift and you love it. Or you can simply say: "I've made use of it very well, thank you!"

Many people who give presents rarely ask their recipients about how much they liked them. Family members and close friends (those who you see most often) may have inquiries. But on the other hand, if they're as close to you as you think they are, they most often will know what you like anyway. Disposing of, or "re-making" a present to suit yourself shouldn't be too offensive to the people who know you the best.