Every year we all open a few gifts that we just don't want. They could be from your mom, boyfriend, or relative you only see once a year. You appreciate the effort but you just have no use for the gift. It may be an ugly sweater or it could be the drone you got last year for your birthday. When you first open the gift you fake excitement and pretend that it's exactly what you've been waiting for. You hug the giver of the gift and you tell them that you can't wait to use it. But once you get home your tune changes. You usually throw the gift in the back of a closet and forget about it until Spring cleaning comes around. It usually becomes just a waste of space until four or five years later when you throw it away. Well if you received any gifts that fit this situation this year, you should think about donating them to a different cause.
There are four major solutions to any unwanted gift. The first one is to donate the gift. If it is a sweater or piece of clothing that you aren't fond of, give it to Goodwill. They will sell it in their store and the proceeds go towards providing more jobs. If it's a larger gift that you just don't have space for in your home, consider donating it to Habitat for Humanity. Most locations will come and pick the item up from your home and all the money they make from the item will go directly into building homes for those in need. Donating the unwanted gift is a great way for the present to slip into silence while also helping someone in need.
You could also return the gift. If the person who gave the gift to you was smart, they would have included a gift receipt. If they didn't it's okay, you can return most things as long as the tag is still attached. This could seem a little hurtful towards the giver but it's the best way to actually turn something unwanted into something that you really like. Think of it as an opportunity to upgrade your present.
Another creative option is to list the item on eBay or have a yard sale. This allows you to turn a dust collector into a money maker. The number of eBay listings increases exponentially after Christmas each year. Don't be afraid to join the movement. If you have a yard sale, note that this is a little more risky because the giver may stop by and find their item and get offended. Selling the item is a great alternative to letting it collect dust in a closet.
The final thing to do with an unwanted gift is to simply regift the item to someone you think may actually enjoy it. This is always a good option because it saves you trouble down the line when it's time for another gift giving event. The only danger with this option is regifting the item at an event where the original giver is present. Even worse, you may give the item back to the original giver because you forgot who gave it to you originally.
Whatever you decide to do with your unwanted gifts, don't let them end up in the back of the closet for the next five years. Regift them, sell them, or return them if you must. Always remember that donating them is a wonderful idea because there's always someone in need. Just don't forget to first put on a brave face and thank the person who gave you the gift because they did put a lot of time and effort into finding something they thought you would enjoy.
