What to Do with Unwanted Christmas Gifts: Ideas & Recommendations

Let's explore how to tackle unwanted holiday gifts wisely, minimizing waste and ensuring no feelings are hurt.

Why a Gift Can Fall Flat

Even the most expensive and beautiful gift can miss the mark. The issue often arises when the giver isn't sure about the recipient's preferences, or overlooks them.

Here are the main categories of unwanted gifts:

1. Generic Gifts. These gifts are considered universal. Classic examples include sets of shower gels, soaps, and bath foams, scented candles, mugs with calendars or generic messages, and unremarkable notebooks. These lack personal touch and are often seen as mere formalities.
2. Not Meeting Needs. A faux pas would be gifting a baking set to someone who only uses a microwave, or a ballet ticket to someone who hates ballet. Such choices suggest the giver either doesn't know the recipient well or hasn't bothered to think about their habits.
3. Not Matching Preferences or Lifestyle. This is similar to the previous point but comes with a key difference. Here, the giver attempts to change the recipient’s style, like giving a bright T-shirt to someone who wears beige shades mostly, hoping that it inspires a makeover.

Another tricky category is duplicates. Sadly, the giver often doesn’t know whether the recipient already owns a specific item, leading to duplicate gifts. In some cases, it might be minor—like an extra bottle of your favorite shower gel with a long shelf life.

Should You Tell the Giver?

This is a sensitive question and the answer depends on many factors. Generally, you should avoid blunt remarks like "I don't like your gift." Such comments breach social norms and do more harm than good.

When a gift disappoints, an honest face-to-face feedback might not be the best choice for several reasons:

1. Risk of Deeply Offending Someone. A gift is more than a physical item—it's a symbol of attention and care. The giver likely invested time and money into it.
2. Creating Awkward Situations. Bringing it up can embarrass the giver, leaving them unsure how to respond and potentially damaging your relationship.
3. Undermining the Spirit of Giving. Gifting should be associated with positive emotions and generosity. Negative feedback undermines these values.

However, there are times when honesty is the best policy, especially with close relations. A delicate conversation is appropriate in these situations:

1. If the Gift is Generally Good but Not Quite Right for You. Politely suggest exchanging it together. Example: "Thanks so much for the gift! It's such a cute sweater, but it doesn't quite fit. Thanks for including the receipt - I will swap it for the right size."
2. To Avoid Repeat Situations. Start with a positive note before gently critiquing. Example: "I truly appreciate this cosmetic set. You're so thoughtful! But I'm not sure I'll get most of it. Would it be okay if we exchanged it?"
3. If the Gift is Low Quality or Hazardous. For example, a cheap string of lights that sparks, or a toy with a strong plastic smell. Emphasize safety. Example: "Thanks for the gift! But I was concerned about using it since it sparked a lot, and I wouldn't want anything bad to happen."

Generally, it is okay to say such comments to close friends or family. With an acquaintance or coworker, it's best not to share negative feedback.

How to Handle Unwanted Gifts

The first thought might be to simply throw away what didn’t suit you. But tossing gifts away brings a swirl of emotions—embarrassment, wastefulness, guilt toward the giver. Sometimes, though, this approach is the best for cheap trinkets or perishable items nobody will consume.

In many cases, it's easier to find another more practical and eco-friendly solution for unwanted gifts.

Regift

Regifting is often viewed as tacky. In reality, there’s nothing wrong with it if you consider a few key points:

1. Ensure the Gift Matches the New Owner’s Interests. Your goal isn’t just to offload an unwanted item but to give it to someone who will truly appreciate it.
2. Rewrap the Gift. Remove any trace of the original giver. Choose new wrapping paper or a gift bag.
3. Keep the Gift in Perfect Condition. Say you received a funny holiday sweater, wore it to a party, washed it, and decided you don’t need it. Regifting a used item, even once, is poor etiquette.
4. Ensure the Original Giver Doesn’t Learn About the Regift. Ideally, the giver and receiver shouldn’t know each other or meet, like passing a coworker's gift to a relative in another city.

Sell

If the gift is valuable, consider selling it to buy something you truly need. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace or eBay are perfect for this purpose.

Return to Store

If you are completely sure you won't be using a gift, then returning it to the store is a good idea. For that, you will need a gift receipt. If you only have a usual receipt, you will get a store credit or the possibility to get another item of the same value from this store.

Upcycle Creatively

If you're creative, try turning an unwanted item into something useful. This eco-friendly, imaginative approach could include:

• Turn a mug into a stylish planter. Just drill a drainage hole using a diamond drill bit for ceramics or glass.
• A sweater could become a bag, phone case, or teapot cozy.
• Dull books and magazines might make excellent scrapbooking material.
• A photo frame can be transformed into a flower vase. Add bottles with water and place them on the wall.

Find a New Use

This approach is similar to upcycling but simpler. No modifications necessary—just repurpose. Consider these ideas:

• Towels as cleaning rags—a classic reuse.
• Use a cup or candle holder to store pens, utensils, or makeup brushes.
• Apply rich body cream to care for leather shoes.
• Add perfume to floor cleaning water for a fresh scent.

Donate to Charity

Choosing to donate is kind and socially responsible. Items that don't benefit you might greatly help someone in need.

• Sweets, tea, and coffee can be taken to a nursing home, children's home, or social center. These treats are significant tokens of appreciation for residents.
• Clothing, blankets, and linens are welcomed at homeless shelters and charity organizations supporting low-income families, especially warm items in winter.
• Stationery, books, and educational games suit children's homes or charitable organizations aiding families in need.
• Towels, unscented liquid soap, and cleaners are useful for animal shelters.

Also Read:

8 Fun Ways to Exchange Christmas Gifts in the Office

Read

How to Avoid Receiving Unwanted Gifts

To prevent future dilemmas over mismatched gifts, it makes sense to plan. It's simpler to stop the problem before it starts.

Create a Wishlist

Compile gift wishlists on your phone notes, specialized apps, online services, or Google Docs. Share them when someone asks, "What would you like as a gift?" This not only helps you but also eases the decision-making process for the giver, reducing their stress.

Secret Santa

This gift exchange format suits coworkers, groups of friends, classmates, and family. It allows you to focus on finding one quality gift rather than spreading thinly across many.

Consider using the MySanta app for organizing the game. It helps create wishlists and link specific products directly on Amazon or other marketplaces, making the giver’s task easier.

Key features of the platform include:

• Unlimited participants, who can join online or in person.
• Quick draw, taking just seconds.
• Exclusion settings so no one is paired with someone they’d rather not gift.
• Total game control for the organizer, minimizing the chance that someone is left without a gift.

Honest but Tactful Conversations with Loved Ones

It's easier to have an open talk with close family than constantly receive unwanted gifts like wool socks for Christmas. Explain you appreciate the gesture but have enough socks and would prefer a bookstore gift card or theater tickets instead. Focus on your needs rather than the downsides of past gifts.

Conclusion

Don’t get upset if a gift didn’t resonate with you. It happens, and that's okay. Return, exchange, or regift items you don't enjoy to minimize clutter and free up the space for things that truly matter.