We have all been there before: horrible gifts. Perhaps, it is a sweater that we would never wear in our wildest dreams, or maybe a pair of slacks that Granny thinks you will look sharp in, or even a Chia pet! We politely say thank you and hope that there is a gift receipt tucked away in the box. If you receive a gift you are more than happy to part with, the following are some useful options to make the best of an ugly sweater situation.
- Return it. Hopefully there will be a nice white piece of paper neatly placed with your gift to bring it back. If not, you can always try to return it anyways, and most probably receive a store credit for something you will use and enjoy more.
- Donate it. Someone’s trash may in fact be another’s treasure. Remember the ugly candle holder you received? Someone else may adore it and in fact it may just brighten their day. Simply drop off the candle holder at your local church, thrift store or even a non-profit that that may have a need for it such as a women`s shelter or soup kitchen.
- Sell it. Now a days everyone seems to be selling their unused or used stuff on craigslist. So why not join them and sell the item and buy something you will use or need or maybe pay a bill.
- Re-gift it. You receive nice pair of gloves or mittens, but you have a zillions pairs already. What to do, what to do? I am sure there is someone you know that would like the gloves-so wrap it up with eco-friendly wrapping paper and voila- a gift for someone else, and you didn’t even have to spend any money.
- Swap it. Have an eco-freindly swap party! Invite all your friends and family, and ask them to each bring some used items that others would enjoy and swap away. You may end up with a nice scarf or sweater in return.
- Keep it. You could just store it for those “just incase” moments or for the time your great aunt asks about the awful looking mug she bought just for you. One never knows when a chia pet will come in handy! Sometimes we just have to think of the giver, and keep the gift to make them feel good when they see you using their gift!
The next time you receive a gift you are not too crazy about or not quite sure what to do with, please don’t just trash it. Instead, you now have 6 different options to save the item from a life time in a landfill.
What do you plan on doing with your new ugly sweater?
eco-friendly, holidays, tips, unwanted gifts
I am the Good Girl Gone Green. Seeing garbage cans overflowing with recyclables breaks my heart.
Great tips! I’m not sure if you have Freecycle in your area, but that’s a wonderful option too!
Thanks Charise!! I forgot about freecycle, thanks for reminding me!!!
I usually either return it, regift, or donate. I would feel way too guilty just throwing it away:)
Some people do throw stuff out they don’t want all the time. I too would feel guilty throwing anything out, too.
yep! I agree! Thanks for the reminders after the holidays!
You’re welcome!!:)
I’ve done all of these things at one time or another. Lately it seems I’ve been given what I consider just horrendous things, no where even close to my sense of taste. But they were given to me by neighbors that are often in our home, they were chosen with love, and given with obvious pride. So I display them even though I don’t really like them in the least. I remind myself that people and relationships are far more important than style. And over time the items that I formerly (though secretly) disdained grow on me because they begin to represent to me people in my life that I love, and who have enriched my life by their presence. They won’t always be my neighbors. One day we will live elsewhere, or the gifts in question will have completed their lifespan. But my friends will never have memories of being embarrassed or irritated by a gift not appreciated.
But in cases where the giver will never know, I appreciate your getting the word out about the alternatives to throwing things away. It shocks me the new or still-in-very-good-condition things I see in the dumpster here in my neighborhood.
I get that people thought into a gift. I am not saying you have to do this every time. I hate clutter, do if I have no use for something it’s gone!