Dealing with unwanted Christmas gifts

I think that the obligatory giving of Christmas presents has really got out of hand. It is mainly promoted by the media to boost sales in the high Street.
I would only give a present to who I know would appreciate something and not be so bad mannered and sell it on.
The true meaning of Christmas has escaped most of the population it would seem.

Aldom

In the little town where I live unwanted Christmas /birthday gifts are given to a local charity. The charity holds a New Year party for people with mental health difficulties and everyone receives a gift, using the unwanted gifts. These gifts bring great joy to the recipients.

This is a brilliant idea Aldom

I take unwanted presents to the town where my mum lives, and bring any she wants to regift back home with me to donate to charity shops here.

Same in our family as MOnica and if for some reason the gift wasn’t quite right or faulty, all receipts are kept and the problem would be sorted with a quick chat.

Unwanted toiletries can be donated to your local Women's Refuge, as can items for children.
Often women arrive, with their children having escaped from an abusive relationship with nothing.

BrandyGran

My daughter and I treated ourselves to afternoon tea in a posh hotel for our Xmas present to each other. Pianist playing Xmas tunes on a baby grand, delicious food and wonderful attention- it was the best present ever!! Try it!

That sounds brilliant BrandyGran 😜

At one church guild I was speaking at they had a table at the back where people could donate unwanted presents every week. They were all sold to any of the ladies who wanted to buy one and the proceeds funded their annual outing. Seemed a excellent idea to me

wish list

Everyone in our family files a sish list in early November, obviating the need to give presents to chairty because they are not wanted. Every gift a wanted gift!

My daughter and I treated ourselves to afternoon tea in a posh hotel for our Xmas present to each other. Pianist playing Xmas tunes on a baby grand, delicious food and wonderful attention- it was the best present ever!! Try it!

We as a family had a discussion in August regarding Christmas presents. We decided to buy Christmas presents for the children that are still at school but not for adults. As a alternative we are all meeting for a pre Christmas meal on Friday. It has taken a lot of pressure and expense away. We will be doing the same next year.

Men at the local refuse tip told us that after Christmas they get loads of Christmas presents dumped there- many of them unwrapped.

So much waste- we are like Witzend- only give to children and those we spend Christmas with - and make sure receipts are kept and we all know how to organise exchanges, without any acrimony or bad feelings.

Aldom

In the little town where I live unwanted Christmas /birthday gifts are given to a local charity. The charity holds a New Year party for people with mental health difficulties and everyone receives a gift, using the unwanted gifts. These gifts bring great joy to the recipients.

What a good idea.

Among the adults in this family, we now only give fairly token presents of edibles or drinkables. Nobody wants any more ‘stuff’ and IMO unless you know exactly what someone wants, any clothes/toiletries etc. are best chosen by oneself.

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In the little town where I live unwanted Christmas /birthday gifts are given to a local charity. The charity holds a New Year party for people with mental health difficulties and everyone receives a gift, using the unwanted gifts. These gifts bring great joy to the recipients.

This thread shows yet again that the giving of gifts can be a total waste of time and money if it is not the recipient’s choice.

So often on Facebook I see stuff, toys, handbags, clothes being put up for sale- ‘unwanted gift’,

Pointless exercise.

My sister once gave me a truly hideous handbag for Christmas. I have no idea why she thought I might like it and she is usually good at gifting. It wasn’t just ugly, it was huge and heavy and completely unwieldy to someone with a walking stick and a useless left arm. I had to wax lyrical on its fabulousness upon opening it and I think I deserved an Oscar for my performance. I eventually gave it to a charity shop, there was no chance of her seeing it as she doesn’t live local to me.

Soda pop my mum was exactly the same. She even put notes with the gifts, of who and when they were bought for her. She kept lots that I had given her.
Must confess to being a bit the same but am trying hard not to hoard/ cherish but use some of the nice toiletries I have been given.

Yes sodapop - I think your mum treasured your gifts. That’s why she wrapped them in tissue paper 😢

How do they know it was the handbag they gave the granddaughter did it have her name on it in the charity shop???
That’s mean really mean

Maybe your mum treasured them so much she didn’t want to use them up sodapop 🥰

I think one of the saddest things that happened to me was finding all the gifts I had given or sent to my mother all wrapped in tissue paper in a drawer. This was when we were clearing her house after she died. I don't keep things for 'best' now, I use or wear all the gifts I am given.

I also wondered how they knew that it was the same bag. I did once receive a gift in a bag with to Rosemary with love from Lavender written on the card. Clearly, one of Rosemary's unwanted gifts.

I also wondered how they knew it was the bag they bought. Was it a unique, handmade bag? I would rather people exchange anything I buy that they don't want. But once it's given it's up to them.

The next Christmas would be awkward for that mother and daughter.

Online swap groups are rife with unwanted Xmas presents. That or re-gifting. I don't care what happens to a gift once I've given it, not my business.

I'm just wondering how on earth they knew it was the handbag they'd bought!

I don't think I'd have leaped to the conclusion these ladies came to.