Things to use, not ornaments, jewellery or 'stuff.' Please, save me from 'stuff!' Bushes that flower at the time of my birthday, theatre tickets, meals out, a nice experience like learning to temper chocolate and make hand made truffles, with lunch, champagne afternon tea with the person who gave me the treat, luxury hair products, vouchers for books. Things like that are better appreciated when you get to fifty or sixty and can usually buy something if you realise you want or need it.
In my spare room at the weekend, I fished out a few presents that are now clutter. A chicken brick, coffee machine (phoenix you can have it! ), long hostess heating thingy for hot food (used once at a christening), several Portuguese and Italian ornamental platters and dishes, a porcelain bowl for keeping tapenade warm (with tea light underneath), tapas set, a tagine, flouncy scarves (not me) and several part sets of smellies. They're going in the next charity car boot. I'm sure these gifts were all given in the hope I would use them, but I've either already got what I need or they aren't something I would use or choose for myself. I accept them gracefully, and give hints if asked.