What to do with an unwanted gift?

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
1) give it back and tell the person right away you don't like it and why
2) accept it then try to return it to place of purchase for refund or credit
3) accept it with the immediate thought of re-gifting
4) accept it and toss it in the pile of items waiting to be taken to the landfill

It's probably in bad taste, but I always include the sales slip with the gift in case the person wants to return it. Also, I've already told people that usually give me gifts, "If I can't eat it or fold it up and put it in my wallet, don't bother."
 

debodun said:
1) give it back and tell the person right away you don't like it and why
2) accept it then try to return it to place of purchase for refund or credit
3) accept it with the immediate thought of re-gifting
4) accept it and toss it in the pile of items waiting to be taken to the landfill
Click to expand...

5) Put it in my pending pile for the Salvation Army or one of a number of organizations/churches that actually give directly to those in need.
I've got a large wooden box for that stuff.
It's getting rather fullish...and Christmas is coming

If the giver has the nerve to inquire as to the whereabouts of their gift, I'll gather the nerve to tell them
 
I think most of us has received a gift we didn't particularly want at one time or another. I can't imagine refusing the gift; how tacky and ungracious is that? I accept the gift, thank the giver, then do whatever I please with it. If it's nice enough to donate, that's a good route to take.
 
Depends on gift. I love to read, and was given a couple of books that were not of my taste. I brought them to Barnes and Noble, honestly told them I did not know where they were purchased. I was able to still return them there, for store credit.
Other unwanted gifts I have regifted or set aside for donation.
 
I don't have a problem with regifting. I've done it if I think the person I'm giving it to would really enjoy the item.
I've been fortunate that my family puts a lot of thought into buying me something and I've always been very happy and grateful with the gifts I've received.
 
I have a fancy looking little lady made of shells with an umbrella that was given to me by a grandchild. It is on a bookshelf in my hallway. Everytime I see it I think of how much she cared about me to buy it. It's not something I would have ever bought for myself.

This is a good question Deb.
 
Generally, I'd try to re-gift it. I sometimes find it difficult to pick gifts that I know the recipient will like, and I'm sure that many of my gifts have been passed on. I have felt rather guilty some times when I've been given expensive things like Bourbon and vodka - both of which I loathe. I even had great trouble finding someone who did like them.
 
debodun said:
1) give it back and tell the person right away you don't like it and why

I've already told people that usually give me gifts, "If I can't eat it or fold it up and put it in my wallet, don't bother."
Click to expand...

:oops: I wouldn’t dream of telling a person I didn’t like their gift and the reason why, I would be gracious, thank them and quietly donate it to a charity shop at a later date

If that’s your attitude debs, I’m amazed anybody gives you a gift !! :ROFLMAO:
 
GoodWill it, they are a GOOD store.. Their purpose is to help train persons with disabilities (and they do) from sales and is billed as non profit, but their annual reported sales internationally is over 5 BILLION dollars. According to news reports the CEO and owner earns 2 Million a year. Sounds like it is a cousin to our duly elected politicians who went in poor and came out rich, but who cares? The Salvation Army or local Christian Center appears to be a better choice to help those in need. Now that I think about...I don't remember ever getting a gift I could not use, socks, underwear, fruit cakes, bottle of wine, gas card, gift card to Harbor Freight, (my favorite store)
 
We thank the givers but regift or donate presents that we cannot use. We make a sincere effort to discourage most gifts.

About five years ago we requested that our kids please only give us consumables unless they know for sure it's something that we need and want. Like most of our generation, we have more than enough stuff. We further refined that request so that we wouldn't get "Interesting" foods like garlic laced fig jam, or olives stuffed with cajun-spiced jalapenos.

The kids have not only have followed our request, they've asked we do the same for them. Our family has a couple of very fun Christmas grab-bags. Mostly we celebrate birthdays by going out to a restaurant or making a meal together. We don't exchange gifts with friends and bring wine as hosting gifts.

For our own parties, I request that people come without host gifts but say if they feel compelled to bring something, please make it a bottle of wine, six-pack of beer, or a plant that I can kill fairly quickly. Like an orchid.
 

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