What Do You Do With Gifts That You Don't Like or Don't Want.

blueyedgirl5946

TCS Member
Thread starter
Veteran
Joined
Sep 10, 2005
Messages
14,593
Purraise
1,695
I am just wondering. I don't like having things hidden away that I feel like I have to run and display if certain people come to my house. Sometimes I try to use it long enough to know it has been seen. What do you do.
 

jcat

Mo(w)gli's can opener
Veteran
Joined
Feb 13, 2003
Messages
73,213
Purraise
9,851
Location
Mo(w)gli Monster's Lair
I put it away somewhere till DH finds it and throws it out because it isn't being used. He loves to throw stuff out! Sometimes I give it to somebody I know can sell it at a garage sale or church bazaar.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

blueyedgirl5946

TCS Member
Thread starter
Veteran
Joined
Sep 10, 2005
Messages
14,593
Purraise
1,695
I put it away somewhere till DH finds it and throws it out because it isn't being used. He loves to throw stuff out! Sometimes I give it to somebody I know can sell it at a garage sale or church bazaar.
Can I borrow him long enough to get rid of some junk. Come on now gang. I know the two of us are not the only ones who deal with this issue. Because of hubby's job, we get loads of gifts. I have passed the word that I don't want something to sit on a table or hang o the wall or dust. That worked for a while, but I did get two things at Christmas to be hung on the wall. One is hung. The other is waiting.:lol3:
 

Winchester

In the kitchen with my cookies
Veteran
Joined
Aug 28, 2009
Messages
29,730
Purraise
28,024
Location
In the kitchen
I don't really get many things that I don't like, although it has happened. And if I don't like it, I simply don't use it. That sounds rather harsh, I know, but I just don't put it out. And then eventually we put it out at a yard sale or give it to somebody who's having a yard sale. 

When our kids first got married, our DIL gave me a sweater for Christmas. Now I know that it was a very nice sweater, but it just wasn't me. Our son knew that and he told her that if she gave me that sweater, I'd never wear it. Well, she gave it to me anyway and I thanked them for the gift. Later on, DS pulled me aside and asked me if I liked the sweater. I looked at him and said, "I'm sorry, but no." They were fine with it and he said he did tell her that I wouldn't like the top. She took it back and then she and I went shopping for something I did like. So it all worked out. She's a sweetie and she knows that her MIL has some weird issues. And she deals quite well. 
 

I don't like things that just sit and collect dust, unless it's something that I really like. Contrary to popular belief, just because I love cats doesn't mean that I want every cat figurine in the world. There are some cat figurines that I don't like and I don't want. Same with pictures and such. I have to dust this stuff, so it should be something I enjoy seeing. 

I hope that makes sense.
 

natalie_ca

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
21,136
Purraise
223
Location
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I thank them first of all.

Next it goes onto my over stock shelf in my linen closet.

I'm so not into clutter that every couple months I go through that shelf and get rid of stuff I haven't used since the last time I went through the shelf.  I either regift it or give it to charity.

Though, I don't get too many things that I don't like or want anymore. I'm pretty vocal about not liking clutter and stuff that sits on shelves and requires dusting! 
 

red top rescue

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
4,466
Purraise
1,486
Location
Acworth GA, USA
Many rescueslike the one I foster for have THRIFT STORES and the profits go to support the animals.  We will GLADLY accept anything in good condition, from collectibles to furniture, clothing and shoes.  Donate everything you don't want to an animal rescue that has a thrift store and we will be forever grateful.  You get a clean house and we money to help care for our rescues.  THANKS!
 

larussa

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 28, 2007
Messages
4,899
Purraise
71
Location
Central New Jersey
If I don't like something I will ask family and friends if they can make use of it.  If not and it's clothes I put it into one of those big Bins for the poor.  Otherwise I will keep it for a little while but wind up trashing it in  the long run if I still have no use for it.
 

allenkm

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jan 25, 2014
Messages
393
Purraise
17
Location
Madison, Wisconsin USA
If I don't like something I will ask family and friends if they can make use of it.  If not and it's clothes I put it into one of those big Bins for the poor.  Otherwise I will keep it for a little while but wind up trashing it in  the long run if I still have no use for it.

That is funny I am visiting my mom now and she just tried to give me some gifts she got and couldn't use....but I didn't want them either so I guess she will have to keep trying
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

blueyedgirl5946

TCS Member
Thread starter
Veteran
Joined
Sep 10, 2005
Messages
14,593
Purraise
1,695
My favorite things to receive are flowers, fruit baskets, gift cards for just about anywhere and phone cards for my phone, I like to pick out my own home decor stuff and clothing. My husband gets ties by the gazillions. If somebody tells him they like his tie, he takes it off and they take it home.:nod: My issue often is people might expect to see it when they come to my home.
 
Last edited:

stewball

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Messages
11,747
Purraise
809
Location
Tel Aviv
Can I borrow him long enough to get rid of some junk. Come on now gang. I know the two of us are not the only ones who deal with this issue. Because of hubby's job, we get loads of gifts. I have passed the word that I don't want something to sit on a table or hang o the wall or dust. That worked for a while, but I did get two things at Christmas to be hung on the wall. One is hung. The other is waiting.:lol3:
Ask for the money that would be spent on the gift to go to charity.
 

stewball

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Messages
11,747
Purraise
809
Location
Tel Aviv
I don't really get many things that I don't like, although it has happened. And if I don't like it, I simply don't use it. That sounds rather harsh, I know, but I just don't put it out. And then eventually we put it out at a yard sale or give it to somebody who's having a yard sale. 

When our kids first got married, our DIL gave me a sweater for Christmas. Now I know that it was a very nice sweater, but it just wasn't me. Our son knew that and he told her that if she gave me that sweater, I'd never wear it. Well, she gave it to me anyway and I thanked them for the gift. Later on, DS pulled me aside and asked me if I liked the sweater. I looked at him and said, "I'm sorry, but no." They were fine with it and he said he did tell her that I wouldn't like the top. She took it back and then she and I went shopping for something I did like. So it all worked out. She's a sweetie and she knows that her MIL has some weird issues. And she deals quite well. :)  

I don't like things that just sit and collect dust, unless it's something that I really like. Contrary to popular belief, just because I love cats doesn't mean that I want every cat figurine in the world. There are some cat figurines that I don't like and I don't want. Same with pictures and such. I have to dust this stuff, so it should be something I enjoy seeing. 

I hope that makes sense.

Perfect sense.
 

raintyger

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 17, 2012
Messages
1,690
Purraise
139
Location
Long Beach, CA
Many different things happen, depending on the gift.

Sell on eBay if I think it will go quickly.

Let it rot for a long time. After that, throw it out or give it away because by then we don't feel as guilty about it.

If it is something small like an office white elephant gift, I put a Post-It on it indicating who it came from. It then becomes available for regifting in my husband's office gift exchange.
 

kimkats000

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
May 9, 2003
Messages
79
Purraise
3
Location
N. Florida
I am a Kindergarten teacher.  I get quite a few gifts from the kids.

I put the gift up in the classroom for all to see. Once it has been up for two weeks I take it home. Once it is home I put it in the dog rescue bag. They have a resell shop to help fund the dogs.

If it is from a family member I thank them and return to the store they bought it from. IF I cannot figure out what store it came from I give it to the dog rescue. If it clothes I wear it one time when I know they will see it THEN give it away if it is something not of my taste but that rarely happens.

I do NOT do "dustables" as I call them.  My family knows this so there are very few things I do not like from them. Things from the kids is another matter-apple stuff=gift for teacher LOL.  The kids are very happy with their hug and display at school. They have no idea where it ends up from there. They are told it is going to my house and it does until the bag is full! 

I do NOT put stuff in the closet or on a shelf if I cannot use it right away or know I will use it in the future. I guess I am an "anti-hoarder". 
 

Winchester

In the kitchen with my cookies
Veteran
Joined
Aug 28, 2009
Messages
29,730
Purraise
28,024
Location
In the kitchen
That is funny I am visiting my mom now and she just tried to give me some gifts she got and couldn't use....but I didn't want them either so I guess she will have to keep trying
My mother-in-law has finally realized that she needs to go through her stuff. The rooms in their house are full of stuff. Stuff in the basement, stuff in the bedroom on the second floor. Stuff all over the place. She is using her housekeeper to help her go through stuff. And that's a good idea.

So the bad thing about going through her stuff? She won't trash it and she keeps offering her stuff to me! I'm sorry, but I don't want it. I have enough trouble with my own stuff!

So far I have taken numerous unused dish cloths and towels....I won't have to buy these for 10 years. (I had taken a bunch of unused cloths and towels from my mom when she passed.) I have taken extra bowls (well, you can't have too many bowls.....honest. 
) She wants me to have her punch bowl set.....does anybody even use a punch bowl set anymore? (Well, I figure I will start to purposely use it on Christmas Day from here on out. Maybe it will give a little formality to the chaos that goes on in our kitchen when we're all together. 
 Wine in a punch cup, anybody?) She gave me an old dough mixing "thing" which is actually pretty cool and I do want to try it out, when I get some time. 

But she needs to get serious about getting rid of her stuff (and not just trying to give it all to me). We went through this with my parents when they downsized and moved to their apartment. Then went through it again when my aunt passed away; her apartment was packed to the hilt with "stuff" and most of, sadly, had to be thrown away. And then again when Mom passed away. Even though she was in the apartment, it doesn't take long to collect stuff, that's for sure.
My favorite things to receive are flowers, fruit baskets, gift cards for just about anywhere and phone cards for my phone, I like to pick out my own home decor stuff and clothing. My husband gets ties by the gazillions. If somebody tells him they like his tie, he takes it off and they take it home.
My issue often is people might expect to see it when they come to my home.
I am starting to love gift cards. And Rick likes getting restaurant cards. And he likes Lowes cards, too, because we're constantly going to Lowes and they come in handy to put toward new tools and such for him. He refuses to allow anybody to buy him ties; even I can't. He's very fussy about his ties. I can buy him dress shirts by the gazillion, but never, never any ties.

I can't have flowers anymore; the cats will eat them. But my mom used to send us flowers to me at work for our wedding anniversary....it was difficult last year because it was our first anniversary that she was gone and there was no flower arrangement. Even though I knew there wouldn't be, it still really hurt. Because it meant that she was gone.

For Christmas this past year, we had no idea what to do for my sister and BIL, so we got them a basket of snack-type foods from Wine Country Gift Baskets....we got a catalog in the mail and figured we'd give them a try. So we got them a basket and got a smaller one for ourselves. They loved it! It had all kinds of snacks in it (not a lot of each, but a nice assortment). And then we gave them a bottle of my sister's favorite wine, along with a wheel of Baby Swiss cheese from our local cheesemaker. She said we can continue to do that every year; it was a really nice gift. And when everything was finished, she had a nice basket to use....she loves baskets. It wasn't something that she had to display and dust; it was something they could eat and they enjoyed it. Not everybody can eat just anything though, so it's tricky.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #16

blueyedgirl5946

TCS Member
Thread starter
Veteran
Joined
Sep 10, 2005
Messages
14,593
Purraise
1,695
Believe me, my husband does not like getting so many ties. He gets most of them from church members and so it really is a delicate situation. He wears them to church and gives them away there if some unsuspecting man says he likes it. I have received perfumes and scented things that make me sneeze. I only wear one perfume and that has been for the last twenty years or more. But people just buy things because they want to give a gift and so they just buy what they want to, no thought. We got a pre-Christmas gift of the frozen Omaha steaks. Now that was a great gift.
 

MoochNNoodles

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 30, 2005
Messages
36,646
Purraise
23,465
Location
Where my cats are
It depends on what it is.  My Step-grandmother just passed away last week.  I was not very close with her; but still, she's been in my life for 20 years now so it's a sad time.  It made me think about Christmas way back when I was a preteen and teenager.  I think I was 15 before they stopped giving me barbies or dolls for Christmas.  The gifts were appreciated because they have A LOT of grandchildren (18 by my count) and I appreciated being included.  But I was beyond the barbie years.  My youngest step-sister is 6 years younger; so she usually got the barbies and dolls and enjoyed them.  Either right away or within the year after.  I think one doll went to the daughter of someone mom worked with; who was in need.  It's mostly clothing that I get but can't use that I need to re-gift.  I have a surplus of candles thanks to my step-aunt; but those could be useful so I'm glad to have them.  They are generous as well. 

I re-gift when I know someone will like something and it won't hurt the person who gave it.  Some things I hold onto for years.  I don't really get things that I don't use much though; I have to be careful because I have a hard time getting rid of things.  I hear my Mom and my Grandmothers talking about not wasting.  One set of Grandparent's have already weeded their things way down and passed them on to who they wanted them to go to.  Their house looks different than when I was growing up; but I do think it's better this way. There is still plenty to sort out when that time comes. 
 
Top