Gifts and gift-giving are always delicate topics – especially when you receive a gift you don’t want. It happens to everyone at some point. Maybe you had to fake enthusiasm when you unwrapped it in front of someone. Perhaps you now need to send a thank-you note to a long-distance family member. It is a shame to place a gift you’ll never use in a drawer and let it collect dust. And then, you probably feel guilty about it which is even worse. Here’s what I recommend you do with a gift you don’t want.

Return It

Hopefully, the gift-giver included a gift receipt. Or, they mention, “If you don’t like it, please feel free to exchange it.” By all means, take them up on it. Sometimes you can return an item without a receipt for an in-store gift card. Again, feel free to return it.

Re-gift It

Personally, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with regifting – as long as you follow the regifting dos and don’ts. For example, make sure it’s unused/in good condition and you’ve kept track of who it’s from. It’s embarrassing to unintentionally give back a gift to the person you received it from.

Sell It

If the item is reasonably valuable, post it on online classified ads (e.g., kijiji, etc.). However, be careful that the gift-giver won’t see the online ad. The benefit of selling is that you know the buyer is someone who wants it. Plus, you’ll have the cash to buy something you would like.

Donate It

Often gifts are hard to sell, so donating them is a wonderful option. Your friends or family may appreciate the item, so offer it to them first. This is similar to re-gifting, but you’re upfront with them! Alternatively, give it to a worthy charity.

As they say, “It’s the thought that counts,” and it’s true, but it’s also important not to start collecting things you’ll never use. That just creates clutter!

If you are thinking of selling or donating an item, check out my Resources Page, with an extensive list of organizations to help you.

Image by Porapak Apichodilok on Pexels.