While the holiday season should be all about giving and appreciation, the heart sinking feeling that occurs after unwrapping an interesting (okay unwanted) gift can leave a person feeling selfish and spoiled. While we know we should be grateful for any kind of gift, it’s hard not to be disappointed when your dad gets you dangly earrings with mini pink purses that hang down to your chin, after you specifically asked for those Tiffany and Co. silver studs (true story). You’re in luck, however, because here’s three things you can do with your unwanted gifts that will make you feel the opposite of guilty.
1) Return
While returning gifts is usually looked down upon, it’s guaranteed that the person who gave you the gift wanted to get you something you actually liked. So when returning, keep in mind that you’re making sure the gift givers didn’t waste their money on you. While you may never tell them you returned their gift, in your heart you know you were doing them a favor.
2) Re-gift (thoughtfully)
Occasionally you may get a gift that you don’t like, but that would be perfect for a friend or family member. You got a gift card to Burger Counter, and hate burgers; your best friend however loves burgers. Problem solved. While re-gifting seems insensitive, you are giving away a gift that you could have kept for yourself, so stop feeling guilty. Just be careful, you wouldn’t want to re-gift to the person who gave you the gift in the first place (yikes).
3) Donate
It’s important to remember that there are people who have less than you, so if you get clothing you don’t like, or food you won’t eat, don’t let it go to waste: donate it. Purple Heart is the perfect foundation to donate your clothes to; they come straight to your house. Take excess food from your kitchen to your local food bank. You’ll actually feel good after donating your unwanted gifts. It’s a win, win.
4) Keep
You know you won’t ever wear those earrings in public, but your dad seemed so excited about them that returning them seems cruel. These kinds of situations are tricky. In this case it may be necessary to keep the gift simply to spare your father’s (or anyone else’s) feelings. Wear the earring during a family night, or simply put them with the rest of your jewelry so Dad will see that you kept them. Sometimes keeping the gift is the right thing to do, and honestly it’s the thought that counts.
Via Photo Spin
