Reading Time: 7 minutes What To Do With Unwanted Gifts
This post may contain affiliate links. Read the disclosure.
Gift giving season just passed. Now many of us find ourselves with unwanted gifts. What should we do with them? We should learn from our unwanted gifts!
In a perfect life, you will only be surrounded by all the things and people you cherish. But this is naturally part of what you would call a dream.
Life isn’t perfect, and sometimes, unfortunately, things we don’t like find their way in the middle of our path. You have a different way of reacting to those, of course.
Some people share their disappointment, some others fight back and try to send back the bad news or the wrong item where they believe it belongs.
Others learn to make the most of everything that life has to give even if it is something that they didn’t want.
Table of Contents
Unwanted Gifts?
Returning Gifts with a Receipt
Having a receipt can significantly simplify the process of returning a gift. It serves as proof of purchase and can help you get a full refund or exchange at the store where the item was bought.
Many retailers have specific time frames for returns, so it’s best to initiate the return process as soon as possible.
Returning Gifts without a Receipt
Returning gifts without a receipt can be more challenging. Some stores may allow exchanges without a receipt, others might offer a store credit at the lowest selling price of the item.
It’s always best to check the store’s return policy before attempting a return without a receipt.
The Trend of Charging for Returns
Recently, there has been an increasing trend among retailers to charge fees for returns. More than 40% of retailers, including H&M, J. Crew, Zara, Abercrombie & Fitch, and American Eagle, now charge return fees.
You’ve eaten dehydrated fruit, and it’s still real fruit. Earth Breeze Laundry Sheets are along the same lines. They’re actual laundry detergent but made in eco-friendly sheets. They’re just dehydrated laundry sheets that come in cardboard envelopes.
These fees can range from around $7 to $10 and are often deducted from the refund you receive. Even online retail giant Amazon has implemented a $1 fee on certain returns made at UPS stores.
This new trend can largely be attributed to the rise in online shopping and the associated costs of managing returns, including shipping and restocking expenses.
It’s also seen as a way for retailers to discourage excessive returns and promote mindful purchasing.
While this may seem like a significant shift, there are still ways to minimize or avoid these fees.
One effective strategy is to return the item in-store, if possible, as this often circumvents any shipping or handling fees associated with mail-in returns.
Exchanging a Gift
Exchanging a gift can be a delicate process, but it’s possible to do it right. First, if the gift was bought from a store that allows exchanges, you could return the item and select something more suitable.
Or you could trade the gift with friends or family members who might have received something more aligned with your tastes.
Dealing with Unwanted Gifts
Unwanted gifts don’t have to gather dust in your closet. There are many ways to put them to good use while being respectful to the person who gave it to you.
Selling them is one way to go about it. Websites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace are popular platforms where you can sell unwanted items.
If you prefer giving to receiving, donating your gifts is another wonderful option. Local charities, homeless shelters, or thrift stores are often in need of items.
Make sure that the items are in good condition before donating them.
The Art of Regifting: A Guide to Doing it Right
Regifting is the act of taking a gift that you have received and giving it to someone else as a present. It is often viewed as a controversial practice, with some people considering it rude or thoughtless.
If done correctly and with care, regifting can be a practical and sustainable way to deal with unwanted presents.
The key to successful regifting lies in being mindful and considerate. It’s crucial not to hurt anyone’s feelings in the process. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the art of regifting:
Never regift personalized items. Anything that has been personalized or custom-made for you should not be regifted. These gifts were given with a lot of thought and effort, and passing them along might hurt the original giver.
Always consider the recipient when regifting. The gift should still be something that the new recipient will appreciate and find useful. Do not just regift for the sake of getting rid of an unwanted item.
If the gift is a perishable item, like food or skincare products, ensure they are still fresh and within the expiration date when you regift. Freshness matters in the regifting process.
Keep track of the original giver. This is very important to avoid potentially embarrassing situations. You don’t want to end up regifting the item to the person who gave it to you or someone they know.
Lastly, always take the time to repackage the gift. This shows effort on your part and also ensures that there are no leftover tags or notes from when you received it.
The goal of regifting is not just to offload unwanted gifts, but to pass on something that brings someone joy.
So next time you receive a present that isn’t quite to your taste, consider regifting, it might just make someone else’s day.
Getting Rid of Unwanted Gift Cards
Gift cards can be a wonderful present, but what if you receive one for a store you don’t frequent? No need to worry, there are several ways you can handle unwanted gift cards.
You can sell gift cards on websites like CardCash or Raise, where you can get up to 92% of their value back.
If you’re feeling charitable, you can donate your gift cards to institutions like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital via CardCash.
Alternatively, you could exchange your gift card for one you would use on sites like Cardpool and Raise.
Related:
- 101 Gift Ideas For The Person Who Has It All
- 25 Affordable Family Gift Ideas (Plus 5 More You Can Make And Sell)
What Can I Do With My Bad Experience: Share It!
A bad experience is a life lesson. The best way for you to make the most of your experience is to share it. There are different ways to approach this.
Your experience is a form of knowledge that you can sell to others.
Talking about it makes you genuinely stronger, which you can be proud of. This is part of the process of experiences: You learn from your mistakes to help others avoid them better!
To sum up, whether it’s a gift card, an ugly present, or a bad experience, there are plenty of ways of creating a gain – whether it is monetary, mental, or even emotional – from things that you don’t like.
So, analyze the stuff you don’t want anymore and see how they can make you a richer person now!
The Meaning Behind Gifts We Don’t Like
It would be difficult to list all the things you don’t like, and it would be a pointless exercise too.
It is far more interesting to understand why you might find yourself surrounded by things and experiences that you didn’t want to have.
The most simple explanation, unfortunately, is that you attracted it to yourself.
This doesn’t mean that you deserve to receive any unwanted gifts that you never wanted in the first place. It might not have happened randomly.
Take for example that awful pair of pants that your parents got you for your birthday. You smiled and thanked them, but inside, you were screaming in horror.
Instead of blaming them for their poor choice, it’s important that you try to see what might have led to it.
Could it be that your parents are not aware of your fashion interests because they don’t see you often enough to gain an insight into your style? Or maybe they are trying to be supportive because they saw your favorite actress was wearing something similar?
🙋♀️If you like what you just read, then subscribe to the ChaChingQueen newsletter and follow ChaChingQueen on YouTube.👈