Strategies to Dispose of Unwanted Gifts Without Experiencing Guilt
Hey there! Struggling with that mountain of gifts taking over your home, especially the ones that hold a special sentiment? Don't fret! We've got you covered, mate. I mean, who hasn't held onto a too-fancy dress or a tattered kid-made craft, right?
ButI digress. Here's how to get rid of those gifts that are causing clutter in your life without giving you the guilt-trip of the century. We've consulted not one, but two experts – Elaine Swann, founder of The Swann School of Protocol, and Jamie Hord, founder of Horderly – to get their take on giving away gifts without the guilt.
Say Goodbye to Gift Guilt
The main barrier to shedding those sentimental souvenirs is the guilt you feel when you realize someone took time and effort to gift something they thought you'd adore. But don't worry, we've got some ways to help you get over it:
Understand why you can’t let go
The reasons for hoarding gifts can vary. It could be sentimental attachment to the gift recipient, a sense of duty, or simply fear of hurting someone's feelings. "We see many clients feel obligated to keep gifts they were given from others," says Jamie Hord, founder of organization site Horderly. "It's mainly because they think that person will ask for that item if they were to come over, and they don't want an awkward situation where they have to tell them that they got rid of it."
Put yourself in their shoes
Put yourself in the giver's position and wonder how you would feel if that gift you bestowed upon someone didn't suit their taste. "I realized my friends wouldn't want me to feel burdened by a gift I no longer wanted," says one Reddit poster. "If I gave a friend a gift, I wouldn't want them to feel burdened by it either. It's not their job to keep it simply because I gave it to them."
Let Go of the Gift, Not the Love
Now that you've got the guilt under control, it's time to talk about how to discard the actual presents without causing offense:
Ask for a refund or exchange
For those recently purchased gifts that just don't work, you can return or exchange them. If you need a gift receipt, just ask – no fuss, no muss. Use a vague excuse like, "it doesn't really suit me" if the giver queries.
Consider regifting – carefully
If regifting is your plan, make sure you're giving it to someone who will truly cherish it and who isn't in the same circle as the original giver. For sentimental items, like an heirloom piece of jewelry, tread lightly and gift it to someone special in your life. By doing so, the handoff will be more meaningful.
Don't shy away from donating or selling
If the present is a complete miss, you have no obligation to keep it. "The purpose of the gift is pleasure," says Redditor Neat_Researcher2541. "You are not obligated to keep it." So, whether it's donating to charity, selling at a garage sale, or handing it off to a local Buy Nothing group, the gift still has value.
Keep Those Needed Gifts Special
Think creatively
Some gifts can serve multiple purposes. A tea set, for example, could be turned into a charming vase for flowers or a quaint soap holder in the bathroom.
Find a storage solution
For gifts that are too special to let go but take up minimal space, double down on those organizing skills and find a clever storage solution.
Honor the sentimental gifts
When it comes to handmade gifts, especially from little ones, capture the moment and take a photo of the kiddo with their artwork. That way, you can hold onto the memory without the mess.
Embrace Experience Gifts
To avoid future gift guilt, communicate with friends and family about the type of gifts you'd prefer – experiences over stuff. "Give them some examples, like tickets to a show or a gift card to a playplace," says Hord. You'll create unforgettable memories without the guilt or clutter.
So, there you have it – strategies to conquer gift guilt and maintain a clutter-free home. Now go forth and declutter, knowing that those sentimental items still hold a special place in your heart.
- Struggling with sentimental gifts causing clutter in your home? We've consulted experts to help you get rid of them without guilt.
- The main barrier to letting go of gifts is the guilt felt due to the time and effort put into them by the giver.
- To overcome this guilt, understand why you're hoarding gifts, put yourself in the giver's shoes, and remember they wouldn't want you to feel burdened either.
- For recently purchased gifts that don't work, return or exchange them, or use a vague excuse like "it doesn't really suit me" if the giver queries.
- If regifting, make sure it goes to someone who will cherish it and isn't in the same circle as the original giver.
- For unwanted gifts, don't feel obligated to keep them – donate, sell, or even repurpose them into something useful around the house, such as a vase or soap holder.
