Everyone has experienced the awkward moment of receiving a gift they dislike. You force yourself to fix your face and express gratitude in the moment, though, in the back of your mind, you’re thinking, ‘Wtf is this?!’ If you haven’t experienced this, consider yourself lucky. You’ve escaped a particular genre of holiday character development (learning to smile through the pain of disappointment). Call us dramatic, but it’s truly a skill! After the gift exchange, you’re responsible for this present you neither want nor care for. So what should you do with it? We’re glad you asked. Below are five ways to navigate handling a present you dislike.
First and foremost, depending on your relationship with the giver and your comfort level, simply share your lack of need or desire for it. Wording is everything. Outright saying, ‘I hate this!’ is not encouraged. Be delicate and honest, as it can be a sensitive conversation. Always start by expressing gratitude for the gift. ‘Thank you so much for thinking of me,’ goes a long way. Secondly, constructively share your feelings. “I hope you don’t mind me being honest, but this [item] isn’t quite my style/taste/something I’d use.” Third, offer a positive alternative that suggests they did nothing wrong. “I’m trying to be more mindful about things I use often, and I wouldn’t want to waste your money.” This way, it seems more like a you problem than a them problem, causing less offense.
If the confrontational approach is not for you, keep the gift and repurpose it! Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean someone else won’t. You’ll never know the next time you’re running late for an event and need a last-minute present. If you store the items you don’t want, you’ll have a stash of presents waiting to be re-gifted that someone else might love and appreciate. This also saves you money.
Speaking of money, you can make some from your gift (If you’re comfortable). There are two ways to do so: one is to sell it at a thrift store. If your gift is in high demand, you can make a few bucks off it quickly. The second option is to create an online store to resell your items. You likely have other things in your home of value that others would purchase. This is an opportunity to gather your belongings and curate an online seller account. Popular sites are Poshmark, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace. This is a perfect option for college students needing extra money to get through the Spring semester.
The final idea is to donate the present. If you are gifted clothes or shoes, search for your nearest donation bin. The holiday season is all about giving, not just to family and friends but also to the less fortunate. Any person who benefits from the organizations that collect those items will be grateful to receive new clothes fresh off the rack.
The only thing not recommended is throwing a gift in the trash. According to studies, Americans generate 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than during any other period in the year. This includes everything from wrapping paper and shipping material to gifts never used or opened. It harms the environment, as wasted gifts will inevitably flood our landfills. Therefore, please highly consider all the recommendations above before trashing your unwanted gifts.
About the Author: Shelby Denise Smith is a Social Media Editor and Freelance Writer. She’s passionate about lifestyle, wellness, travel, and culture. Smith enjoys packaging the insight she receives into stories that can positively impact the livelihood of others.