When you look around your home, is part of the clutter you see gifts from other people?
Stuff you haven’t yet done anything with?
You’re not alone!
Many folks find that their clutter comes to them in beautifully wrapped, bow adorned presents.
Despite your best intentions, everyone gets busy and if you aren’t super excited about the gifts, they may be languishing in a corner or closet.
Friends and family show their love with presents and gifts, but what if it really is the thought that counts and the gift is unwanted?
Then what?
Clutter is clutter, no matter how it gets to you.
If it’s still in it’s original packaging and its been more than a month since you got your little hands on it, well, then, my dear – that’s gift clutter.
So what to do with the unwanted items and deal with excessive gift giving?
Read on for four proven, yet painless, strategies!
How to Decide Whether to Keep Gifts
Here are some easy ways to spot gift clutter (because it might be hard to see past the shiny newness of the gift you just received!):
Is it something you like?
Might the new present be a sure-fire winner in next year’s ugly Christmas sweater contest?
Um, unless you actually go to a party with that contest, don’t even let the sweater grace the inside if your closet!
If you don’t love it, the gift is a candidate to go.
Do you already have something similar?
Sometimes you may get a gift that’s lovely and you like it so much that you have something almost identical.
Choose your favorite one and get rid of the other.
Will you use it?
Is the gift something you think was a nice thought, but you’re not sure you’ll actually use it?
If it doesn’t make much sense to keep it right now, then it’s best to let it go.
Does it fit?
Sometimes well-intentioned presents can be so offbase size wise.
Don’t let a gift that you can’t wear hang around to become clutter.
Get rid of it now!
But it was a gift! I have to keep it!
Think you have to hang on to something, even if you don’t like, need or have room for it just because of the mere fact that it was a gift?
You actually don’t.
The person who gave you the gift gave it to you to make you happy.
Not to make you feel overwhelmed.
Or guilty.
And just giving it to you, they likely achieved that.
Their happiness doesn’t come to an end if you don’t decide to keep it.
And if they happen to notice you no longer have the item they gave you, it’s time to have a conversation with them about it.
Relay that you appreciated their thoughtfulness and that you’re trying to get your home more organized.
This holds true even if their love language is giving gifts.
Being on the receiving end of too many gifts can be overwhelming and leave you guilt-ridden, yet entirely stuck and unhappy.
That is totally not the feeling that the gift giver meant to give along with their lovely presents, at all.
Solutions to Deal With Unwanted Gifts
You’re on board for getting rid of the unwanted gifts, but not so sure what to do with them?
Here are four solid solutions!
Use Your Gift
Many times when we get gifts, them come in all at once.
And sometimes we don’t even have time to start using the gifts.
But now’s the time, my friend!
Don’t wait for the perfect time to use it.
Today can be that day if it’s something you like and intend to use.
Sell Your Gift and Clear the Clutter
Does the gift have a good resale value?
Do some research on the value, and then look to sell it.
Need help with figuring out how to best sell your items or determining the value?
I have a guide for that!
Donate Your Gift, Guilt Free
Don’t want to bother with selling it?
Give it away.
Whoever gave it to you doesn’t want to fill your life with something you won’t use.
They ultimately would appreciate having someone use the item.
Maybe you just don’t have to let them know that it won’t be you.
Schedule a pickup at Donate Stuff or with your favorite charity.
Gift it
If you truly won’t use the item, then pass it along to someone who will!
I really don’t think there’s anything to be ashamed about re-gifting items people have given to you.
If you feel a little weird about it, then just give the item to a friend or family member not for any particular reason, but just because.
Watch this!
I get into this issue about managing unwanted gifts more in this video. Give it a watch!
Over to You!
For many, the mess and clutter materializes in the form of exquisitely wrapped, bow-topped presents.
Despite your sincerest intentions, life’s demands often take precedence, and those less-than-thrilling gifts might find themselves tucked away in some forgotten corner or closet.
Now you have four different strategies for dealing with unwanted gifts and clearing out another category of clutter.
Recommended Reading
- Clutter-free gift ideas
- 5 Super Easy Ways to Maintain an Organized Space
- What Clutter Really Costs You
