It happens every year, doesn’t it?
That one present that we just don’t really want. Whilst we’re super grateful that someone took the time to get us those socks/that aftershave gift set/a jumper in a colour we’ve literally never worn before, the fact is that we won't make use of them.
So, we’re left with two options: We either have the pressie sitting in our home gathering dust. Or we throw it away. Neither of which seem all that kind or all that planet-conscious.
As it turns out, there is another way! We promise that getting rid of unwanted Christmas gifts doesn't have to be a totally savage move. There are ways to do it with kindness and care.
Option one: Freecycle them
Just because you don’t like an item, doesn't mean that someone else won’t love it. By freecycling, you’re basically giving the gift a second chance to spread some happiness. Not only do you stop it from going to landfill, but you also get the warm fuzzy feeling of making somebody else smile when they snap up an item they’ll really cherish!
Plus, you won’t have to find somewhere to store the thing. It would probably just end up sitting on a shelf and making you feel guilty every time you saw it anyway.
To make giving away your items as simple as possible, sign up to Ferris. That way, your neighbours can browse your unwanted gifts and snap them up when they tickle their fancy! All completely for free.
Option 2: Regift them
As far as we’re concerned, there’s no shame in the regifting game!
If you’ve received an item that is lovely but just not very “you”, why not re-wrap it for an upcoming birthday, anniversary or any other special occasion? This works particularly well with items still in their packaging or with labels. However, we believe in you! Even those presents that aren’t quite pristine can be creatively repurposed.
Got a few bath and shower bits in your stocking that you won’t use? Create a self-care hamper!
Received some chocs that you don’t like? Add some fancy coffee and you’ve got yourself the perfect gift.
Option 3: Turn them into something new
Wait! Before you give an item away, it’s also important to consider whether you could make it into something that you will love.
Maybe a lick of paint could turn it into the perfect piece of decor? Check out our tips for restoring furniture here.
Or perhaps an item of clothing would be more your style with some small tweaks? Find our guide to upcycling clothing here.
All it takes is some creativity. And maybe a little bit of research on how to make your DIY vision a reality. However, by committing to taking your item from drab to fab (in your eyes!), you’ll make use of something that otherwise would have been wasted.
Whether you freecycle, regift or reinvent your unwanted pressies, you’ll be glad you did it. You deserve a space that is free of clutter and your possessions deserve to be well and truly loved!
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