Surplus to Requirements

Many of us receive unsuitable Christmas presents annually.

What's the best way to deal with them?
Chocolates and Biscuits have a sell-by date on from 3 months to one year so would not keep for next Christmas.

Fashion garment may be passed on, but a receipt would be needed in case of changing them or a refund.
Or simply give them all to Charity.

OF course, you would need to keep a list of presents received and the sender as well, and another list of names and gifts you have sent also, it would be most embarrassing if they were given as gifts to the original sender.

If it was from a family member I would ask them for a receipt to change the gift.
Otherwise would give it to Charity.

Re: Surplus to Requirements

i would send them to charity, or, if the item was quite valuable and you couldn't get a receipt, put it on ebay.

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I was amazed recently to be told by the MIND shop that the clothes I donated had raised £180... apparently they tell you now and ask for you to agree to gift aid. I think I would give any unwanted gifts to them I like knowing how much things raised.

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Only things we've ever received we didn't want is alcohol, few times I've taken it into work free to good home on the label around the neck, someone always wants it. We tend to like what we give each other and appreciate time it's taken to make anything and love given with it.
Foodie gifts if we don't like them other family members will so they get eaten eventually. Smellies are always welcome we all like a nice smelly

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Be careful when hitting the gift aid box

if you are not a tax payer, they come for you for the tax

My one pressie which I hate will be in the charity shop first week of January - unopened

All food gifts ( chocolates, biscuits etc) will be in the food bank collection before NYE

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I have a big tin of Quality Street and a mix of chocolate bars which I will be donating to the Food Bank tomorrow.

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I do the much the same as you Azure.

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I just put them in a cupboard or a wardrobe for a few years in the hope that they might become useful. They never do of course and end up at the charity shop or getting thrown out.

Re: Surplus to Requirements

Perhaps we should stop the tradition of giving presents... I already have!
It us stressful trying to find something suitable and wastes time when everyone is busy.
Nobody ever gets something they would have bought for themselves.... and they could buy for themselves if they hadn't spent so much on presents for others.
The money spent on unwanted presents that go to the Charity shops, wouldn't it be better used by giving the homeless warm food & shelter?

For any Christians who believe in Christmas, why not ask yourself if that is what your god would want you to do?
I don't believe in any god, but I do care that somebody may die of Hypothermia because they are cold and hungry!