Decluttering gifts is one of the most strenuous tasks you will come across on your decluttering journey. There’s guilt involved. There are memories attached that come back rushing every time you look at certain gift items. You feel bad about letting go of gifts that were a gesture of love by someone close to you.
Now keeping the emotions aside, let’s come back to reality. How often do you receive gifts that don’t meet your needs? And how long do you let these items stay inside a cupboard of your home without actually using them? Rejecting unwanted gifts isn’t a practical option because you don’t want to hurt someone, but you definitely have the right to decide what to do with a gift after having accepted it.
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures.
If you’re looking to declutter gifts that you’ve received over the years on Christmas and birthdays, here’s a set of tips that can help you deal with them:
1. Start With The Not-Sentimental Items
The easiest way to start decluttering gifts is to get rid of the items that don’t have sentimental value attached to them. These are the kind of gifts that usually come from people who you aren’t that close to or who only gifted you something out of obligation.
Imagine yourself as a gift giver. Did you often gift something to someone because you wanted to return the favour? Or maybe you did it out of obligation because they were your neighbour, and you didn’t want to come across as rude by striking their name off the gifting list? These gifts are usually the items that you haven’t put much thought in before gifting. The fact is you don’t really care what the gift receiver ends up doing with the gift.
It’s easy to get rid of the gifts that aren’t really useful or that didn’t come out of the connection you shared with the person. You have to convince yourself with the fact that it’s not your duty to keep something that you only received out of favour or obligation. And let’s face the fact. The gift giver won’t even care what you do with the gift once it’s in your possession.
2. Set A Limit On How Much To Declutter
Since gift decluttering is emotionally and mentally exhausting, it’s best if you set a limit on the number of gifts you declutter in one sitting.
Start with letting go of just a couple of items, maybe toys or books, and let yourself come to terms with it. After a couple of days or a week, declutter some more gifts – maybe an item of cutlery or serve ware you don’t need.
Decluttering in parts will help you avoid the overwhelm and guilt that comes with trying to do it all at once.
3. Donate
If you find it hard to throw away gifts, donating them can help make you feel better. Many gifts like candles, books, toys, décor items, clothes and serve ware can be dropped off at a donation centre or given away to a charity. Making donations will help you make peace with the parting because you know that these items are being used by someone who needs them.
4. Use Them For Regifting
This is my favourite way to declutter gifts. Repurposing or regifting old gift items always works because it not only helps you get rid of the unwanted gifts but also saves a hell lot of money. Items that you received as gifts on Christmas last year can easily be repacked using a new gift wrap before being passed on to someone else on a family reunion or an office party or on Christmas this year. Make sure that you don’t end up regifting an item to the same person who gave it to you in the first place. You don’t want to insult or disappoint them by returning their gifts, though unintentionally.
5. Return Or Exchange The Gifts
Sometimes, the gift giver leaves receipt/bill in the gift box to make it possible for you to return or exchange the item at the store where they bought it. This is usually done to make sure that you don’t keep an item that doesn’t go along with your taste or size or is a duplicate for an already existing item in your house.
Don’t think much before getting the gift exchanged for something that you want. Maybe a change in size or colour of the item is what might work for you. If you are not looking to exchange it for anything, consider returning the item for a gift card or cash.
6. Sell The Unwanted Gifts
Sometimes, it isn’t possible to exchange or return the gift items. In such cases, you can choose to sell them off during your next garage sale or online on ebay. Bulky items like juicer, coffee maker, vacuum cleaner, mixer grinder and other kitchen appliances can be taken to a thrift store to be resold or you can gift it away to a friend or a family who doesn’t already have the item.
7. Display Handmade Gifts Before Letting Go Of Them
Greeting cards and handmade gifts are often the hardest to declutter because you know that the gift-giver has put in a lot of efforts to make them. To avoid feeling guilty, put them on display on your attic or the dresser for a few weeks before discarding them. You can either use them for craft purposes or donate it to a charity where they’ll be able to put it to a reuse.
8. Return It Back To The Person Who Gave It To You
This can be the least preferred option because it requires you to have that hard conversation. Let the gift giver know that you don’t need the item because you already have a similar item at your home. If the gift doesn’t match your taste or style, let them know the same. Make sure that you do it in the politest possible way and without making it sound rude. Ask the person if they can use it or if it’s possible for them to get the refund on the gift.
The purpose of gifts is to bring you a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. But if a certain gift item doesn’t meet the purpose, it’s best you let go of it before it starts collecting dust sitting in a cupboard of your house. Don’t let guilt stop you from living a meaningful life with less stuff.