Anonymous
Post 01/08/2016 00:23     Subject: Re:Handling unwanted large presents from family
A friend of mine chairs a yearly rummage sale soon after Christmas. I have a box waiting at home to sort MIL's presents into. Works like a charm.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2016 16:16     Subject: Re:Handling unwanted large presents from family
If I could not be frank with them and return the gifts, I would sell on EBay.

If they asked where it was, I would tell them that it is in a storage unit because we needed space.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2016 16:00     Subject: Handling unwanted large presents from family
I donate or re-gift if it's something I know someone else would like. I never have this issue anymore since my family has agreed to only do giftcards for Christmas. We share our favorite stores so we avoid any awkward or unwanted gifts.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2016 15:44     Subject: Re:Handling unwanted large presents from family
Donate and do not look back.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2016 15:31     Subject: Handling unwanted large presents from family
Anonymous wrote:Two part question:

1-how does your household handle unwanted "large" gift items from family members? We received quite the influx of biggish items for the holidays this year, things that just aren't our taste. Think, 12 piece pasta set customized with our last name, a cuckoo clock, a large bean bag chair for child, "live laugh love" giant wall hanging, etc. I am not sentimental and want to immediately donate or discard these items that just aren't our taste. Husband is (legitimately) worried that folks visiting our home might ask where these items are if we get rid of them. What to do? I think we have to get rid of the stuff because it's so large and I'm not willing to store it and play the game of putting it out for certain visitors.

2-any strategies for avoiding these gifts in the future? Most of these large unwanted items come from a particular branch of the family. Intentions are good, and I sound ungrateful, but it's a waste for all involved. If I wanted a large item for my wall such as a cuckoo clock, I'd want some part in picking it out. I'm not wishing we'd receive more desirable gifts - I'd actually be happier to receive nothing than deal with these unwanted items, but realistically that's not an option. Thought of saying something like "oh we have everything, just concentrate on our child", but then we'd probably end up with the same prob but focused on kid items.

Would love to hear any strategies that have worked for others!


1. DH and I donated all such items.

2. When my MIL asked why we didn't have those items anymore, we told her because they were too large and unwanted.

Now, my MIL will send links to things she is thinking of buying for us, to review before she makes the purchase.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2016 15:23     Subject: Re:Handling unwanted large presents from family
I LOVE the holidays and I LOVE giving gifts to people when I see an item that makes me think of them, but I hate giving and receiving gifts just because it is a holiday. I try to limit who I give to to keep from getting but it sill comes and it is often stuff like what OP says....figurines and large scale baby toys. And these all come from people that know I have a TINY condo.

I don't think there is anything you can do. You just graciously thank them and donate them.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2016 15:09     Subject: Handling unwanted large presents from family
Next year, ask the offending member for a wishlist. Hopefully, they will, in turn, ask you for a wishlist too.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2016 14:12     Subject: Handling unwanted large presents from family
Personalized large gifts are the worst. They can't be returned and are harder to sell. I'd donate them.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2016 13:24     Subject: Handling unwanted large presents from family
Cuckoo clock sounds awesome!

Donate it and don't look back. It's rude of people to ask where the gift is anyhow. If they do ask, demure and say "oh we loved it, but just couldn't find a place to hang it. Would you like some more wine?".
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2016 10:11     Subject: Handling unwanted large presents from family
I cringe when I read suggestions to just shove the stuff away in a closet or attic. Once you've lived in a house for a few years, the storage one has is usually filled. I became an anti-hoarder after seeing neighbors whose garages are filled to the ceiling with stuff. I live in a neighborhood with large houses and all of us have large closets and spacious storage rooms in our basements.

I'd make a resolution to get the stuff out of my house.

Wise words from George Carlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac

Anonymous
Post 01/05/2016 10:02     Subject: Handling unwanted large presents from family
Dh and I received a cuckoo clock from his parents after we bought our house. It was returned as fast as we could get it out of the house. It was cheap. Even with a gift receipt, we got less than $30 back.

No one has a right to decorate your house. Both my mother and my ils are a bit controlling and both have tried to gift us things for our house that are to their liking. I tolerated this for the first few years in my house and then it hit me that their stuff didn't fit as I moved to a more modern style.

I make regular trips to 3 different charity organizations now. When we get gifts like this, they are usually out the door within a few weeks. If anyone asks where the whateveritis is in our house, I change the subject. It is rude of them to think I have to display their gift.