Unwanted Christmas gifts? Here are five uses for them
Christmas brought joy, laughter, and for many Australians, presents that don't quite hit the mark.
In fact, 27% of Australians expected to receive gifts they'll never use or wear, according to research from The Australia Institute.
Even worse, the value of unwanted gifts heading to landfill this year is estimated to be in excess of $1 billion.
If you did find yourself on the receiving end of a gift from that one person with unfortunate taste, don't despair though.
Instead of letting them gather dust in a drawer or, worse, tossing them out, there are plenty of ways to make the most of unwanted gifts. Here's how to give them a second life.
1. Return them
As the saying goes, keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and your receipts for major purchases closest of all.
That way, you can exchange the gift for something you'll use or love - because who knows you, better than you?
While not all presents will come with a gift receipt, it won't hurt to ask the giver (gently) for one.
When it comes to actually returning a gift, some retailers are flexible and may offer a store credit or even a refund, but be aware of conditions - especially for sale or online purchases.
Pro tip: Keep the tags on, the packaging intact, and try to return gifts promptly. If one staff member isn't helpful, politely ask to speak to a manager.
2. Donate them to charity
While Christmas is a joyous time for some, the thought of spending money on gifts is simply not an option for many.
More 15 million Australians (72%) said they would be more mindful of their spending at Christmas compared to previous years, according to research by The Salvation Army, and more than four in 10 (42%) would have their Christmas impacted by the cost of living.
Adding to this, research by Checkbox highlights just how widespread the strain is, with a staggering 90% of Australians citing the rising cost of living as their top financial challenge during the holidays.
Fortunately, charities are always in need of new, unused items, including clothes, household goods, and even sealed toiletries or cosmetics.
Consider donating unwanted gifts to organisations like Every Little Bit Helps, which accepts products to support people in need, or making a drop-off to your local Vinnies.
Pro tip: Avoid donating expired items or those with less than 12 months left before expiry.
3. Sell them online
While you might not be thrilled with what you unwrapped, one person's "meh" is likely to be another's treasure.
Use platforms like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay to sell your unwanted gifts. It's a simple way to declutter and make some extra cash.
Better yet, you could consider giving away any unwanted gifts for free.
There are many local community pages on Facebook that only allow for free items to be posted. Pay it forward and spread the Christmas cheer to someone else.
Pro tip: High-quality photos and clear descriptions will attract more buyers.
4. Regift thoughtfully
While Christmas itself may conjure up a sense of nostalgia, the last thing you'll want is the awkward realisation that you've just unwrapped the very present you regifted last year.
More than one in three (36%) Australians admit to regifting presents, according to research by Checkbox, aligning with similar trends in the US (35%) and UK (36%). This points to a growing emphasis on practicality and sustainability during the holidays.
If you're confident someone else will appreciate the gift, save it for a future occasion. Just make sure it's in mint condition and keep a note of who gave it to you to avoid any embarrassing moments of déjà vu.
Another idea is to set up a gift swap with friends or family, or to explore online swap groups to find someone who will truly enjoy it. Again, make sure you regift in different friend circles though.
Pro tip: Online sites such as Drawnames Australia and White Elephant Rules can help facilitate these gift swapping parties.
5. Get creative and repurpose
If you're still struggling to find a home for an unwanted gift then it may be time to think outside the box. Can you transform it into something you'll actually use?
Take an outdated candleholder for one. Could you turn it into a quirky pen stand? Or perhaps that oversized scarf could be used as a stylish table runner?
Gifted jewellery you wouldn't wear? Keep it for an arts project. And those ugly Christmas sweaters? Well, if worst comes to worst, there's always a New Years wine spill that needs soaking up.
Don't be afraid to get creative and remember, it's all in the spirit of recycling - just don't tell the person who gifted it to you.
Pro tip: There's no shortage of videos and sites across the web offering inspiration for reusing and repurposing everyday items.
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