Its always nice to receive a gift. But...what do you do with the gift you neither want, need or even like?

You know it happens. Even people with the best of intentions have been known to give rather odd gifts.
Or perhaps you have several of the item chosen and couldn't possibly use another. Maybe you're allergic to the gift.
There are many reasons why the gift would be better used by someone else.

Is it okay to give that gift to another person, someone you know will love and appreciate it? Should you ask permission of the donor to do this?

Should you give it back to the gift giver telling him/her that its not something you can use?

Should you donate it to a charity?

Should you just pack it away somewhere and bring it out when you know the gift giver will be visiting?


I'm probably one of those people who qualify as "hard to buy for". I have most everything I need and when people ask: "What would you like for Christmas/Birthday/Special Occasion?", I have a difficult time telling them what would be a perfect gift, simply because I don't know.

I am very fond of anything that is homemade especially for me.

I like gifts of time. Come visit with me..invite me for a cup of tea. Go for a walk with me. Show me your recent photo album. Write me a letter to tell me how you're feeling or what's going on. A real letter, hand written, on paper, sent through the post office.

I used to love the coupon books my kids made when they were small. "This coupon good for one hug." Or, "This coupon good for doing dishes without being asked."

I am always very appreciative when someone takes the time to choose a gift for me. Most of the time, the gift itself is irrelavant...it truly is the thought that counts as far as I'm concerned.

When I am the gift giver, I try to find something unique, something that the recepiant wouldn't think of to buy for him/herself, or any of the above mentioned type of gifts that I like to get.

I also let the recepiant know that if the gift is not suitable, they are free to do with it what they wish. It is their gift..once its out of my hands, it is theirs to use in whatever manner pleases them.

This is a dilema that has popped into my mind many times over the years and I still don't know what is the right thing to do....other than to be very grateful and say thank you. Its enough just to know someone thought about me.