..to think that when you are choosing a present you might consider what the person wants

[DogGreen]

Close non blood relative has a hobby. They're actually a world expert in an aspect of this hobby. All good.

However they persist on buying DC things for Christmas & Birthdays that support the hobby because they enjoy the excuse to buy things. DC have zero interest in the hobby and never have. Relative knows this.

AIBU to think that if you are buying someone a gift it should be something you think the recipient might want.

I’m lifelong teetotal and can’t tell you the amount of bottles of wine and champagne I’ve had over the years from people who really do know this!

I’d be asking the relative of Hobby Big Bollocks to tell him to stop it already!

I hate it when people buy things that they like and not think of the receiver.

I would sell them anyway. Give the kids the money so they can buy something they actually want.

I'm struggling to think of what random items these could be that are unsellable on ebay. You can sell everything on there, surely getting less than through formal channels is better than this shite cluttering up your cupboards...

In view of what you've said about 'Hobby Man' seeing you advertise these things in order to sell them, why don't you just get your DP (assuming that's where the relationship comes in) to tell him that the kids aren't into this hobby, and ask if he'd like them back, or would be happy for the kids to sell them on, and spend the money on something they do want? That way, he should realise once and for all that he's wasting his time and money gifting things that the kids don't want.

I’ve just made myself laugh by imagining OP selling them on eBay, hobby buyer buying them, and then giving them back as presents unaware that he bought them from you in the first place.

What you need is a fence inside this "hobby" to sell them discretely by word of mouth. Unless they're entirely custom and identifiable out of context, that is.

This is one instance where I'd love to know what the hobby is. Niche historical hobbies are right up my street.

Hobby man gives the same sort of thing to everyone in the family. It's just weird.

I like gardening - if I gave everyone I know a particular sort of seed as a gift they'd look at me like I was off my rocker. But everyone just accepts it and the gifts just go in the cupboard for the rest of time.

Could you give them to a charity shop? Donate to charity associated with said hobby. You me children have ‘enjoyed them’ and you wants someone else less fortunate to get similar enjoyment.
It sounds really frustrating

Just chuck them in the bin.

The gift giver doesn't have much imagination, does he! I appreciate it's hard to find gifts that people will like, but he can't even think outside of his own hobby!

Say you are having a clear out and if he doesn't want them sold/ charity shopped he needs to take them.

He's like a dog marking his territory with piss.

From working retail, I learned some of those people do it on purpose in hopes the person will give it back to them or allow them to borrow the item later.

The issue is that he doesn't consider looking outside his own hobby. It is all about him getting things that please him to give not that give pleasure to others. I find it totally frustrating but as I'm not a blood relative I can say nothing as doing so would be viewed as criticism.

Give them all back to him each birthday and Christmas. If queried you can just be honest, think you would get more enjoyment out of these than we would!

Has no one ever said anything? Do you think he genuinely believes people want the stuff he gives? Is there anyone in a position to speak to him (gently) about this?

Sounds like stamps or something so if they were to be put up for sale the only places to sell them would be places the relative (probably FIL) would see them

This whole family excel in the art of lack of communication for fear of causing offence.
A few years back something serious happened and a discussion needed to be had. So much angst over not saying something important that needed to be said.

Doesn't excuse the inwardly focused gifting though although goes a long way to explain why no one has ever said anything about the nuts gift policy.

@TidyDancer , you can tell someone like that, but you're flogging a dead horse.
I know people who are clueless with gifts, and some who don't give a shiny shite about the recipient's feelings.