What to do with unwanted gifts?

[speakout]

I have already a large bag of stuff I have been given that I dont want to keep- what should I do with it? Mostly gift sets, mugs, cheap perfumes slipper socks, toiletries etc, Everthing is new with labels on etc,
Most of my charity shops are not accepting donations- I don't want to bin them- what will I do with them.

Care homes etc will take the toiletries etc
Or do you know an organisation that holds raffles/tombolas? Like the Scouts/kids sports clubs/schools etc?

There's a charity called The Hygiene Bank , maybe see if there's one near you?

Why wouldn't you keep stuff like the mugs? And could you not use most of the toiletries? I get the perfume thing but surely you can use eg shower gels? Even moisturisers you could use on your feet etc. I can see why charity shops won't take them if people are all giving eg Nivea gift sets. Next year recommend that instead of presents you do a day at the theatre or something

YouWereGr8InLittleMenstruators

I agree. And those who know and love me well buy only a small numbe of things that they know I will use.

It's my mother who has the "more is better" idea. she gives each family member lterally 4 black bin bags ech stuffed full of unwanted things, all tied up with stock on plastic bows and shiny ribbon stuff that is impossible to untie. She gave me 4 calenders, three pairs of slippers, tons of bubble bath, 5 boxes of chocolate- many in plastic boxes like ferrero rocher, sets of plastic drinking glasses, a few plastic plants in plastic pots,.
It's quite heartbreaking.Most os it is in the boot of my car awaiting donation somewhere.

stayathomer because I don't keep clutter and stuff I have enough mugs and imited storage space. I use a bar of soap in the shower.
I would like to share your optimism that a theatre trip will be a thing next year.

My Mum loves buying things like this, mountains of cheap tat just to say she’s bought something. I refused to help her shop when, after asking what she wanted to buy for her great nieces and nephews, she said anything as long as it’s less than £5. One year she bought them advent calendars to open on the 25th!

This year I managed to convince her to get nothing rather than more rubbish nobody wants and my cousins then have to deal with on Christmas morning. People always say ‘it’s the thought that counts’ but there’s certainly no though behind these gifts. It’s a very different situation to a thoughtful gift that misses the mark.

I usually donate to the local women's refuge charity- they help women who have moved into the area settle into the new homes as well as provide things for the local refuge itself. Locally we have a rep of sorts as obviously they don't advertise where the refuge is.

Where do you live that charity shops aren't accepting donations? I manage a charity shop and we are very short of donations as are, judging by their posters in the window, most charity shops in my town. I suggest you double check, I know many charity shops were overwhelmed with donations after lockdown but I would be surprised if that is still the case. Many charity shops now actually print special posters asking for 'unwanted gifts'.

But also Food Banks will accept toiletries, chocolates & biscuits etc.

Would any local schools accept them for raffles? My dc school always request these sorts of items.

Put them away for three months and then take them to the Charity Shop?

I have truffles, does anyone in the world actually like truffles?

I work in a charity shop and we will start storing items for next Christmas now.

slashlover Every charity shop in my town has a note on the dor saying "no donations".

@Ionlydomassiveones

2 people have bought me bumper packs of handcream which I never use. And a shitting Yankee candle. And a pair of gloves that look like they were new in 1935.

I could just weep with the sheer waste of money and resources at these utterly pointless and thoughtless items. They’re not gifts. They’re now just waste disposal and an extra job on my list. Bah humbug.

Oh God @Ionlydomassiveones, I feel this so hard. Incandescent with rage that every bloody year I spend six months telling DH's mad old biddy relatives that we don't want endless plastic tat with a minimum age of 500 years in landfill.

What do we get? Sackfulls of horribly gendered rubbish designed to make our boys 'feel like real boys' and dd 'feel like a little miss' .

Every year without fail it all goes to charity shops - but not till the kids have seen it, wanted to play with it and the messages have been absorbed. It becomes what they want.

We have a whirli subscription. I wish I could keep it and throw DH's mad old aunties into landfill.

@Mybalconyiscracking

I have truffles, does anyone in the world actually like truffles?

I love truffles! Assuming you mean the chocolate kind? Everyone can send their unwanted chocolate truffles my way

Not sure uf they can take them, but when my DF was in the dementia ward, a lot of patients had no visitors and the nurses were buying toiletries for the patients. Maybe see if your local hospital will take them?

Lots of great suggestions here. But can I clarify....charity shops are accepting donations. They have been here for over a year. Please don't think they aren't.

Local hospice
Local hospital
School raffle
Food bank
Hygiene bank
Mugs - local homeless shelter if appropriate wording on mug

Surprised at the charity shops too.

@Mumdiva99

Lots of great suggestions here. But can I clarify....charity shops are accepting donations. They have been here for over a year. Please don't think they aren't.

The OP says that hers have posters in the windows saying that they aren't.

OP I used to save unwanted gifts and donate to my school fair as prizes.

I manage a charity shop and unwanted gifts are the mainstay of our Christmas sales . We save them for the following year. Please try to donate them somewhere. Try a local independent charity I'm sure they'll be so grateful.

Boots stores usually have a collection point (yellow boxes) for the Hygeine Bank who distribute to a range of organisations who help those in need - i'll be dropping some bits off as I've also received a number of things I wont use!

Local food bank / homeless shelter may take mugs, toiletries etc?

I got about 8 toiletry sets, Dove, Nivea, Sanctuary etc none of which I use. I give them to our local church as they run the food bank and they can also use them as gifts in their summer fete.

Somewhere will be grateful for them op.

stayathomer
Why wouldn't you keep stuff like the mugs? And could you not use most of the toiletries? I get the perfume thing but surely you can use eg shower gels? Even moisturisers you could use on your feet etc. I can see why charity shops won't take them if people are all giving eg Nivea gift sets. Next year recommend that instead of presents you do a day at the theatre or something

Not every one can use the smellies they are given, I have skin that reacts to most perfumes, soaps, bubble baths etc

And I also don't buy stuff like this for others (unless I know exactly what they use/wear) just in case.

People buying presents in good faith only for it to be called 'unwanted tat'. Lovely

@Smorgasborb, "vile"? That seems a bit harsh. They only criticism on that web link was that they put Christian literature alongside the shoeboxes given out. As they are a Christian organisation giving Christmas presents, that doesn't seem particularly "vile"