Make all the gifts (even the ones you don’t like) work for you!

Everyone has been given something that just isn’t what they had in mind. You can donate it to a good cause, or try the Free Cycle online community, where everything donated is free to users, or you can bury the unwanted gift in a box where, hopefully, you’ll never find it again. Then there is re-gifting, a risky and often unpleasant practice. Especially if the person who gave you the gift finds out. There are several ways to use the gift, without re-wrapping it and passing it awkwardly and shamelessly.

1. Create a “Treasure Box”. I use a large bag. Be sure to put a post-it note on the item and secure it with tape indicating whose item it is.

A. Items you can’t use, or have duplicates of, are put together in the same box.

B. Over time, group like items together, ie games, movies, an outfit, etc.

C. To give a “re-gifted” treasure, make sure you have at least 3 similar items. let’s say movies. Take the films, wrap them individually, and put them in a large popcorn bowl. Pick up two boxes of gourmet popcorn, popcorn flavorings (often available at Ross, TJ Maxx, and Target stores), and some hot chocolate. If you’re giving the movies to an adult or family, give a homemade gift certificate for a night of free babysitting (if they have kids). The trick is to only buy small items that add up to a big gift. Be sure not to return the gift to the person you originally received it from.

2. Dishes can be a bit tricky.

A. If you get cups, mugs or the like, use them as vases to give flowers or small chocolates. If you’re really creative, you can buy glass paint and add a detail to make the item unique, just be sure to add a note to the bottom of the mug telling the recipient to wash the mug by hand.

B. Similarly, bowls can be re-gifted as food and water bowls for small animals such as dogs and cats. Use a permanent marker to write the name of the animals, paint several small footprints on the outside of the bowl. For Christmas or the owner’s birthday, you can give them canned dog food, chew toys, or a small “sample” bag of dry food (available at pet stores) inside the bowl. Finish the gift with tissue paper wrapping in matching colors.

C. Plates require a little more work. By breaking them into pieces, they can be used to make beautiful stair treads, mosaics, and replace traditional tiles. It is important to exercise care and caution when working with broken glass.

3. Clothes can be given a new life with a little creativity.

A. Your great-aunt meant only the best to you with the hand-knitted sweater with your name on it and several Shetland ponies. The best way to make this gift work is to sew up the holes and stuff the sweater with stuffing. Shirts can be great pillows. In this way, the item is worn and displayed.

B. Similarly, that pair of pants that is the wrong shade of brown can be turned into a handbag. Simply cut off the pant legs. Sew both leg holes individually. Use the legs of the pants to create a handle. Cut and sew the fabric to the length you prefer.

C. If a piece of clothing is just plain boring, then liven it up with dyed buttons, beads, appliqués, or pockets. Any garment can be made to fit your individual style for less than $10.00.

D. If you like an item, but the size is wrong, first ask the donor for the name of the store and a copy of the receipt. Most people will be fine knowing they gave you what you wanted, you just need a different size. However, if you are unable to order it for various reasons, please take the item to a tailor. Most tailors can make something that “nearly fits” work relatively cheaply.

4. Gifts that are inappropriate, allergic to, or unwanted in your home (such as animals or pornography), so it’s important to think fast.

A. Tell the donor that you think the item is lovely, but (in the case of an animal) you feel you cannot provide a safe/sane/proper home for the creature. If expressing appreciation and remorse, the donor must understand and take the animal with them. If the animal is given to a child, and the child is irresponsible, allergic, or too young to appreciate it, make sure the animal is out of the house as soon as the donor is gone (if he refuses to take the pet with they). Pay a neighbor, ask a family member, or take it to the animal shelter. Allowing the animal to remain with you for more than a few hours will ensure that you have an animal permanently.

Remembering that the person had you in mind when giving you a gift will often help create a solution to the bad gift problem. Always remember to be smart, polite and teach children to act the same way.

If you hate your present at first, then tear it up, sew it up, fill it up and love it.