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Unwanted gifts: A growing problem
Every year, millions of Christmas presents end up unused-hidden in cupboards, discarded, or even thrown away. In the UK alone, an estimated £42 million worth of unwanted gifts are discarded annually, with some contributing to landfill waste. But there are ways to repurpose these items without hurting the giver's feelings.
The art of regifting
Dawn-Maria France, a resident of North Yorkshire, has turned regifting into a sustainable habit. She sees it as a practical solution to avoid waste, especially during the cost-of-living crisis. One year, she received garden seeds she had no use for but passed them on to a friend with a green thumb. "It's a budget-friendly way to manage spending and declutter my home," she says.
France re-wrapped the seeds with a personal note: *"I was given this but I knew you'd love it."* She insists regifting promotes sustainability and carries no guilt. "I have no regrets about regifting," she adds.
Regifting rules to avoid awkward moments
Louise Minchin, presenter of the BBC's Rip Off Britain, advises caution when regifting. "Don't get caught out," she warns. Key steps include removing any original labels, notes, or packaging that might reveal the gift's history. Inspect the item carefully-if it's been opened, worn, or is part of an incomplete set, it's a dead giveaway.
Reverend Kate Bottley, a BBC Radio 2 presenter, learned this the hard way. She once regifted a present without checking for a card inside. "They opened it, and I said, 'Oh no, I'm so sorry,'" she recalls. The moment left both parties cringing.
Etiquette expert Antoinette Akanji adds another rule: regift outside your social circle. "If your aunt gave you a jumper you didn't like, don't pass it to your cousin," she says. "She might see your cousin wearing it, and that could spark an awkward conversation."
Selling unwanted gifts online
Kirsty Quinn, a 36-year-old from Oxfordshire, turns unwanted gifts into cash by reselling them on platforms like eBay and Vinted. She earns about £500 a month sourcing items from car boot sales and charity shops. "If a gift is just going to sit in a drawer or end up in landfill, I don't see the harm in regifting or selling it," she says.
Quinn argues that reselling benefits both parties. "It helps someone else get something they want at a cheaper price, which is especially useful in today's tough economy. Plus, the seller can use the money for something they actually need."
Vinted reports a surge in listings of unwanted gifts every January, with the first Sunday of the year seeing three times the usual daily uploads. Last year's most-listed items included women's toiletries, perfumes, jewellery, nightwear, and makeup. Fashion, entertainment, and electronics dominated post-Christmas purchases.
To avoid offending the original giver, Vinted suggests using a neutral username and background for photos. Some sellers even label items as "unwanted gift" to clarify their condition.
Charity donations: Another way to repurpose gifts
For those uncomfortable with regifting or selling, donating to charity is a meaningful alternative. Louise Minchin highlights the post-Christmas clear-out as a prime opportunity. "Charity shops eagerly await these donations, turning unwanted gifts into someone else's treasure," she says.
Allison Swaine-Hughes, retail director at the British Heart Foundation, encourages donations. "If you have decorations that didn't fit your theme, a board game you've been gifted twice, or a Christmas jumper that's no longer your style, why not let them brighten someone else's home?"
She also notes the benefits of shopping at charity stores. "Our stores are full of unexpected treasures-quality items just waiting for loving new homes." To avoid awkward encounters, donors can choose a charity shop outside their local area.
Gift-giving tips to make life easier
Louise Minchin offers advice for gift-givers to simplify the process for recipients. "Include a gift receipt," she suggests. "It gives the recipient more options, especially for high-value items." A gift receipt typically allows exchanges or store credit, though refunds depend on the retailer's policy.
Without a receipt, exchanges can become uncomfortable. Minchin recommends honesty: *"Don't be afraid to say, 'I'm really sorry, but I'd like to exchange this-do you have the original receipt?'"*
