The way we think about Christmas presents is changing; the days of splurging on spur-of-the-moment stocking fillers are on their way out, and we’re increasingly conscious about the environmental impact of our festive purchases.
Instead, we’re opting for mindful gift options: prioritising utility over excess, choosing something we know our loved ones will get plenty of use out of, and cutting down on frivolous purchases (because your mum’s dog probably doesn’t need another advent calendar).
Although we may have cracked sustainable gifting, there’s still the question of what to do with the gifts we actually receive. Particularly the ones that didn’t quite hit the mark, whether it’s an unflattering jumper or a book you know you’ll never read.
It’s estimated that £42 million worth of unwanted Christmas presents end up in landfill each year, which is definitely not something we’re interested in contributing to. But does this mean we have to hang onto them all? We don’t know about you but the thought of clutter isn’t exactly sparking joy RN.
Fortunately, there’s all sorts of options available to ensure your unwanted Christmas presents go to a good home, where they will be cherished (or at least used). From selling your prezzies on sites like eBay and Depop, to donating to the charity shops on your local high street, here’s GLAMOUR’s top four tips for repurposing unwanted Christmas presents:
Gift to a friend or family member
It’s time to think tactically. If you’ve been gifted a beautiful pan that you just don’t have space for, think about who could really use some extra kitchenware right now. Perhaps your sister’s bare cupboards in her university halls could do with a bit of love? Or if you’ve received seven different Yankee candles, why not bring them into work and see if any of your colleagues fancy nabbing one?
Of course, try to be sensitive when finding a new home for your wares. For example, if you want to re-home a Secret Santa prezzie from your Work Wife, it’s probably best to avoid flogging it in the office. Just a thought.
Sell it
In our humble opinion, selling on presents is one of the best ways to make sure they go to a home where they’ll actually be cherished. If people are prepared to part with their hard-earned cash (especially in traditionally frugal January) for the gift, it’s unlikely to end up gathering dust under their bed for the rest of its life.
For electrical items, homeware and gadgets, sites like eBay and Gumtree are a good idea. Make sure you check out each site’s policy on fees before you start listing any items, so you can prep accordingly.
For unwanted books, try We Buy Books; simply enter the IBSN number, post your books (free of charge), and, if it’s accepted, get paid the next working day. If your book isn’t accepted, We Buy Books will either recycle it or send it back to you (your choice). To stand the best chance of getting your book accepted, make sure it’s in good condition. Find out more here.