Repurpose, Recycle & Make Money from Unwanted Gifts

I buy a lot of things on clearance after the season is over, I was able to use those things as gifts for the holidays, It really helped me save money. Some of the things I got in August and just stored them neatly until I was ready. I was even able to gift a friends baby a swimsuit for their trip to the Dominican Republic. He absolutely loved it! He has no idea I paid a third of its original price!

I either return to a store selling the product taking a lesser value gift card. I also donate to the recycle /take shed at the town dump. This year is different two gifts were received as an attempt to hurt. Not sure how to handle this situation.. The offenders were siblings. It was ment to hurt.

What a great idea although i personally wouldn't return my gifts as I hardly receive gifts anyway.

I don't think I would resell my gifts. But, I don't like clutter in my life and if I'm not truly going to use a gift, I will just give it to a friend if they would like it. I like to do this knowing someone else is truly going to enjoy something I can't use.

Hmm...I never thought about selling my gifts. I have a "regift" party Christmas night. I invite friends who don't have small kiddos or family nearby. We play an exchange game.

I have a brunch on New years Day each year called the "Bad Santa Party". Everyone who attends brings a wrapped gift that just did no suit them. It gets put under our tree. We pick numbers from a hat to see the order of gift selection. You either select a wrapped gift or "steal" a gift that has been opened and give that person your number to pick. A gift can only be "stolen" 2 xs otherwise it takes forever. It is very fun and many times people actuallly like the gift they get from it.

Another great resource is StokeBox.com. You can post boxes of curated items that you don't need or want and find other great boxes to purchase.

I buy stuff on clearance after holidays to make amazing gifts throughout the year.. Ex. a white easter basket / green & white gingam trimmed w/ eyelet material (very cute) I had I just used for holding organic baby products, bottles, etc. for my daughter who is expecting he first cild, my grandson:). I like to "re-gift" in that way. I will also buy from ths fantasic 2nd hand store near me (I get a lot of clothes & shoes with tags still on: Nike, Doc Martens, etc). When I get tired of the items I will sell in a garage sale and can actually make back what I put into it if it's still in good condition. I also have given very nice clothes from here as gifts. Nothing wrong with a little re-use. People need to remember also, what is one man's "garbage" is another man's "treasure".

I'm committed to decluttering my life and my surroundings and organizing the things I feel I MUST have as well. We all have received a gift that was either hideous or served no useful purpose. To Regift that item to someone as a sincere gift is the reason Regifting has gotten such a bad rap. If you don't like the item and question whether anyone you know would like it, donate it instead of wrapping it up and presenting it to someone. Lately, there have been many resources for finding ways to remake clothing items into new, useful products. Instead of tossing those holey and stained garments, I'm using them in quilts, blankets, scarves, hats and mittens, etc. There is little wasted fabric even when cutting out around stains and holes. In addition, anything with buttons is a BONUS since I can add those to my collection. I rarely resell anything I was given, but I'm not above bartering with friends and coworkers.

Thredup is such a brilliant idea. I have so many great clothes from my kids, I usually try to pass to friends and neighbours but sometimes size and season just don't work. Thredup is a great option for those old clothes to find a new home.