by Cyndi Li

Created on: January 03, 2009

So exactly what are you supposed to do with that lime green vase with the brown polka dots plastered all over it? You know, the one your Great Auntie Gretchen was certain was the perfect gift for you? It's not all that unusual to receive a gift for Christmas that would have been better left on the store shelf; especially if you have an Auntie Gretchen. Here are a few ideas for what to do with holiday gifts you don't want.

RECYCLE THEM- Tuck them away and re-give them to someone else on their birthday, anniversary etcetera. Just be careful you don't give them to someone who knows your Auntie Gretchen.

RETURN THEM- Many gift givers realize you may not be overly fond of the color, size or even motif of the gift they've given you. As such, more and more gift givers include what's called a gift receipt with the gift. The receipt lists the item given but not the price of it. This way you can exchange the unwanted item for something you find more appealing, without revealing and the amount of money your gift giver spent.

DONATE THEM- Instead of wasting an entire afternoon standing in line at the courtesy counter just to return that putrid vase from Auntie Gretchen or those under-sized sheets, donate them to a local charity. Many charity organizations hold annual flea markets to raise much needed cash for their causes. There's bound to be someone out there who thinks Auntie's vase is a treasure rather than trash.

RE-GIVE THEM AT A LATER DATE- If your three year old received toys that were meant for a four or five year old, store them somewhere, and re-give them to your child when the toy becomes age appropriate.

FIND ANOTHER PURPOSE FOR IT- Not all unwanted gifts can be used for things other than what they were designed for; but many can.

That under-sized or wrong-colored sheet? Use it as a drop cloth when the kids are crafting or on the picnic table during the summer.

That bottle of perfume that would be more appropriately called skunk juice? Use it as a decorative piece in a guest room. With a little ingenuity, almost anything can be multi-useful.

Don't feel guilty if you get a few gifts this Christmas you'd rather not have gotten; it happens to everyone at one time or another. Take these ideas into consideration when deciding what to do with them. And, when Aunt Gretchen asks where the vase is, tell her your daughter fell in love with, and you just couldn't say no when she asked to take it to college with her.

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