The Minima Guide to Receiving Gifts
You’ve given and received, and hopefully joyful times were had. Now you have some new things that need to find a place in your home. First, I’d like to give you permission to let go of any gifts you received that you do not love or have a use for. Gifts are meant to be enjoyed—if you aren’t going to enjoy owning something, let it go. Maxwell Ryan, CEO of Apartment Therapy, said it best: “When you receive a present, your duty is to receive it and thank the giver—not to keep the gift forever.”
If you decide to let go of a gift, you have a few options:
Return it. This is especially easy when a gift receipt is included. If not, many larger stores like Target will give you a store credit.
Donate it to your local thrift store. For Richmond residents, I recommend Goodwill or Diversity Thrift. Someone less fortunate (or just thrifty) will probably find your unwanted item and love it.
Sell or consign it. Save the extra cash, or use it to buy the thing you really wanted. Just do a Google search to find a shop in your area. To sell it yourself, read Minima’s “A Guide to Selling Your Unwanted Stuff Online”.
Give it to a friend who needs/wants it. I don’t necessarily mean in the re-gifting sense, but just as a nice gesture.
For gifts that make the cut, take the time to make space in your home. This may mean getting rid of an older or redundant version, or finding something else in your home to remove. I use the “in one, out one” policy. I live in a small space by choice and whenever I bring a new thing in, I do my best to let go of something in exchange. This helps maintain an equilibrium so that my space doesn’t slowly get overcrowded.