255 items. That’s the number of items my boyfriend and I have decluttered since Christmas. At the very least, 15 of those items were Christmas presents.
It’s okay to get rid of gifts. They’re gifts! Gifts are supposed to bring you happiness. At the very least, they should be useful. If they aren’t serving either of those purposes, you can (and should!) remove them from your home.
I’ll even expose myself and say what I got rid of, I don’t feel bad at all.
My best friend got me some great gifts this year. A variety of flavored hot cocoa mixes, candle melts, and a home-cooked meal with cookies as a dessert.
All were consumables that I thoroughly enjoyed and they didn’t add clutter to the house. If you don’t know what to get someone, make it consumable. Food, candles, anything that can easily be eaten, used up, or re-gifted.
However, most people can’t stop giving tangible, long-lasting gifts, so my friend also got me some generic items like Santa mugs and blank cups, which I had no use for. I’m sure he won’t mind knowing I got rid of those items because I enjoyed the other items very much.
Don’t feel bad regifting or donating Christmas presents, or presents from any holiday for that matter.
If it’s a sentimental gift you can always keep it for a couple of months and then dispose of it later. At least you got some use out of it and can say as much if the original gift-giver comes knocking.
Gifts should be gifts. If it’s an obligation, you didn’t really receive a gift.