Ebay, thrift shop, freecycle, ask a friend if they want any of these things (list items)? One man's trash is another man's treasure!

So sad; that someone you care about but that gives you junk. > They know you, but not well enough !! And they do not have enough cooking skills to know what it is that you really want or need. Because they don't cook, but want to please you -- maybe it is time for your personal in-your-face, "because I love you" - COOKING SCHOOL! You have people, they are dumb, but, ignorance can be cured!

The carp they gave you, someone will love, because you'll offer it on FreeCycle and, duh, free. No guilt in making other people happy is there?

Nancy

I give household items to Salvation Army & take a tax deduction.

Not sure what I'd do with them. But I'd be more likely to throw them out than post a thread on the internet to imortalize my ingratitude.

Tis the season...at least they meant well, they know you like to cook!

I get lots of kitchen gadgets because they all know I enjoy cooking. It's a nod to me that they noted this and I appreciate it.

I simply re gift, just a gift, not playing pass around at Christmas. I don't even feel bad about it! If I already have the item or have one that I like better then I just give it to a niece, nephew, or friend, I'm older than you so it may be gifted to a great niece or great nephew who are thrilled to have it if they are just starting out with their own apartment or whatever.

I wouldn't throw any item out, someone can always use it, women's shelter, homeless shelter, half way house.

Di

Just post them on Freecycle, say "a box of assorted kitchen items, some never used". Then you could list what is in the box. I'd say it will all be gone in a minute! I only have one experience with giving stuff on freecycle, I'd been collecting my empty candle jars(Yankee) and had a whole box of them, they were gone within the day.

I also donate to Goodwill, but mostly I have a lot of teenagers in the fmaily that are just getting out on their own, so someone always is happy to have whatever I'm not using.

That magnetic mitt would be great fun, though. I could stick it to the back of Ashley's car bumper, with a ripped off shirt sleeve tucked into it and it would look like she ran over a chef! That would be fun...

Anyway, it's the thought that counts. I know that sounds trite, but it really is. These are people who knew you like to cook and cared enough to get you something they thought you'd like. I still wouldn't feel guilty about getting rid fo the stuff, though, I'd never feel slighted if I got someone a gift and they told me they already had one or it didn't work quite right or wasn't comfortable so they traded it in or gave it away to someone who DID want it.

Then again, I'm relatively odd and pragmatic about such things, I LOVE the vastly impersonal gift card, LOL.

Annie

Bobby, your area has two Freecycle groups. I Freecycle several times a month in my effort to empty cabinets, garage, and closets. I have also gotten a brand new bike for DGS and a car seat for DGD.

Once I took a number of small items to work. I put the items on the credenza in my office with a sign on the door Office Sale-nothing over 1 cent. Everything was gone in 2 hours. It was a bit tacky but fun.

I'd Freecycle them or sell them on Kijiji or Craigslist; hoping that your friends won't see them on the selling sites.

Thanks guys, I didn't even consider Freecycle. I was just reminded of another idea too.... people always leave stuff in the laundry room for anyone to take... I've even taken some pretty good pots and pans from there, so I could just put it on the table and anyone could grab it.... then there's no hassle for me and someone would benefit from them.... they could even "re-gift" them!

FOAS, maybe I'm confused but I think I said I was grateful, I just didn't like or have use for those items. Learn to comprehend what you read before responding!

Don't mind Stumpy....he must have had a bowl of thistles for breakfast.

I also hang on to useless gifts longer than I should, out of respect for the thought of the giver.
I usually sent stuff like that to Good Will....after saving it for a year in case the giver should ask about it.
You've kept it long enough....time to pass it on...
Linda C

It is hard...my brother whom I deeply love, gave me two handmade coffee mugs for Christmas, which would be just right except they have this weird sleeve type of handle. So close.

Soooo, what to do with them? He was kinda proud of the gift and I exclaimed over them perfectly. But I will never use them, hence the obligation to keep them for a really longtime. We have plenty of basement room storage for these kind of things but I'll probably never be able to find them at the drop of a hat.

Anyway, back to you, I wouldn't hesitate to pass the stuff on and never mention it.

Honestly, when I read the OP, I thought a bit like Stumpy too. It came across as callous, particularly the part about the friend whose mother had died - if anyone has lost a parent, you know that the pain is deep, and doesn't just go away if a couple of years has passed. The comment "getting old, LOL" was harsh. It says to me the OP isn't really a "friend" to that person in his grief.

I realize sometimes it's hard when reading here, without facial expressions, tone of voice, body language to judge what the OP is really thinking. But what I would do with these items is to give them to charity like the Salvation Army, or give them away via Freecycle.

I think you sounded grateful enough in your post, and so I would not be concerned about that. If you have any guilt, write a thank you note.

I have no problem with regifting, and I gave a shirt that my sister got me for my birthday to my friend Bernard, who visited me from Sacramento to do some landscaping for me. She gave me three shirts (all very cheap), but only one would fit, and I do wear that one. I still have one that is too small that Bernard did not want. I'll try to regift that one later.

If you know the store where the last item came from, you could try to exchange it. That would be my first choice. Unfortunately, I had no clue where my sister bought the shirts she gave me.

Lars

I'm so glad that I am not the only one to deal with this :o) Great suggestions.

Akchicago... we used to be friends, but I have grown callous... when he turned our whole friendship into me being a therapist and decided it was OK to dump all over me for hours every time we talked, it changed things. Losing a parent is sad, but at some point you have to continue living... feeling sorry for yourself and dumping all over your friends is not going to bring the person back.

Well, for once I agree with Lindac. :>)
Especially the bowl of thistles comment.

Seriously, though, Bobby,
I've been reading your posts long enough to know that you are a very warm and caring person.
And even if I hadn't,
I would not take your comments here as being ungrateful,
calloused, or anything like that.
You do sound frustrated, though.
Perfectly understandable!

I imagine there is not a single one among us here,
That has not been in the same situation at some time or another.
That is, if they are being completely honest.

Your idea of leaving the items on the laundry room table is a good one.
No posting on the 'net as with freecycle,
No looking for a collections center as with Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.
Not much chance of the giver seeing them there.
And best of all, it would be a pretty safe bet that whoever takes them, really wants them.

Rusty

The laundry room is perfect!
I've gotten and given stuff via the laundry room.
Completely incognito and as Rusty said, it would be taken, because it will be used.

Problem solved!

A church or shelter may be able to use the items.

Goodwill, Salvation Army, or similar. The giver's thought was kind, but the gift needn't be kept forever. You're not a museum conservator and a silicone baking mitt is not a Carvaggio. If they ever ask - they won't - tell a white lie. ''It broke.''