Take a picture of it as a memento for you, say a prayer over it to bless it for new owners, and pass it along. It is not blessing the original recipient or you any more, so time to let someone have it that it will bless and that will appreciate it.

How about a church thrift shop? This way it will go to a person who will appreciate it.

You never know with Goodwill. They sometimes sell the clothing in bulk as rags.

Animal shelters are always looking for blankets. Not sure if you would find this disrespectful, but I know a homeless dog would appreciate it.

Take it to the area dialysis clinic or where chemo treatment is done they are always needing blankets and donate it

was your friend a animal lover? think since it's not big enough for more than a throw, the animal shelter sounds wonderful...

Maybe return it to the other friend who sent it along in the first place?

What is a prayer blanket? Google supplied me with numerous examples and descriptions, each one different from the other.

I guess my question should be regarding your particular prayer blanket.

Put it in a box and put it away for now. Seeing it won't always make you sad. With time, seeing it will trigger fond memories, and you'll be glad you kept it.

I should change that from blanket to a shawl. It's crocheted. My other friend is in a group at her church and they crochet these shawls and attach a prayer to them, and they pray for the person that is receiving the gift.

My friend was a HUGE animal lover... and supporter of many local shelters. She would've readily agreed to giving it to a shelter but I don't think it would work being a shawl, my apologies for calling it a blanket.

I think a nursing home would be the perfect solution - if they would take it. I never thought of that so I'm so glad I posted here! We have a lot of nursing homes in the area and I will call some and see if this is something they would accept.

Thank you everyone who took the time to reply! I feel much better about not keeping it if it can go to someone who would enjoy it.

Check to see if your friend who sent the blanket to you, maybe she might like to have it back.

Better to remember a friend from better days, rather than from the final period of illness and infirmities that led to her death. That's not a memento to keep. I'd send it back on the path it came from, as others suggest. Failing that, a disposal in whatever direction works for you, it's really not a longtime cherished possession and I'm sure your friend would fully understand the action you choose.

I like Annie's response. Put it away. Some day you just might meet someone who would appreciate the story that came from it. You just might need to pass it along to someone. A prayer blanket should not take up much room, even if you are trying to downsize. Under the bed?

If I'm parting with something that still has some meaning to me, I try to donate to a thrift shop which benefits a local organization, like the hospital or shelters. I feel better about it that way. I've looked in a Goodwill storage room and it was horrible, overstuffed, smelly, messy.

I'm not sure if I understand if it's an afghan or a crocheted item. The heavier afghan would likely be appreciated by many. A church rummage sale would find a home for someone who wants to keep a little warmer in chilly times. Give it to someone who wants it. Spread the word that you'd like a new home for it. You'll find a taker for it. I wouldn't just toss it. I doubt the person who made it would want it back although they might have suggestions on who would want it. Generally when people make them they have enough of them around so they don't need more.

I would give it to a local church, they would know who to pass it on to in their congregation.

Prayer shawls are wonderful for a lot of reasons.. I would stop by a home for the elderly and ask them if there is a resident there they feel could use it and ask them to pass it on. You don't have to give them the story behind it, just say it has special meaning to you and you want someone in need to be able to use it.