Transform Unwanted Holiday Gifts into Meaningful Treasures for Others

Share this @internewscast.com

From wafty deodorant to odd novelty items and unconventional candles — we’ve all been on the receiving end of unsuitable gifts at some point in our lives.

But instead of adding to the nation’s landfill, Australians are being urged to donate their unwanted Christmas gifts — whether through op-shops, re-gifting to family and friends, or handing them over to neighbours — with the goal of making them someone else’s treasure.

As the holiday season approaches, charity bins across the country are expected to overflow, prompting a call for responsible donations. It’s essential to consider the condition of items before deciding to donate them.

Yolanda Saiz, CEO of Vinnies NSW, a well-known charity organization operating numerous op shops, highlights the unique appeal these shops offer. For many, the allure lies in the “treasure hunt” experience, where browsing through second-hand goods can lead to unexpected and delightful finds.

When considering donating, most Australians opt to donate to their local charity bins.

However, donors are encouraged to think carefully about how they donate. Items left outside charity shops can be exposed to the weather or tampered with by others, leading to potential damage. This diminishes their value and usefulness.

“They might find that quirky gift or something a little bit different, that they didn’t think they wanted or needed, but when they see it in an op shop, it’s exactly what they want for their home or for themselves,” Saiz told SBS News.

Men’s clothing is in demand, she said, but they are also keen on shoes, handbags, books, bric-a-brac, and women’s clothing.

It’s best if it still has the tags, is unused, or is unopened, but that’s not a red line.

Many op-shops end up having to reject goods because they’re in a state that can’t be resold — furniture with chips or cracks, electrical goods that are glitchy, clothing that’s torn.

“It doesn’t have to be in any original packaging, just as long as it’s in good working condition and something that you … might not have a need for, but you would pass on to a friend or family member,” Saiz said.

For those who wish to explore alternatives to the traditional op-shop donation, ‘pay it forward’ groups present a viable option. These platforms allow individuals to re-home items by connecting them with others who can pick up the goods directly from their homes.

Saiz advises donors to exercise their own judgment when deciding whether an item is suitable for charity. Asking oneself if the item is likely to be wanted or needed can help ensure that donations are both practical and appreciated.

Moreover, thoughtful donations help avoid sending misleading signals to manufacturers about the demand for certain products, aiding in more sustainable consumption and production practices.

Pay it forward groups feature prominently on Facebook community pages, connecting unwanted or pre-loved goods with new owners.

It’s a good alternative for those who may be more comfortable donating online, said Jennifer Macklin, a senior research fellow at BehaviourWorks Australia, part of Monash University’s Sustainable Development Institute.

“Some people find it trickier than others, but for most people, listing something on there is as easy as taking a few photos, writing a pretty good description, you know, and popping it on there, and then, you know, leaving it for people to decide,” she told SBS News.

Macklin said it’s a good option for the environmentally conscious.

“In that way, when you list them, you know that the people coming to get them actually want them,” she said.

“Whereas when you … give it to charity, you have to kind of exercise … your own judgement to determine, are they likely to want it or not?”

Consider a re-gifting cupboard

Macklin said storing unwanted gifts in a cupboard for re-gifting for a later celebration is another handy option.

This is a great way to avoid landfill, support the circular economy, and avoid being caught without a present when you’re heading to an event in the near future.

“You don’t then need to go out and buy a new gift,” Macklin said.

It will also ensure it doesn’t send the wrong signal to manufacturers about the demand for certain products.

“Because one of the biggest impacts of all of this is that most of these things are new, and they’ve been purchased new. So they’re sending an economic signal that we want to produce more stuff,” Macklin said.

“So if you can actually re-gift it yourself, that means next time you need a present, you don’t need to go out and buy and send that economic signal of ‘We want to buy more, so you need to make more’.”

The final option, of course, is to resell the items on various online platforms, which can come with the added bonus of cash.

Macklin also advises people to shop at op-shops to create a more even balance for the charity groups.

“We know that more people donate than buy from charity stores, and if we could get that more even, if more of the people who donated also bought back, that would make the system run smoother.

“That would mean that charity stores could take more.”