What do you do when you receive a gift you don't really love or have no use for?

Some people immediately stuff it in a box in the garage or attic until the gift-giver's next visit, at which time the gift suddenly resurfaces to the main display shelf for the day of the visit. Others keep or display the item year-round, even though they don't really like it, because they'd feel guilty if they didn't.

Me? Well...I would not be practicing what I preach if I held onto something that I'll never use, or especially that I don't genuinely enjoy having. It is simply donated to my favorite charity soon after.

The gifts I keep must be:

a) functional and something I'm going to be making good use of. I must also have the storage space for it.

and/or

b) truly enjoyable to have--something that makes me smile and/or an item I would miss very much if I didn't have it.

My daugher gave me a purple purse a few years back that I have used every day since. It fits my style and personality perfectly.

Handmade gifts are some of my favorites and they're displayed around my home... wooden trays, display pieces with photo transfers of family photos, a hand-crafted, personalized wooden cutting board, and more. Every time I look at them, they remind me of the giver and how much time and effort was put into these treasures.

I love to travel, so travel-related gifts are nearly always up my alley. I use a beautiful New York card wallet and key chain, given to me by a dear friend, all the time. My sister gave me a travel journal that I love and use as well.

Gift cards? I don't think I ever received one that I didn't use.

To reduce the chances of giving or receiving gifts that will not be used or loved, I am always in very good communication with my family members and close friends. If an occasion is coming up, those of us who exchange gifts discuss some gift possibilities or exchange wish lists--this way, there's little chance anyone is going to end up with something that will end up gathering dust.

You might be saying, 'But what about the element of surprise?' Well, we usually discuss three or four gift possibilities, so there always is some element of surprise, and there's always an element of happiness. Plus, it saves the gift-givers time and stress. They don't have to waste time wondering what the person would like. They also won't waste money on something the receiver is not going to use.

Ninety-nine percent of the time, I make very good use out of the gifts I receive. And I try to use the same systems when giving gifts. I especially like giving consumable gifts (things you can eat, lotions you can use and use up, etc.) or experience gifts (movie tickets, dinner gift card, etc.)

Of course, no matter how much we try to reduce the chances of getting something we may not like or don't have a use for, every once in awhile we're all going to receive something that just doesn't suit us. I think back to a pair of earrings that resembled disco strobe lights (I knew I'd never wear them), a book describing how to make 101 stackable appetizers (I don't have any inclination to 'stack my appetizers') and a huge, round glass paperweight (I don't often have gale force winds coming into my office to warrant keeping this one).

I've been on this earth long enough to be able to keep the love and thoughtfulness of the gift in my heart, without feeling I have to hang onto a gift that doesn't suit me until the end of time. I also know, in my heart of hearts, that the giver gave the gift with a lot of love and without any strings attached.

Since I donate gifts I'm not going to use to charity, I don't feel guilty. Well, maybe just a little. But not enough to warrant the item sitting in my home, never to be used or looked at again.

This all being said, I truly believe there is only one way to receive a gift... no matter what it is. And that is with the most love and appreciation, even if it's a fish tie, a pillow that looks like a cracker (a friend of mine just received this from someone), or an electric head massager (I saw that a relative of mine just was gifted one of these!) Smile, genuinely and graciously thank the person, and send a thank you card when appropriate.

One final tip, on another note: You can always take a photo of the gifts you receive for future reference. This comes in handy for remembering what you received and from who.

To fast-forward to getting organized today, visit:

getorganizednow.com/rd-ifo.html

No matter what your organizing challenges are, they are all causing UNHAPPINESS, STRESS, EXHAUSTION, OVERWHELM, and FRUSTRATION...and those are five things you definitely don't need in your life.

I have the perfect solution for any organizing challenge you're dealing with, and it will help you get permanently and automatically organized.

It's called my 'I'm Finally Organized Toolkit' and it includes literally EVERYTHING you need to get organized now!

I know you want to get started on your organizing journey, and I'm excited to help you begin as quickly as possible. In light of this, when you get your hands on my I'm Finally Organized Toolkit BEFORE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 11:59 PM, you'll get a whole bunch of amazing, COMPLIMENTARY BONUSES!

For details...visit:

getorganizednow.com/rd-ifo.html

___ 1. Do today's task on my September Monthly Organizing Checklist. The September 27 TO DO focuses on your shoes. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my September Monthly Organizing Checklist.

___ 2. Donate a gift you received that you never use or don't like. If it's sitting in your home stuffed in a box or gathering dust on a shelf, remember...somebody else somewhere is hoping they'll find whatever it is at their local thrift store. Release the guilt and donate that item.

___ 3. Last chance to vote in my web poll. How do you handle cleaning that is necessary after cooking? Vote in my poll. Results will be shared in an upcoming newsletter. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access the poll and vote.

'Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.' (William Arthur Ward)

I'd love to hear from you.

I LOVE GON reader mail! Whether it's a comments, suggestions, or just a note to say hello, REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!
getorganizednow.com

(c) Copyright 2021 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now!

* Copyright, contact and reprint information:
getorganizednow.com/contact.html

* You signed up to receive our Idea-Kit and/or our Newsletter at our Get Organized Now! Web site. We never add names unless you have voluntarily opted in.

* We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.

* If you happen to purchase anything I recommend in this newsletter, or any of my communications, I may receive compensation. Still, I only recommend what I truly believe in and share with my friends and family. If you ever have an issue with anything I recommend, please let me know. I want to make sure I am always serving you at the highest level.

* To subscribe, visit:
getorganizednow.com/free-ezine.html


* To unsubscribe, if you absolutely must go, please click the link below. However . . .

YIKES! - If you unsubscribe, you'll lose all the complimentary organizing resources I share with my loyal readers each week. You'll lose the tips, reader ideas, reader clinics, complimentary videos, ebooks, resource recommendations, and the many valuable bonuses I offer each month. Please don't go. I love sending you all of this free training. I'd be lost and lonely without you. If there is something more you would like from my newsletters, then please reply to this email and let me know.
-- Maria Gracia