What to Do with a Gift?

Can you ask for the receipt because it doesn't "fit"? Get something else or the money back. If asked, tell her that they didn't have anymore that size and you had to get something else. That has happened so many times with us with the girls' clothes. Grandma buys a cute outfit the wrong size and when I go to exchange it, they no longer have it or don't carry it in the next size up.

You could also sell it on CL, if you wanted to get something for it.

And if you decide to donate it, consider somewhere other than Goodwill. They are a corporation that doesn't give back as much as a Salvation Army or local thrift store.

Can you exchange it? I would take it back to the store and exchange it for something you like. If she asks tell her it didn't fit.

You are not lying -- it didn't fit your personality.

I agree! Exchange it if u know where it is from. You could also give it to a clothing consignment shop if u have any of those in your area, and of course goodwill is a great option as well. Don't feel bad doing any of these, I do it with items that I get from family members.

I have to say I had very different taste than my MIL. She bought me a skirt set once that was....well, atrocious. Green is my favorite color, dark sage green all the way up to celery. This skirt set had a 3 tiered bright, almost neon golden yellow broomstick skirt that was almost like it got dipped in the olive dye that soaked it's way up to at least the 2nd tier. The lower on the skirt the green was the darker it was. The top of the skirt was the bright yellowy mess. The tee shirt was the same color design, yellow with the dark green on the bottom half. It also had green sequins all over the front of the top.

I can honestly tell you that I wore that set, out in public too. I got stares and odd looks, some bohemian styled women would often comment on it and say they really liked it.

She felt so good about buying that for me. I am glad I put my pride aside and wore it to make her feel appreciated. She died a few years ago and the skirt and top were the first thing to go in the trash. They were totally hideous.

Her feelings were more important to me than what I wore or didn't wear. She did give me some awesome items too though.

We often have a fall ball through our church that we used to attend and I have a wide selection of formal wear that she bought me. I love each one of my nicer dresses. The one mistake she made was not worth the telling her I didn't like it. She liked in and thought it looked lovely on me so I wore it.

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My MIL does the SAME thing... she would buy me sweatshirts that had hearts & rainbows on it (I'm 40). So I would ask for the receipt and say "it didn't fit" I even once put a hole in the seam and asked again for the receipt. Come to find out she would buy my gifts from the tween dept (always on sale) and wait mos. for my bday. I just explained that I have a funny shape & it's really hard to fit my body... she finally got the hint and started getting gift cards.

I'd keep it for awhile then "bless" someone else with it.
Luckily my inlaws give all gifts with price tags/stickers still attached, gift receipts AND original register receipts. Their only stipulation? WE exchange it--not them! LOL

I received an ugly bathrobe from my MIL a few years ago (but it was in my favorite color: red! Her heart was in the right place!) and kept it in the closet for a couple of years. Then off to the Goodwill it went.

I don't see why it's a big deal....just hang it in your closet and be done with it. I have several things in my closet that still have tags on them, and I don't give them a second thought. I'm not into this "saving the world thing"...but if you must....do what you please.

My mother gave me a hideous coat for my birthday last year and after having this monstrosity hanging in my closet for a year, I just put it in with my pile of garage sale stuff. If it doesn't sell (which it won't...who would wear this thing?!?) I will give it to the Salvation Army. :)

I think we all suffer with un-wanted or not our style clothes gifts in our closet.

And guilt just keeps us hanging on....like maybe one day I will wear that 100% Cashmere sweater in Phoenix??? I don't think so..That was such a waste.

Either return it with the tags and choose something else, even if it's been too long, you will usually be given a credit, and then you can buy super cute shoes...

Or re-gift it to your kids friends, teacher, neighbor who has done you a favor..but be sure to consider their own style.

And lastly, give to Goodwill...but I would remove the tags, so the Goodwill buyer does not return it to the store where purchased.

If it's new with tags yet, I would give it to Sleep Country for their foster kids program. Especially if it's suited for a 14 yr. old.

I'd keep it in my closet for a few years, then donate it. What if she asks about it, and you don't have it???