Using Unwanted Christmas Gifts

Everybody gets them. Those little presents that make you wonder 'what the heck am I going to do with THIS?!' And wouldn't you know it, these presents never seem to have a gift receipt.

From the questionable clothing gift to items you already own, I'm going to help you use them for good (sorry, no evil here).

For items that you already have or simply aren't interested in, you just might have a friend or family member that would like, say, an entire set of honeysuckle bath products. Slap a bow on it and give it away! At least it's going to a good home.

For clothing that just doesn't work for you, items you couldn't regift, or if you're getting rid of things to make room for that new present, look around town for secondhand shops. Your unwanted items just might make you a little cash. Some secondhand shops even donate their proceeds to local charities.

Where I live, there's Edward McKays, where customers can sell back books, movies, and used electronics. Gamestop, FYE, and other movie/music/gamer stores will usually accept new and slightly used products. (This is not an advertisement, just fact.)

Some presents (like the bag below) are poorly constructed and really not worth the effort of trying to sell. A little demolition time will usually reap some interesting parts for other projects. I'm thinking of using the fake leather on this bag to make a leather case. The magnetic clasp and metallic ring will go in my hardware box, ready to be used for another instructable.

Unwanted clothing that can't be given away or donated is great for harvesting fabric, buttons, and zippers. I recently took apart an ugly sweater so I could keep the soft yarn.

If you're not fond of the color, there's always dye and fabric paints. Get creative!

I'm going to try staining the red leather with black ink.

Companies like Goodwill and the Salvation Army accept most items as donations, from mattresses to bowling balls. Profits from reselling these items will help the unfortunate, and keep usable items from going into a landfill.

Broken items that are can't be used will sadly go to the garbage heap. But before you dump them, check to see if any of the parts have recyclable, plastic, or metal.

Many companies accept old cell phones and electronics--they harvest the usable parts and safely recycle them.

You may not have gotten supplies for your next instructable, but you did help make them into something new.