The art of letting go (of unwanted gifts)
I have a well-meaning aunt who gives me decorative items year after year as a Christmas gift. The items she gives me are very pretty, sometimes unnecessarily pricey.
It breaks my heart to type this, and I do appreciate the thought, but they’re not my style. I keep those gifts, thinking I’ll use them for some occasion, but I never do. They just gather dust, and I often forget about them until our next annual cleaning, when I find them again. They serve no purpose to me or my family except as a reminder that some gifts, no matter how well-intentioned, don’t belong in our lives.
This year, I’ve decided it’s time to let these items go, along with others I’ve held on to for years for sentimental reasons. Parting with unwanted gifts doesn’t have to come with guilt, but with purpose.
First, let’s face some truths about the holiday season. After the cheer comes the holiday trash. All those pretty wrappings, bows, and packages end up in landfills, and some leak into the ocean unchecked. Firecrackers and fireworks also add to the waste generated during the season.
One way to keep waste down is to save the bows and wrappers that can be reused for the next gift-giving season. Sort the trash, especially items garbage collectors can sell, like empty tin cans from food and drinks. Excess food also ends up in bins eventually, so it’s always a good idea to share it before it spoils.
Sharing is key to keeping waste down. Forgotten gifts from last year need to go. The longer they stay unused, the higher the chances that you’ll never use them. They’ll take up precious space in your home and life.
Where to sell or donate
Selling is always an option. Facebook Marketplace and Carousell still serve their purpose. Community Facebook groups for your location are also valuable. You can post items you want to sell there and find interested people. This is where we found a buyer for our broken appliances and donated clothes for fire victims in evacuation centers.
The group Declutter Manila has over 300,000 members. It’s a bartering and decluttering page for any item under the sun, including clothes, household items, and kids’ toys. Selling is not allowed here. Be mindful that some “miners” (those who claim items) resell the items they get on other pages. If your goal is to clear up space at home, this shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you want your items to go to people in need, set your own rules for who gets them.
It’s a free-for-all space and you might encounter rude recipients. But there are really those who need extra items and their posts of gratitude are always heartwarming and encouraging.
Books are accepted in Declutter Manila but are often ignored. Another group, Donate Your Old Books/Education Books and Resources, is a perfect spot for old textbooks and resource materials. Some of its 36,000 members are volunteers for community libraries that benefit from these donations.
If you’re unwilling to part with your books for free, post them on Secondhand Books Philippines instead. Note that books are hard to sell, so pricing them right is key to attracting interest.
Give to charity
If you prefer not to deal with a deluge of Facebook messages, dropping off items at charity institutions might be a better option.
Segunda Mana accepts in-kind donations and converts them to cash. It’s a program run by Caritas Manila, a nonprofit organization serving the underprivileged through the Catholic Church. The program has over 40 charity outlets, 10 parish kiosks, and four long-term bazaars that serve as drop-off points. You can track their activities on their Facebook and Instagram pages. They accept clothes, furniture, gadgets, bags, footwear, household items, accessories, books, office equipment, toys, computers, sporting goods, or anything that still has value.
Their website states that their program supports vocational, technical, and college scholars nationwide and the livelihood of over 300 micro-entrepreneurs from informal sectors like Baseco and Payatas.
Goodwill PH also accepts in-kind donations. It’s a nonstock, nonprofit organization benefiting persons with disabilities. They accept any items of value, including crutches and mobility aids. Pickup can be arranged through tel. 0992-8309744.
Get to know your community by asking around on Facebook. You’d be surprised at the number of people quietly making efforts to support schools or communities.
