Dear LPG,

Now that Christmas 2020 has well and truly become something to look back on, I have been thinking about what it will be remembered for in the history books. I think that we will all remember the people who Covid-19 prevented us from seeing on the day and I think that it will be the most electronic Christmas on record so far.

I know that I have learned so much about buying Christmas presents that I have only seen a picture of online and sending them to the grandchildren that I had to watch open them through the miracle of video calling; and I know that many would not even be able to do that.

When it came to who to invite on the day, I found myself making the same decision as OS who wrote about the difficulty of staying within the government restrictions and choosing which households to invite and which to disappoint, and I came to the same decision (►►►).   But the result of a year when I have seen so little of my family and friends, has been some strange present choices on both sides.  I have to admit to receiving some things that I will never use and I bet I have sent a few too.  There are always a few gifts that don’t work because we don’t like the colour or something else about them, but it is mostly a case of not needing them or already having one that works perfectly well. 

I have learned something though; when I took a look online I found that the internet is full of suggestions about how to deal with unwanted gifts. Listing one or two online, if they are brand new, with the simple truth about why you want to offload them is a way forward.  I have to say that I was quite surprised at the number of things which are advertised as never used because I always feel it important, in order to prevent hurt feelings, to make sure you are seen by its giver, in the jumper that is not quite to your taste, or to be using any given implement or ornament at least once (even if you only make sure it is visible somewhere when they next visit, or in the background somewhere when you next video call). 

But there are more websites than I ever imagined specially designed for swapping unwanted gifts, and I always think that even though such a gift will never suit you, it may be an idea to use one of those rather than have the gift add to the clutter that is so often a feature of a well lived in house.  Having had a look, I thought it a good idea to share what I have found. 

I can think of one way that such a present could be useful.  Perhaps you can use it as a way to learn about something new online.  You might use it as an object to sell, swap, or advertise.  Why not prevail on the help of an internet savvy friend to teach you how to sell online, but please be subtle and make sure that you are not asking the person who gave you the thing in the first place. 

HY, Ladywell

HY shares what she had learned about this subject…

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