How do you handle non-veg gifts?

[Elad]

Every year, despite my persistent begging them not to buy me anything, people (mostly relatives) still insist on piling a bunch of gifts on me. Oftentimes, it includes some milk chocolate, leather gloves, or gift-cards to Dave's Famous BBQ restaurants.

Doesn't matter how many times I mention that I don't consume these things, it doesn't get through.

So, what does everyone do with their non-veg gifts? Normally I get frustrated and toss 'em, but I think this year I'm going to take them to a homeless shelter.

[Kenneth ken]

1. that's what I'm thinking

this is the first year I've said I wanted nothing for xmas, and I still got gifts. Usually, my family draws names, so we don't end up spending tons of money, and we provide lists of gift suggestions, so everyone tends to at least get things they want and will use.

Since my list this year said I wanted nothing, I'm thinking of donating to a shelter or food pantry or something. I got a gift card to a grocery store, so that might be better suited to a food pantry. A gift card to Wal-Mart, so that might be better for a shelter.

I haven't ever actualy had a problem with non-veg gifts, so techincally, I haven't dealt with your specific question, but I would think donating would be a better option than simply tossing.

PS - make sure you send Thank You cards saying what you donated and why. That might make an impact on their thinking. "Thank You for the leather gloves, however as a vegan, I don't use leather products, so I donated them to _____________; I am sure some unnamed homeless person will enjoy having them, and appreciate your kindness. - Love, Elad

PPS - thanks for asking this question; it has strengthened my inclination to want to donate my gifts this year, so I have arrived at the decision to do so.

:hug:

:hi:

[sbj405]

3. I agree. Donate and be sure to let the gifter know that you did and why

[curse10]

2. donating is a good idea

luckily I've never had to deal with that problem. My family respects my choice :-)

[Robeson]

4. Depends on the gift...

...I'm a vegetarian, not a vegan, so I can accept chocolate, such as from Bug Bites, which donates proceeds to endangered species, and does not produce its products from agri-farms. However, since I don't eat chocolate, no one gives me these gifts anyway.

If its meat products, such as gift like a meat basket with other things, I just simply give those away to someone who eats meat.

Just because you get a gift, doesn't mean you have to keep it. If you don't like it or use it or don't believe in it, give it to someone who does, or better yet, give it to a homeless shelter.

[smbolisnch]

5. Donating sounds like a great idea.

I am usually lucky and my family is good about that stuff. My mother in law always makes me a stocking with girly things in it, and believe it or not this year all of the products are from companies who don't test on animals etc. I guess I just lucked out. My mom actually gave me some veg*n cookbooks. Oh, and I always have an amazon.com wishlist. I send it to my mom, she sends it to my aunts etc and they know what I like. :) Hope that helps you some!

Meg

[H3Dakota]

6. My family is very accepting

They all carefully select gifts for me, looking for cruelty-free products & even making sure to cook food I can eat. :)

My first thought was the same as everyone else - there are many homeless shelters out there in need, as well as churches & shelters for domestic violence. Should anyone ever give me something that I cannot use, that is where the gifts would go.

[Ranec]

7. My family is very accepting, but I still get leather???

When I decided to stop wearing leather I held on to a somewhat expensive leather jacket because I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't really want someone else to wear it.

Finally, I donated it to Goodwill.

As for Christmas presents, I seem to keep getting leather gloves (not fancy ones but work gloves) I kept one pair, but now I'm conflicted by the second pair I just got. I'm guessing they are destined for AmVets or Goodwill soon. :-(

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

8. Depends.

If I think somebody else would really like the gift, I will give it to them. Yes, I re-gift. Sorry to the X-mas purists.

The homeless shelter thing is a good idea, but I'm not sure ours would take donations like that. The Salvation Army would take any unwanted leather clothes, shoes, stuff like that. Gift-cards could go to a family that you know is in need of it. There's always someone who needs your unwanted gifts. :)

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

9. I would donate them, personally

A few years ago, my husband (boyfriend at the time) got me a wonderful vintage winter coat - however it was trimmed with a mink collar and cuffs (GAK!)

He should have known better... I ended up donating the coat. That was the last of the horrific 'non-veg' gifts I can recall getting.

[Piperay]

10. Around Thanksgiving the

market I go to had this deal where if you buy so much groceries you get a free turkey. When I went to the checkout the clerk kept insisting I get a turkey because I was entitled to one. I kept saying "no" but she even sent the bagger to get one for me, so I got turkey whether I liked it or not. x( I gave the turkey to a friend of mine who does work with the homeless. :thumbsup:

[vinessa4freedom]

11. you were very kind

to not become irate with the store. I would have been polite at first, but if they had been that persistent about me taking it, I would have made a scene. I try to be good to everyone, but that is pushing it too far.

Happy New Year!:party: