Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
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Bugs
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Consumerist tip - unwanted presentsI have taken to doing this - put the receipt in a sealed envelope labelled "receipt".
Yes sure they could open it and count how much you love them, but if they do that it's their problem not yours. On the bright side you know that it won't be wasted because if they don't like it or get two of something they can change it without feeling bad about being ungrateful.
Obviously people here will say if you don't have a good enough relationship for them to be honest why buy a present, but we all know it's sometimes unavoidable. At least this way options are open without too much embarassment.
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ele
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make sure you've not bought it by credit card though as some shops will only refund if you've got the original card... which could lead them to a lot of 
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marigold
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I do that too (receipt in envelope), but whenever anyone else is kind enough to say to me "do change it if you don't like it" I go into a frenzy of reassurance that I just LOVELOVELOVE it. Anyone want a M&S necklace made of three enamelled sickly pinky-peach butterflies? Or a "real miniature rosebud preserved in acrylic" brooch? Or a very blunt cheese knife with a black and white beaded handle? Once a decent interval has passed I give the it's-the-thought-that-counts stuff to a charity shop.
Working on the basis that the recipients didn't like the tasteful gifts I chose for them either  , I called a halt to most of it last year and suggested we go for charity donation gifts instead. I made a payment to the Red Cross for famine relief and received several fruit trees and various other World Vision items in return. In future I intend to keep adding to "my" orchard..... 
(Got to admit I am still very happy to be given gardening or book tokens  )
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2steps
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I also put the recipt if I'm not sure they'll like it or for clothes, if it will fit
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