iA lot of the comments on the gift giving posting seem to deal with items that people get that they don't want but that sit around gathering dust. So here is one of those late night suggestions that just might work.
Either these couples should all donate their unused and unneeded items to one of the existing charity auctions, or some tzedaka organization should get into the auction business--bet they would get enough donated "gifts" to get started with--this could truly be the auction to end all auctions. It's a win-win situation for everyone. The couples no longer have to figure out where to store all the stuff they don't want and will never use. The tzedaka gets merchandise to use in an auction. People at the auction who actually might need or want the item get the item while supporting a tzedaka organization. And the tzedaka raises funds to do the work they do. And think of all the chizuk that young married couples, and older ones too, could get when viewing the merchandise at the auction--they would find out that there were worse things to be gifted with then what they got.
I sympathize with the commenter who hates her china given to her by her in laws. But is letting her kids break it really the best answer? Somewhere out there in auction land is someone who probably would have adored the pattern--you can't argue taste. So no, the auction is not just where to donate duplicate toasters to. Why not a set of unused china? Why not jewelry that will never be worn?
And while we are talking about unused gifts, there are plenty of organizations that buy items to provide poor kallahs with the basic necessities for setting up a home. Either they are going to have to raise the money to buy a shabbos urn or you are going to donate one to them. Either way a needy kallah is a winner.
Or how about a "mazel tov" letter from tzedakas sent out to newly married couples asking them to donate their "extra" merchandise?
In short, rather than letting those unwanted gifts sit in your home and feed your anger, let them go find a "better home" with someone who will want them and appreciate them.
2 comments:
Back in my senior year of high school someone's sister donated a blender she had gotten but was not going to use. We held a mini auction of just the blender and only charged 50 cents a ticket to enter. We raised almost $400 for tzedaka just with the one item. It's a good idea to use the extra gifts to raise money for tzedaka.
Thanks for the tips. I think I'm going to make Pesachik my basement and move out a lot of the stuff my married kids are storing there that they don't want but is too expensive to throw out. They don't want the things but always resisted when I said to get rid of them. But if it is going to tzedaka how can anyone complain.
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