338: What to Do With Unwanted Gifts (Without the Guilt)

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Somewhere right now, there’s a decorative ceramic rooster sitting in the back of a closet—kept out of guilt, obligation, or fear of hurting someone’s feelings.

In today’s episode, we’re finally setting that rooster free.

I’m sharing a simple, compassionate 3-step framework for letting go of unwanted gifts without guilt, why holding onto gifts we don’t want isn’t gratitude (it’s fear), and how to separate the intention behind a gift from the object itself. We’ll talk about the emotional beliefs that keep unwanted gifts stuck in our homes—and I’ll even give you a simple script for what to say if Aunt Linda ever asks where her rooster went.

If you’ve ever smiled, said “thank you,” and then wondered what am I supposed to do with this now?—this episode is for you.

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What You’ll Learn

• The 3-step framework for letting go of unwanted gifts

• Why over half of Americans receive unwanted gifts—and what usually happens to them

• The hidden belief that makes letting go of gifts feel so hard

• Why keeping unwanted gifts isn’t gratitude—it’s emotional self-protection

• How to separate the gift from the giver without damaging relationships

• A personal story about a childhood necklace and the mindset shift that changed everything

• The difference between honoring someone’s intention and storing the object forever

• Exactly what to say if the gift-giver asks about it later (yes, I give you a script)

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Key Takeaways

• Gratitude does not require permanent storage.

• You can appreciate the thought behind a gift without keeping the item itself.

• Unwanted gifts often stay because we fear awkward conversations—not because we value them.

• The object carried the sentiment, but once received, the sentiment lives in you, not the thing.

• Letting go of gifts you don’t want is not rejection—it’s stewardship.

• Keeping something out of obligation only creates clutter in your home and your head.

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Mini Challenge Before the Holidays

Open one closet today and find your version of the ceramic rooster.

Ask yourself:

1. Do I actually use or enjoy this?

2. Am I keeping it because I want it—or because I feel like I should?

3. If the giver knew I was keeping this out of obligation, would they want that for me?

Then decide: donate, re-gift, or set a clear deadline.

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Go find your ceramic rooster.
Let it fly (even if roosters technically can’t).
Make the decision.

I’ll see you in the next episode. 💛