Tis the season for unwanted gifts?!

Whatever you celebrate throughout the winter holiday season (thats my stab at fitting into these politically correct times), there are plenty of gift exchanges going on. When it comes to gift giving our loved ones have good intentions, but sometimes they just dont get it right (a good poker face comes in handy at times like these).

I like to call this the Unwanted Gift Syndrome. Symptoms of this infliction include:

Psychedelic sweaters with dancing reindeer
Bobble-head dolls of political figures
Homemade arts and crafts
Purple and orange argyle socks

They may say that its the thought that counts, but what really counts is getting something that you can actually use. Instead of standing in line at the return counter, tossing in the trash receptacle, or storing away to gather dust (and later brought out when the gift giver drops in for a visit), you could consider using these unwanted items as a means to get what you really wanted. What might not be your cup-of-tea could be a treasure to someone else.

You can have a post-holiday party for you and your friends, at which everyone brings an unwanted gift for an exchange. White elephant exchange games are great for things like this. You could also utilize online barter sites, like SwapThing.com, to list your item and see if it piques the interest of someone who may have something you want.

Not all gifts fall into the realm of our expectations, but after feigning excitement for these unique treasures, you dont have to live with them forever. We all have differing tastes, so you never know who might find that inner beauty you just dont see.