When I was a young girl, anytime I received a pretty gift, I would store it in my drawer of special things, to be used at some unforeseen time in the future....
THINK PAD
When I was a young girl, anytime I received a pretty gift, I would store it in my drawer of special things, to be used at some unforeseen time in the future. Every few days, I’d open the drawer and marvel at all the gift boxes of delightful items, like jewelry, hair accessories, and stationery. Then, I’d close the drawer, and life would go on. In the back of my mind, I imagined a perfect moment when I would use these items, though I had no idea when that time would come.
Once, a relative visited from abroad and brought me a box of gorgeous soaps. The pink soaps were incredibly pretty and smelled divine. Straight into the drawer of gifts they went. One day, I opened the drawer and, to my horror, found that the box of soaps was missing. It had completely disappeared into thin air. With no proof, I couldn’t blame anyone. Alas, I never got to indulge in those divine soaps.
Another time, a friend gifted me a beautiful sequined handbag, which I promptly packed away in a suitcase. When I finally took it out a few years later, the material of the strap had deteriorated and was flaking, creating a mess. Since it was a semi-formal bag, it was no longer in a condition to be carried to fancy gatherings. I never got to use that gorgeous bag.
On another occasion, I was gifted a perfume by a foreign visitor. It was a popular and expensive fragrance in a uniquely designed bottle. I truly admired the person and their generosity, but at the time, I wasn’t very keen on using perfumes, so it just sat on my dressing table for years before the bottle mysteriously disappeared. It would have been wiser for me to have given it to someone who might have used and appreciated it.
The incidents I’ve mentioned are all from many years ago. Nowadays, as a minimalist, it’s rare for me to keep something I won’t use. If I like something, I put it to use right away.
As for storing gifts away, this isn’t uncommon. Many of us save things for a special occasion or a specific time in the future. But I say, the time is now. Use the gifts you receive, as well as the things you buy for yourself. Don’t keep them stored away, waiting for the perfect moment. When we save things for too long, one of the following could happen:
• Clothes stored in luggage could be damaged by bugs.
• Cosmetics could expire.
• The item could go out of style.
• The article might start to appear old, worn, or develop an unpleasant smell.
• Some parts of the item, like straps made from cheaper materials, could wear out.
• Clothes may become too tight or loose due to body changes.
• The item could be stolen.
• The item could go missing.
• If there is a major life transition, such as a move or wedding, the item might no longer be needed.
Therefore, when you buy things or receive gifts, don’t just tuck them away waiting for the right time to use them. The present is always the right time. Yes, you can buy things in advance for a special occasion, but it shouldn’t be more than a couple of months at most. Items that are timeless and increase in value, like gold jewelry, can also be purchased in advance.
Some of us like to recycle gifts, which is absolutely fine. Sometimes we receive a gift that isn’t to our taste, style, or size, so we keep it for re-gifting. This is a great strategy that saves money and prevents waste. However, don’t hold onto things for too long. You might not even want to wait for a special occasion. Items stored away for extended periods may develop a certain smell or tint over time. Instead, you can gift them as a token of appreciation to someone who will truly enjoy them.
A lady I know has a wonderful habit of opening gifts and using them immediately. Once, she received a pair of earrings from a guest and put them on right then and there in front of the gifter. I think it’s a very thoughtful gesture. Recently, I was gifted a beautiful headscarf by my teacher, and I wore it the next time I visited her. I’ll always remember how her face lit up when she saw it.
However, if you receive a gift you don’t like—whether it's the color, design, or something else—you should still appreciate the thoughtfulness and generosity of the giver and graciously accept it. Don’t simply toss the item aside to gather dust. This only creates clutter that you’ll eventually need to deal with. It’s better to promptly donate or re-gift the item rather than hold on to something you don’t need or want.
If you decide to re-gift an item, be sure not to use it once you’ve determined it doesn’t suit you. Once the label is removed or the package opened, the item can no longer be re-gifted and can only be donated. Only highly valuable and unique items, such as gold jewelry or antiques, can be passed on after use and still considered gifts. For regular items like clothing, costume jewelry, or décor, once they’ve been opened and used, they can no longer be called gifts in the true sense, as gifts are meant to be new and unused. Use what you love now, and for what you don’t, find someone who will appreciate it. Just don’t hoard it.
Recently, a vibrant young lady I knew suddenly passed away. When her family members opened her wardrobe, they discovered countless brand-new articles of clothing, handbags, shoes, and jewelry. As a hardworking manager, she had purchased a large number of items, saving them for future use. Beyond the pain of her death, it was another blow to the family to realize that their daughter had not been able to enjoy the things she had so joyfully accumulated.
Life is completely unpredictable. The past is gone, and no one knows what the future holds. All we have is the present. So go ahead and use your things; don’t put them away for an uncertain future. New things keep coming. Enjoy the present, and the future will take care of itself.
