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Should housewarming presents be banned....?

...if you are downsizing?

No one should consider bringing a physical non-perishable object as a housewarming gift to anyone who has just undergone a major downsizing.

It is so difficult, even heartbreaking, to eliminate half or more of everything you've owned or inherited. Often, some of the toughest choices involve gifts from loved ones that you have, unfortunately, never had any use for. But the good side of it is when all or most of the downsizing has occurred, and the move has occurred, and you are just starting to unpack, (hoping you won't have to cut back still further)...you can now contemplate your stuff knowing how your life is now simpler and better organized...

And that's when people show up with well meaning gifts and good wishes. All you can think as you're thanking them is, "Where, O where am I going to keep this?"

Please, if you want to be generous and give a housewarming gift, make it perishable; gourmet food, fruit, flowers...or a gift card for a housecleaning service or restaurant or pizza place. That will make them happy and they don't have to figure out where to keep it, or not for long.

So many people are downsizing these days...honor their move with a card or a night out at the local steakhouse, or anything they don't need to store or display.
Fernie · F
It's my responsibility to tell my friends and family how I feel...it's not their responsibility to know all of that
greenmountaingal · 70-79, F
@Fernie: Good point. But...if in the hassle of moving, you don't think to tell them, you can't do it when the gift arrives without being rude and unappreciative.
Fernie · F
@greenmountaingal: I still think it's a bit unreasonable to expect people to realize that very personal downsizing thing. Unless you have downsized...most of us have to past a certain age....you really have no clue. Refusing a gift in an honest " Thank you SO much but...I have No room for it or much else since my life has changed, etc" how is that rude or ungrateful? It's honest and mature and yes...not super comfortable.
You can always donate their gifts to a charity.
greenmountaingal · 70-79, F
@ColleenOhara: It's hard to give away gifts; your friends might think you didn't appreciate their gift.

 
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