Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Accessories -> What to do with the holiday gifts?
Post Info TOPIC: What to do with the holiday gifts?
rjenkins


RV-Dreams Family Member

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What to do with the holiday gifts?
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Although we do not own an RV yet, we did take the plunge, through the motivation of many here, to 'start' clearing our lives of clutter. So far over the past two weeks we have gone through the kitchen, den and one bedroom.  It is amazing to see what one keeps that they have never used, forgotten they had, or wonder what the heck was it ever used for!
Anyways, what became comical was that by doing this over the Christmas season, we found that while donating things to charity (such as dinnerware, glassware, utensils, etc) some of our Christmas gifts were dinnerware, glassware, utensils, etc. I said "Yikes!" all the stuff we have given away has just replicated overnight!
With all this in mind, for those FT RV'ers, how do you handle this with friends and family. Do they know you already to know not to 'gift' you things that will just clutter up your RV? Did you have to tell them 'thanks for the thought and gift and you really shouldn't but if you feel compelled, a gift card is better...', etc. It is a touchy subject since there will always be family members that just have to send you a gift but how do you politely tell them that it won't do. 
In a house all we do is put the gift away, never to be used and like us, be given away at some point in time. In an RV you really can't just put it away, you are really limited in space.
Just wanted to throw that out there as some of these minor things in a stick and brick home brings on more significance in an RV...


-- Edited by rjenkins on Tuesday 29th of December 2009 07:56:11 AM

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Linda


Hostess

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We try to suggest no gifts at all but there are some that want to give us gifts.  Here are a few suggestions that are good for RVers:

Gas Cards
Walmart Cards
Camping World Gift Certificate
Food Items



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KarenInTheWoods


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Although we can't full time for 3 more years yet, our kids are already thinking ahead and not gifting us with things we will have to get rid of. *Consumables* is our pet phrase now!

They gave us a Netflix membership, gas cards, popcorn (a staple in Steve's diet), great imported coffee beans and a new grinder, cheese basket, insulated travel mugs, and money towards a new travel router for our aircard!

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contra


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Since we are currently in the midst of serious purging, we tried to institute the rule of "no presents".  Although it wasn't strictly adhered to, I think we got our point across.  The number of gifts was reduced drastically.  And what we did get were mostly focused to RV life. 

Some other good gift ideas are gift certificates for services and entertainment, such as movies, massages, manicures/pedicures, amazon.com (we both have kindles but they sell pretty much everything nowadays), dining out, and cash!  Not only do these not take up room, but they are easily mailed; some can even be sent electronically, making it easy for both parties. 

My mom, who loves to shop, doesn't care for the gift cards, but I think that will change when she has to start mailing the gifts!

-Connie

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Luvglass


RV-Dreams Family Member

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The message goes something like this -We are planning on selling or otherwise getting rid of almost everything we own now and are moving into a 300 square foot home. Also we already have just about everything we could want or need, so please don't burden us with more "stuff".

Your good wishes and love are all we need or want. If you insist on getting us something, we would suggest a donation to the charity of your choice in our name.

How's that? smile.gif

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Fred Wishnie

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khardamon61


RV-Dreams Community Member

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To add to all of the excellent ideas --- how about giving gift certificates/gift cards from pet stores for grooming and pet supplies. Petsmart and Petco are two national chains that probably can be located in many towns across the country.

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Terry and Jo


RV-Dreams Family Member

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As for the problem of getting relatives and friends to quit buying gifts that will have to be discarded, I believe that Jo and I have discovered the secret to avoid receiving unneeded gifts.

I think I'll just tell everyone that if they are going to get us anything, the only thing we want or need is a Gold Plated Air Compressor.

Do you think that will work?


Actually, we have informed everyone that we don't want "stuff".  I think we had the best Christmas ever.  Got to watch the grandkids open their gifts and didn't get even one little thing ourselves.

Terry

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rjenkins


RV-Dreams Family Member

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As always the RV Dreams family did not disappoint in great responses. We too have always requested nothing but thoughts in your prayers and to cherish the real meaning of Christmas not the marketing means of Christmas. However as you all well know, some people feel absolutely obligated.
I loved all the recommendations, from good wishes and love, to donate to charity to gold plated air compressors. Thats priceless!!!!
Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone....

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laurly


RV-Dreams Family Member

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I told family that we were full timing in two years, so my parents got us Motorhome magazine to help us with research :)

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Sandra


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Or a membership to Passport America or similar....

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Sandra
Racerguy


RV-Dreams Family Member

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biggrin Can you say RE-GIFT.

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dream reachers


RV-Dreams Family Member

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We expressed most of the above and still ended up with a couple of items that we did not care to take with us so a daughter and grandson ended up with an extra gift{regift]

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princess tonya


RV-Dreams Family Member

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With our family most everyone did really well. The only ones who don't seem to get it is my mom and her husband. They got the kids way too many toys. I wanted to bang my head on the wall, I really don't know what else I can do to make her realize that we have 4 people living in an rv, we have no room. My mil is really good. This year she got our daughter some special gummy vitamins that we like her to have, but can't really afford to keep her on because they are so expensive. And she got our son an MP3 player and some cd's for it and some computer games and a couple books.

The biggest reason we are doing this is to teach our kids that life isn't about what you have it's about helping others, so I would say if you get gifts that you don't need or don't have room for, just find a family that does need it and give it to them. I like that better than donating to goodwill or something. Just because you can see exactly where your help is going. Not that we don't donate to goodwill or other charities, but when I have the chance I would rather just give it to someone who needs it.

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