5 Common Gifts Pro Organizers Never Keep (And You Shouldn't Either)

We've all been there: getting gifts from people who mean well, but we know we'll probably never use them. We're left wondering what to do with them - keep them and add to the clutter, or get rid of them and maybe pass them on to someone else.

We spoke with professional organizers about the most common items they usually give away to their clients in order to keep their homes clutter-free.

Meet the Expert

• Meg is a home organization specialist and founder of Organized by Meg LLC.
• is a home design and arranging expert and creator of Orderly, Balanced.
• She is a professional organizer and the proprietor of Handy Rubbish.

Kitchen Appliances

According to organizing experts, kitchen appliances are the items that people typically get rid of. Given that counter space is often at a premium, it's not surprising that these appliances are frequently the first to be eliminated, even when they're expensive.

“Bulkier gadgets end up occupying valuable counter or storage space and frequently end up being unused,” says Barbara E. Tanaka, a strategic home design and organizing consultant at Real Estate Bees. “These items are difficult to discard due to their perceived value, but they aren't practical for daily use.”

Not to mention, most households have kitchen appliances that many people either don't know how to use properly or can only use in a limited capacity.

“Items that only serve a couple of purposes or don't play a significant role in the cooking process are unlikely to remain in use for long,” says Brian Davis, professional organizer and owner of Handy Rubbish.

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Candles

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You'll likely end up with a large number of candles if everyone gives you some, and you might end up with ones that have scents you don't prefer.

Home Decor

I don't want this to be a gift that gets passed on to someone else at some point.

People often keep decorative items that don't fit their style because they think they might find a place for them someday, or because they hold sentimental value.

Books

Once a person reads it, they may not touch it again.

“Receiving a book as a gift is a thoughtful gesture, but if the title or subject matter doesn't appeal to me in any way, it's largely going to end up as a decorative item.”

Promotional Items

If you've ever gotten a T-shirt or mug thinking, "Where did my gift-giver find this?", it's likely they got it for free, probably from a promotional item someone else received.

It's not worth keeping something just because it's free," says Meghan Cocchiaro, a home organizing specialist and owner of Organized by Meg LLC. "Most free promotional items are unnecessary and contribute to clutter.

Instead of holding onto these belongings just for the emotional value, consider donating them to those who could genuinely benefit from them.

Keep In Mind

Cocchiaro often tells her clients that the real value lies in the act of giving a gift: “It makes the giver feel good and the recipient feel appreciated, regardless of whether they truly want the gift or not. After all, if we receive something and it's not something we want or can use, we shouldn't feel obligated to keep it if it's not something our heart desires.”

The Spruce