This is often the time of year that most of us try to remember that clichéd phrase “it’s not the gift that counts, it’s the thought” while simultaneously lining up at the Exchange counters at shopping malls to return all the unwanted things we have been saddled with. As a policy I don’t return a gift unless I feel it’s something completely inappropriate for me (a hip-hop CD from one of my young nephews springs to mind) or if I’ve already got the same thing. The inevitable result is that my attic is now full of things I’ve held onto but never used.

A few years ago I started what I’m sure is a practice as common as returning - “recycling” what I thought were some perfectly decent but unused things that were lying around in their original boxes by gifting them to others. This worked out quite well as I was careful to choose only unused items in good condition and what was appropriate for the intended recipient. However I have to confess I had a very embarrassing moment when I “recycled” a rather nice set of table décor to a cousin – who turned out to be the one who originally gave them to me – and she remembered! Luckily she was not too offended and seemed to take it in a graceful spirit. But it’s a lesson about recycling that I’ll never forget!