I've never returned [or 'regifted'] a gift,
@olbriar, and frankly think it's very rude to do so. I've received things I
really disliked, but acknowledged them graciously and found some use for them. Like you, I find spending time with loved ones to be much more gratifying than any gift.
For some reason, everyone thinks I want peacock-themed products, and I've received a lot of them. Two in particular are
so hideous...but I have no [polite] choice but to display them.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the thought--which is why I never return/regift things.
Some of the peacock things are truly beautiful, but really I just wish I could come up with a non-hurtful way of telling friends/relatives ENOUGH already with the peacock stuff!