Gifts that aren't vegan - what would you do?

I have the same problem.

My mother and grandmother don't agree with me being vegan, and  they're disgusted that I won't buy leather or wool (because it's better quality - they're old fashioned.)

So they give me leather bags and boots and wool jumpers as gifts.

Ive asked them not to so many times, I can't be rude to my grandmother, but I've told mum it really pisses me off and i've told her to take things back.

but once you own something, i don't see the point in throwing it away, it's wasteful and it benefits no-one, the damage is done and you can't reverse it. I haven't thrown out anything I owned before I was vegan, and in fact I intend to recycle the leather from my boots that recently fell apart. The leather has been made, it's too late to prevent it, and it feels more insulting to the animal to me to waste the products. It's not supporting to industry to recycle or keep old items, but it is if people give me gifts, which is why i can't stand it. it's like they're deliberately negating any difference I try to make.

I don't know what you should do - I don't think you should throw them away, but it may bother you to use them/wear them. and I know how hard it is to try and avoid offending people.

I think you should explain it to her about leather and wool. Sounds like she isn't doing it on purpose and it wil stop it happening again.
Just tell her they are a lovely gesture but that you don't support those products. She may still have the receipt and return them.

Otherwise if you can't get it returned maybe try selling it so that the next person who wants to buy such a product can have yours instead of another sale going through.

thanks for the advice, I thought of maybe ebaying them, but them Im making profit from abused animals - so no.  

my next best bets are donating them for the animal welfare league to sell, or giving them to my pet rats (they would love a snuggly scarf to nuzzle into this winter)

I will have to let her know subtly that I dont support the use of animals in anyway apart from loving! otherwise you're right, she'll do it again!

You could ebay them and use the money to buy a membership to support Animals Australia, or your local Animal Liberation organization.  Or, use the money to buy Animals Australia leaflets and try to get the message out?

As for your boyfriend's mum - I suggest just having a quiet and polite word with her about why you don't support these products and ask her not to purchase products made from leather, wool or silk in the future.  She probably just didn't realise.

If you're uncomfortable talking to her..why not get your bf to speak to her? He should be comfortable saying anything. Then there wont be any awkwardness too. But it would be best to just be upfront and let her know..  hints can fail or she might take it the wrong way if you're hinting about not using animal products when she just bought you some.

Plus, if she does keep the receipts ..it can easily be undone.

I have the same issue with a jumper my uncle bought me, it's beautiful and I thought it was synthetic, and I'm assuming he thought it was too, but it's 70% wool all recycled though...
I really like it, and i don't want to hurt his feelings, he really tried.

Recycled? O_O

Better than brand new... but yes I still see the problem.

I put that in the same section as old clothes and leather stuff, like when I made the switch to vegan, I would never go out and buy Leather or Wool!! but I didnt go and throw out all my old leather and wool products because I see that as wasteful..(I did give alot of it away).. But If its recycled then I see that as a good thing, reusing old and turning into new is fantastic! I wouldnt go throwing it out..