But don't you think it's better to accept it with thanks than find someone who might need it?

I agree that this is a nicer approach, and the tone in which we reject items is important. The thing is that we most times get gifts wrapped and open them after the giver is gone, so it's easy to pass on the gift.

However, if someone offers me something because they see that I could use them - say folding chairs, I refuse because I already have 2 folding chairs and any more would be cumbersome because I have nowhere to store them:)