When decluttering we regularly have conversations with clients about the fact that they can’t give an item away because someone gave it to them. I understand. You worry that the person will know what you’ve done. But actually, will they? And more importantly, will they mind?
You know they thought of you when they gave you the item, and you were grateful when you received it. But you don’t have to keep it for ever.
If when you get the item from them in the first place, you put it on show in an ostentatious way and they regularly come to your house, then it may be obvious when you get rid of it. But if you were to start to move things around in your home, in anticipation of decluttering or downsizing, would they know? And would they mind?
If you anticipate that they really would mind, then ahead of your decluttering you can discuss with them how you’re going to take photographs of the special things you have that you sadly need to move on; then they’ll at least know that their gift to you was ‘special’. You can’t be held hostage to someone’s gift for ever!
If you give without expectation, then you should hope that other people do too. Once the item is yours, you are free to do whatever you want with it. And if that means giving it to someone else who will get pleasure from it, then that’s a good thing to do! Especially if that item is years and years old.
And of course you can always say it got lost in the move…