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Getting rid of unwanted gifts could be considered a little discourteous – except if it's done in the proper manner.

A Charitable Clear-Out

Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, plans to auction a reported 270 gifts given to her by world leaders during her travels. The eclectic collection reportedly features gifts including a miniature chainsaw-holding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of exotic blue snake-skin shoes with gold heels.

The collection, collectively, are worth an estimated €800,000. They are scheduled to be sold to the highest bidder by a Rome-based auction firm. An exact timeline has not been finalized, although the aim is to conduct the sale during the holiday season, with the proceeds donated to a selection of charitable causes.

Palazzo Chigi Treasures

These gifts reportedly stored in a storage room on the upper level of the government headquarters. Reports indicate that Meloni is also intending to auction off gifts received by her preceding prime ministers that have been gathering dust over a long period.

The full gift list remains officially released, but some insight was gleaned earlier this year when an 11-page list of official presents was reviewed by officials. The discussion raised whether a statutory cap on gift value was being followed. Legally, a prime minister cannot take home presents exceeding €300.

An International Assortment of Presents

Among the items:

• A woven wrap from the Albanian prime minister, reportedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A traditional Kerala dress from India's prime minister.
• A box of jewellery from the Slovakian president.
• A porcelain tea set and a selection of wines from the Hungarian prime minister.
• A ceramic bowl from the ex-American leader.
• A electronic pad from the leader of Ukraine.
• Watercolour paintings from the Moldovan government.
• Additional objects including makeup, a board, and several rugs received during trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries.

"Possibly the most unusual gifts included the statuette from Milei and the exotic footwear," observers have said.

Diplomatic Backdrop

Meloni has been credited, mainly from her allies, with building relationships with international counterparts and re-establishing Italy as a key protagonist on the world stage once again.

The forthcoming sale represents a distinct method to handle the state presents that accumulate during a leader's tenure.