At least with family I have trained them so that we openly express what we want. I explained I don't want to give them another thing to clutter up their lives or homes, but something they would really like. I also let them know which gift cards I like, including Barnes & Noble and the largest LQS in the area.
My church friends just plain 'ol asked me, since I allergic to 'smelly things' and such stuff. In other words,no candles, body or hand creams, or such stuff. I freely admitted any LQS gift card. And ... that's what they got me.
My sewing/quilting friends know that I recycle. I gve a lot the donations to our local Wesley Community Center where the teach sewing and need projects for the youngsters. One of my quilt groups has a table where you can put out something for recycle. All I had to do was say 'yes' to recycling and 'yes' to giving it where it goes best.
It is one small bit of stewardship for me.
Besides, we all know that we will be downsizing as we age and don't need more dust collectors.