Should those keepsakes be returned?

Absolutely do whatever makes him feel better but I think the "rule" is gifts do not have to be returned, only borrowed items (CDs, movies, books, clothes) should be returned. But if it is too painful to look at those gifts then giving them back may be cathartic. Speaking from personal experience, probably not but each of us heals in different ways so maybe. The other question is what about gifts from her family? Should he return those as well? My ex-idiot's parents gave me a beautiful hand carved jewelry box for Christmas one year and I still have it. Was I supposed to give that back? Where do we draw the line?

If it would make him feel better, then I think that he should return them to her. Why should he worry about whether or not her feelings will be hurt? After all, she is the one that left him, right? As long as he did nothing to her to make her leave (such as cheat on her) then he should not care. Everyone needs closure. Of course, he could always have a garage sale and try to get a little money out of it.

I dont think he shoul return them to her. I am sure she gave them to him because she knew he would enjoy them. If it hurts too much for him to keep them around, then maybe he can try to put them in a box and put it up until he can look at them with out being hurt. I would be very upset if an ex gave me back the gifts that i gave him just becasue we were no longer togther.