Can hospitality expenses (lunch or dinner) and previous gifts given to an uncle be considered part of repaying a sum taken from him without his knowledge? Is a delayed intention to repay gifts permissible? And can the amount be given in charity with the intention of repaying the uncle, knowing that a third party is the beneficiary?

The stolen money must be returned to its living owner, or to his heirs if he is deceased. The obligation is not discharged by donating it as charity unless there is complete inability to return it. The money itself can be returned as a gift to avoid accusation of theft. The obligation is not discharged by offering gifts or food, unless what was stolen was food and it was presented in its original form.