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We know what you're thinking. Regifting is tasteless, tacky, and, in extreme cases, downright insulting. After all, you're essentially giving away something you value so little that you don't even want it. Or at least that's what most of us fear people will think if they catch us in the act. However, regifting is green—it’s a form of precycling, the "reuse" that comes after "reduce" but before "recycle." And, if you know what you're doing, it can be quite meaningful and personal. So this year, instead of tossing that hideous Christmas sweater or those pre-packaged sausage-and-cheese baskets, follow these regifting strategies and land them a new home. In the process, you might actually find that regifting is rewarding and even downright fun.
That's the approach Fran Korten, publisher of Yes! magazine takes. In the mag's winter edition, she talks about a new sustainable tradition she started for her 70th birthday. For the holidays, she asks her guests to avoid bringing gifts. Instead, she prods through her own possessions and finds gently-used items that she doesn't use much, wraps them up, and the guests open and swap until virtually everyone leaves with a used item they like.
Korten's method proves that not everyone is a Scrooge when it comes to regifting, but the idea is a polarizing one and you're unlikely to find someone who is indifferent about the subject. "People have very strong opinions about regifting, one way or another," explains Jodi Newbern, author of Regifting Revival!: A Guide to Reusing Gifts Graciously
Take Lizzie Post, an etiquette expert at the world-renowned Emily Post Institute, the go-to source for answers regarding all things socially acceptable. Her dislike of the practice isn't rooted in snobbery, but in a reasonable concern for the feelings of the person who originally gave you the gift. "In general, regifting is not a good idea," she says. "There are too many scenarios in which you can get caught and really hurt people who have decided to be generous to you," she says.
Love it or hate it, regifting is on the rise, with two likely factors at play: the green movement and the injured economy. Many people with environmental concerns believe that consuming less is at the heart of ecofriendly behavior, so putting an unwanted gift to good use, rather than tossing it in a Dumpster and buying a brand new item, has a strong appeal. Add the recent state of the economy, which still has people nervous and clutching their pocketbooks, and you have a perfect regifting storm. Evidence of the shift toward regifting acceptance was found in an Opinion Research Corporation poll commissioned by Consumer Reports. In a survey of 1,000 adults, researchers found that the percentage of people considering regifting this year hit 36 percent, up from 31 percent in 2008 and just 27 percent in 2007.
Newbern, a firm believer in gracious regifting, believes that everyone is capable of pulling it off, as long as organization and thought are part of the regifting decision process. "There is no such thing as a bad regift, just a bad regifter," she explains. By following a few rules and taking the time to put some though into your regift, you could actually come up with quite a nice present. Here's how to do it right:
• Set up a system. "Anybody can regift, but gracious regifting is a more classy way to do it," says Newbern. A system, she says, is the key to regifting successfully. "Think of it as shopping from your own regift supply, versus a department store." If you're up to your neck in unwanted or duplicate gifts, find space in a hall closet or storage bin to organize your gifts. Group similar gifts together, separating kitchenware from crazy "As Seen on TV" gadgets, and bottles of wine from ugly Christmas sweaters. (By the way, if they're made of wool, you can easily turn those sweaters into great holiday gifts with little effort.) And here's the most important part: Create a gift log. Any time a gift goes into the closet or bin, jot down who gave it to you, when, and for what occasion. Keep the list with the gifts. This will save you from awkward situations, like giving your aunt back the Salad Shooter she gave you four years earlier.
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Regifting
I think regifting is an excellent idea, especially in the interests of recycling. Better then taking it to Goodwill or
the Salvation Army, especially if the reciepient likes it beter
than the original recipient.
Regifting
I received an email on this exact subject this morning. But it was not about re-gifting Christmas gifts it was regarding re-gifing spiritual gifts. It's funny that my recent experience over the Christmas holiday covers both. A young man was stranded at a local gas station upon my return out-of-town over the holidays. I couldn't help but overhear his conversation with his children telling them he would be delayed coming home because he was stranded and his father would only be able to come help him at the earliest, approx. 4 hours. He was very upset because he also said he did not have money to feed the children even if he was at home.
My father had given me $100 for Christmas. No, this wouldn't be a gift I would just leave in the closet or throw away. It was a gift I was greatly anticipating receiving myself. But when I heard him I thought maybe I can run inside the store and get change and just give him half. But something deeper inside of me told me to give it all to him. So I did. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, because he thanked God and begin to cry.
Regifting is not tacky, especially when it is a gift you do value.
Re-gifting with a gift
I see nothing wrong with re-gifting as long as the item(s) are fairly new, have not been used in any way, and besides---you are decluttering your own home. After you receive them, chances are if you have not used any of these items within 12 months or less, you will not use them at all. So why not let someone else benefit from the need or use of a nice item---additionally, you have saved shopping trips to stores and avoided the crowds.
RE: Regifting
I think re-gifting is a great idea IF you make sure you don't re-gift the original giver of the gift (or her sister, spouse,etc) and if it is nice gift you know that the recipient would use or desire to buy on their own. And nothing too personal.
Don't re-gift things you are pretty sure the recipent wouldn't care for just to give a gift.
I think the reason so many things end up as re-gifts in the first place is that the giver felt obligated to give something and didn't take care to find something the recipient would really like.
I once gave a couple of gifts to a friend at my annual hoilday party that I hold in my home. The next year she re-gifted other people at that same party with my gifts! Boy was I ticked!
I know this person has financial problems and couldn't get new gifts easily but she should have fessed up to being broke or given something homemade such as cookies or re-gifted other gifts than ones she received from me at my own party!
If you are not sure who gave it to you, donate it to charity or such, don't re-gift it!You might insult a good friend with your carelessness, which totally undermines the reason for giving gifts.
re-gifting
I think re-gifting is great. I just got a large jar candle for xmas and i dont really use these types of candles because i have cats. So I am re-gifting to a friend when we visit on xmas eve. Same with a lovely little shampoo/conditioner set I got from my hairdresser. Why let it just sit around?