Chances are this holiday season that you are bound to get a gift you don’t like from someone you care about. Rather than hide the item away in a closet in your home, could regifting be an appropriate choice. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the word “regift,” it refers to rewrapping a gift one receives, and giving it to someone else. Here are some ways it can work for you:
1.
Be honest and donate: In the
unfortunate case that you get caught, it’s best to stick to the truth. Say something
like, “I wasn’t trying to be a lazy gift giver. I received this sweater and it
didn’t work for me. It happens to be your size and favorite color and I thought
it would look much better on you.
I should have been upfront with you. If you’re stuck with a gift you don’t love,
but someone else may be able to use and enjoy, consider giving it to charity.
In doing so, you’re not at risk of hurting anyone’s feelings and can still feel
good about where the gift is going.
2.
Know the gift recipient: If there’s
a chance this person is going to ask about the gift they’ve given you, make
sure you have it on hand and it’s easily accessible. This prevents an awkward
conversation that leads to you telling them that you gave their precious gift
away.
If you’re giving a gift you aren’t proud to give away, chances are
the other person isn’t going to like it either. If the gift is new and
something you know someone else would appreciate, feel free to pass it along.
3.
Never regift the meaningful;: When
someone takes extra time making or finding your gift, it’s polite to
acknowledge the effort by holding on to it. Even if you’ll never wear the
unsightly earmuffs Aunt Rosie made for you, it’s important to her and implies
sentimental value.
Never regift handmade or one-of-a-kind
items. Signed books and monogrammed items are off-limits, too. Do
you have to be told not to regift free promotional items? Some gifts that
are good candidates for regifting include good (unopened!) bottles of wine, new
household items and inexpensive jewelry.
4.
Only regift new items: Never
regift anything that’s been used, damaged or worn. In simple terms, it’s tacky.
It also demonstrates bad etiquette. Instead, if you’ve worn or used the gift
and decide that it’s not for you; offer it to someone but not as an official
“gift.”
Just tell them that you originally received it as a gift and
decided you didn’t need or want it and propose that they can have it. These
types of offerings are always left unwrapped.
5. Regift and rewrap: If
after careful consideration you’ve decided to regift, make it special with new
wrapping. After multiple handlings, the old wrapping will likely have a
tattered and wrinkled look. Be sure to inspect the gift itself before wrapping,
double checking for a name tag or gift card you may have missed.
Even if something is still new and in its original box, there could be a
few telltale signs that an item has been regifted. Check for these: Leftover wrapping paper, tape, signs that the
box has been opened, an original card or tag from the giver, a name written on
the packaging, personalization (such as
a book with an inscription), and promotional
material (such as a logo on something you received for free).
 |
Listen, regifting is fine as long as there is transparency. You just
have to be like, '”This is something I got that I couldn't use, and I thought
you might like it.” (Eric Stonestreet)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“8 Rules for Regifting Unwanted Gifts – Etiquette” by Jacqueline Curtis
·
“How to
Re-Gift Properly (And Politely)” by Diane Gottsman
·
“Re-gift” by Urban Dictionary
·
“Regifting 101” (http://www.regiftable.com/regifting101/)
This post was inspired
by a segment on The Today Show.
No comments:
Post a Comment