Comments on: Ask the Readers: Is Regifting an Acceptable Practice?

By: K

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:56:28 +0000

This year, I received some perfume (impersonal employee gift) that has made me think of regifting in a new light. We’re a fragrance free household due to allergies, so I can’t regift to anyone I know because they might use it around me! And yet I don’t want to have it go to waste. That has me thinking about the women’s and homeless shelters that have been in the news more than ever lately as people’s needs are increasing. How many of us received new gifts that we don’t really need? My perfume, the extra gloves, a jacket that doesn’t fit, you name it, that might be loved as an after Christmas gift by someone in need?

By: fathersez

fathersez — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 09:57:29 +0000

In our part of the world, the gifts for the local festivals are usually cash. So the question of having to regift is not there.

Still I would think the choice of regifting or letting the gift go to waste by not being used is a no brainer.

By all means we should regift!

Cheers

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:09:25 +0000

LOL.

Q. What do you get the person who has everything?

A. toilet paper!

I’m sure you will get a few laughs.

By: M

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:01:15 +0000

I see how all of you feel about regifting, many of my gifts this year were free after rebate, tools from Menards, things from Wal-Greens or CVS. This year I’m giving my DH’s parents TP, yes Toilet Paper, when we asked what they needed they said they were almost out of TP. At least I know it will get used.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:48:03 +0000

Kitty, I don’t think it’s being miserly to regift something that you know the other person would appreciate and be able to derive use and pleasure from. But, I understand your opinion, and can appreciate it. I would never regift something to you if you were in my circle of friends, because I know how you feel about it. But I wouldn’t have a problem if someone regifted something to me because they knew I would enjoy it and be able to use it. I guess it’s a matter of personal preference. Thanks for adding your thoughts!

By: Kitty

Kitty — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:40:15 +0000

I hate the idea of “regifting”. Especially when you rewrap it (even beautifully) and give it as if you bought it yourself. What is actually happening – someone else is buying the gift you are giving away to someone else and you act like you thoughtfully picked it out for them yourself. If you want to “give” a gift that you recieved to someone else simply give it to them without all the pretending that you bought them a gift. Don’t be such a miser.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:45:37 +0000

I think regifting is okay as long as the gift is something the other person would like and is in brand spanking new condition. I regifted for the first time this year. A friend gave me a Bath and Body Works set which I knew I’d never use. My Aunt loves Bath and Body Works, so I regifted it to her along with a gift card to one of her favorite stores.

From my aunt I got some Philosophy bath wash that I know I’ll never use. It’ll be going to my best friend, along with a handful of other gifts that I purchased especially for her.

Really, if it’s something someone was pretty sure I’d use and enjoy, I’d rather it be regifted to me then to sit in the person’s closet collecting dust.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:24:29 +0000

KT: Thanks for sharing how you give gifts. I often use scraps of wrapping paper for tags – it’s economical and creative. I have never tried furoshiki, but it is certainly a creative gift wrapping method!

Thanks for sharing, and Merry Christmas!

By: KTHunter

KTHunter — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:42:59 +0000

My mother and I reuse the bags as well. Why put more stuff in the landfill than you have to? And why buy more bags/wrapping when you don’t have to? (Although sometimes the bags just wear out or we get something that no bag can hold, so we do have to bite the bullet and get new bags or wrapping sometimes.) The tags are no big deal. I make my own out of paper (and if I had to wrap something else, I use the leftover scraps of wrapping paper and cut them into cute shapes and write on the blank side), use a holepunch to punch a hole in the tag, then attach it to the bag’s handle with a bit of ribbon or string. If I used wrapping paper to make the tag (or scrapbooking remnants), I have a pretty design on the other side for all to see. This tag can be cut off before the bag is reused, and there are no tags stuck on the bag to peel off/recover. You can also have fun with the tag. Cut it into the shape of a snowman. Put a funny saying or a clue as to what the present is on the tag. Write the message in fun colors or in gel pens. Or make an origami tag and attach it. The tag can be a great part of the gift presentation (and with my husband, presentation of the gift is almost as important as the gift itself). Of course, if you have lots to wrap and little time, you can just write the old reliable TO and FROM on them. Or use the purchased stack-o-tags and just punch a hole in them and tie it on.

You can also wrap in fabric, like the Japanese tradition of furoshiki. Bandanas are great for this… they are inexpensive and reusable. I gave my brother a present wrapped this way once, and he was so happy about just the wrapping because it was so different and cool. If you google for “furoshiki”, you will find several sites that show you how to wrap just about anything this way.

I agree, only regift if it is something people will like. Best policy is to just give it to people unwrapped and do not treat it as their “official” gift for a holiday or birthday… just treat it as passing on something that they might like or use.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:22:31 +0000

Great idea on reusing the bags, Katie. My wife and I save them as well. They will definitely last several years because they don’t go through much wear and tear – they just sit under a tree!Thanks for sharing.