ALT-1 How to Regift
There is a particular art to regifting, and there is an etiquette that must be followed. Regifting is one of those holiday practices that gets simultaneously laughed at and frowned upon, so most people tend to shy away from it entirely – even though it may be their best or only option for gift-giving this year. If you are looking for tactful ways to regift, here are a few tips to help you along.
-Avoid regifting anywhere near the original giver-Not only is it bad form to give a present back to the person who originally gave it to you – it not only shows that you did not care for the gift, but it implies you though so little of it that you forgot whose gift it was – it is bad form to regift where they can see you in action. If, say, your aunt gave you a gift you are planning to recycle, do not give it to your cousin if they are at the same party. Give it to someone outside of the original giver’s circle.
-Find a way to revive it-One of the challenges of regifting is making the gift seem fresh, particularly if it was something relating in any way to the year in which it was given (Oscar-winning film DVDs, for example). When regifting, find a way to dress up the gift and make it seem like new, so that it is more thoughtfully given. For example, if you were given a necklace you are planning to regift, find a pair of earrings to go along with them. A winter hat you didn't want just calls out for a scarf to complement it. Adding a new and personal touch to a recycled gift will help to keep it fresh and keep the sentiment.
-Make it the theme this year-If everyone is suffering from low budgets and there are just too many people to shop for, make it easy and fun for everyone by making it a regifting Christmas! Have everyone go through their collections, closets, and bookshelves to find a great gift for the others. If everyone is doing it, it will be a thoughtful and fun way to see the creativity involved and keep from overdrawing any bank accounts. Even better, you might get to unwrap those cute green shoes of your sister's that you've always had your eye on!
