ALT-1 Re Gifters what to do when You’re Caught in the Act
Before you admit to being caught in the act of re-gifting, clarify if the person making the accusations is certain. There is a possibility they might just be making a joke, by suggesting you are re-gifting. Ask a series of questions to get some idea how much knowledge they have. Say something like "What do you mean, re-gifting? What makes you think I'm re-gifting? You don't seriously think I'm re-gifting do you? By their reaction, you should be able to get a pretty good idea if they were joking. If they were only joking by suggesting you were a re-gifter, just play along. Say, something like, "Re-gifting, sure I'm re-gifting, I do it all the time, I never buy gifts. Why buy gifts, when I've got a dresser drawer full of them? Then immediately laugh out loud, I mean really LOUD! No, not just loud; INSANELY LOUD! That should be enough to throw them off guard. They will be more than happy to change the subject.
Now, if the person has good evidence you are re-gifting, it becomes a little more delicate. Let's say the person with suspicions, was around when you received the gift. This is where you must be very quick witted and be able to think fast. Let's use a hypothetical situation. Suppose you are wrapping a (re)gift when the other person recognizes that particular present from last Christmas, we'll say. Here's where you must put on your best Academy Award winning performance. Your future happiness is at stake. It could go something like this:
Witness: Hey isn't that tie you're wrapping up for your brother, the same one my mother gave you for Christmas?
Re-gifter: What? (Look of shock on your face) I don't think so. How could it possibly be?
Witness: I'm certain that is the same tie mother gave you, and you're wrapping it up as a gift for somebody else.
Re-gifter: Let me have a closer look (pick the gift up slowly and bring it near your face, examining it as if you were studying a fine piece of artwork).
Witness: Well?
Re-gifter: "Hmmm."(continue to inspect every detail. This slow examination of the gift is critical in allowing you more time to come up with a believable explanation.). "Come to think of it, it does look kind of familiar."
Witness: "I'm surprised you even recognize it, I've never seen you wear it."
Re-gifter: "Oh! I know what happened."(Said with an expression of delight on your face and your voice) "How foolish of me, I picked the wrong gift out of the drawer. My brother's tie was lying next to this one. I'll go get the right one." ( Immediately head to the other room where you must find a replacement fast)
Witness: Really? You aren't just saying that because you were trying to re-gift it are you?
Re-gifter: "Of course not, I'm surprised you could even suggest such a terrible thing?" (This iswhere you're either just nominated or accept the Oscar) "I hope you're happy knowing you've hurt my feelings now."
One last piece of re-gifting advice; maintain a comprehensive list of all gifts received and who they came from. Hide the list, but have an explanation ready in case someone accidentally discovers it and asks "Why do you have a list of all the gifts you've received with the names of everyone who gave them to you?"
