Rules for Regifting
If you have ever unwrapped a present and had to force a smile and a thank you, then you are in good company. The question of what to do with an unwanted or unneeded gift even led to an episode on Seinfeld. On that episode, the term “regifting” was coined and became a part of our modern vocabulary almost instantly.
Of course, the phrase regifting led to a lot of debate on the ettiquette involved. Too many people have tales of accidentally regifting an item to the original gifter and this can lead to hurt feelings and damaged relationships. A few simple rules can help you regift with ease and keep the peace.
- Regifting is OK if the item is still in the original packaging.
Please don't try to regift an item that you have opened, tried out and decided you don't like or don't want. It's tacky. Only regift items that you have never opened and are still in the original packaging. Example: Regift a candle that you sniffed and decided you don't care for but please do not regift a candle if it's ever been lit.
- Regifting is OK if someone is in need.
If you received a gift that you can't use or don't need but know somebody who who would actually make use of that item, it is acceptable to regift. Example: If you got three toasters for your wedding and you know a recent college graduate who needs to fill an empty apartment, by all means, regift that toaster. It's not doing you any good collecting dust and that new grad will really use it and appreciate it.
- Regiftng is OK if you are one hundred percent certan that the original recipient will never know.
Hurt feelings abound in the arena of regifting. Never regift into the same circle of friend or family as the original gifter. If you can't remember who gave it to you, do not regift. Example: If your mother-in-law gave you a DVD you have no interest in watching. You have a friend from college, who has never met your mother-in-law, who would love that DVD. Wrap it up and regift it.
- Regifting is OK when you make it part of a bigger gift.
Take a small item you received in the past and work it into a gift basket to disguise the fact that it's a regift. Example: You received some scented lotion that is just not your scent. Add the lotion to a gift basket and wrap it in colored cellophane to make a perfect gift with no hint of regifting.
- Regifting a gift card is OK if you are sure the full balance is still available.
Check the gift card balance before regifting it. Some gift cards begin to lose value after a set amount of time, so even if you haven't used the card it may not have the full balance. Most cards have a number on the back that you can use to check the balance online. Example: You received a gift card to a restaurant you don't care for, but your uncle loves eating there. Check the balance, make sure there is not an expiration date in the near-future and regift the card.
When regifting, the thing to keep in mind is that it is the thought that counts. If the item you want to regift will come across as thoughtful to the recipient, you are probably doing the right thing.
