To Regift or not regift?

Reading Time: 5 minutes

To regift or not regift, that is the question!

The regift has long been a taboo subject. Is it OK to regift something that someone has already gifted to you, is it rude to then pass that on to someone else?

As the recipient of a regift, does it make you feel any less appreciated if you found out?

Christmas is the main time of year that you are likely to receive unwanted presents. Whilst some might sell or gift to charity shops, others will consider them suitable for other people.

Christmas can also be an extremely expensive affair so where you can save money and be sustainable, surely that can only be a good thing. Let’s be honest, it is probably safe to assume that at some point we have all regifted something.

Of course, there are some rules to regifting that should be considered before recycling that unwanted present!

When the regift goes bad!

I have been the victim of a bad regift.

The first year at an old job, I was the recipient of a set of three brass ornaments. A set of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil buddhas.

They weren’t particularly my style, should we say, so they got put into a cupboard and forgotten about.

Around 2 Christmases later, at that same job, we were talking about awful gifts we had received. The person who gave me the Buddha’s recited the story of these “bloody awful brass ornaments” she had been given and subsequently regifted, but couldn’t remember who to.

I remained quiet other than to talk about the dodgy jumpers my step-dad’s mum used to knit us every Christmas.

A couple of weeks later, the Buddhas came out of their hiding place, were wrapped nicely and addressed to that person for Christmas.

Nothing more was said about it, but I had the slight satisfaction of her getting back those little Buddhas and perhaps taking a little more care in her regifting and talk of which, in future!

Of course, a regift shouldn’t be one of revenge! However, in that situation, I couldn’t resist!

Regifting Do’s

Tailor the gift appropriately
Any regift should be given with the same thought as if you had bought it new. It is not a case of just getting rid of something you had not wanted yourself.

A gift is far more sincere if you have considered the recipients own interests. A regift when it is something you might have otherwise purchased for them is going to be far more appreciated.

Re-wrap the gift

Receiving a gift in wrapping with a card with someone else’s name on it would not be popular, so make sure to put some care and effort into the wrapping of your regift – especially as you hadn’t gone to the time and effort of buying a gift.

The gift must be in perfect condition

The item should be new and in its original packaging. Be sure to inspect the gift to check for any wear or tear. Pay particular attention for any hidden messages your original gift giver might have put on the packaging or inside the box.

Be open!

Generally, regifting is more socially acceptable when it is for an acquaintance.

If you aren’t questioned about the origins of the gift you have given, then great, it is your choice how open you are with that person.

However, if you are asked, you should be open, particularly with family or close friends. You can say for example that you had received the gift and it immediately made you think of them and that they would love it.

Be gracious

If you are the recipient of a regift, or any gift for that matter, don’t forget to be gracious!

Regifting Don’ts

Regift within the same circle

Avoid awkward situations by making sure the person who gifted the present to you isn’t within the same circle as the person you have decided the gift is for.

Perhaps pop a post-it note or keep a spreadsheet of those unwanted gifts.

My previous landlady had a whole cupboard of unwanted gifts, and I know that a certain White Company gift box came to me – However, it was a lovely gift which she knew I would appreciate and I had nothing to do with the person who gave it to her.

Meaningful Gifts

This is kind of a given, perhaps you received something that was handmade or perhaps a family heiloom. These kind of things should never be regifted as they can’t be replaced.

Take any chances

If you think that a gift might come back to haunt you, don’t risk the regift. Many charity shops or fundraising auctions would be more than happy to take your donation.

Regifting – a Poem by Lady Janey

Do you ever take back presents
Or palm them off elsewhere?
And if you caused offence
Would you really care?
If it is a gift
Should you accept it if it’s pap
Does it matter if it’s a present
If it’s just another piece of tat?

There’s far too much waste in this world
We’re too quick to throw things out
It’s so easy to do
Of that there is no doubt.
Maybe we should stop buying gifts
As what have is quite enough.
The pile keeps getting bigger
Do we need all this stuff?

As long as you are careful
Just who you regift to
Then it shouldn’t really matter
That the gift’s not really new.
When you get a present
Make a note of who it’s from
So if you decide to pass it on
Then you might not get it wrong! 

Lady Janey’s new book Are you Being Served which is available on Amazon, includes this and more poems that tackle the every day of customer service.

Lady Janey, a fellow Cotswolds blogger answers the questions some of us are afraid to on her blog and very kindly offered for me to share the poem.

Gifted!

This year, be gifted.

Put real thought and consideration into what you are giving people, not just at Christmas but at anytime, whether that is regifted or purchased. Perhaps you’d like to consider putting time into making some gifts for Christmas? This post 10 simple Homemade Christmas Gifts from UK Lifestyle Hub has some great ideas to get you started.

What are your thoughts on regifting? Tell me in the comments.

Peace out!

Jangles x

Like this? Please share for others to enjoy too!