Regifting-Christmas Gifts, a Dirty Little Secret?

Regifting, is it a dirty little secret? So no true in my opinion. Doesn't everyone do it? Maybe yes, maybe no. Is it so bad? It's certainly done on the down low.

At one time or another you or someone in your little family gets a gift or two that is just not to their liking. Maybe it's something decorative for the house. But, it's something decorative for someone else's house, it just doesn't go with your decor at all. Someone gives you a slick, modern tray, you like antiques or shabby chic.. Maybe it's a really sexy nightie and you're a flannel p.j. sort of person. It could be something as simple as a box of wonderful chocolates and you're allergic or on a diet. It's not to say the giver has no taste it just may not be to your taste. I knew a person , someone's ex Mother In Law, who used to say, "You have to like it to give it." We still laugh about that. Her gifts were absolutely things you knew she just thought were cute as can be. You could see she didin't give the recipient's taste a thought.

Well, if, and this is just an if, someone, I won't name names, were to get a gift they really couldn't use, didn't like or found wanting in the decorative theme area, and decided to give it to someone else,here is some advice.

First of all, check the gift for any little tags, cards or anything that might indicate it came to you before you gifted it onwards Youdon't want Hank to open a present that says "For Lou, from G'ma".

Secondly, do not ever mention the gift again. Thank the person you received it from and be sure if you're passing it on that the new receipient does not have anything, any connection to the person who gave you the less than wonderful gift. You don't want to see the adorable ash tray you gave your best friend sitting on your other best friend's table.

Along those lines I went to a garage sale recently. It was held by my friend's sister. I saw so many things that my friend had given this gal , her sister, on the sale table. I finally had to say a little something . "Hey, isn't this something "Mary" gave you? And this? And this?" She just laughed. I went and bought some of the things for myself or to give as gifts. They were brand new, unused and I had been there when they were first purchased by "Mary". I liked them . This gal didn't. I'm sure her sister would have been quite upset about all her presents being sold at a garage sale but you could see they weren't anyones taste on this side of the family. This is another area of regifting I guess. I'm going to be gifting something twice removed. It was given to my friend's sister and now I'll be gifting it.

Third: If you look at it from the greening of our country aspect people who regift are just like people who recycle. We are are saving the Earth. Instead of piles of unwanted gifts sitting in closets all over the world they are being moved along in order to give someone else happiness and create more space. This method is making something useful out of something unwanted. I may hate that pair of hand crocheted Mary Janes. The next person may be delighted to receive them.

In our family we definately don't have a problem with regifting. Our gifts to each other barely make it to that stage.My family and I will gather at Christmas , opening our gifts and literally, exchanging them back and forth between one another on the spot. "Oh, I love that! You don't want it? I'll take it!". We all go home happy and we don't even have to waste paper, ribbons or gift bags rewrapping the item. I gues we have no shame.

So, don't feel embarassed if you are recycling this way. I think it's a terrific idea. Just do it wisely and cover your trail.