The Pros and Cons of Regifting and the Art of Doing it Well

The holiday gift giving season is also, for many, the regifting season. Although regifting if far more socially acceptable now than when Jerry Seinfeld exposed it nationally on his sitcom, it remains taboo in some circles. There are pros and cons to regifting, as well as an art to doing it well.

Pros of Regifting

Regifting is green. It means that one less item will end up in the landfill and instead will go to an owner who may find it useful and/or attractive.

Regifting can help you stretch your gift-giving budget. This can be especially important in today's tough economy when many families' finances are stretched tight.

Regifting, well done, can be a win for both parties. If you receive a gift that is not right for you but that you know immediately would be treasured by a friend, regifting can be the right thing to do. You will feel happier knowing that the gift has gone where it will be truly appreciated and the recipient will be delighted by your thoughtfulness.

Cons of Regifting

For many people, regifting guilt is a problem. It just feels wrong, like you are cheating by not taking the time to search the stores for that special gift for a friend or relative, even if the regift is a better choice than anything you might buy.

Socially, there is still a bit of a stigma related to regifting, although it is more acceptable now than ever before, especially among the young.

Regifting is not good for the economy, since each regift means one less purchase of a new item.

If not done with care, regifting can result in mistakes, embarrassment, and shame and harm personal relationships.

If you are planning to regift this holiday season, follow these tips for doing it right.

1. Only regift new items. Sealed packaging should not be opened and retaped shut and the item should not have been used.

2. Only regift an item that you would have purchased for the recipient on your own. Regifting is not a substitute for thoughtful consideration of the likes of the person to whom you are giving a gift.

3. A regifted items should be rewrapped in fresh paper, tied with new ribbon and adorned with a new gift tag. Also, on the subject of gift tags, be absolutely sure that the original gift tag is not still on the item or in the box. Overlooking an old gift tag is a rooky mistake that has tripped up many a first-time regifter.

4. Don't regift within the same social groups. For example, if you receive a gift at the office, don't regift it to another coworker. The same goes for your family, school friends, etc. Ideally, you should not regift an item to anyone who knows the person who gave it to you.

5. Avoid regifting disasters by keeping good records of who gave you an item you plan to regift and when.

6. Don't regift dated items, such as a sweater that was trendy last year but passé this year.

7. Never regift handmade items or personalized items.

8. Take the guilt out of regifting by donating unwanted gifts to a local charity.

Sources:

Michael Kwan, btr.michaelkwan.com, The Fall and Rise of Regifting - Beyond the Rhetoric

Sarah Addison, media.www.jhunewsletter.com, The pros and cons of regifting presents - Focus