I think we’ve all been given something we really don’t want as a Christmas gift. And some people will give that gift to someone else the following Christmas or birthday – giving away a gift you received is called regifting.
Is regifting just cheap and nasty?
At first glance, many of us would be uncomfortable about regifting – it does seem a bit cheap and nasty to give away something you didn’t pay for or even put time into choosing as a gift.
Then there’s the risk of the original person finding out you regifted their present and potentially being hurt by your actions.
But maybe it isn’t always a bad thing…
When regifting is ok
The times I think regifting could be acceptable if it is something you genuinely would get for that person anyway – because they need or want it. For example, if you were given a book about your aunt’s favourite artist, she would probably love getting that as a gift. And it does nobody any good on your bookshelf if you don’t like that artist.
As for not spending money on it, well Christmas and gifts shouldn’t be just about the money we spend anyway. And if you had been given a gift you actually liked, you would have spent the money on the new gift. Instead, you reuse that gift and spend the money buying yourself something. It sort of works out!
If you are worried about the money aspect, buy something small to go along with the regifted item.
Remember that no one will ever know you regifted something unless you tell them. I mean, how often do we ask for proof someone actually bought the gift themselves?
The important thing, however, is to protect the feelings of the person who originally gave you the gift – especially if you know they put effort into giving you something nice. So don’t regift something in front of the original gifter.
Oh, and never regift a personalised gift! Unless it is to someone with the same name as you anyway!
Receiving a regifted item
Have you ever knowingly received a regifted item for Christmas or a birthday? How did it make you feel?
* Photo courtesy of 123rf
Christmas shouldn’t be only about presents, in my opinion. But many like to follow this tradition.
In my opinion, regifting is nothing bad. Instead of wasting money in a present, you can make other person happy with the present that you received, even if you liked it, I think that you would feel better if you give it to a person that would use and enjoy it more.
I absolutely agree that Christmas should be more than presents, especially the value of the presents, Irr.
SO if someone would like what you regift them, then I think it’s ok – regifting to just get rid of something without worrying if the other person wants it is not so good in my mind.
I had never thought about re-gifting as a way to better use something. I don’t feel so guilty now thinking about re-gifting some items.
Glad to have made you less guilty, Kayde 🙂 Christmas should be about giving not feeling guilt.
Honestly? I don’t remember a present I didn’t like. Maybe because for years everyone’s been asking others what they would like to get anyway. And I don’t care what I get, I don’t like being given. What I like is to give but as well not when there’s occasion and I HAVE TO do it but whenever I want because I’ve found something nice for that person.
How wonderful to not remember a gift you didn’t like, violin!It is true that more people ask and give what someone asks for these days – I remember it being more about surprise when i was a kid.
It is nicer to give because you WANT to rather than feeling obliged or having people think you bought because you HAD to.
I think regifting is fine as long as you are giving the gift to someone who will like it and use it. There are times when I get some nice items that are just not my taste, in that case I will often regift them to someone who would like it.
And it is much nicer to regift than just throw out an unwanted gift, isn’t it? Thanks Mandy 🙂
I personally have never regifted an item. I see nothing wrong with it if it is something you really do not want/need and if the person you are gifting it really would appreciate it.
For myself I would just feel uncomfortable doing it and be worried about what the person who originally gave me the gift would think if they found out.
I agree proxpromo – the feelings of the original gift-giver have to be considered and protected, but the principle of regifting is ok if the new recipient will like the item.
For me, regifting is not an option. Aside from how the person who gave me the gift feels, I give value to anything that is given to me. I just don’t give them away. I will let others borrow, but not to be given. It is not to be rude, but the value really matters to me no matter how cheap or expensive the gift is 🙂 God bless!:)