Re-gifting

Is it OK to re-gift?

It seems like every year, you wind up with a gift or two that you just don’t want.

Whether your style doesn’t include plaid, you already own three hand crank can openers or you doubt you’ll be a size 4 before it goes out of style, you receive something as a gift that you know someone ELSE would really love..

Maybe there is no gift receipt or maybe it’s a one of a kind…..Should you re-gift it?  Is it OK to re-gift?

We reached out to the “Etiquette Queen” Sherry Thomas, the President at Palm Beach Etiquette and Life Skills to find out the proper way of handling re-gifting.  Ms.Thomas offers sound advice on how to re-gift those unwanted gifts successfully and appropriately.

Here is what she has to say:

“Is Re-Gifting Worth It?”

 So the holidays are just around the corner some of us will receive yet another candle (that will go into the closet) or another key chain  (to add to the collection) or that pair of nonskid foot warming socks. The Snuggie, we can use, but those socks, well not!  We smile, say thank you, and we know how grateful we should be but still with a little resigned disappointment, our wheels begin to spin as to how we can re-gift this item and for what occasion it might be deemed appropriate.  Hey, it’ll save us some money, one day. 

Let’s face it. We’ve all been there. The thought of a gift is always what should count and it does, but hold on . . . what do you do if you know that it’s something that you’ll probably never use?

Re-Gifting is always a good idea, at first. Yes, there have been stories of a mother-in-law opening a present, the very one that she gave to her son’s wife.  Ouch!   And oh, how about the friend at the engagement party who recognized the picture frame that had long been sitting in your garage?   Ouch again!

As tempted as we are to put unused gifts to good use by “sharing” them with others, it’s a risky business. What could possibly go wrong with sending something across the continent?  A lot!  Seven times out of ten, that someone will know another someone who knows someone else who knows you.   It’s chancy. 

Analyze the risks.  Is it worth it? 

There is another option.  Give it to away, not in honor of a special occasion but just for the sake of giving and  . . .  fess up. Trickery or deceit isn’t warranted.  Tell them how you received it, that it is something that really doesn’t go with your color scheme or something of which you have so many.  Explain that you’d like to share it with someone who really might appreciate it.   Be careful – this must be done oceans apart from the gift giver!

The EtiquetteQueen’s best advice is this.  Why not just donate it to a good cause and rest easily knowing that your ‘could be perceived miserly ways’ can’t come back to bite ya? 

Or . . . you can always find a place for it and make sure that it is proudly displayed when that dear gifter visits.  What a priceless thing – to see a smile on her face as she sees how you value her gift. Might just be worth it! 

Just remember . . . if you take the chance, the EtiquetteQueen told you so.