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This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
It happens every year when we get what we don’t like or want. It’s a grand old tradition we all practice, but pretend not to do – we re-gift presents. Before passing on a gift you don’t want to another person, here are five rules on what can and can’t be re-gifted and how to do it without getting caught.
1. Keep people’s taste in mind – Don’t pass along an item to get rid of it, put thought into re-gifting. The fuzzy-purple scarf that you received may not be your style, but you may be able to think of the right person who can rock it. Same rule applies with gift baskets. Don’t pass on a cheese basket to a co-worker whose eating habits you are not familiar with. They may be lactose intolerant. Instead, bring an unwanted food basket to a party to share.
2. No hand-me downs please – Be considerate. Don’t give something you’ve owned for a while. The person can and will recognize the flower vase from your living room or the knit sweater you’ve been trying to get out of your closet. Used clothes, CDs, DVDs and books are a big no-no and should not be passed off as a gifts, either. Instead, try to swap or trade the items.
3. Don’t mention it – Sincerity is a great quality to have, but now is not the time to come clean. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not telling you to lie. Just don’t blab to your co-worker or friend about the ugly scarf you received and then give it to them.
4. Rewrap – Crinkled wrapping paper with extra tape to keep it together is a dead giveaway the present is being re-gifted. So, don’t forget to change the wrapping paper. In a past blog post I shared five creative ways to wrap a gift that you can try.
5. Keep track of who gave it to you – The last thing you want is to upset someone during the holidays, so make sure re-gift recipient doesn’t know the person who gave it to you in the first place. Be smart about re-gifting to avoid awkward situations.
December 21st, 2010 at 10:49 am
Make sure to check the box so that you don’t leave any cards inside that you got with the gift. Some people slip cards inside the boxes so that they stay with the gift.
December 21st, 2010 at 11:46 am
@Myke Great point. There’s no way to ruin a regift more quickly than to forget to remove the previous givers card. How would you explain that one?!
December 21st, 2010 at 5:03 pm
The only times I re-gift is when I receive something I already have, and know of someone who could use that item. And, I always tell the recipient the truth, as it’s usually given to a family member, and I only pass things along when I’m sure no one will resent it. When I can’t re-gift, I usually donate the item to charity.
December 21st, 2010 at 11:41 pm
I almost never re-gift any item. except gift cards…once received 10 starbucks cards, 5 baja fresh…6-7 B&N cards…I find it very hard to give even the gift cards…I always feel strange, just thinking about giving something that was given to me…My thoughts are “what if they find out”…I now put up the items I don’t want or will ever use on my internet sites…
December 30th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Oh my word – #5 is a MUST!
I was given a GREAT purse from my mother in law – I thought she was just clearing out her closet. All she told me was – here do you want this purse, I just can’t use it. So I said yes! I thought it was a fun purse. A few weeks later, I went to a dinner event for the family and of course, I had my great new purse. I hung it on the back of my chair at the restaurant and my sister in law (married to my mother in law’s son) goes ‘Oh great purse! Where did you get it? I gave MiMa the same one!” (MiMa is the kid’s name for my MIL!). My jaw dropped – I hardly knew what to say and I was all flustered and so of course it came out that MiMa gave it to ME! I know it wasn’t MY fault but I ended up being the one that felt stupid b/c my MIL was way down the table and didn’t even know about the exchange! UGH! My sister in law was super graceful about it and even then offered me the gloves and scarf that went with the purse that she had gotten but couldn’t use. So I guess I lucked out in the end but TALK about embarrassing! Yeah don’t Re-gift in the same circles!