Is It OK To Re-gift? Yes… If You Follow These 5 Rules

by Connie Mei · 5 comments

regifting
You’re left with fond memories and probably a few gifts you don’t really want now that that the holidays have past. What do you do with them? Tossing the items out is a waste but they might not be items you can donate. Instead, re-gifting them probably crossed your mind.Is that taboo though? Not at all, if you do it right.

Contrary to popular belief, re-gifting isn’t a ‘faux pas’. In fact, 83% of respondents in a recent survey said they wouldn’t mind receiving a re-gifted gift, so don’t feel guilty about it if you are planning on re-gifting. Still, there is proper etiquette to follow. Here are 5 rules you need to stick by whenever you’re re-gifting:

Re-gift Only If It Makes Sense

You might want to get a gift off your hands as soon as possible if you’re stuck with one you really have no use for. You can re-gift it to another person but make sure it makes sense. Will that person actually like it? If not, don’t just re-gift for the sake of re-gifting.

Keep Sentimental Gifts

If a gift has any sentimental meaning whatsoever, it’s best to keep it even if you don’t like it. The giver put thought into it and while you might not want it, keep in mind that it’s the thought that counts.

Rewrap the Present

Before you re-gift, be sure to thoroughly examine the item (without opening the package of course). Remove any gift tags, cards, and rewrap the present. You want to make it look more personalized and like it came from you, not someone else. Also, make the effort to write a nice card to include with it.

Avoid Re-gifting within the Same Group of Friends

When re-gifting, it’s best to avoid doing so within the same group of friends. Otherwise, it will undoubtedly get back to the original giver that you re-gifted their gift. Even worse, you might forget who gave you the gift in the first place after a while and you end up re-gifting back to the person who gave it to you. (Talk about an awkward social situation!)

Don’t Lie

And just be honest if you end up getting caught. Tell the original gifter that you found a better home for their present. Chances are they won’t be offended at the slightest bit. In fact, you’ll both probably end up having a good laugh about it.

Re-gifting has become a social norm and while it’s completely fine to do so, just make sure you’re doing it with class. After all, the holidays are about giving!

Have you ever re-gifted a gift? Did you get caught?

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  • anne says:

    My dad was good at this. He had so much stuff or was given things he didn’t need that he’d simply “pass it on” or re-gift it. I think if the person knows you need something and they have it then be grateful that you’ve received whatever it was or it’s value.

  • gayle dixon says:

    I had a couple of friends who would send me Christmas presents in January, and it was pretty obvious that they were re-gifting. I think I would have been happier if they had sent me nothing at all………

    • David @ MoneyNing.com says:

      Heh. See it as free money though since you can always re-gift them to someone else when December comes around! 🙂

  • Yasir Khan @ WealthKept says:

    I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. I can sort of understand how the original gifter might be upset, but you shouldn’t feel bad about it – it would be weird to think that you’re obligated to love and enjoy anything anyone ever gives to you as a gift. Maybe the original gifter should’ve chosen a better gift if they wanted you to like it! 😉

    • David @ MoneyNing.com says:

      Good points Yasir.

      Re-gifting the item is actually acknowledging that it actually still has some value. It can be upsetting to see it being re-packaged but that’s much better than seeing the item being thrown in the trash.

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