Simple Regifting Etiquette: 9 Do's And Don'ts
As much as we all love to receive gifts, it can sometimes be upsetting when it’s an item you didn’t want. Instead of throwing it away or sticking it in the back of the closet, consider giving it a new home and gifting it to someone else! Here are the nine do’s and don’ts of regifting to help you get rid of those unwanted presents!
1. Don't Re-Gift Something Used
The best items to re-gift are the ones that haven’t been touched whatsoever. Even if you only used it lightly, the recipient will probably be able to tell. It won’t look good on you for them to notice their present is re-gifted you want it to be completely unnoticeable!
2. Do Wrap It Nicely
Make sure you at least put in the extra effort to rewrap the gift nicely. Use a new bag and wrapping paper to make it seem as if the item is brand new. Remember to keep it in its original brand packaging if able to.
3. Don't Re-Gift Free Merchandise
It’s pretty tacky to re-gift something that you got for free, such as brand merchandise. Unless it’s from a company that you know the recipient is a fan of, you should never give swag as a gift. Office swag is typically made from cheap material, too.
4. Do Send Things to Charity
There is nothing wrong with regifting things that have been slightly used, as long as you make sure you’re sending it to the correct recipient! If you already used an item but no longer wish to keep it, consider donating it instead. Charities will gladly take your unwanted gifts, as long as they’re still in good condition.
5. Don't Re-Gift Something Handmade
If someone made a gift for you, they spent time thinking of you and creating something personal. Not only is it rude to them to re-gift it, but also to your recipient. It shows that you couldn’t think of anything unique to give them.
6. Do Use It For White Elephant
White elephant parties are the perfect place to get rid of any unwanted old gifts. The game’s whole premise is to give useless or funny things, so take full advantage of it!
7. Don't Re-Gift In The Same Social Circle
When regifting, you have to be careful not to let anyone know about it. If you accidentally re-gift an item within the same circle, the original sender might find out about it, and you could hurt their feelings. You’ll make yourself look bad to everyone. Keep a list of gifts you receive, and make sure you re-gift outside that friend group.
8. Do Consider The Recipient
When you’re regifting, don’t just randomly grab the first item you find in your home. You should still try and be thoughtful with your gift-giving! Consider what the recipient prefers and try to align it with their gift. If you give them something downright odd and unwarranted, they’ll know right away that it was a re-gift and not initially meant for them.
9. Don't Re-Gift From Closed Stores
This seems like an obvious regifting rule, but you’d be surprised at how many people break it! You should always make sure that the store from which the gift is from is still operating. If you give someone a present from a store that closed down a year ago, there will be some confusion about how you could purchase it.
As long as you stick to these nine rules, you will be able to re-gift anything easily. Now you won’t have to throw away any unwanted or unused items. Consider sending them off to new homes instead!
