Let’s Talk About the Elephant in the Room
Regifting—some people are all for it (under the right circumstances), others don’t care very much, and some people hate the idea. We know it seems gauche to give away specific items, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it, so let’s explore how to regift with your morals intact!
1. Only Regift Intact Items
If you’re going to regift anything, make sure it’s in pristine condition. Regifted items should come with every piece, every manual, and all the original packaging before finding a new home. Anything less just looks tacky.
2. Don’t Regift to the Same Circle of Friends
You don’t want the original gifter to find out you sent their present somewhere else. Make sure that anything you pass on won’t find its way back to your friend. Even if your heart was in the right place, they may not see it that way.
3. Regift to the Right Home
It should go without saying that regifted items belong in a good home. If you’re planning to send an item somewhere new, make sure the recipient would actually enjoy it—otherwise it’s obvious that you just dumped an unwanted gift in their lap.
4. Don’t Regift Handmade Items
Sure, that ceramic bowl from Aunt Helen doesn’t look great, but she made it herself and that means it’s on the no-fly list. Regifting handmade items is a giant slap in the face; people took the time and energy to make something for you, so don’t part with such sentimentality.
5. Always Rewrap What You Give Away
Regifting doesn’t mean zero effort. Some presents would have a much better home with friends than collecting dust on your shelves, but part of the thought is rewrapping. You can also write heartfelt notes to give an extra personal touch.
6. Remove Those Gift Tags
You’d be surprised just how sneaky those price tags can be. Make sure you do a thorough once-over before any regifting—gift tags and barcodes should both be properly removed. Keep an eye out for any anti-theft devices too as they sometimes hide inside of items.
7. Avoid Regifting Food Items
People regift bottles of wine all the time, and while it’s fine for certain vintages, others like cream-based alcohols lose their spark after a while. Similarly, chocolates and food baskets go bad pretty quickly, so don’t regift those unless they’re well before their expiration range.
8. Include Personal Touches
There’s no reason regifted items can’t mean something. Little notes, cute wrapping paper, and genuine cards all let the recipient know how much they mean to you. That gift may have come from someone else, but you know it’s in better hands now, and that’s what matters most in personal touches.
9. Remember to Check the Quality
Regifted items shouldn’t have any noticeable signs of wear and tear. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small nick on a book cover or a slight scratch on the packaging—those tiny dings prove just how long you’ve had an item and can signal to the recipient that you didn’t care enough to grab something intact.
10. Don’t Regift in Front of Kids
Kids aren’t great at keeping secrets, so avoid regifting in front of them. They’re more perceptive than you think, so even if you don’t think they’d recognize something, they may have remembered someone else giving it to you and spill the beans.
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11. Skip the Freebies
It’s best not to regift anything you got for free. Freebies from office parties aren’t exactly high-quality items and new wrapping paper won’t make it better. You don’t want the recipient to feel like you didn’t care at all.
12. Avoid Work Events
Speaking of the office, avoid regifting at the office party. Coworkers can out you just as quickly as children do, especially with idle chatter. Regifted presents should never see the same social circle they came from, regardless of which circle it is.
13. Check for Hidden Notes
Outside of gift tags, some presents come with handwritten notes. Before you pass that item along, take a peek at the inside of book covers or vinyl record sleeves. Handwritten notes are just as personal as handmade items, so don’t turn your back on them—you’ll keep something personal and avoid any dreaded embarrassment.
14. Remember a Gift’s Shelf Life
All gifts have a shelf life, not just food items. Outdated references on mugs or t-shirts quickly age an item, and often signal to the recipient that you chose a low-effort gift without their needs in mind.
15. Forget About Stuff You’ve Used
Don’t even think about regifting perfume you’ve already used or candles you’ve already burned. It doesn’t matter if you only did it once, giving used items away is hardly a show of friendship. (The exception is if you asked beforehand and they agreed to take it.)
16. Be Upfront With People
Regifting gets a bad rap (understandably in some cases), but it can also be a heartfelt way to show loved ones how much you care. For example, gifting your friend a necklace they always admired is a great way to show how much you appreciate them—it’s almost like inheriting an heirloom, which shows how close you are!
17. Regift Items You Would Purchased
A good rule of thumb is only to regift items you would spend money on. Would you buy a bottle of perfume that looks like a tester? Would you buy a bottle of wine caked in dust? It’s important to consider these things before regifting.
18. Confess When You Should
No matter how hard you try, some people might ask if you regifted. In that case, the best thing to do is just confess and explain yourself. Though it’s awkward, some people understand that you gifted an item you genuinely thought they’d enjoy.
19. Keep Tabs on What You Regift
A good way to avoid any embarrassment is to keep tabs on what you regift and to whom. You’ll have a better understanding of social circles and ensure those presents stay out of the wrong hands.
20. Donate Items Instead
If you’re wholeheartedly against regifting, you could always donate an item instead! Donation centers are great spots for new or gently used items, and you know those gifts go to people who truly need them.
