November 12, 2009
The Dos and Don'ts of Regifting
As someone who helps people deal with too much "stuff" and not enough space for it all (FYI: it doesn't matter how much space you have, you never have enough!), I think that regifting is a great way to be green, get the right item to the right person and declutter at the same time.
In case you don’t know what regifting is, it’s giving an unwanted gift to someone else. The comedian Jerry Seinfeld first coined the term in 1995 on an episode of his sitcom, Seinfeld. Although the practice of regifting existed well before then, it has gained significantly in popularity and acceptability since that time.
As a simplicity advocate, I encourage people to keep only those things that they need, use and love. Since not every gift is going to hit the mark, if it doesn't fall under one of these three categories, regift it and let it go to someone who will need, use and love it.
Of course, the best way to deal with unwanted gifts is to avoid the entire problem by opting out of exchanging gifts with loved ones and friends. Consider making a collective gift to a charity instead of acquiring “stuff” you don't need. If you do, you’ll prevent the holidays from adding to your clutter, not to mention your stress and debt.
The rules of regifting are really just simple common sense. Here are the ones I suggest to my clients to make the process easier and avoid potentially embarrassing faux pas:
- If you will never use the item, do not like the item or it is not right for you for any reason at all, don't feel like you have to keep it just because "Aunt Sally" or "Uncle Joe" gave it to you. In all likelihood, they would not want you to clutter up your space with items that don't work for you!
- If you are regifting just because you ran out of time, think about giving a gift card instead. They’re easy to get and allow the recipient to pick out something they really want or need.
- It's fine to regift anything as long as it’s new and in good condition and the recipient would like or appreciate the item. A family heirloom, presented as such, is an especially wonderful item to regift. The exception is handmade items. They’re very heartfelt and you shouldn't regift them even if you don't like them.
- Do not regift items that were clearly purchased specifically for you, i.e. monogrammed items.
- The gift should be in the original packaging, with all of its bits and pieces.
- It's NOT fine to regift used items or partially used gift cards.
- Regift outside of your social circle. Keep track of what you received and who you received it from so you don't end up giving it back to them or to mutual friends/family or at an event you might both be attending.
- When regifting something distinctive, be careful. The more unusual a gift is, the more distance there should be between the person you give it to and the person you received it from.
- To avoid a potentially embarrassing situation, be sure to remove any old cards or gift receipts that came with the gift you're regifting!
- Use fresh wrapping paper and a new card. Take some time to make it look fresh and attractive.
- Consider your options. An unwanted gift could be a welcome donation to a charitable organization. Or you could sell it for some cold hard cash on eBay or craigslist.
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14 Stuyvesant Oval
NYC, NY 10009