Creative Re-Gifting - Pawning Off Gifts by Passing Them Along

Recycling has become popular these days, even with holiday gifts. After all how many Santa Claus mugs or bath sets can one person really use? However, a considerable amount of caution and creativity are essential for those who choose to re-gift.

What is re-gifting?

Re-gifting can be anything from re-wrapping a recently received item to passing along a dusty old dud. Unfortunately, the entire range is widely practiced. However, tasteful and thoughtful gifts may be devised from previously gifted items, with a bit of effort and ingenuity.

Be careful!

It's difficult to re-gift without regrets, particularly if your ruse is uncovered.

Pass-along, or even used, gifts are fine for a Yankee Swap or even a White Elephant party. You're supposed to bring odd and unwanted items to these.

However, rewrapping an undesirable gift and passing it along to an unwitting recipient is considered utterly tacky, especially if you get caught! In many social circles, re-gifting ranks on a par with purchasing gifts at the Dollar Store, even if the re-gifted item is a costly one.

Still, nearly everyone does it. We receive a sweet little gift that simply doesn't fit us for some reason, and we re-wrap it and pass it along to someone else. If not, then perhaps we donate it to a holiday charity. Either way, someone else receives our unwanted gifts.

How can you re-gift without being tacky and tasteless?

If you really must re-gift, then you will need to get your act together ahead of time. Be organized!

Designate a storage box, chest, or specific area of your home for new items that you plan to pass along. Keep this merchandise out of site. If family members or other visitors spot these things in your house, then you will be unable to pawn them off as original gifts.

Keep a log of each item and its source. You will need to cross-check this list before deciding to whom you will give it.

Be careful to avoid giving an item to anyone who may know or have contact with the person who gave it to you. What if you give Aunt Edith that batik scarf that you got from Cousin Bertha last year, only to find out that Bertha gave it to Edith in the first place?