A timely etiquette guide to regifting

I’m a lifelong, unapologetic regifter. Regifting involves giving someone something you received as a gift. And it’s about this time of year when people revisit the etiquette around regifting.

What’s wrong with repurposing a gift that you didn’t want or that you can’t use?

But the never-ever regifting crowd thinks the practice is bad-mannered. They argue that it’s deceitful, tacky or miserly. Some believe that you have to spend money for it to truly be a gift.

“Regifting is a wonderful thing,” Mary from Crofton, Md., emailed. “I love the saying, ‘One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.’ Just because you don’t like something doesn’t mean someone else won’t love it. Regift, recycle, whatever you want to call it. Just don’t hoard stuff you’ll never use.”

I see nothing wrong with regifting. It’s a win-win. You get to save money and still give something you think someone else may appreciate. This point is key.

How about this as a good reason to regift? Climate change. Think about all the stuff we receive that we don’t want, a lot of it ending up in a landfill. It makes sense to recycle through regifting. Done right, regifting can be a responsible answer to excess.

Here’s a revisit of my rules for regifting:

Don’t regift used items.

The item should be new. Maybe you received a book you already have, for instance, or a second blender. Maybe you received a gift card to a store you never shop.

The exception to this rule might be a family heirloom or something you may want to pass on for sentimental reasons. In this case, you might want to disclose that you are giving away a special item you think the person might love.

Always rewrap the gift.

If you truly think a person will like the regift, take the time to wrap it nicely. Or buy a nice gift bag. Make sure the item has all its original parts and accessories.

And be mindful of any gift tags that might still be attached. Label gifts for regifting. You must keep track of who gave you the gift. I mean it.

Don’t practice regifting if you aren’t going to be careful. Nothing gives regifting a black eye more than stories of people getting back gifts that they have given to the recipients.

Also, don’t regift something someone made special for you. Don’t be a brand pretender. Don’t put an item in a box from a high-end store to make it appear that you have spent a lot of money. That’s just wrong and not in the good spirit of regifting.

And what if the person asks for a gift receipt? If you don’t heed my advice and you’re cornered, then come clean, immediately.

Don’t regift to an objector. There are people who hate regifting and think it’s thoughtless.

If you suspect someone might be offended if they receive a regifted item, don’t do it. Regifting shouldn’t lead to hurt feelings. So proceed with caution if you are a regifter. There’s always cash.

Don’t ask, don’t tell.

If you’re going to regift and your intention is to give something the person would truly like, don’t volunteer its origin out of some misplaced guilt. But if you are pushed, then be honest. If you suspect that you are on the receiving end of a regift, don’t ask. Don’t embarrass the person. Be gracious.