Regifting seems a pretty common practice these days. Especially in these tough economy when people are dealing with debt, job loss, tight budget, debt counseling, and making ends meet, regifting just somehow makes sense.
So first, what is regifting? When people receive gifts they do not need, have no use of, or which they already have a similar one, they give them as gifts to others, which is what we call regifting. A study in fact shows that over half of the respondents in such study have practiced regifting, and over 75% felt it is all right to regift.
Regifting, I believe, is acceptable. There is just no sense in keeping something you do not need or have no use of, when you can just pass it on to someone who would be happy to have it, either because he can use it, have need of it, or just plain likes it.
I myself received some things which I already have. In fact, during our wedding, we received four pieces of the same appliance. I have never tried regifting, but when I think about the wisdom of regifting, I might just start practicing regifting myself.
There are etiquettes to be followed in regifting, though, in order to ensure that the person receiving the gift will be pleased with it. For one, you should keep the gift in its original packaging and make sure that all parts, accessories, instruction manual and brochure are all included in the packaging. Second, never regift to the person who gave that gift to you. To make sure you don't forget who gave the gift to you, put a tag or a reminder on that gift. Third, never regift something that is used, broken or has missing parts or pieces. Fourth, never regift something that is personal. Fifth, do not regift the gift wrappings. Make the wrappings look fresh and attractive. And sixth, do not tell the person that you are giving him something you received as a gift. This would imply that what you are giving him is something ugly or is not useful.
Regifting is a good way to save money. And when practiced with tact and thought, it can give pleasure to both the giver and the receiver.
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