To Regift or Not to Regift, That is the Question…

January 5th, 2012 Holiday Organizing

So, what did you get stuck with this holiday season that made you say, “Really?” A sweater that’s two sizes too small? A coffee maker but you don’t drink coffee? Cutesy holiday decor that doesn’t fit in with your very mature holiday theme of all clear and white decor? Hmmm, so, now what do you do with this stuff? You may be tempted to:

1) Leave it in the box and toss it on a shelf or in a closet just in case you decide to use it someday. Can you see a clutter theme starting here? I can, but I’m cool like that.

2) Use it just once to be “nice.”

3) Save it to sell this summer at your garage sale. Ooooooooh, careful who you invite to your garage sale, slippery slope, slippery slope…

Don’t sweat it, regift it! Really, it’s OK!

The number one key to regifting is…Are you ready? “Be sneaky Sis.” OK, not sneaky as in being shady, but sneaky as in: Do not hurt anyone’s feelings. So, selling the stuff at your next garage sale, probably not a good idea unless you know your gift givers won’t be coming.

Here are 5 golden rules to live by when regifting:

1) Remember who you got the item from so you don’t have a mishap when you give it away. You can put a note on the item with the gift giver’s name on it to help you remember.

2) Only regift items that you truly believe your recipient will like and use. Maybe you won’t use the coffee maker, but you have a coffee lover in the family who would love to have it.

3) Make sure you don’t leave evidence such as a gift receipt from a year ago or card that may be tucked inside the box.

4) Only give gifts that haven’t been used before. I read one story on the web about someone who received a popcorn maker that had popcorn kernels in it-ewwwww, come on!

5) Make sure the gift wrap is fresh, rewrap or get a new box or gift bag if needed.

Another article I read was about a guy would sell gifts he didn’t like on eBay and then use the money to buy new gifts for other people, now that’s a clever idea! Too bad I didn’t think of that.

Always be sure to thank your gift giver, whether or not you like the gift, they still put time, money and energy into getting you the gift. Unless of course they were regifting-oh snap!