Now that the holiday season is behind us, and you are getting things organized for the year ahead, don’t overlook the option of regifting items that just aren’t quite for you. According to a November survey by American Express, more than three-fourths of Americans consider regifting socially acceptable.
During the holidays or around birthdays, people sometimes give gifts we don’t want or need, and it’s difficult to refuse them graciously. Those items inevitably clutter our homes, collecting dust as they’re unused and unappreciated. Fortunately, many of those items will be welcomed by others. Just remember not to regift everything. Some items are not appropriate for regifting under any circumstances.
Here are five items that are OK to regift and five that are not.
OK to Regift
1. Spa gift baskets. Unless the items in the basket are custom-made for you, it’s more than OK to regift a spa gift basket of pampering treats. Make sure to check for any expiration dates on essential oils and other items that may be made with organic ingredients so the recipient can make the most of the gift.
2. Board games. If you received a duplicate board game or puzzle you won’t enjoy, consider regifting those items to someone who may make full use of them during their free time. Puzzles and board games are easy to wrap up in festive paper for a birthday gift or even a thank-you gift for a neighbor or friend.
3. Gourmet food. Whether it’s a canister of cookies, an assortment of teas or a box of chocolates you just don’t have a taste for, gifting gourmet food is generally acceptable. This is one of the most versatile gifts you can give to anybody in virtually any season. Just check expiration dates and make sure you have removed any tags or labels with your name on them before you share the treats.
4. Gift cards. If you received gift cards to stores you never shop at or don’t think you will use the gift card to a restaurant before it expires, consider gifting it to somebody who will make full use of it. This is another easy gift to regift — all you need is a new envelope and a thoughtful greeting for the new recipient.
5. Wine or liquor. It’s customary to bring a bottle of wine to dinner or gift a bottle of the event host’s favorite liquor. If you happen to have a few extra bottles of these items left over from the holiday season, feel free to regift them during the year.
Not OK to Regift
1. Homemade items. Whether it’s a batch of cookies or a handmade collectible item, the original gift-giver probably put some thought into making that item just for you. All emotions aside, giving food items that were made by somebody else means you run the risk of giving something that is close to expiring or has ingredients that the new recipient may be allergic to. Avoid this altogether by only gifting something that you made yourself.
2. Fragrances. Gifting a fragrance is another personal gift usually intended only for the original recipient. Unless you are 100 percent sure the new recipient wears that same fragrance regularly, giving perfume or cologne can be a risky item to regift.
3. Promotional or monogrammed items. If someone took the time to engrave a gift for you or you received items with a company logo or promotional message, consider them yours and yours only. Regifting items like these is simply in poor taste.
4. Fitness passes. Someone who gave you a set of fitness passes to their favorite gym or health club may want to spend time with you or support your healthy lifestyle. Don’t let them down by gifting those passes to somebody else.
5. High-end or luxury items. If you received a luxury watch or high-end skin care items that you don’t really want, make sure you truly have the recipient’s best interests at heart when planning to regift such items. Recipients may appreciate the generous gift, but if the item is not quite what they want, they may request a gift receipt so they can exchange it for something more suitable. When you can’t provide a gift receipt, that’s a surefire sign that you are giving something that you didn’t purchase on your own.
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5 Items That Are OK to Regift ? and 5 That Are Not originally appeared on usnews.com
