Regifting - how do you feel about it?

[applecruncher]

Generally speaking, I don’t like to do it and I sometimes would rather receive a cheapie new gift that was picked out just for me rather than something someone was given and just doesn’t want. Even no gift is sometimes better - I don't expect gifts.

Of course, it depends on the situation and there are exceptions. But the ones that are insulting are when something is obviously junk, used, or so damaged that it should have been thrown in the trash.

Then there are the ‘rush' gifts – someone goes to CVS or a convenience store and quickly grabs whatever they see that's cheap to pass off as a gift.

Okay, so it’s supposed to be the thought that counts. But sometimes there is no thought put into the gift or someone just wants to get rid of junk.

I know someone who wrapped a pack of lifesavers in a pretty giftbag with tissue paper and gave it to someone as a Christmas present. (The giver is a notorious cheapskate. AND she didn’t really like the person she gave the lifesavers to.) But she gave much nicer gifts to others at the gathering. She is well-off financially. Rude, imo.

I’m proud that I’m known to be a great gift giver who puts thought into the items I give. Not usually expensive things, but tings that people like, want, and can use. Many things I buy at the dollar store.

Few weeks ago I was invited to dinner at friend’s home. I Don’t like to arrive empty-handed, and instead of wine or fresh flowers (which is what I usually bring) I gave the hostess a beautiful set of potholders ($6.00 total) and I brought wooden backscratchers ($1.00 each) for the other 4 guests. They loved it!

I have regifted – but it’s usually something I already have too many of. (I once received some expensive body creme that unfortunately makes me break out. I thanked the person because I trully appreciated it, but I later gave it to someone explaining that I could not use it.)

Butt YMMV - I realize there are differing opinions about it.

 

[hollydolly]

I agree with all you say..I do re-gift but only for the same reasons you do..if I really can't use the item or I already have too many..but then they are always expensive items, I would never regift something that my daughter or husband bought me regardless of how much I couldn't use it ...fortunately I have never received a gift that I could tell had been regifted to me because everything whether cheap and cheerful or expensive and high end has always looked new so I couldn't tell.

However my daughter absolutely has no qualms about regifting...if she receives an item that she doesn't like for any reason at all she just forwards it onto someone else immediately...and she has absolutely no sentiment about who it may have come from.. ..

 

[Cookie]

I think its fine with consumables like nice soap or good wine or good olive oil, etc., but I don't do it myself. If I have been given something I can't use, I just give it away to a friend on a non-occasion, not as a gift-gift. When I buy someone a gift, I try find something special for them.

I have however, given something that actually belonged to me - for her birthday I gave a friend a pair of my gold earrings that didn't work for me - she loves them and wears them all the time.

 

[Butterfly]

My extended family has pretty much given up the practice of gift-giving, except to children. It gets pretty expensive. Now we just go buy ourselves something we like and say "Look what I gave myself for my birthday!" The office I worked in before I retired also decided collectively to not give gifts to each other, for the same reason.