Everyone has that dark skeleton lurking in their closet. For some it takes the form of a stuffed pig which sings the “Hokey Pokey” when its paw is pressed. For others it is the overly ornate sweatshirt that just never made it into the clothing rotation.
There is one practical method of distributing such secrets that has become common place in society, so much so that a Seinfeld episode revolved around the concept: regifting.
There is an art to this craft, which involves following several rules. First, one must be smart about the process before attempting to regift. Never, ever, regift a gift which has been opened, used, or worn. Not only is it disrespectful, it is also extremely rude and inappropriate behavior.
If an appropriate item which can successfully be regifted is found, then be prepared to exercise caution in choosing a recipient. Imagine Uncle Steve’s surprise when the stuffed pig he gave last year makes a return appearance as a gift for him this year.
Try not only to avoid giving the gift to the person who originally bought it, but also to anyone that person knows. As the Seinfeld episode so tactfully displayed, the original giver will find out, and there will be hard feelings.
Now if possible, try to match the gift to someone who would enjoy it. Cousin Fred might not like the unopened black raspberry eau de toilette gift set from Bath and Body Works that was found in the bottom of the closet, but your sister might. Stuffed animals are better for younger recipients, unused gift cards or electronic devices are better for older recipients.
Another important thing to remember is that regifting food isn’t the brightest idea, despite the tradition of passing around the fruit cake. Not only do many people have dietary concerns which might bar them from enjoying such a gift, but it can be impossible to gauge the freshness of a perishable item.
The final thing to remember when it comes to regifting is to know that even if it seems impossible to find the perfect person to pass that unwanted gift onto, it isn’t. If an item is in good condition then a perfectly viable option is to drop it off at a charitable organization like the Salvation Army. In doing so, one can provide a happy holiday not only for those close to them through regifting but also to strangers.