Answer Honestly - Do You Regift?

Updated on December 24, 2010
B.B. asks from New Haven, CT
34 answers

Hahahaha! This is always a funny topic! I do sometimes. There are just some things that I won't use, and I figure, if someone else would use it, it makes sense to give it to them. We also are inundated with toys, so sometimes it we get a toy that we already have, or something that is very similar so I'll put it aside to give at a b-day party or donate it.

I'm not saying that I am ungrateful or anything, it is just that there are somethings that we will NEVER use...I'd rather someone get some use out of it!

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K.B.

answers from Columbus on

Yup, I do it! A few years ago a guy I worked for gave me this horribly ugly giant gold snow globe and I regifted it to my mother in law for christmas. She LOVES it and it's put in on the mantle every year. :)

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K.L.

answers from Des Moines on

Oh yeah...this Christmas actually! Last year, my Mom gave me one of those huge salad bowls. I didn't ask for it and I haven't used it at all! We eat salads all the time, but I have never found the need to use that thing! So...someone will be getting that this year...It has never been used, so I don't feel that bad about it! Maybe someone else can get use out of it!

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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

YES!

I am a minimalist and my house is clean and everything has a place. i absolutley HATE most things that come into my house. My true friends and family know this about me, so they will take me to lunch for my birthday, massage gift certificates for Christmas, etc.

If it's the the thought that really counts, they I do appreciate the thought and move on. I don't want to have to dust it and take care of it forever. I will put things in a Rubbermaid bin with a post-it on it stating who it was from, so I don't re-gift it to someone who knows the person who gave it.

If it's a toy that I have no idea who I'll ever give it to, then I doante it to a toy drive.

My SIL keeps EVERYTHING ever given to her and her house is over-filled with things shoved everywhere. It's so cluttered, she can't even vacuum the entire floor or dust things at all. I, personally, can't live like that. And I refuse to keep things that don't enrich my life. Taking care of something out of guilt makes people resentful in the long run.

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B.P.

answers from New York on

Yes, totally!! But I have a few rules:

1) Be reasonably sure the recipient will like it

2) The gift should reflect well on you

3) Do not regift to the person that gave it to you in the first place (my SIL did that last year...very tacky)

4) Make sure its not opened or damaged in any way

8 moms found this helpful
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T.S.

answers from Boston on

heck yes! on a number of levels.

I have given friends things of my own that I know they will enjoy or need when money has been tight. I have kept a box of "throw away" gifts the kinds of trinkets you get from people you don't know well and given them away to others as such (Kind of like "pass the fruit cake!") This year my son is giving some of his old toys to his new baby sister rather than buy her something new.

In this world of waste and hard times, why wouldn't someone re-gift! :D

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D.S.

answers from Tulsa on

I agree and yes I do in some cases just not very often usually when someone buys me scented things. I cant use them cause of allergies so I regift them. :)

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M.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

HECK YEAH I sure do regift!

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B.S.

answers from Saginaw on

Rarely, but I have. If its for me, I usually try to use it some way. Or I donate or sell it.

As for toys, when they have received similar toys or the same. I either take them to one of their Grandma's houses or I take it back to the store and get them something else.

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J.M.

answers from Boston on

If it's new - absolutely. My son got two of something for his birthday, with no receipt for either. My nephew is getting on of them for xmas. I don't think it's a problem - after all, it's not about the money you spend, but whether you're giving someone something they'd like.

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A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

Lots of answers. I'll add my voice. YES, I regift. I regift only new things (used things I may pass along, but with the understanding that they are used) and I always make sure the gift fits the person (I don't pass things along just to get rid of them, and I don't regift things that are ugly or in poor taste). I will also gift things that I buy for myself and never use for whatever reason. I have a shelf in my upstairs linen closet filled with potential gifts. ^_^

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C.F.

answers from Boston on

I have done it. Why 'waste' something? If not I donate it :-)

Tis the season ......... lol

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

Yes, of course. If the gift is in great condition, unopened, or so amazingly right for someone that ISN'T me, why hold onto it?

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B.B.

answers from Missoula on

Yep, I do, and I don't feel bad about it. I spend a lot of time trying to figure out what to give as a gift each and every time I do it, and I really try to make the recipient happy with what I've chosen. If I happen to have a gift in my closet that will thrill someone else but didn't work for me, then I will absolutely give it to them, with no regrets.

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B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Most often if it is something I do not want then I can't think of anyone I would want to give it to. Then it goes in the donate pile.

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J.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

.

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L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I am pretty sure just about EVERYONE does. For one thing, it is frugal to do so if it is something you will not use, or perhaps you already have. No reason to waste. Personally, if I get a gift or gifts that I can't or won't use, I put them in a bin in my closet, to pull from when I need a quick gift for someone, or I'll keep something in there if I have someone in mind who will love it, perhaps for a birthday or something...

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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

I re-gift but not as a secret, I tell a person that someone gave this or that to me and since I am not using it, would they like it.

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K.J.

answers from Chicago on

I do re-gift, but I always tell the recipient from whence it came, and never do it in lieu of giving a gift that we, ourselves, bought.

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K.K.

answers from Kansas City on

Heck ya! I'm a teacher....I can only use so many candles.:)

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K.M.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Yep, I regift. What better way to make use of something that wouldn't get used otherwise? I look at it as a benefit of having a blended family; if Aunt Shirl from one side gives me a sweater I won't wear, I can give it to Cousin Mary on the other side of the family, since she loves sweaters :)

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S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

of course. if i don't want it and someone else can use it, what on earth is the benefit in being snotty about it already being a gift?
that's just recycled elitism.
khairete
S.

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Absolutely!!!!!!!!!! However, if it is a tacky gift that I've received I either donate it or keep it for a theme party where they ask for white elephant gifts. Very entertaining to participate in these parties with it.
When I regift I make sure it is something new and undamaged and yes something that the recipient can use...not obsolete!! Plus if it is old looking the person will know. Just did this for a baby shower...Beautiful brand new toy sets that were duplicates but no receipt was attached at the time my kids received them...With three kids don't need to open these as they have plenty of "STUFF". A first time mom was the recipient and she was excited about them. Toys are costly as you know. I don't mind receiving a regift either as I know the economy isn't great....but let me tell you I received a used sachet and soap set...Tacky as hell and I was offended. Come on at least make sure it hasn't been used and looks new before doing that!!! LOL

Make sure it is useful and new!!! Saves money and if practical for the person great...If not donating is awesome!!

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L.M.

answers from Chicago on

No.

I give whatever I don't use to charity.

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R.F.

answers from Dallas on

I am totally guilty :). So are major chain stores - I remember getting a wok for a wedding present that I registered for. It was from my sister, BUT inside the box was another gift card from another person for another occasion. Crate and Barrel just didn't open up the box to remove cards. I just thought it was funny.
In fact, I just got some chocolates today that I really think my daughter's teachers will like :)
I also donate my daughter's presents - if she doesn't play with them, I would prefer to give them to others.
It's not a matter of being ungrateful :) You just want to spread the love!

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D.F.

answers from Boston on

I do, nothing wrong with it. Just do not give it back to the person who gave it to you!!!!!

J.P.

answers from Stockton on

I do! I don't see anything wrong with it, as long as it has not been previously used. LOL ~

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S.O.

answers from Chicago on

No. If I get something that I am not sure I will use I keep for awhile and then I either ask someone if they want it or I give to charity. The bagel slicer( I have a knife for that), quesadilla and sandwhich maker (frying pan works just fine), picture frames, (no wall space left!!!), white wine ( can't stand the stuff) etc...

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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

Yes, it has to be new unused & no damage to the box.I keep receipts just incase for those I have purchased a gift for but I rarely get one for my kids or for myself.As my family knows I don't like junk don't buy the same gift for any of my kids if I don't like it wrong size or it's something I already have i'll telll them then return it or keep it then regift it to my friend.

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S.T.

answers from New York on

Doesn't everybody to some extent? Even if I don't give it away wrapped up I will give them to the Salvation Army thrift store so someone else can buy it at a cheap price.

A.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Yes occasionally, but about 90% of the time I can't find someone else appropriate to give the item to so it ends up going to charity.

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E.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Yes, but only if 1) the gift is brand new, never opened and 2) is something I'd *buy* for that person; something that 'fits' that person.

A.S.

answers from Davenport on

I guess I "regift" but I don't actually try to pass it off as a gift. If I get something I don't like, won't use or just don't want I will give it to someone who will like it or does need it. I just say here I got this and don't want it, I thought you might like to have it.

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

yes! I'm guilty of re-gifting or donating.

If we get something that we are not going to use - we either re-gift or donate it.

I make sure i put a post it note on it to tell me WHO it was from so I don't get embarrassed by re-gifting to them.

Most often I donate. This takes the guess work out of WHO gave it as well.

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S.D.

answers from Dothan on

I do, but I tell my giver I regifted their item sent to me. I find something for everything I recieve, I make it work cause a gift given is precious. However if I kept them all I would be a hoarder/packrat. So after about 2 years I regift it to someone else.

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