Recently I received a call from Jenna Caiazzo with WWAY Newsteam Channel 3 asking me the above question. I felt it was a great topic here since we offer ettiquette classes with Elite Notions Concierge.
Regifting is acceptable, just don’t tell the person who gave it to you. There are many reasons to regift. Its not that the gift was a bad gift. Maybe its just not for you. Do you think the gift giver would want you to chunk it in the garbage? I think not. Rewrap it for someone you know might enjoy it and be glad to receive it. It could be the wrong color, size or maybe not something you’d use period. Bottom line. Most of the time its too much trouble to return something, so why not regift it?
If you do decide to regift…here are some etiquette rules to adhere to:
- Never use the gift, decide you don’t like it and then regift it. That’s rude!
- Always make sure whoever you regift to never knows who gave you the gift originally. You never know what may come up in conversation. That would be embarrassing.
- To properly regift you should rewrap the gift in completely different wrapping than you received. It is obvious the tape or paper was carefully pieced back together otherwise.
- Remove the name tag. You don’t want to give a gift to Dan when the tag still says to Robert.
- It is not neccesary to share with the person that is being regifted of the circumstance. That will only cheapen your intentions.
Regifting is great for that relative you forgot and realized as they came through the door with everyone. I hate to leave someone out. Just make sure the gift is appropriate for that person. If you have nothing to regift, wrap some goodies in a tin for them to take home with them and tell them how much you appreciate them coming.
So is it rude to regift? Well, that depends on whose answering the question. I say as long as its done with grace, it is acceptable. If the original gift giver ever asks about the gift, just smile and say it was greatly appreciated. In reality it was appreciated, just not by you. Just remember to follow the etiquette rules and you can regift without feeling guilty.
