Posted by Wenona Napolitano on Nov.26, 2010

ⓒ iStockPhoto - cstar55

With the economy in such a mess your gift budget may be tight this year. Perhaps it’s time to dig out those gifts you’ve received in the past but never took out of the box.

It happens to all of us at some point. We end up receiving a less than desirable gift.

Maybe it’s the second or third crock-pot you received as a wedding gift or the fourth toaster for your house warming. Maybe it’s another holiday coffee mug that found its way to your stocking, but most of us all have a few things tucked away in cupboards or closets that we have never used. Things still in the brand new unopened box. Just because you don’t want them doesn’t mean the items couldn’t make someone else very happy.

Some people think regifting is tacky but with money being a rare and precious thing right now it is time to rethink the regift.

The key to regifting is to do it with style and class.

First of all don’t regift to the person who originally gave you the gift. And don’t regift at a social function where that original gift giver may be. If the gift is something unique, also don’t regift to someone who is in contact with the original gift giver (you wouldn’t want the gifter to see the gift at the new giftee’s home unless you plan on offering full disclosure).

Second, make sure the gift was never used and that it is still in pristine, brand new condition (exceptions are allowed for books, CDs and DVDs that you know someone would really love just make sure the items are still in good shape). For any appliances or items with multiple parts make sure that all the pieces are there and that the item is still in working condition. You don’t want to give a gift that’s all banged up and missing pieces after being shoved around in your closet, tossed around in the garage or moved from place to place. If it needs batteries put a brand new set in with the gift.

Third, rewrap the gift. Do not ever leave the gift in the same torn wrapping paper that you re-taped or in the same (now) rumpled gift bag it came in. Also be sure to put a new tag on the gift addressing it specifically to the person the gift is for.

Fourth and most importantly, do not regift just to get rid of something taking up space in your home or just to have a gift to give someone without spending any money. Give the gift to someone who will actually use and/or enjoy the gift. If you know someone needs a toaster or coffee pot then by all means give them the extra appliance that you have in your closet but don’t just give it to someone just to get rid of it.

There’s a way to really regift with class- personalize the gift. Make the receiver feel special by letting them know the gift is just for them, that you really thought about it. This could be done by adding little custom things. If it’s a scarf or linens add a bit of custom monogramming. Is it a book? Add a special note in the book for the person who is receiving it. Find some way to add a special touch to the gift so the receiver will feel special.

If you really want to unload some of those unused gifts taking up space, participate in a regifting party, also known as a white elephant exchange.

You could even hold it on National Regifting Day which is December 18, 2010 this year.

There are many ways to have a regifting party. One is to have everyone bring one or two unwrapped gifts and place them on a table. Everyone takes a number and the first number called gets to pick the first gift and it goes on from there until everyone gets a chance to choose a gift

Here are two other ways to have a Regifting Party :

http://regiftable.com/Regifting101/WhiteElephant.aspx

http://www.ehow.com/how_4537571_do-elephant-gift-exchange-holidays.html

Leftover gifts and anything that’s really unwanted by anyone at the party can always be donated to Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or a local shelter. Someone could love it.

To learn more about regifting visit http://regiftable.com/ and make sure to check out ReGifting 101 http://regiftable.com/Regifting101/Default.aspx for a crash course in regiving.

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Posted under Eco-Friendly Ideas, Living.