How to Re-Gift Unwanted Gifts

There is a lot of misconceptions about regifting. As long as you follow these easy steps - regifting become easy, affordable, and smart.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Items you would like to regift
• Cleaning cloth
• Gift bag or new wrapping paper

1. Don't mention it to anyone.
   Why spoil the gift, upset anyone, or even let anyone know you didn't appreciate a gift you were given. Keep Regifting a secret!
2. Update the Wrapping or gift bag.
   The next most common regifting faux pas, after leaving the previous gift card attached, is to regift in the original, now crinkled and possibly torn wrapping paper or box.
   I like to use gift bags with pretty updated paper. This gives your gift a grandeur look and feel.
3. Do NOT regift hand-me-downs.
   Novice regifters often get these two categories confused. A hand-me-down is an item you've already used that you'd like to pass along to someone who will enjoy it and use it more than you will. For example, a sweater you've removed the tags from and worn twice. A regift should be just that: a gift you've never used.
4. Keep track of who gave you the gift first.
   If you have a large family as I do, it can sometimes get confusing as to whom gave you what. Write it down somewhere!
5. Don't be tacky and regift these items.
   Random books, mysterious CDs, obscure software, cheesy jewelry, fruitcake, cologne, boxed sets of extinct bath products (Jean Nate, old bath&body works, etc.), videos or DVDs obviously acquired on a street corner, socks, or old electronics (especially anything that still has a tape player!)
   Make sure your gift doesn't look like a garage sale item - That's tacky!
6. Make sure you clean your gift.
   The worst thing you can do is give someone a dirty gift. This is simply gross.
7. Do NOT give a gift card that has $11.35 on it! Don't give partially used gift cards.
   This is a no-no! As technology pushes the envelope of regifting possibilities, the chance of looking like a ninny only grows. Don't give a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble that has $14.56 left on it. Would you give a pie with a slice taken out of it? We hope not.
8. Regifting can be funny.
   If you are regifting with the sole purpose of being funny - Be sure to make the prank known. You don't want the person thinking you were serious.
9. Don't regift something you've had for a while.
   Cant afford to take a chance of someone recognizing something from your home.
   Not only is this in violation of the hand-me-down rule above, the giftee can and will recognize that picture frame from your living room shelf.
10. Regift Wine or Champagne Go ahead and regift that champagne bottle.
    There are never hard feelings from regifting a bottle of bubbly, unless it's really cheap or given to a confirmed teetotaler. Eventually it will find a happy, champagne-guzzling home.
11. Don't regift products from defunct companies.
    How long ago was that product made? Was it in your closet for 10 years? That's slightly disrespectful.
12. If all fails - then sell.
    This is a wonderful place to sell those unwanted gifts without offending anyone. Go ahead - sell those unwanted gifts to turn a profit.

Tips & Warnings

• Regift clean, thoughtful, and unused gifts
• Do NOT regift the same item to the same person who gave you the gift in the firt place.
• Know who gave you which gift
• Use nice, colorful wrapping paper and or gift bags to regift.
• Not everyone will appreciate all gifts - so think of the person's personality and likes/dislikes