How to Regift

We all receive gifts we won’t use or don’t want, which sounds obnoxious since we should be grateful to get a gift at all. But hey, there is only so much room in your life for things you don’t need or want, so to simplify, you regift. It’s easy to regift with tact and skill, and there is great satisfaction to be had in matching a gift with the right person. Make it into a game and the process becomes infinitely more enjoyable. And just think—you’ve managed to bring joy into someone else’s life and make use of a gift you couldn’t (or just plain wouldn’t) use yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Look at your gifts and determine which can be regifted and which you just need to take losses on. There are some gifts you just can’t regift, either because no one would want them, or because they happen to have your name engraved or embossed on them.
2. Make an inventory of your gifts, listing who gave you what and when. You will need this so that you don't regift someone who originally gave you the gift. This list also comes in handy for writing thank you notes.
3. Look at the upcoming calendar and see who has a birthday or some other special event coming up. Identify your recipient and then see if you have any gifts that would fit him. If not, move on to the next potential recipient.
4. Once you’ve found a reason and a recipient, rewrap the gift in the appropriate wrapping paper and give away.

Tips & Warnings

• If regifting some type of food (like the proverbial fruitcake), always be sure to check the expiration date. Don't regift beyond that date.
• Check the expiration date for gift certificates online.