2006-12-15 01:13:37 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
If it's new and unused and you think someone else will truly like it, I really don't see an issue. It's the thought that counts, right? Some people are WAYYYY too hung up on the money that is spent, but really - if it's a thoughtful gift - if it's really, truly, honestly something you think the receiver will like, then pass it along! Why let it collect dust somewhere in your house unused when someone else could truly enjoy it?
And I agree with others who have pointed out that you have to make sure that nobody knows you've regifted it.
2006-12-15 01:18:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
There are several reasons why people think regifting is tacky.
1. It shows no thought. You just grabbed something and wrapped it.
2. It is rude to the person who gave it to you. They put thought and time into giving you a gift, no matter if you liked it or not. Also imagine how you would hurt the person's feelings if they found out.
In short it is considered rude.
One Christmas my grandmother got me a nice gold pen. Upon further inspection it had her name engraved into it. I told my mom and it turns out it was the pen my mom had given to her on Mother's day. Now I thought it was funny because my grandmother is starting to slip into dementia in her increasing age but to someone else in a different situation it could have caused some hurt feelings.
2006-12-15 09:25:42 · answer #2 · answered by butterflykisses427 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because you aren't actually taking the time and effort to find the perfect gift for someone, you are trying to find the person who "might" fit a gift you dont want.
Me, I never return, exchange or regift anything anyone gets me. They took the time to think about what I like and that means more to me than anything, plus they didnt have to get me anything at all anyway, so even the fact that they thought of me really counts.
I think it is rude and inconsiderate.
2006-12-15 09:20:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would say that it's fine to give the gift to someone else, when there is no occasion to do so. Make sure the new recipient is someone that the giver does NOT know, and hopefully will never meet. Just tell them "hey, so-and-so gave this to me and I thought you would like it."
However, when there is a special gift-giving occasion, you are supposed to pick out the gift yourself because you care. Recycling someone else's gift is tacky because it took zero time and effort on your part. It's like you just looked around your house and said, "Here, have this vase!"
2006-12-15 12:46:27 · answer #4 · answered by Heidi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the gift was something that was hand-made (sweaters, crafty items), home-made (like food), or personalized in some way then it's not right to re-gift it. That person put a lot of heart into that gift and that alone should be the reason to keep it. Not to mention but unless you know someone who would want a hand-knitted sweater from Aunt Millie then they'll just end up re-gifting it too and I'm the sort that at least tries to give people something I know they want.
Now, if someone gives you something that's new and unused then that's a different matter. Example: If you receive a dvd or gadget that's not something you're into but you have a friend/relative/co-worker who is crazy about that sort of thing then it's ok to re-gift providing that the original giver is NOT made aware of the re-gifting.
One thing I wouldn't do is re-gift anything given to me by my parents or my sister or my boyfriend because these people are precious to me and anything that I receive from them is something I will keep and cherish if only because they gave it to me. :)
One big no-no is reusing cards or the original wrapping paper - at least wrap it in new paper and put in the effort to get a new card!!
2006-12-15 09:44:41 · answer #5 · answered by crouchingpossum 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's tacky if you regift and they know it. Meaning, they saw you receive the gift originally or if you left any reminisce of who sent you the gift. I practice regifting religiously ;)
2006-12-15 09:23:34 · answer #6 · answered by JAD 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think this is tacky especially if you have no need for the gift that was given to you. I have done this a few times, received something from one party that I had no use for and wrapped it back up and took it to another party. Why keep tons of gifts that you know you will not use?
2006-12-15 10:41:55 · answer #7 · answered by inquisitor1125 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A few years ago, I won a gold necklace. It wasn't my style, and I knew I'd never wear it. So I had it made into two bracelets and gave them to my sisters. They knew the origin, but they were thrilled. . So, in some cases, it seems to work. But about that ashtray shaped liked a monkey's butt that was given to you by Uncle Fritz, for gawd's sake, don't schlep that off on anyone.
2006-12-16 14:08:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When someone takes the trouble to get a person a gift, it is beyond rude to just wrap it up and give it to someone else. If you don't like what was given to you why don't you give to charity instead of being a cheapskate and using it as a gift to another. If I ever found out someone was too cheap and thoughtless to give me something they got for free as a gift I would be hurt and offended. I have no problem tho with a person giving away something they don't want anymore to someone, just not as a wrapped present.
2006-12-15 09:18:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I think because the perception is the it was a crappy gift and now you're passing this crappy gift on to someone else. But in reality, it's usually a fine gift, but maybe not to your style or whatever. And yet, it would be perfect for someone else, so you pass it on. I think it's fine as long as you remove all cards, re-wrap and make sure that no one finds out.
2006-12-15 09:26:51 · answer #10 · answered by mrssamikeyp 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋