Open Up To The Concept Of Re-gifting
I was over at a friend’s house recently, and he had an impressive stack of books on his table. I asked him what they were for. He told me that he didn’t do any shopping this year for Christmas, yet he had all the gifts he needed. Most of these books were brand new: not books he was interested in, or duplicates of books he already had, so he’d never even cracked their spines. Knowing his family and friends’ reading tastes, he picked out books he knew they would like and wrapped them.
Most of us won’t go near the idea of re-gifting. But why? Re-gifting is financially savvy, environmentally friendly, and clears your space of things you don’t need or love. All you need is a bit of common sense to make re-gifting work for you.
Why should you buy a brand new item for someone if you already have, in your home, just the right gift—never used and in perfect condition? Do you really think it makes sense to spend money on a new gift instead of re-gifting what you have? I’m not encouraging you to give unsuitable gifts (the idea isn’t to give something they’ll hate as much as you did), or anything that isn’t in giftable condition, but many of us have the gifts of years past lying around in boxes and cupboards, never once used and just like new. I think that many of us see re-gifting as being cheap, but the quality and value of a gift isn’t tied to what you paid (or didn’t pay) for it. In fact, by re-gifting, you can sometimes give nicer gifts than you would be able to afford to buy.
Re-gifting also fights consumerism. Rationally, we know that the less we consume, the better it is for the environment, but—oddly—when it comes to gifts we feel compelled to run out and buy something. You don’t need to re-gift every gift, and there’s nothing wrong with buying something for someone, but every purchase should be meaningful.
Please, though, don’t give clutter as gifts. Re-gifting only works when something you have is something another person will love. Passing on a hideous knickknack or stinky bath gel just to get rid of it is truly wrong and not in the spirit of honest re-gifting (or gifting at all, for that matter). Recycle or sell your clutter; re-gifting is for things worth giving, things you like but don’t love, nice things that you personally don’t use or need.
And please, do use some common sense in re-gifting. If you laughed about Aunt Mabel’s singing poinsettia doll at last year’s office party, don’t give it to a co-worker this year. If Grandma knitted you the sweater, don’t give it to your cousin. If you’ve forgotten who gave you the crystal pickle dish, think carefully before you give it away.
As a final tip, beyond the re-gifting of unused items, there’s the giving of antiques and heirlooms, and the passing on of things that are precious to you. A piece of jewellery you’ve worn and loved for years can make a wonderful gift for someone special, because it comes with all your memories and love. Anything that has special value because of its history—a piece of family china or valuable artwork, an antique lamp or chair—is a gift beyond price. Even an old book that you treasured from childhood can be passed on with love to the next generation, despite its worn cover and creased pages.
Be open to the concept of re-gifting, and see gifts for what they are, not what they cost. It could change the way you give.
