It’s gift giving season and with Christmas fast approaching the gift of regifting should be on your list.
The act of regifting is to give someone a gift that was previously given to you. Most people will have regifted at least one gift before, whether they admit that or not, have you?
With both money and the environment being concerns for many, regifting is a great solution to both of them.
Why toss a perfectly good item into landfill when someone else would enjoy it?
In a world where overconsumption is already a problem and is having a massive impact on the environment, we should look at what we already have.
People shy away from regifting for a number of reasons. This includes feeling guilty about doing so, but there are so many reasons why you shouldn’t.
Dos and Don’ts
Regifting is not and should not be about getting rid of something you don’t want. It should be about passing on a gift to someone who would want it or like it.
It is completely okay to not regift if you don’t have anything that you think those you are buying for will enjoy. Any unwanted items you have received can be sold or donated instead of just being thrown away.
If you are regifting items, you could accompany them with intentionally purchased items. The regift can also just be an added extra so there is no guilt surrounding it.
There is no point regifting an item that you know the other person won’t want. They will be stuck between also passing on the item or throwing it away. So if you think the person you are regifting an item to will also give it away, you probably should get them something else instead.
A big no in regifting is giving someone a gift that they gave you. While that may be pretty obvious, you should also consider not regifting an item to someone in the same circle as the person who gave it to you. This stops anyone finding out and possibly getting offended about their gift being re-used or receiving a regifted item.
If you are struggling financially this Christmas and are worrying about not being able to buy presents for friends and family, talk to them about it. Christmas is so much more than just buying presents for one another. Spending quality time around the festive period with each other is a far better gift.
Feature image credit: George Dolgikh/Pexels
Lifestyle Editor • Fourth year Journalism student
