Did you know that today is National Regifting Day? It seems that this third Thursday in December was chosen as a day for regifting, because it’s the time of the month when most companies hold their office party–that is, if they haven’t already cancelled their 2008 office party. And I guess that regifting is par for the course as far as business gifts go, though I certainly never suggested this in a New York Times interview I did a few years ago.
I would think that a day for regifting would be some weekend day between Christmas and New Year’s, when folks need last-minute hostess gifts and so they raid their holiday stash to give away the stuff they don’t want and don’t want to bother returning. Nonetheless, today, December 18th, is a day to let you know that regifting is OK.
If you watch the video in the post below, you’ll see that I recently did some TV segments where I shared with people the etiquette of regifting–advice I’ve also shared with Forbes.com and in my book “Gifts Anytime.” Some of that advice suggested items that are perfect for regifting. These include:
* picture frames
* notecards
* candles
* bottles of wine/sparking cider
My advice matches right up with a recent eBay survey that determined that not only do half of those surveyed admit to regifting but also, when regifting, they tend to choose the same items I recommend above. Here is a list of what those surveyed tend to regift:
* wine, champagne or spirits (21%)
* trinkets or collectibles (21%)
* beauty or bath products (21%)
* DVDs, CDs or books (16%)
* electronics/appliances (14%)
* fruitcake (14%).
I have never in my life eaten a fruitcake and couldn’t imagine someone regifting that to me. But fruitcakes aside, regifting really is a green way to give gifts and it’s frugal, too.
That’s why this week I’m giving the Suddenly Frugal Seal of Approval to the notion of regifting. So regift wisely. And make sure that you keep a regifting log so that you never regift a gift back to the person from whom you’d originally received the gift.
Not comfortable with regifting? Then make one of your 2009 resolutions starting a gift closet. It will get you out of a gift-giving pinch every time.
READ LEAH ON HOME GOES STRONG
Hi Leah! I’m glad your move to the new site is working out well–I updated the link on our page. Keep the good stuff coming!
Michelle, Goodwill of Northern New England
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