Unpopular Opinion: Regifting
What do you do with unwanted gifts?
Is regifting rude? The short answer is no. Every year you receive at least one gift that isn't necessarily the most useful gift for you. Let's avoid the landfill and clutter in your home with the following tips.
See if you can quietly exchange the gift.
In a perfect world the gift would have included a gift receipt so you can exchange at the store. If they didn't give you a gift receipt and you know what store it was purchased at, go to the store and ask if you can exchange it for something else. Typically stores will be more lenient on their return policy during the holidays and slightly after because they know people have received gifts and would want to exchange. They can issue a gift card for the price of the item and then you can shop. It's important to do this as soon as you get the gift so you don't forget and end up on the outside of the return policy.
Repurpose the gift
Before you start clutching your pearls at the thought of regifting- hear me out. It serves no one to have the item collect dust and create clutter in your home. Absolutely no one.
The most important tip is to remember who gave you the gift so you don't regift to that person or someone who knows that gift was for you. I would suggest keeping Post It notes on hand to write who gave you the gift and stick on the gift until you regift.
If possible, develop a better relationship with that person. Obviously if you participated in a white elephant gift exchange, you get what you get. But if Aunt Louise keeps getting you a fruit basket for Christmas, find more ways to connect throughout the year to get to know each other better. Not just for the gift's sake but for appreciating time with a loved one. Who knows, she maybe tired of getting a robe from you every Christmas and may discover she loves to collect shot glasses instead.
Stay Ready Bin****
Is it something that is useful for someone else? For example, did you receive a Fenty eyeshadow pallet but you don't wear makeup? This is a good item to add to the Stay Ready bin. What's the Stay Ready bin? It's a bin that everyone should create so that they always have a gift ready especially during the holiday season. It's filled with useful gifts that can be paired to make a package or given separately to someone you may have forgotten to get a gift or don't know well but would still like to give a quality gift.
Donate.
When all else fails give the item to Goodwill. Someone will find it a treasure there. If it's something you believe not many people in your circle would want, or hard to think of someone to give it to that would appreciate it- give it to Goodwill. There’s no sense of holding on to something that will just clutter your home because you can't think of the right person to give it to.
I do not recommend selling your gifts because you don't don't want to hurt the person’s feelings. Imagine scrolling through Facebook Marketplace after Christmas and seeing a post from the person you gave the gift to AND your gift up for sale. The level of awkwardness when that person sees you is going to be epic.
The end goal is to give the gift a loving home but not offend the gift giver. Try spending more time with the person to deepen that relationship. Ultimately, please save the earth from landfill, and your home from clutter by using the tips above.
*** I give more details of what items to keep on hand in the Stay Ready bin in my ebook, Buy More, PayLess, Save your Sanity. You will not forget anyone on your list with the free holiday gift tracker that’s included. You will have thoughtful gifts with less brain power with the aid of the gift suggestion guide based on the 4 gift categories.