Is It OK to Regift?

Over the holidays, did you get a present that you already owned or didn’t like? If so, what did you do with it? 

Many people regift an unwanted present. They give it away to someone else. Some think it’s better to give the gift to someone who will use it than to toss it into the back of a closet.

But other people say regifting is rude. They argue that you should choose a gift especially for someone. It doesn’t take much thought, they say, to rewrap a gift that’s lying around the house.

Regifting can be hurtful to the person who gave the gift to you. They made the effort to pick it out to show how much they care.

Plus, if you just give away your unwanted items, you’re not being a thoughtful gift giver. If someone finds out you regifted an item, they might get mad. It’s not worth the risk of losing a friend.

Last year, my grandma gave me a Play-Doh ice cream truck. It was nice, but it’s for younger kids. We gave the playset to a younger neighbor, who really liked it.

Regifting can also save people time and money. They won’t have to shop for a new gift. And regifting can keep unwanted toys from ending up in landfills.