To thrift or regift? That is the question!

[superiorgirl]

If you get a gift that is totally 'not you', what will you do with it? Thrift it or regift it? What limits do you have for regifting? What is acceptable and what is not? The much discussed tacky Christmas sweaters from MIL go straight to the ts!! Tags and all. What else?

[Other People s Junk]

If I know someone that will like the item, sure I will regift, but if it's too terrible than it goes to the thrift store.

Actually though, it depends on who gave it to me... if they come to my house often, then I would feel super guilty about getting rid of the thing, even if I don't like it.  That is why it is hard for me to get rid of things...

As for my regifting guidelines:
-I need to think the person getting it will appreciate it
-They can't know the person who gave it to me (well enough that they would mention it to them)
-the item can't look like it's been regifted a zillion times, it has to be in good condition, unless I tell the person where I got it from
-no regifting of food, unless it's still in it's sealed package
- it can't be from someone who will realize I no longer have said item, or if they are they need to be people who don't care about it

[Femme1]

I belong to a great group of women that meets once a month--the Exchange Club (not to be confused with the real Exchange Club, a service organization). We have a theme every month, and we bring things to exchange, for example, books, clothes, cosmetics, jewelry, shoes, etc.; January is always our "Horrible Xmas Gift Exchange."  One gift that we are still talking about from several years ago is the glow-in-the-dark mushroom (the object, not the color) sweatshirt that a very stylin' gal got from her mother-in-law. We're still foisting that one off on one another.

[navajo6000]

I think re-gift ing is ok on certain items only. If it is new and could be returned, return or exchange. Especially on bath and body products, last years 90% discount items shouldn't be used this yearas gifts, it isn't a good idea. Most of the products aren't of good quality (even from specialty stores) and the product spoils and can cause skin reactions . I believe honesty is the best policy. "oh, the sweater was cut wrong, it itched, i'm allergic to..., to tight, you get the picture.
I don't wear sweaters at all so I am safe on that one.
Remember it is the thought that counts. If it is that horrible put it in the back of the closet until the giver shows up then display it. My son's girlfriend got me a new shower curtain last year . it will go up this weekend since I am due for a new one

[ChrisMiss]

I have immediately regifted Christmas presents.  When we used to go to a lot of Christmas parties where gifts were exchanged sometimes the gift I got was immediately wrapped up and given to someone else maybe at the next party.   Once I received a CD case filled with Snickers bars, I gave that as a gift to my daughter.  Another time it was an assortment of candles, I had cats, big no-no to have candles unless you enjoy the smell of scorched fur.  I wrapped it up for the next party as a gift.

As you said it depends on who has given the present also.  Some people are deeply offended if you don't use their present so you must put it out when they come to visit. 

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Glow in the dark mushroom sweatshirt-- WOW. That's quite the gift! (The gift that keeps on giving-- back and forth, that is.)

My family got something like that from a family friend... To this day we don't know what the thing was. It looked crocheted, and it was thin and about the size of two bookmarks tied together, and made of silvery yarn. Maybe it was a Christmas ornament. Or a small knit bikini top? Or... who knows.

But we passed that back and forth amongst ourselves for a few years, too.

[foutchie]

scorched fur from a candle - there's a smell I'll never forget!  LOL   (the cat did actually put her own tail out by beating it on the counter before I could get to her  - don't even think she realized what was happening, poor dear!)

[alexandra]

I like to make use of any gift I am given -- since it was a kind gesture to begin with, I think that it's not my place to belittle it.

There are many times when I wasn't initially too hot for an item, but once I started wearing/using it, I came to appreciate it.

If I end up really not being able to appreciate it, I donate it.  If it's something someone I know can use, I pass it along -- but not as a gift.

My husband has given me a lot of very nice jewelry.  There have been a few pieces that initially I thought were just OK, but not something I'd have picked myself.  Once I started wearing them, though, I began to like them more and more.  After all, how can you find fault with a piece of jade when the guy says he chose it because it reminded him of your eyes?

IMO, with the dearth of sincere and generous sentiments so abundant in our society, I don't like to look down on acts of generosity.  But then again... I am flakey!

Thriftily,
Alexandra
www.livingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

I'm not a return-it-to-the-store sort of person and, really, most folks try hard when they gift, and I always appreciate the thought, even if something isn't quite "me." And I do try to use it.

Sometimes, though, you get the impression that people just feel obligated to gift, and the thought is, "How can I get rid of this thing? Oh, I know: by giving it to someone else."

My next blog post, actually, is going to be partially on that topic and partially on some fun thrifted gifts this year.

[genuineimitation]

in answer to the original question.. i tend to keep things in original packaging, and hang on to them for at least 6 months, then give them to the thrift store. however, if it's kids toys that i know someone would use, i re-cycle - i tell the person it was a gift and ask if they would like it for their kids. it's no stress that way - maybe they don't want it either!

we did have an opportunity to regift this year - my daughter travelled to mexico, and brought this gift that she had been given that was too young for her. the children in the village she went to really loved it - it was a pretty box of hair ornaments for little girls.

[LadyinRed]

When finding gifts for others I try to buy things that are useful, but that the receiver wouldn't necessary buy for themselves (I think of gifts as little indulgances).  That's what makes them so special.  Since this is the way I give gifts, I assume that's how everyone does it, so anything I receive I assume has had a lot of thought put into it, and it's meant just for me.  I try to use/display/wear most gifts.

Unfortunately that can sometimes be wasteful... My grandma often likes to buy me lipsticks or perfumes.  If I try them out and don't like them, there isn't much home for them having a useful future*, but sometimes they turn out to be great.  I know she meant well, but for some reason neon pink is just not my shade 

*However, there is sometimes still hope for the lotion/perfume/etc that has been tried and rejected!  Often, my friends and I get together for an after Christmas "unwanted gift" swap.  In this case, we all know that we are essentially regifting and that stuff was tried on and unwanted.  Usually takes care of all the unwanted gifts.

I have to point out than not all gifts destine for thrift/regift are bad ones.  I received a remote indoor outdoor thermometer as a gift recently, and I thought it was the greatest gift ever.  Very thoughtful, useful, and fun.  Only problem?  I already have one.  The new one did not have compatable remote sensors, and I really don't need two.  So it's going to my parents for Christmas, and I know that they will enjoy it.

The Thrift store is sort of my last resort for unwanted gifts.  I sort of feel bad about giving it to them because I think 'If I don't want it, do they really want it either?'.  But then I usually overcome that thought with 'One man's trash...' and think of all the things I buy at a TS that someone else thought was junk.

[ChrisMiss]

I appreciate the gift givers intentions, their search for the perfect gift, etc. but sometimes they just miss the mark totally.  My mother bless her heart tried hard to give me nice gifts and I really appreciated the thought that went into them.  I learned to keep the items too so I wouldn't hurt her feelings.  But many of the items I could not use.  A blouse that is supposed to have long sleeves but ends up about 3 inches above my wrist is not going to be worn.  A pair of slacks that are also too short aren't going to be worn unless I'm going wading.  I'd have to hang on to these items for a few years and then I could donate them.

I'm so glad that we live in a RV now and got rid of all the gifts that we received over the years.  I really appreciated the thought that went into the items, really I did.  Every morning as I wondered into my living room and saw the crappy pictures we've been given and had to hang because it was from family believe me I appreciated the thought.  I'd say to myself "What were they thinking"

[Other People s Junk]

I have to point out than not all gifts destine for thrift/regift are bad ones. 

I agree with that!  When I think about the gifts I have regifted, most were wedding or baby gifts that were very nice.  We received alot of duplicates for our wedding; some weren't returnable.  And as for baby gifts, we received a bunch of the sweetest crocheted blankets, most with pink in them... I have 2 boys and am not a pink fan, anyhow!

[superiorgirl]

"After all, how can you find fault with a piece of jade when the guy says he chose it because it reminded him of your eyes?"

If it were me, I would have to hit him and storm out of the room. (Mine are hazel. His ex has green ones!) lol. But, seriously, if a guy says something like that, you are right, you'd be nuts to find fault!!