A Family Tradition

"Regifting is a gift from the heart... that someone else gave you." Unknown.

For my family, regifting is an art form. If it were an Olympic sport, we’d hold more gold metals than Michael Phelps.

As Southerners, we would rather die than cringe or gag at the face of a giver who gives us a less-than-desirable gift, such as elf bedroom slippers, nail clippers for the fifth time in a row, a size 5X sweater when you wear a medium, or dish towels that shrink to 10% of their original size.

We swallow any bile, smile politely, and say, “You shouldn’t have.” Or “How thoughtful.”

This means, “You shouldn’t have.” And “I know it’s the thought that counts, but what were you thinking?”

So, we gently store them away in a dark closet and hope for an opportunity to gift the item to an unsuspecting victim at a later date.

"Regifting is the art of saving money and saving face simultaneously." – Unknown

Regifting is a sad win/win. Someone thought enough to give us a gift they thought we would like. However, we can make someone else's day special with a gift they might like.

Or not.

Perhaps the gift is perfect, or they will smile and say, “You shouldn’t have,” or “How thoughtful.”

It could be that she is also a regifter.

"The best part about regifting is that it’s a gift that keeps on giving... back to the original giver." – Unknown

Regifting is both a challenge and an art. The artistry comes by never regifting an item to the initial giver. And the trick is in the delivery.

Add crisp tissue paper and a candy cane or two or combine two gifts in a theme. Something truly heinous may be seen as unique, quirky, or as a joke.

One might say, “It looks just like you.” And laugh as they open it.

"If you can’t find the perfect gift, just regift it. It’s the thought that counts... unless it’s the same thought you gave last year." – Unknown

The regifter must have a terrific memory or use the tacky journal with the monkeys on the front or the calendar meant for an elementary student that you got as a gift to keep things in check.

Ultimately, the recipient might not love the gift, but that’s the risk. It may give them a good story at the next family gathering. Or prepare to see it again as they regift it to you.