Etiquette: Regifting for the Holidays

Who cares how a gift got there — it’s the thought that counts. Etiquette means grace, and re-gifting can be done gracefully. Here are some tip:

* Check the re-gift for tell-tale signs of the original gifter. Make sure there are no cards or engravings or inscriptions to you on the gift you’re about to pass on.

* Re-wrap it in current wrapping paper.

* Take off all tags that will allow the re-gift recipient to return the gift. If they return it and find out it was purchased three years ago and is no longer good for return, they’ll know you re-gifted. Does this put them in a tight spot? No more so than the fact that they’re returning a gift they got. This makes them just as guilty of re-gifting by returning.

* Remember the spirit of gift giving and don’t get into a petty keeping score mode. It’s grinch-y.