Yep, have some nice gifts right in front of me, that I was getting ready to wrap tonite.

And you are right, it's something I don't need, and something I think someone would like.

I have once that I remember. It was to a co-worker, and it was something I was given but didn't use.

All the time. I never understood why it's not considered okay. You can't return most things to the store without a receipt any longer so why not give the item as a gift to someone who would enjoy it? What are you supposed to do with a brand new item you don't need?

Nope I never have. But I don't see anything wrong with it!

I've never passed anything on as an official present, but I do give stuff away I don't want.

Yes I have. I have also been the happy recipient.

Just last night I "won" a regifted item at a gift exchange with my Red Hat group. We were allowed to "steal" and I had my eye on it since it was picked. A pair of brand new Pampered Chef cookie molds. I knew they were regifted because they are retired. I scored.

Yeah for you wildchild. We do that in my bridge group. Can't say I've ever scored though. Usually I wind up with something I probably will regift. LOL We're having a white elephant gift exchange after Christmas. I have a big box full in the attic. Can't wait to get rid of something. As they say, one persons trash is someone else's treasure.

I'm like adellabedella now. I will offer it to a friend and tell them what happened.

For most of my life I kept things people gave to me because of the sentiment. I have never taken anything back or exchanged it.

I think if I belonged to a casual club or have blind exchanges at work then I wouldn't feel guilty.

Otherwise, my gifts to loved ones are pretty personalized and take a long time to pick out. And, it is true of what they give to me. There is usually a story behind the gift.

What I do often is put together gift bags for people. I take a reusable bag and fill it with stuff. I get samples of things often, things that are on rebate for free or less or something that is at a price I can't turn down (on clearance or something) or if there's B1G1F or something that I won't be able to use that much, etc. I think about people who can use it, need it or want it and give it to them. Not as a formal/official "gift" but I might say "I didn't get you anything for your birthday" or something and give it to them. It goes over very big. I put together a bag of things for several of the workers at a picnic I attend annually. They put in a lot of volunteer work and I wanted to give them a "thank you" for their effort. Dug around and had an assortment of things and put together a bag for each of them. Probably cost me about $5 each total but the value to them as far as not having to buy the stuff was probably in the area of $35-$50. I had hand tools, safety glasses, hand sanitizer, pet food, key rings, coffee mugs, their favorite snacks and more in there. Talk about shocked looks on their faces! The one epecially was thrilled because the bag was an official MN Twins logo bag and she's a big Twins fan. The bag retailed for $25. I bought it for 25¢. But I didn't tell her what it cost. Go ahead & think it's tacky. I sure don't.

Also, I've been known to give away something that's even been used once or twice when it's something they can use and want (and don't care if it's not "new in the box"). I don't represent it as new and it goes to people who don't care. I feel good that it is useful to them and not going to sit around my place or have to be thrown out. Just common sense to me. Some go crazy over it. But some go crazy over the littlest things I've discovered.

One thing about which I'm very proud: I've made agreements with friends & relatives that we don't give compulsory and obligatory gifts to each other any more. We ended the birthday and Christmas gifts. None of us need more trinkets and junk laying around and why waste the money? Now it's very common to take someone out for dinner or for drinks and appetizers or something and the company is much more appreciated by both sides than is some piece of junk destined for the basement or a closet shelf. If more people would do that, there'd be a lot less in the landfills. If there's something they or I really want/need but won't buy for ourself, there's an occasional exception though. It also is easier when you don't have to work so hard to find a good gift. I hate the idea of getting them anything just so there's a "gift". That's silly to me. A gift should mean something AFAIC.

This was a point of contention between me and an old GF. She was one that wanted "presents". Didn't care what it was, just wanted to get "presents" all the time. And people would give her junk and she had no use for it, didn't really want it, but enjoyed the receipt of it and especially if there was unwrapping to be done. Now for someone with a small 1 bedroom apartment to house all this junk, and much of it she wouldn't get rid of so what does she do? Rents a mini-storage! LOL So in addition to having to store it, she has to pay to store it, then move it as she moved. It was entertaining... except the couple times I helped her move. Then it was an argument!

cynic, that is such a great thing to do for volunteers. I have never known anyone to do that. As a volunteer getting a gift like you suggested is unexpected because we really don't want them to spend money. That is great planning ahead.

In times when money has been tight I have given things of my own that I thought were a worthy wedding gift. Better than I could buy. Sharing "things" with people you care about is a loving thing to do. It might be something they have admired and then you can surprise them and share the memories of it.

I'll put a note on it and say that this is one of my favoirite pieces and I have loved it for many years and want you to have it. I like going to their house and seeing them use it.

And you are right, at my age I don't need anymore. That is is a common problem among older people. When we are together for an occasion I don't take it for granted that I will see them again. It has happened too often that I don't. I take lots of pictures - that is a good gift too.

Cynic that's a terrific thing that you do!! So much thought goes into your gift bags and you make them personal.
Anyone would be a glad recipient of one of your prezzies.

As far as receiving gifts go, I miss the actual unwrapping of the gift with the popularity of gift bags. But then again, Mom's gift bag would be so full the bottom would tear and it would be overflowing! So that was always fun. LOL

I don't think I have - other than possibly taking a bottle of wine someone gave me and giving it to someone else as a hostess offering. I don't see anything wrong with regifting as long as the gift is new and unused. I remember a weird wedding gift I received 30+ years ago that sure seemed like something that was regifted. One white fitted sheet and a small painted wooden bowl - the type you might pick up on a vacation in Mexico. Or more likely the person looked around the house for something they no longer wanted that they thought they could pass along as a gift. Oddly enough it's one of the most memorable gifts I received - still remember it and who gave it to me.

I have, usually candles. I have gotten so many Yankee Candles over the years, and dare not light them, so I pass them along to those who love them. I do the same with colognes and candy, tho usually hubby takes care of the candy! And.....wine. I am given at least a dozen bottles of wine every year, we don't drink very often and if we do I usually reach for Silver Oak so we pass it along to those who will enjoy it.

Many of us when aged don't need or want more stuff - often we aren't too far from the need to downsize (or, after that, are living in a small apartment, filled to overflowing with more stuff than we actually need, but couldn't bear to part from, carried from our former home).

As I said elsewhere just now - not much room in our coffins to take them with us.

One of the nicest gifts that one can give an older person, especially a shut-in, is a promise on one's card to drop in for a visit at least once a month during the coming year.

Or an offer to wash windows, floor, etc., say, three times during the coming year. Or do grocery shopping, take the friend to a doctor's appointment, etc.

A gift of time, being helpful, of frienship directly expressed, etc.

Such gifts would be much more appreciated by many of one's friends.

ole joyful

I think regifting is great! I don't usually do it as a holiday gift, etc...but just as a "whenever" gift. I don't like having too much stuff, and there is already too much crap going into landfills, so if I have something someone else might like, I give it to them!

My friends/family and I also don't do the "obligatory gift" thing. I can't even remember the last time my sisters and I exchanged gifts. My best friend and I will sometimes, but only something we really want to give the other (usually something crafty). I am making her a really cool lamp (shade made of personal pictures turned into slides and hung together), and I really want to make some ceramic coasters so I will give those to my sisters and a few close friends. Not because I have to or am expecting gifts from them, I just thought it would be a fun project and I like to give stuff that I make away.

Yes, I have done so, but it has to be something nice, and appropriate for the recipent. If it is something I believe they would use and enjoy. To me this is better than hanging on to something I can't or won't use if someone else can..
Years ago when my grandmother was with us, it was kind of a family joke..make sure you give her something nice.. cause the following Christmas one of was sure to recieve that gift again! It might even be the gift giver..