Imagine opening your presents this holiday season and finding a sweatshirt from your grandmother that you wouldn’t ever dream of wearing. Is it appropriate to rewrap it and give it to a friend who you think would actually like it?
Opponents of regifting say that would be tacky and inconsiderate. They argue that the presents we give should be thoughtful—and that unloading rejected items on friends or family members is wrong. Regifting can also hurt the original gift giver’s feelings. How would you feel if you knew your best friend had regifted a present you’d taken the time to choose just for him or her?
But other people say regifting is perfectly acceptable. They point out that it’s a great way to give new life to presents you don’t want. (Just because you have no use for a picture frame doesn’t mean someone else in your life wouldn’t value it.) A 2018 survey found that Americans spent a whopping $13 billion on unwanted holiday gifts, some of which ended up in the trash. Instead of stuffing unwanted items in a closet or tossing them out, it makes more sense to recycle them. That would be better for the environment—and for your wallet.
Is regifting rude? Two