“Regifting” is giving a gift that you have previously received to another person. The term is relatively new, originating on an episode of the sitcom Seinfeld. Although the term is recent, the practice of regifting is not. Different polls report different statistics, but somewhere between 60 and 80 percent of us have regifted.

Why do people regift? One reason is that the recipient didn’t like the gift and either didn’t wish to or couldn’t return the item to the store. Later on, the recipient realizes someone else might like the original gift better.

Another reason is to save money. If you already have something that you never used, why not give that as a gift instead of going shopping? And why waste resources? But regifting takes some savvy, and you need to know the rules of regifting before trying it. Otherwise, you, the recipient and/or the person who originally gave the gift to you will wind up embarrassed.

The Number-One Regifting Rule
Don’t get caught. All other regifting guidelines relate to this primary rule. Getting caught creates a triple-whammy of shame for you (the busted regifter), the recipient of your regift (who knows you didn’t buy him anything new) and the original gifter (who sees her gift given to someone else and now thinks you hated it).

Appropriate Regifting

1. New-in-the-package items without a hint of wear and tear are suitable for regifting. If a dent, tear, stain or rip appears in the cellophane wrapping, it will scream regift.
2. Be sure there are no gift tags, bits of wrapping or other telltale signs that the gift was once a gift given to you.
3. Give the gift with a good intention, as you would a new gift. Give it because you honestly feel that the recipient would enjoy it.
4. Wrap the gift in nice, new gift wrapping. It is a gift, so treat it as one. If you are regifting with the intention of living a greener, or more eco-friendly, lifestyle, you can still wrap the present in a sustainable manner.
5. If you know the gift looks like something you had but didn’t want, you can be honest. Tell the recipient, “I got this last year, but it really doesn’t match my skin tone. I kept thinking that it would be great on you. If you don’t like it, feel free to pass it on to someone you think would like it better.” Although this violates the Regifting Rule, honesty and sincerity can smooth any ruffled feathers, especially if the gift really is perfect for another recipient.
6. Keep track of who gave you what to avoid regifting to the original giver, which can be the most awkward situation of all. Also keep a list to make sure that regifts aren’t spotted and recognized by the original giver.

Regifting No-No’s

1. Any item that even whispers “gently used” is not appropriate for regifting.
2. Handmade items that were created for you were done with thought and effort. Regifting them is never appropriate. They are usually unique, and thus they put you more at risk for getting caught.
3. Items that were obviously given to you because they relate to a hobby of yours, or a unique décor in your house are also easily recognizable regifts. For instance, if you are an avid stamp collector, regifting a blank journal with a cover that features a stamps motif is sure to be noticed as a regift. Likewise the peach-colored placemats that happen to match your kitchen wallpaper shouldn’t be regifted. Items monogrammed with your initials need to stay yours as well.
4. Freebies, such as demos and samples, are not appropriate for regifting. If you got the item for free, it won’t make someone feel like you went to the effort for them. You can regift the item as a surprise, but you will need to put in more thought for a special occasion.
5. Any gift card that has been in the bottom of a drawer until close to the expiration date or with part of the balance used (even a little) is off limits. This applies even if the store sponsoring the gift card doesn’t sell anything you like.
6. Malicious regifting is out. This is deliberately giving back the gift this year that you received from the same person last year in the guise of a gift. When it’s intentional, it’s mean. When it’s unintentional, it’s embarrassing to both parties.