We Like: Regifting with Purpose

With Christmas quickly approaching and a long list of people to buy for, your budget could use some help. Enter regifting. It can be reprehensible (partially used gift cards) or truly useful recycling (perfumed lotion + your eczema = gift to roommate). Let’s celebrate the season of regifting with some reuseable tips.

What Not to Regift

Framed pictures of yourself, printed T-shirts, cheap jewelry, monogrammed items, drugstore body splash (essentially, anything that smells like a teen clearance bin). Also verboten: anything you’ve used (opened box of candy, clothing, cookery) or that’s outdated (CDs, DVDs, first-generation Apple products). If you have any of the above, get rid of it on eBay. And if you don’t remember who gave you the gift, again seek eBay. There’s no need to discover the donor by returning the item to him or her.

The Benefits of Regifting

It’s simple. You’re not clogging up landfills with trinkets. You’re saving much-needed cash. Bliss ensues.

Modes of Regifting

• The Unspoken Regift. Your favorite campus minister or Bible study leader would love the university scarf your aunt gave you. Give and don’t mention its origin.
• The Spoken Regift. Pay forward that perfumed body lotion to your roommate who doesn’t share your before-mentioned rashy epidermis.
• The Blatant Regift. Any present, be it useful or an abysmal white elephant, can be used for a “purge party.” This party allows you and all interested associates to unload the ill-considered, ill-fitting, illegitimate gifts you’ve received throughout the year. You mock, you swap, you get rid of your glop. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

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