Re-gifting

[timepiececlock]

Sometimes, you get a present that you don't really want. Maybe it's not your tastes. Maybe you would never use it. Maybe it just doesn't fit your size.

Maybe you think "I bet Mary Sue would love this a lot more than I ever did." And voila! Christmas present solved.

Or is it...?

[Poll #607334]

If you have strong feelings on the subject, feel free to fight it out debate below.

Comments

[thisficklemob.livejournal.com]

I marked "don't care" but it's really more like I have mixed feelings about it. I wouldn't re-gift a book, for example, because someone probably picked it with some thought as to what I'd like, and I'd like to be able to tell them how I liked it. And some things if I don't like them it's because I really don't like them, and wouldn't want to inflict them on someone else. I don't think I've ever re-gifted, but it's more because of those factors than because of some moral opposition. I'd probably be most likely to regift something small and impersonal, like, I dunno, candles, and probably more likely because I'd run out of time or forgotten someone than because I decided ahead of time it'd be a good idea.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine re-gifting a book.

I think if I liked it I'd keep it, and if I didn't I'd give it to a library or trade it a used book store, and if I thought it was the worst book I ever read I'd just throw it away (only did this once so far), no matter who gave it to me. It's like once a book is in my posession it doesn't matter how I got it, it's automatically judged by the rules of my reading universe. Like, how to say it... like I separate gratefulness at the attention that went into picking it from the actual book itself. I'll appreciate the thoughtfulness of a book (assuming I think they really did think about it), but that won't make me want to keep it necessarily. Likewise, if I hated it I would never regift it to someone else. My snobbyness as a reader forbids me from reccing to people anything less than what I consider great. I'd rather buy someone a great book than give away a bad book to save money and time.

Candles have to be one of the ultimate re-giftable things. Candles and bubblebath.

[gweniveeve.livejournal.com]

I didn't take the poll, because the choices don't really reflect how I feel about it.

It depends on a few factors: one, how much effort the person who gave you the gift put into it. A lot of times, you can just tell they didn't care much either, since you don't like it. Then there's less guilt involved in giving it away.

You have to make sure you give it to someone who doesn't run in the same circle, at all.

And of course, it should be something that is a GOOD gift to give to the new person. If it's not, then the best thing to do, in my opinion, is just give the item away to Goodwill or someplace. That's what I do.

I should also note that the best gift (most guilt-free) to re-gift is when you already own that item, or when you really CAN'T use it (like if it doesn't fit, like you mentioned).

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I agree, and nicely put.

[brigidforest.livejournal.com]

it totally depends on the person. big no-no if it's someone close, but a polite, meh gift, totally fine in my opinion.

really, i have regifted before, but none of them were cheap. i had this one gold necklace, real gold, given to me by someone religious, it had a small pendant with the virgin and jesus, and it just didn't fit me, but it was so well intended that i felt bad about not using. so i gave it to this old lady with enphecema, because she was very religious and she moved me so much. so you know, it's better than it going to waste. it could make someone else smile.

dude, that was soo cheesy of me.

[deaver.livejournal.com]

I think it entirely depends on what kind of gift it was, and who gave it to you. I know that I have re-gifted pretty candles/candle stick holders, because 1) they really didn't suit me, and 2) they were part of a "secret santa effort, and by secret santa didn't know my tastes AT ALL. So the gift got re-gifted at a similar type event (different people involved). However, I probably would never think to re-gift if it were a less generic gift from a close family member/friend. At the very least I would hope that they made more effort than a secret santa type person, and I'd like to respect their attempt (even if I hate the gift.)

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I think it entirely depends on what kind of gift it was, and who gave it to you.

I agree, and it seems to be the common assessment in the comments here. I don't mind giving away impersonal gifts, but even so I also try to make sure it's suited to the person I'm giving it too. The exception to that is that I've been looking at a thoughtful gift from a relative that, while thoughtful, doesn't reflect my tastes at all. So, I'm thinking about giving it to a friend, who I think would really like it, and it means more I think to give it to someone who I care about since it came from someone I care about.

[buttercup0222.livejournal.com]

I picked the first option, provided that it's something you really think the person would like.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Yeah. If it suits them, then it's good, but if it doesn't, and you just want to get rid of it, it's tacky.