It's less than six weeks ‘til Christmas so it's an apt time to discuss the taboo subject of re-gifting.
I’ve learnt from the very best. My Nan and my Mum. I re-gift everyting I'm given.
There’s definitely an art to it.
My gorgeous Nanna had a habit of frantically collecting everyone's wrapping paper on Christmas Day, family members barely having a chance to see the gift inside before she would swoop, remove sticky tape, fold neatly and have in her bag ready for the following year's celebrations.
I remember opening birthday presents from Nanna and she would be telling me to 'save the paper', completing ruining that golden, child-like moment, before seeing what gift was inside.
Let's not reminisce about the gifts that we got from Nan. You were extremely lucky if it was brand new. I grew up being given op-shop toys, puzzles with missing pieces and clothes with someone else’s name scrawled on the label.
One year she gave me back a t-shirt I had given her. Bless.
That was one generation.
My thrifty mum took it up a notch. She's had a present drawer for as long as I can remember. This is a collection of gifts that she has been given, that she doesn’t like or need. Soaps, scarves, candles and jewellery are the most popular re-gifts in our family present drawer. Mum was never caught out without a gift because so many presents lived within our house.