Modern Etiquette: The Re-Gifting Dilemma

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.

Me: Mum, does Linda* really want a no brand lip gloss, a floral apron and cake of soap for her 50th?

Mum: Well, she can give it to someone else if she doesn't like it.

And so I learnt re-gifting from the best.

Coming into the silly season my own present drawer is overflowing with things people have given me throughout the year. Body creams, cute lingerie (don’t worry I haven’t even tried it on), kids toys, blankets, photo frames, albums, books, a skipping rope, a fashionable drink bottle and a top that I wouldn’t been seen dead in.

Don’t get me wrong. I adore receiving gifts and appreciate the gesture but I feel so fulfilled that I don’t yearn for any extra ‘lovely’ things in my home or wardrobe. Instead, I actually get excited when I receive a gift, because I’m instantly brainstorming who I can re-gift it to.

And so I re-wrap, re-ribbon and pass onto a new owner. With a lot of care and a lot of attention. I over-accessorize the wrapping of the presents, to make it look a whole lot more gorgeous than it’s insides.

Then I wonder if they’ll love it. Or if it gets thrown in their present drawer?

I'm proud of the presents I give and I adore hearing people rave about how I wrapped it. But little do they know, not WHERE it came from, but from WHO!

*people's names were changed to save my mum the embarrassment

Do you re-gift? And have you ever received a re-gifted, gift?

CHELSEA'S REGIFTING TIPS

·    Start a present drawer, in your home. If you're forgetful keep a little sticker attached to the gift, of who bought it for you to save the embarrassment of giving them back the present.

·    Recycle all ribbons that you're given and even iron them if it will make the present look that much better.

·    Buy wrap from bric-a-brac / $2 shops that could be versatile for a friend/baby/male/female present. I find black and white spots are always great. Big, bold colours are super easy to work with

·    Start a card box. Keep in here the cards that you have been given that with a little cutting and pasting could be made to look new again.

·    Buy a hole punch. Great for making gift tags from cards you've been given.

Chelsea Thomas is a natural born bargain shopper and Founder of I Heart Bargains, a website that celebrates wonderfully cheap items under $100! Chelsea is a first time mum who came up with the idea of the site because staying stylish was important to her but spending big was no longer an option. She focuses on trawling for others and posting her best finds so everyone can get a delicious slice of the fashion pie! And that's amongst a real job in PR and running around (in fashionably cheap flats) after 1 year old son, Jude.