Regifting gains popularity
HOUSTON (November, 2006)—So you think you found the perfect gift that will be treasured for years to come? Think again. There’s a 40 percent chance that the recipient of your gift is a regifter.
Regifting has gained in popularity since comedian Jerry Seinfeld first coined the term a decade ago. According to the Macmillian English Dictionary, the increasing popularity of the word and its recent link to online auctions has made the phenomenon of regifting more acceptable. In fact, more than half of adults recently surveyed by Money Management International find regifting acceptable. Even the etiquette experts at the Emily Post Institute approve of the practice in some circumstances.
If you plan to regift this holiday season, there are a few rules to follow. For example, a regifted item should be new and in it’s original packaging. You should never regift a one-of-a-kind gift, such as a handmade scarf. And the most important rule of all: Be sure you know who gave you the gift, so you don’t return something to the original giver.
Of course, most people want to give gifts that will be treasured by the recipient; however, that perfect gift can sometimes be expensive. To make the most of your holiday gift budget, the experts at Money Management International (MMI) offer the following advice:
-Shop smart. Most everyone likes to get something on sale, but you should never purchase something based on price alone. For example, even though the extra-large sweater is 50 percent off, it is not a good gift for your extra-small cousin.
-Get creative. You are not required to give store-bought gifts for the holidays. If your budget does not allow you to buy something the recipient will truly like, get creative instead. Consider giving certificates good for babysitting, back rubs, or lawn mowing. Books and photos can be inexpensive, but heartfelt gifts.
-Give cash. Money is seldom returned and is always the right size. As an alternative, consider a gift card to their favorite store. The survey by the National Retail Federation found that more than half of consumers would like to receive gift cards this holiday season.
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