Today is Black
Friday—the day after Thanksgiving when shopping venues across the United
States (and now online too) turn on a shopping frenzy with heavily discounted
goods. The idea has now spread to other countries who don’t even celebrate
Thanksgiving. Like the UK. And now Australia. (Where our traditional shopping frenzy
day is Boxing Day, the day after Christmas Day.)
Being
somewhat of a shopaholic I rather welcome another bargain shopping opportunity.
Working at home on writing a book that doesn’t seem to want to end in spite of
a looming deadline, I’m easily distracted by the cyber shopping mall that
surrounds me. I have now done all my Christmas shopping—ninety-nine percent
done online.
Which
brings me to the vexatious question of re-gifting/recycling to someone else the
unsuitable/unwanted presents you might receive. The body lotion in a scent you
know will make you sneeze. The wrong size T-shirt. The book you’ve already
read. I’m sure you can think of lots of examples. There’s the second-hand gift
dilemma too. Does a present have to be brand new to be worthy of being a
present? Would a pre-loved item do as well?
 |
| Does it matter if they’re recycled? |
In an era
of “too much stuff” I think recycled gifts are a great idea both for the planet
and for over-stretched budgets. One of my most cherished presents is a small
blue vase I admired in a relative’s house. I was thrilled when she gave it to
me as a gift. She’s long gone now and I always think of her when I use it and how lovely
it looked in her house.
What are
your thoughts? Do you have any funny stories of when re-gifting went wrong? I’d
love to read your comment!
I have no problems with re-gifting as I would rather that a person who will use the item receives it.
ReplyDeleteThings like body lotions and similar body or beauty products I will only give as wrapped gift if they are unused and product dependent unopened. If I have used the item and found it not suitable to my skin or a scent I can stand, I have a group of friends who share my enjoyment of nice smelling bath body and beauty products who I offer the items too. IF it's a product that comes direct in contact with the skin (eg bar soap or roll on perfumes) then I'm inclined to bin them.
Hi Lyn, I totally agree that as a re-gift the product needs to be unopened and unused. Handing on other stuff that's been opened to friends is another category really isn't it. But whatever, hygiene is important!
DeleteForgot to include in my previous comment - the last 2-3 years, I've managed to significantly cut down on my need to regift by being very clear to my family members about what I want. It helps them eliminate the 'I don't know what to buy' that tends to lead to "clutter" type gifts.
ReplyDeleteKandy, it's a problem, isn't it? Fortunately I don't tend to get a lot of gifts that don't suit. My friends and family obviously know me well. The few occasions when I've been in that situation I've just passed the item on to someone I know might like it, explaining that it wasn't for me.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, how nice to see that you have such thoughtful friends and few gifts get passed on. I am sometimes amazed when people I know quite well give me gifts of alcohol when I don't drink it at all and never have! Family members are always grateful for bottles to be handed on!
DeleteI have quite a number of items that fall into the "unsuitable, never used" basket which I had thought I would regift but, to be honest, I love the shopping/selecting part of gift-giving. So I always end up choosing something I see in a shop. I really should clean out my "gift" cupboard and donate the items to a charity or op-shop. I'm sure there are treasures there for others. I will put that on the To-Do list for this weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to get stuff to the op-shop before Christmas. That's a nice way to recycle!
DeleteHi Kandy
ReplyDeleteFirstly oh I wished I had my shopping done LOL I am so far behind this year I still have lots to do. I think re-gifting is a fabulous idea if you have a good memory and as for pre-loved that is also good if you see something that you know that person would love it is good. I often give little things to my grandkids and I do have a few things still that I got from my grandmother.
Sadly I am not a shopper but I really need to get out there or online :)
Have Fun
Helen
Helen, I love your comment" "I think re-gifting is a fabulous idea if you have a good memory." That's so important isn't it! Good luck getting your shopping done. I'm usually rushing around on Christmas Eve. However now I'm preening for having got the shopping done, I'm plagued by thoughts I might have forgotten something and be back out there on the last day as usual!
DeleteI think re-gifting is great! If I give someone a present and they don't like it/want/need, I'd far prefer they passed it along to someone who would than keep it clogging space in their home! I'm with the general sentiment here though - the overwhelm of 'stuff' at this time of year is horrifying! We are trying to scale it back, particularly for our kids.
ReplyDeleteAgree with all you say, Clare!
ReplyDelete