The Do's and Don'ts of Regifting: A Foolproof Guide • Everyday Cheapskate

The holidays are approaching, and with them comes the challenge of finding thoughtful, affordable gifts for everyone on your list. Enter the age-old (and often misunderstood) practice of regifting. While it gets a bad rap, regifting can be both practical and thoughtful—if done right. Follow these simple rules to regift like a pro without offending or embarrassing anyone.

Let me set the scene: there are thirty-eight days until Christmas. That number can send a chill down the spine of even the most seasoned holiday shopper. But instead of panicking, let me whisper a word of hope into your ear: regifting. Yes, I said it. Regifting. It’s controversial, sure, but only because some people manage to mess it up so spectacularly. If every regifting attempt were executed flawlessly, no one would even blink. The secret is all in the details.

For example, take EC Reader Lin’s cautionary tale:

“Last Christmas, we were re-gifted (unbeknownst to us at the time) a lovely-looking tower of oddly colored dried fruit and assorted nuts. Sadly, the nuts were rancid, and the fruit was downright gross. We ended up throwing it all away. I suspect it had been passed around since the previous Christmas. Moral of the story: do not regift food!” – Lin

Or, how about my own personal experience? Picture this: it’s my bridal shower, and I’m the next bride-to-be in our circle. Among the pile of gifts, I unwrap a beautiful set of Pyrex mixing bowls. I’m admiring the cool colors when—surprise—a gift card tumbles out, lovingly addressed to someone else. The original giftee, mind you, was sitting not five feet away. I did my best attempt at sleight-of-hand to hide the evidence, but let’s be honest, the damage was done.

Years later, I still use and adore those bowls, but that cringe-worthy moment replays in my mind every time I see her.

The Official Rules of Regifting

Think of regifting as the ultimate form of recycling. By passing on an unused item to someone who will truly appreciate it, you’re saving money and giving a second life to something that might otherwise collect dust. The key is doing it in a way that feels intentional and thoughtful, which is where my Official Rules of Re-gifting come in handy. Follow these guidelines to regift like a pro:

1. Never admit to regifting.

Keep it your little secret—no one needs to know. If your friends know you’re a re-gifter, you’ll find yourself in the unpleasant situation of explaining why re-gifting is different from not caring. Worse, they will be suspicious of the gifts you give them.

2. Designate a gift stash.

Keep re-gifts in a convenient, albeit secret, place in a special box or cupboard with extra wrapping paper and ribbon. Never underestimate the utility of a gift stash that allows you to shop at home.

3. Have a heart.

Any gift made especially for you or given to you by a parent, child, or close relative cannot be re-gifted. Even if it’s not ideal, consider its sentimental value. Do not even think of re-gifting. It just wouldn’t be right.

4. Label meticulously.

Avoid the embarrassment of giving a gift back to its original giver by keeping detailed notes. Do this as soon as you determine you’ve received a re-gift to avoid the heartbreak of back-gifting—giving someone a gift they gave you.

5. Check for telltale signs.

You cannot be too careful. Let’s say the gift is a book. Take a peek to make sure it has not been inscribed to you. If it’s a boxed gift make sure the gift tag has not dropped inside the box. These are the careless acts that give re-gifting a bad name.

6. Ensure it’s pristine.

A regift must look brand-new. If the box is damaged or shows any signs that it has been opened, it does not qualify as a regift. Reapplying your own tape, attempting to obscure that the item or box has been opened once already—anything like that sadly disqualifies this as a re-gift.

7. Mind your circles.

Never regift within the same social or family circle as the original giver. Refer to Rules 3 and 4 above.

8. Use all-new wrapping.

This is not the time to recycle gift wrap—make your regift look as fresh as possible.

MORE: Gift-Giving: What’s the Point?

Common Regifting Mistakes to Avoid

Regifting can feel like the ultimate shortcut, but it’s not without its traps. Steer clear of these common mistakes to ensure your regifting efforts are well-received (and drama-free).

Skipping the Quality Check: It’s easy to assume the gift you’re passing along is in perfect shape—but take a closer look. Is the packaging pristine? Has it expired? As EC Reader Lin discovered, even a gorgeous fruit-and-nut tower can turn into a holiday horror if the contents are past their prime. Giving someone a gift that’s damaged or, worse, unusable, is a guaranteed way to sour the moment.
Forgetting the Recipient’s Tastes: Just because the item is “nice” doesn’t mean it’s right. Your co-worker might not share your love for quirky coffee table books, and Aunt Karen probably won’t appreciate that ultra-modern vase that didn’t suit your style. When regifting, always consider whether the recipient would truly enjoy the gift—or if it’ll just collect dust in their closet too.
Missing the Personal Touch: A regift can easily come across as impersonal if you’re not careful. Want to make it feel more intentional? Pair it with a thoughtful card, a handwritten note, or a small addition that shows you had them in mind. A little effort can transform even a simple regift into something meaningful.

Thoughtful Alternatives to Regifting

Regifting isn’t for everyone—and that’s okay! If you’d rather sidestep the potential pitfalls altogether, here are some creative and thoughtful alternatives to consider:

Host a Gift Swap: Why keep the regifting secret when you can make it a party? Organize a fun gift exchange with friends, family, or colleagues. Everyone brings something they don’t need, and you trade for treasures you’ll actually use. It’s a win-win and a great way to add a little holiday cheer.
Donate to a Good Cause: Not sure what to do with that brand-new waffle maker or extra scarf set? Many charities and shelters welcome unused gifts to share with those in need. Donating not only clears your space but also spreads kindness to someone who will truly appreciate it.
Get Crafty with Repurposing: Why not give that unwanted item a fresh start? A decorative bowl could become a chic planter, or a plain picture frame might get a second life with a touch of paint. With a little creativity, you can turn “meh” into “wow” and enjoy a personalized item in the process.

Whether you swap, donate, or repurpose, these alternatives offer thoughtful ways to give without the worry of regifting faux pas.

Wrapping It Up: Regifting Done Right

Regifting doesn’t have to be a holiday horror story—it can be a savvy way to share what you have, save money, and reduce waste when done with care. The secret to successful regifting? Thoughtfulness and attention to detail.

If you’re stepping into the regifting world, aim to do it impeccably. Choose items that feel intentional, follow the golden rules, and avoid the common mistakes that can turn a thoughtful gesture into an awkward moment.

And for those worried about their gifts being regifted, here’s the trick: put a little extra effort into picking something your recipient will truly love and find useful. A well-chosen, heartfelt gift is far less likely to make its way into someone else’s hands.

In the end, whether you’re regifting or gifting fresh, it’s the thoughtfulness behind the act that truly makes an impression.

Question: Got a regifting horror story or triumph? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear your experiences.

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Jo says:

November 18, 2024 at 3:20 pm

When I place an item in my ‘stash’ for re-gifting I place a sticky on it saying, ‘not for so and so’. Eliminates gifting back which I don’t think I’ve done and don’t want to chance.

Elizabeth Harris says:

November 18, 2024 at 5:15 am

I have learned to thoroughly check inside boxes of items I have bought from Amazon to give as gifts (that aren’t being re-gifted.) More than once, opening the original box, I’ve found a notice inside from someone who gave that as a gift and then returned the item, unused, but forgot to take the card out of the box which would cause my recipient to think I am re-gifting!

Joanne says:

November 20, 2023 at 10:19 am

Several additional notes, learned from experience: 1) Don’t regift an item that is more expensive than you would usually spend on that person. For example, giving a gold bracelet valued at $150 to someone you would only spend $25-$50 is a sure sign that something is amiss! Believe me! 2) If you choose a food or other item with a limited shelf-life, CHECK FOR AN EXPIRATION DATE! It’s the first/easiest way to determine if an item is worthy of regifting.

Cathy down on the farm... says:

November 18, 2023 at 10:20 am

45 years ago at our wedding, we received a regifted can opener. It had been used and had food on it, to boot!!!

Cheryl Schultz says:

November 17, 2023 at 3:56 pm

Mary, your bridal shower re-gift experience happened to me, too, 53 years ago! It was a gift from a very close relative, but fortunately, the gift card did not fall out at the shower. I found it later at home.

Naomi Wheeler says:

November 17, 2023 at 12:06 pm

Well – those Pyrex bowls are worth a lot today – they are vintage now! Make sure you keep them.

I got a regifted Baby Fryer as a wedding gift many years ago. – with original gift card enclosed!! It made me very careful when I do regift!

Susie says:

November 17, 2023 at 10:54 am

Those Pyrex bowls are probably worth some big money now – ha ha!

The Do’s and Don’ts of Regifting: A Foolproof Guide