Tis the season ... the season of going through all those holiday gifts to decide which to keep, which to return, which to recycle, which to regift or which to resell (yes, I said resell, and no, it's not tacky in certain situations).
Before I get people up in arms and inspire them to write a comment about how I am selfish or materialistic, let me explain. In my lifetime, I have received several gifts from people that have been, um, well, interesting. There was the pink fuzzy sweater from a relative who thought I just loved that style because I wore a friend's similar sweater (truth was I was cold and didn't bring my own and that ugly pink fuzzy sweater kept me warm) -- I ended up returning it. Then there was a friend who bought me a little figurine -- I don't collect things and I don't like cleaning so suffice to say figurines are not welcome in my house -- that I ended up regifting to another friend (not a mutual friend of course, I'm not that scatter-brained) who loved this certain type of figurine.
My philosophy on regifting, recycling, returning and reselling are below.
Regift --
Definition: to give a gift received from someone else that you either don't want or need to someone else.
Pros: Hopefully the item gets a good home with someone who will appreciate/use it more.
Cons: You have to be really careful who you regift to or else you might end up giving the gift back to the original gift giver (yes, I have done this with my sister and a purse).
When to do it: As long as you regift things that won't be missed or that you can make up a really good excuse as to why the item isn't in your possession, you can regift til your hearts content. However, a personalized sweater with the name "Lucy" embroidered on it might be a bit difficult to regift. Also, anything you know the gift giver will notice is missing from your home (say grandma always wants to see that crystal candy dish she gave you five years ago sitting on your coffee table) is a no-no for regifting. Perfect regifting often involves office party secret santa gifts.
Recycle --
Definition: to use a gift over and over (or for other than its intended purpose): not throwing it away, regifting, returning or reselling the item.
Pros: This gets the brain juices flowing in the creativity department because, for example, if you are not a coffee drinker but get a really cute tin with a sealed bag of specialty/flavored coffee in it, you can give the coffee away and use the tin for collecting little things (paper clips, bobby pins, knick knacks, etc.).
Cons: Trying to recycle and keep every unwanted gift might be considered hoarding by some and perhaps lead to a cluttered home.
When to do it: When you don't want to hurt the gift giver's feelings or you can think of other uses for an item. For example, if that purple paisley scarf your aunt Millie gave you is just not your color but coordinates well with your dining room curtains, use it as a table runner instead.
Return --
Definition: taking the gift back to the store from wince it came and exchanging it for another item or getting a store credit in return.
Pros: You either get the gift you want or the right size/color. I know many people who take gifts back after the holidays because it ensures they get what they want in exchange.
Cons: Do you really want to learn that your best friend bought you that bracelet at 75 percent off or that your boyfriend got your gift as a "gift with purchase" when he was out shopping for himself? I wouldn't mention these unless they have happened to me ... and they have.
When to do it: If an item does not fit, by all means return it. But please don't be that person who returns gifts for the money, that is so insulting to the gift giver. However, there are very specific few times this is acceptable (e.g. an ex boyfriend's ugly bracelet or a fake friend's cheesy sweater).
Resell --
Definition: to sell/consign an unwanted gift.
Pros: You make money on an unwanted item because one man's trash is another man's treasure.
Cons: Similar to returning for money or store credit in that it is insulting to the gift giver.
When to do it: When you cannot regift the item or recycle or return it, you might need to resell it. For example, an expensive shirt bought in the wrong size from a store that will not accept exchanges or returns and can't be regifted or recycled should be resold (small suggestion: if this happens, let the gift giver know before you sell it). Also, anytime you have an unwanted item from an ex-anything (boyfriend, spouse, friend, etc.) it is perfectly acceptable to sell that item.
Of course, the "Re's" of Christmas should only be considered if you don't want or need the gift and if you know that by "re" gifting/cycling/turning/selling it won't hurt the gift giver's feelings. I have many things in my closet and home that came from well intentioned friends and family members that I really don't like but keep anyway because it meant a lot to them to give it to me so therefore it means a lot to me to keep it (even if I only wear/use it when they are around).
If none of the "re's" suit you and you still don't want the gift there is always giving it away. The Hopkins Goodwill and other charity shops would be happy to have your unwanted gifts.
