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If you receive a present you really don’t want or can’t use, is it ever okay to give it to someone else? We’re talking about regifting, something many of us have done, but is it considered rude? According to one etiquette expert, it all comes down to the details.
“Like so many things in etiquette, it really matters how you do it,” explains Lizzie Post, the great-great granddaughter of etiquette maven Emily Post and co-president of The Emily Post Institute. "We've heard some horrible regifting stories where the item comes back to the original giver with the original cards.”
- Post points out that it’s important to think carefully about how you regift, noting that “This is not about getting rid of your junk and just not feeling guilty about it.”
- So, if you do decide to regift, do you need to reveal to the recipient that their present is regifted? The etiquette pro says that’s up to you, adding that sometimes people don’t mind.
If you do decide to regift, the Emily Post Institute recommends following these guidelines:
- The present should have its original packaging and all necessary parts and manuals.
- The gift shouldn’t be something unique, handmade, or personalized, like with monograms or names or dates.
- Be 100% sure the person you're giving the gift to and the person you received it from wouldn’t be offended if they found out you regifted it.
- You have to genuinely believe the person receiving the regifted item would appreciate and enjoy it.
Source: USA Today
Photo: Getty Images