Do You Regift?
Regift: (verb) To give an unwanted gift to someone else; to give as a gift something one previously received as a gift. - Webster's New Millennium™ Dictionary of English, Preview Edition (v 0.9.6).
Regifting has been around as long as Hawaiian print ties and snow globes, but really took off as a cultural phenomenon about a decade ago when comedian Jerry Seinfeld used the term in an episode of his eponymous television show.
The Macmillan English Dictionary cites the increasing popularity of the word and its recent link to online auctions as proof the phenomenon of regifting is becoming more acceptable.
In fact, more than half of adults surveyed in 2007 by Money Management International (MMI) find regifting acceptable. Even the etiquette experts at the Emily Post Institute approve of the practice in some circumstances.
Do you regift or have you received a gift you suspect was regifted? Tell us about your experiences and thoughts on this holiday trend.
Jamie Cox
9:40 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
I sure do, especially the general gifts that are given to big groups because they are impersonal. I've regifted electronic items and clothing items, which I know other people would love or use.