8 simple rules for regifting

How to master the etiquette of regifting -- without getting caught or looking bad.
By Natalie Bahadur

When is regifting OK?

How do you avoid unintentionally hurting a friend or family member with thoughtlessness? Fox says there are guidelines to follow and that regifting should only be done on rare occasions when certain criteria are met. Here, the etiquette expert dishes tips for doing it right:

1. The item must be brand-new. Not last year's brand-new, this year's brand-new. It should be unopened, never played with, never worn, washed or tried out. It should be in its original undamaged packaging. All the bits and pieces must be intact, including the guarantee, if there is one. If the recipient or the regiftee returns it to the store, he should not be told, "We haven't carried that model in years."

2. Be sure the person who gave you the gift doesn't know (or know of ) the person receiving the gift. If it is an unusual item that could easily be identified, you shouldn't regift it unless the receiver is on another planet. The more unusual the item, the greater distance there should be between the giver and the regiftee.

3. Never regift something you've had in your closet for a few years or lying in the basement unused. If you've had an item for some time and you know it happens to be something your friend really wants or needs, give it to them. But don't wrap it up and pass it off as a gift you just purchased for them.

4. The regift should not be something horrible you're regifting just to get rid of it, or to avoid spending money on the receiver. Unless the item is something you would actually buy the recipient, you shouldn't give it to them. Remember, what you give is a reflection of you and your taste. Keep in mind that homely gifts you received for wedding presents can come into style years later or be future candidates for Antiques Roadshow.

5. Never regift items someone has hand-made for you. (Well duh, that's a no-brainer. lol) Those items are heartfelt and should be always be kept. In such instances the hurt feelings of the maker far surpass the value of the gift if you were to regift the item and it was discovered.

6. Take the time to rewrap the gift and attach new bows or ribbons. Always be sure you have removed any original gift tags or cards.

7. Can you regift, and announce it as a regift? Yes, when regifting adds value. For example, regifting a family quilt to your daughter-in-law, a family heirloom to another family member, your wedding dress to your granddaughter, your mother's engagement ring to your fiancée, and similar situations.

8. Only you can decide whether to regift something you have received. The basis of good manners is respect, care and consideration for others. Think through the circumstances and if in doubt, don't do it.