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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask if it's ok to regift something nice?

31 replies

lessonsintightropes · 18/12/2013 02:13

An old friend of mine gave us a lovely Mason and Cash casserole dish last year. Problem is, we have a full set of casserole dishes. DH's young cousin and newly engaged partner are just setting up home together, and I know they'd get loads more use out of it. It's not in it's original cardoard packaging but is obviously new... would you be terribly offended if you got one of these and needed it (they often complain about the terrible cookware in their shared house, and as PhD students, can't afford to replace it).

Nasty to regift, or sensible? Just a little bit worried that as we got married in April they might think we are regifting an unwanted wedding present (hah! to anti-list people) but we aren't, just a well meaning but unneeded Christmas gift.

OP posts:
bootsycollins · 18/12/2013 02:18

Your over thinking this. Get it wrapped up, it'll be fine.

sykadelic15 · 18/12/2013 02:22

I'd regift it personally.

ShanghaiDiva · 18/12/2013 02:37

Agree - regift away!

Original poster
lessonsintightropes · 18/12/2013 02:43

Am wrapping as we speak, thanks for the confirmation :)

OP posts:
LeafyGreen13 · 18/12/2013 03:55

Re-gift but don't tell anyone it's a re-gift.

trinity0097 · 18/12/2013 06:48

Regift! I wrapped up yesterday a posh smellies set I got given at the end of term by a pupil to give to my Mum. Still had the £12 price tag on too - which I took off!

HaPPy8 · 18/12/2013 06:55

I'd give it to them but not in place of another gift if I was giving them something for an occasion.

ZillionChocolate · 18/12/2013 06:57

Go for it.

RenterNomad · 18/12/2013 09:21

Last Christmas, I regifted some jewellery I don't wear, to a friend it really suited, and added a charitable donation in her name, so she knew I "felt" the gift.

Mim78 · 18/12/2013 09:23

If it's nice and the person won't know go for it!

CMP69 · 18/12/2013 09:32

We did with extras we got as wedding presents it's fine Grin

WaitMonkey · 18/12/2013 09:35

I re gift things I'm given that aren't really me. But only if in original packaging. But in this case it's something they really need, so they won't care even if they realize it's a re gift.

tobiasfunke · 18/12/2013 09:35

I think regifting is fine as long as the regift isn't going to anyone who knew it was a gift in the first place. Or to the person who gave it to you. (I'm looking at you MIL).

Trills · 18/12/2013 09:37

Lots of casserole dishes are sold without boxes anyway.

twofingerstoGideon · 18/12/2013 09:37

Why don't you just pass it on to them if they need it and you don't? I'd have given it to them months ago!

oldgrandmama · 18/12/2013 09:46

Definitely regift ... sounds a lovely casserole dish. Reminds me of the jar of luridly-colours bathsalts I was once given by a friend in the 1980s. It's the thought that counts, of course ... pity she forgot to peel off the tombola ticket!

quesadilla · 18/12/2013 09:50

I wouldn't, personally. I know I am in a minority but I think regifting is graceless and tacky.

Don't have a problem with others doing it though.

gleegeek · 18/12/2013 10:05

As long as it's in new condition then why on earth not? I think we get so hung up on the value of what we're giving and forget why we're giving a gift. It sounds the perfect present Xmas Smile

SirChenjin · 18/12/2013 10:10

Yes, absolutely - esp. when it's something nice (and not the ancient talc set - another poster looking at their MIL). A gift should be about the person receiving it, rather than how much the giftee spends on it imo.

whogrewoutoftheterribletwos · 18/12/2013 10:14

queseqilla why graceless and tacky? If it's never been used and op has no need for it surely it's better than it going to waste? Should she rather give it to a charity shop and spend unnecessarily? It's the thought that counts, surely, not the purchasing.

NoComet · 18/12/2013 10:20

Having spent a great many years as a broke student and getting married as one, I can assure you I wouldn't give a fuck.

All nice, unchipped, non wonky handled, decent thickness pans, baking trays and casseroles gratefully accepted.

SettingPlaster · 18/12/2013 10:25

Do it, but call it 'regifting'. Ugh.

liquidstate · 18/12/2013 11:49

I did this last year for my sisters present (John Lewis ceramic mixing bowl, previous xmas's present from SIL). I added a cake mix and spoons to jazz it up a bit.

The bowl was bright red and not to my taste, plus I already had one but my sister loved it.

quesadilla · 18/12/2013 12:54

whogrew I dunno, I'm very old fashioned about this. A gift is a gift and should be accepted with grace, however unwanted it is, in my view. I think returning gifts or giving them back (unless they are the wrong size or something like that) is really bad manners. Regifting is not as bad as that but I wouldn't do it.

If someone takes the trouble to give you something, however rubbish it is, you smile sweetly and be grateful they've gone to the trouble. Give it to a charity shop if you must, but don't pass it off as a gift you've chosen for someone else.

Like I say, I know its not a popular view.

pippop1 · 18/12/2013 13:01

You could buy a pretty gift box to make it special (and for you to feel less guilty).

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