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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to re-gift unwanted presents?

64 replies

vincettenoir · 23/07/2018 08:30

I had never re-gifted anything until about a year ago and now I have started, I cant believe I didn’t get on board with it sooner.

As far as I’m concerned you can re-gift something specific, that you think a particular individual would really like; or you can re-gift something generic (champagne, chocolates that almost anyone would like). As long as you don’t give someone some old rubbish that was obviously an unwanted gift, then it is fine.

But when I have shared my views with people on this they think that re-gifting is just wrong, in principle.

Do you re-gift? What are the pitfalls of re-gifting. To me it is a pragmatic way to save time, money and space in my home.

OP posts:

InfiniteVariety · 23/07/2018 11:10

Becca19962014 That sounds incredibly hurtful and quite bewildering, as she virtually asked you to make it for her when she saw the first one you did!

PinstripeElephant · 23/07/2018 11:19

Becca I'm genuinely shocked at how rude she was! I'd be delighted to receive something like that. I bet it was beautiful.

Becca19962014 · 23/07/2018 14:43

No, infinite she literally asked me to make one for her, badgered me about it until I agreed.

It was a3 size by the time I was done, it was a different county (albeit bigger) but the colours used for the rivers/buildings etc were exactly the same - so she knew exactly what she was getting. It is lovely and the person who has is does keep it up on her wall (now I know!), but it's meaningless for anyone but the person I did it for as aside from the main city the other places were personal to her.

It was very hurtful.

RideSallyRide76 · 23/07/2018 17:26

I regift chocolate and wine all the time. I don't drink yet still get regular gifts of bottles of wine. Re gifting means somebody gets to enjoy it. I'd never regift anything that looks like thought has gone into it though, I'd feel. mean!

Rebecca36 · 23/07/2018 18:55

Absolutely fine, most people do it - just make sure you don't re-gift within the same circle of friends.

Sillybilly1234 · 23/07/2018 19:06

We have a whole present cupboard ready for re-gifting.

ThinkingCat · 23/07/2018 20:28

So really we are all wasting money and time, buying and re-gifting things nobody wants.

Watchingtheworldgoby · 23/07/2018 20:42

Mostly yes.

If you know somebody needs something or wants something in particular, then to gift that thing is a very nice gesture or if visiting someone and bringing them a gift of alcohol or chocolate is politer than arriving empty handed. But browsing three for two in Boots, buying for the sake of it is indeed a waste of time and money in my eyes.

mollysmammy · 24/07/2018 07:14

I do it all the time.

I don't eat chocolate, or really drink plus am quite picky about what bath products and hand creams etc. I use. I tend to either regift them, or just give them to my Mum to thank her for looking after DD or something.

My family tend to give me money or vouchers (think they've learnt!)

It's not as rude as telling the person you didn't like their gift after all, just make sure you gift it to someone who doesn't know the original giver!

On the other hand, I told my Father I liked those little hanging heart things once. He buys every one he sees. He comes round often so I have them out. Honestly, my house looks like Cupid threw up on it...

cholka · 24/07/2018 12:09

@kernowsailor I'm not sure really, I think keeping it for a certain time shows you value it, there's just a social rule

Deadringer · 24/07/2018 12:12

Reduce, reuse, recycle for a better world. Yanbu

redcarbluecar · 24/07/2018 12:18

When you give a gift, you’re implying that you’ve specially chosen and bought something for that person rather than found something in a drawer and thought ‘that’ll do’. On that fairly minor basis I find the concept of regifting a bit uncomfortable. (I wouldn’t see anything wrong with giving something saying ‘I got this for a gift but won’t use it; would you like it?’- although obvs you wouldn’t do that for birthdays etc)

Generally though I think it’s an ok concept, but as PP have said, you have to be careful. Don’t regift to anyone who knows the person who gave you the gift. I’ve opened a pres from a mate in front of the person who originally gave it to the mate. It was a bit of an embarrassing scenario!

MaryShelley1818 · 24/07/2018 12:21

Yes, I always regift...mostly generic gifts such as toiletries/candles/wine etc Usually because I’ve got too many to use and if I know of someone who would genuinely appreciate it.

Spam88 · 24/07/2018 12:33

I think it's so rude. I don't have a problem with passing an item on to someone if you won't use it, but trying to pass it off as something that you've spent money on or time and effort choosing for them is really poor.

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