To gift or re-gift, that is the question
To gift or re-gift, that is the question.
Well, I found the answer in Money magazine. Here's their take on the re-gifting trend. Jeanne Fleming is a trial consultant who deals with issues of ethics and she says, when you want to pass on a gift, the real question isn't 'is it proper' here's what you really need to ask yourself.
Let's say it's a decorative bowl your in-laws gave you that's not really your taste and you want to pass it on to a friend. Ask yourself is this bowl my friend's taste? And would it bother her if she knew it wasn't bought specifically for her, that it was a re-gifted item. Unless you can honestly answer 'yes' to both questions, don't do it.
Here's why. Gift giving between friends is, at its core, an expression of respect and affection. But re-gifting, at its core, is about saving time and money. Santa Claus doesn't operate this way and neither should you. If you give something to your friend just because you were too cheap or lazy to get them something while pretending you bought it just for them that dishonors the friendship. That's the opposite of what gifts should do. If you're still tempted, know this. Re-gifting rarely goes undetected. When they open their gift and see that ugly bowl that you would have never picked out for yourself, or them, in a million years, they'll know that you put convenience ahead of friendship. But if you really don't have the time or money, do this: Give the gift of yourself. Tell your friend, 'What I'd really like for the holidays is some one on one time with you.' I'm sure your friend would rather have that than some re-gifted ugly bowl any old day.
Well, I found the answer in Money magazine. Here's their take on the re-gifting trend. Jeanne Fleming is a trial consultant who deals with issues of ethics and she says, when you want to pass on a gift, the real question isn't 'is it proper' here's what you really need to ask yourself.
Let's say it's a decorative bowl your in-laws gave you that's not really your taste and you want to pass it on to a friend. Ask yourself is this bowl my friend's taste? And would it bother her if she knew it wasn't bought specifically for her, that it was a re-gifted item. Unless you can honestly answer 'yes' to both questions, don't do it.
Here's why. Gift giving between friends is, at its core, an expression of respect and affection. But re-gifting, at its core, is about saving time and money. Santa Claus doesn't operate this way and neither should you. If you give something to your friend just because you were too cheap or lazy to get them something while pretending you bought it just for them that dishonors the friendship. That's the opposite of what gifts should do. If you're still tempted, know this. Re-gifting rarely goes undetected. When they open their gift and see that ugly bowl that you would have never picked out for yourself, or them, in a million years, they'll know that you put convenience ahead of friendship. But if you really don't have the time or money, do this: Give the gift of yourself. Tell your friend, 'What I'd really like for the holidays is some one on one time with you.' I'm sure your friend would rather have that than some re-gifted ugly bowl any old day.
