The youngsters in my house are itching to hit the sales and start spending their Christmas money.
But apparently that's not the only popular sport at this time of year – it seems everyone else is busily 're-gifting' their Christmas pressies.
The Mirror reports:
The Department Of Unwanted Gifts (DOUG) - the body set up to combat Britain's rubbish Christmas present crisis - has surveyed Mirror readers up and down the land to reveal their festive secrets.
Some 36% of people regift unwanted Christmas presents, with women (41%) much more likely to do so than men (30%) – and yet 93% of present buyers say it's important to them that people like the gifts they buy.
I might be alone in this, but re-gifting is a big no-no for me. I once was the recipient of a gorgeous, glossy coffee-table book – a gift that still had the original recipient's name tag tucked inside the front cover. It was an awkward moment to say the least, and while I understand the thought behind passing a present on to someone else who might appreciate it more, I think it's a practice best avoided.
That said, one side of my family do Secret Santa gifts and the other side's fairly small, so unwanted gifts aren't something I'm burdened with. I must be lucking out but, in general, I am lucky enough to be given lovely gifts.
If things were different, though, and I found myself the recipient of unwanted gifts at Christmas, I still don't think I'd have the nerve to regift them to someone else. I'd be more likely to donate them to a charity shop or, if I thought they might appeal to another friend or family, ask if they'd like the item in question. I'd be upfront about its origins – it's the idea of giving a gift to someone whilst letting them think it's something you chose for them that bothers me.
A gift that's simply being passed on to save you buying something new isn't really a gift, in my book. If you give a gift for reasons other than because you think the recipient would appreciate it, I think you're better off not bothering.
The most meaningful gifts are always the ones that show that someone has thought of your tastes and chosen someone they think you'll love. Without that part, re-gifting is just a fancy word for recycling. Give me a thoughtful gift, no matter how small, over a re-gifted, wanted Christmas present any day.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this story. Do you re-gift unwanted presents? Or do you think re-gifting is best avoided? Leave us comment here or come and join the conversation over on our Facebook page.
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