REGIFTING REVIVAL! A Guide to Reusing Gifts Graciously

WELCOME to the "official" regifting blog, and

Home of the "original" REGIFT GODDESS!!

There are no bad regifts, only bad regifters! If you

A) have ever received a potentially regiftable item,

B) are about to give a gift previously given to you,

or C) don’t know what kind of gift to give at all, this is the place to ask your regifting questions, share your own regifting stories, and join me in reviving the once well-regarded way of giving gifts to anyone for any reason. "Gracious Regifting" is the best way to recycle unwanted gift waste, once and for all!

ALMOST ANY GIFT CAN BE REGIFTED...

BUT NOT EVERY GIFT CAN BE REGIFTED IN JUST ANY WAY!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

National Regifting Day(s)??

   A couple of years ago, the "other" regifting website (actually I like it!!) declared the Thursday before Christmas as "National Regifting Day".  This year, that would make it December 17, and it's posted on their website.  In fact, I think there is a separate website just for that.  I'm not quite sure of the reason behind that particular day, however overall I think it's a great idea.  I'm suprised Hallmark hasn't designed a line of greeting cards to celebrate the occasion...(HEY! Maybe I should design some regiftable greeting cards... !)
  But there is some confusion.  Other websites declare December 18 as "National Regifting Day", which would make it Friday this year. Google it and you will see what I mean.  Last year, the Thurs. before Christmas was Dec. 18, that date has stuck with many.
  So which day is it??  Which day should we go out of our way to regift something...if we haven't already???!  Personally, I don't see a problem with acknowledging it both days!  After all, if you are going to dedicate an entire day to eliminate some excess inventory of your regiftables in the most gracious of regifting methods, one day is simply not enough time.  Two days is not much help, either, if you have a large regift closet.  Actually, an entire 7 days of "National Regifting Week" should be put on the calendar.  Just think about it-- each day could be something different, like Hanukkah or Kwanza, only without the religious or spiritual meaning.  I'm going to ponder the ways the days could be broken down and get back to this later.  Now I've got a bunch of ideas, and you know how scary that can be.....!  Till next time-!
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WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE REGIFTABLE GIFT???

Somebody-- was it you??-- suggested that people could submit their oddest, or most regiftable gift(ing) experience. Was it a gift you got? Or a gift you gave?? Or a gift that you got and then gave again??? Or did you get a gift that you have absolutely no idea how to graciously regift it, and would like some "reader response"?? It would be fun to hear about other's experiences, and depending on the submissions, maybe there could be a contest-- weekly? monthly?? T-shirts, or jewelry, or something for the winner. Readers vote for winner? I pick the winner?? Any ideas? Anyone? (Bueller?)

******************
Ok, then I'll start....! Several years ago when I was still working as a bank manager, one of my "special" customers, whom I had helped on numerous occasions, gave me a "Thankyou" gift. She was elderly, about 90, and still had a wicked sense of humor-- she would tell me things that a) one wouldn't normally tell their banker; b) her banker didn't need to know; and c) her banker didn't want to know. I didn't open it till I got home, and I couldn't believe it. She had given me a pewter "Muscle Man Light Switch Cover". If you are having absolutely no reaction to this, then you obviously don't know what a "Muscle Man Light Switch Cover" is, or what it looks like. Or could look like, is probably a better visual. Take a look at the nearest light switch plate cover. Now imagine a pewter "muscle man" fashioned into it, straddling the light switch...ok, you don't have to keep flicking the switch-- you get the picture. Needless to say, I was shocked, amused--wait, definitely more amused than shocked. I seriously thought it was quite possible that she honestly didn't "get" where the switch would actually get flicked-- she just thought it was quite funny that a naked man would be embossed into a pewter lightswitch cover. It really was rather elegant looking--at first glance. I wasn't sure how to acknowledge her gift, so I just wrote her a note thanking her for her kindness and the lovely light switch cover, blah blah blah and didn't specifically mention the gifts "attributes". When she came in about a week later she strode up to my desk and, with a snide grin on her face asked me "Did you wonder where I got it?" After a slew of answers spun through my head, I decided to play dumb: "Good Morning, what are you talking about?" "Why the naked man thing I gave you! Did you show your husband? (oh, yeah...!!) "Oh, that- well yes, we thought it was lovely. We haven't found a place yet to put it, but we will...." "I got it from my granddaughter but where in the hell would I put something like that-- besides it was too heavy, but I figured you would like it!" HA! A REGIFT!! Well we had a good giggle about the "naked man" but never really got to the details... To this day I still don't really know if she knew what she had or not-- but I still have it, but where in the hell would I put it, and besides it is really heavy---but it's in my regift closet just waiting for the right person, right occasion... too bad my grandmother is deceased-- I figure she would have liked it!

Ok, now it's your turn...!

HELP CONTROL THE WASTE OF UNWANTED GIFTS!

RECYCLE YOUR UNWANTED GIFT WASTE!
GRACIOUSLY REGIFT IT!

Do you think regifting will gain a wider acceptance this holiday?

About Me

My photo
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, I began regifting at an early age. My whole family routinely regifted and still does. I never realized it was such a social slap-in-the-face until I was much older and could afford to actually purchase presents for people. But still, I regularly regifted. Friends were offended, co-workers and employees were enraged, and customers and clients were incredulous! Why in the world would anyone want to give someone a gift that they had already gotten? “Well”, I wondered, “Why not?” It seemed to me that there were numerous reasons to resort to regifting when giving a gift was expected. For one, why waste a present that could be perfectly appropriate for another person, just because it wasn’t something that I necessarily needed or wanted, when someone else seriously might be excited to receive it? Plus, it seemed as if some pretty good gifts were getting wasted, when the whole world was working on reducing and recycling our otherwise useless stuff for the protection of our planet. I figured (as my family had frequently found before) that regifting was really the most responsible way for anyone to recycle their unwanted gift waste, once and for all!

"Regifting Revival" In The News!!!

To date, there have been umpteen polls, surveys, discussions, and debates, and hundreds of articles and blog postings about the pros and cons about regifting. Perhaps I actually did "start a revival" of sorts. It sure seems to me that there is significantly more regifting controversy now than ever before. (Or maybe I'm just more aware of it all... but I'd rather pretend it all stems from my book...!) Even though Sarah Palin bumped me from my guest spot on "Oprah" (and every other talk show, too...!) there have actually been quite a few (out of 1,099 and counting...) articles, columns, comments, live interviews (so there, Oprah!!) and blog posts (besides my own) specifically mentioning "Regifting Revival!", The Book. Here are some weblinks in case you are wondering just who and where they are. If you happen to see, hear, or read anything else that you think I should know about, feel free to contact me. And if you have personally read some or all of my book, don't forget to post a review (ie. Amazon.com, Google, etc.)
jodi@regiftingrevival.com

What they said...

(As of 12/28/09)

*indicates original article- most are reprints/reposts of originals

Audios/Videos/Live Interviews* re:

Regifting Revival! A Guide to Reusing Gifts Graciously!

  1. *BookExpoAmerica (Podcast): http://authorsontourlive.com/regifting-revival/
  2. *FOX43T.V. (On-Air Interview): http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/1146950/regifting_revival
  3. http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/1146936/regifting_buzz
  4. *WBCL Mid-Morning Show: (Radio Broadcast) http://content.streamaudio.com/podcast/1721/mm20091216.mp3
  5. *Color of Money w/Michelle Singletary (Wash.Post Live Q&A): http://view.ed4.net/v/AADB45/SHXOW/WLLLB54/65Y5RX/MAILACTION=1
  6. *News/Talk 760 WJR: http://www.wjr.net/Article.asp?id=1634175&spid=6551

Articles, Columns, Blogs re: Regifting Revival! A Guide to Reusing Gifts Graciously!

  1. My website: http://www.regiftingrevival.com/
  1. My blog: http://regiftingrevival.blogspot.com/
  1. My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home

  1. *The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/27/AR2009112704043.html

  1. *The Lexington Dispatch: http://zoominlocal.com/lexington-dispatch/2009/12/01/#?article=669279

  1. *Philly.Com (Philadelphia Inquirer): http://www.philly.com/philly/living/holidays/Re-gift_the_right_way.html

  1. *Albany Times Union: http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=873508
  2. *The Daily Green: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/regifting-ideas-47112001
  3. *Lincoln Journal Star: *1)http://www.journalstar.com/article_8d779690-e5db-11de-9b18-001cc4c002e0.html *2)http://www.journalstar.com/lifestyles/article_760f31e8-e5db-11de-beb7-001cc4c002e0.html *3)http://www.journalstar.com/article_8d779690-e5db-11de-9b18-001cc4c002e0.html
  4. Black Americaweb.com: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/money/personal_finance_money/14585&page=11

  1. Boston.com (Boston Globe): http://www.boston.com/business/personalfinance/articles/2009/11/29/theres_no_shame_in_regifting_as_long_as_you_adhere_to_a_few_key_rules/

  1. Toronto Sun: http://www.torontosun.com/life/2009/12/04/12046681-sun.html

  1. Winnipeg Sun: http://www.winnipegsun.com/life/2009/12/04/12047076-sun.html

  1. Omaha.com (Omaha World Herald): http://www.omaha.com/article/20091130/MONEY/711309985

  1. HeraldNet (Washington Daily Herald): http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091129/BIZ/711299929

  1. Fresno Bee: http://www.fresnobee.com/871/story/1728603.html

  1. Mobile Daily Press: http://mobile.dailypress.com/inf/infomo?view=business_item&feed:a=dailypress_1min&feed:c=business&feed:i=50718541

  1. The Roanoke Times: http://www.roanoke.com/business/wb/228668

  1. Contra Costa Times: http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_13869029?source=rss

  1. Yahoo/Green: http://green.yahoo.com/

  1. Vancouver Sun Media: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/Lifestyle/2009/12/04/pf-12046966.html

  1. *Albany Times Union (“Simpler Living” blog): http://blog.timesunion.com/simplerliving/

  1. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wpwgmichellesingletary?v=feed&story_fbid=186265067001&ref=mf

  1. Record Net (San Joachim Record): http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091202/A_BIZ0202/912020308/-1/a_biz#STS=g30gwpfu.o7w

  1. Examiner.com (Knoxville Examiner): http://www.examiner.com/x-14868-Knoxville-Books-Examiner~y2009m11d29-Before-the-holidays-read-up-on-regifting

  1. The Mercury: http://www.pottstownmercury.com/articles/2009/11/29/business/srv0000006938318.txt

  1. LJWorld (Lawrence Journal World & News): http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/dec/01/regifting-revival-makes-economic-sense/

  1. The Reading Eagle (Minneapolis Reading Eagle): http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=172063

  1. Albany Times Union (“Simpler Living” blog): http://blog.timesunion.com/simplerliving/regift-the-right-way/17089/

  1. *The Oklahoman (“Parties Extra” blog): http://blog.newsok.com/partiesextra/2009/11/24/20%E2%80%A640%E2%80%A660%E2%80%A6-etiquette-question/

  1. *Woman’s Day Magazine: http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Money/Saving-Money/Spring-Clean-for-Cash.html

  1. http://www.pal-item.com/ads/2009/home_holidays/album/pdf/HomeHolidays_12.pdf

  1. “Eco Justice” blog: http://northeastipl.blogspot.com/

  1. “Organized by Marcie” blog: http://organizedbymarcie.blogspot.com/

  1. *Virginian Pilot: *1)http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/virginian-pilot-ledger-star-norfolk/mi_8014/is_20091205/dreaming-green-christmas/ai_n42734009/pg_2/ ; *2)http://epilot.hamptonroads.com/Olive/ODE/VirginianPilot/LandingPage/LandingPage.aspx?href=VmlyZ2luaWFuUGlsb3QvMjAwOS8xMi8xNA..&pageno=MzE.&entity=QXIwMzExMQ..&view=ZW50aXR5

  1. Louisiana Daily Comet: http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20091204/ARTICLES/912049903/1008?Title=There-8217-s-a-tricky-etiquette-to-regifting

  1. “Norfolk City Democrats” blog: http://norfolkcitydems.blogspot.com/2009/12/12-tips-for-green-holiday.html

  1. Canoe.ca: http://holidays.canoe.ca/Features/2009/12/07/12066351-sun.html

  1. Oakland Tribune: http://www.insidebayarea.com/business/ci_13869029

  1. Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/245617

41. “Recycle, Rebuild, Reuse” blog: http://www.recyclerebuildreuse.com/?p=11870

42. Huffpost Green (The Huffington Post): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/green/

43. Fox43tv (WAVY10): http://www.fox43tv.com/dpp/news_at_7/local_wvbt_portsmouth_regifting_revival_20091020 http://www.fox43tv.com/dpp/news_at_7/local_wvbt_portsmouth_buzz_regifting_20091020

  1. USA Today: http://content.usatoday.com/topics/article/Religion+and+beliefs/Holidays/
    Christmas/0gRI6owb209Ij/1

  1. The Daily Press: http://www.dailypress.com/business/dp-biz_singletary_1126nov26,0,4404926.story
  2. Gainsville.com (The Gainesville Sun): http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091203/GUARDIAN/912031029/1002
  3. Allvoices: http://www.allvoices.com/news/4710989-bad-economy-puts-regifting-in-a-whole-new-light
  4. The Tribune (The Welland Tribune): http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2208751
  5. Readingeagle.com (“Reading Eagle”-Reading, PA): http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=172063
  6. Calgary Sun: http://www.calgarysun.com/life/2009/11/07/11668666-sun.html
  7. The Sudbury Star: http://www.sudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2219496
  8. The Dayton Daily News: http://www.daytondailynews.com/lifestyle/buying-trends-changing-out-of-necessity-enlightenment-444973.html
  9. Townhall.com: http://townhall.com/columnists/MichelleSingletary/2009/11/29/guide_to_a_regifting_revival?page=2
  10. “Birthday Creative Ideas” blog: http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:FqqPUf-FIYgJ:www.birthday-creative-idea-present.co.cc/blogs.php+regifting+revival&cd=114&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
  11. *My San Antonio: http://www2.mysanantonio.com/giftguide/giftguide_regift.shtml
  12. London Free Press: http://save6.sunmedia.ca/Save/classic/doc?docid=109413304&q=%22joanne%20richard%22%20AND%20date%28today%29&stem=true&spaceop=AND&ttype=xsl&tval=headline_sun&pos=1&hn=2&pubAbbrev=sunmedia&dtokey=ergjfq
  13. The St. Catharines Standard: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2224002
  14. Christian Science Monitor: *1.)http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2009/1216/In-hard-times-Americans-innovate-on-holiday-gifts-and-giving *2) http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2009/1216/If-you-regift-at-least-do-it-well
  15. All Business: http://www.allbusiness.com/chemicals/specialty-chemicals-industry/13592990-1.html
  16. Press Enterprise: http://www.pe.com/business/local/stories/PE_Biz_S_single13.3738b6b.html?npc
  17. 99Actions: http://www.99actions.org/en/content/how-regift-and-get-away-it
  18. Stratford Beacon Herald: http://stratfordbeaconherald.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2208894
  19. The Sault Star: http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2208468&auth=JOANNE+RICHARD
  20. Northern News: http://www.northernnews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2212652
  21. Hartford Current: http://hartfordcourant.p2ionline.com/HolidayWishes/ss/index.aspx?webstoryid=17667357&area=SS&type=art&adgroupid=181988&adid=2316296&parentid=17667354&menu=-30.1
  22. Southtown Star: http://blogs.southtownstar.com/money/2009/12/priceless_gifts_zero_pricetags.html
  23. (Blog): http://shuntezwoodmentoring.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/3802/
  24. DayLife: http://www.daylife.com/article/0gRI6owb209Ij?q=Consumer+Reports
  25. Springfield News-Sun: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/lifestyle/holiday-shopping-trends-changing-out-of-necessity-enlightenment-444973.html
  26. The Business Exchange: http://bx.businessweek.com/debit-card-industry/regifting-revival/12147546985128168741-c6306e40bc266bfd6cd8f5b3a7115552/
  27. Ashland Times Gazette: http://www.times-gazette.com/images/tg_media/20091125/pdf/E05.pdf
  28. *Rodale.com: http://www.rodale.com/regifting
  29. *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09356/1022646-323.stm
  30. *The Denver Post: http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_14044219
  31. Istockanalyst: http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3731795
  32. Treehugger: http://topics.treehugger.com/article/0dmVdmF4CF1fw?q=%22book+review%22+OR+%22review+book%22+OR+%22new+book%22
  33. Standard Net Live: http://www.standard.net/topics/features/2009/12/21/regifting-recycling
  34. Wopular: http://www.wopular.com/re-gifting-done-right-way-its-perfectly-acceptable-author-says
  35. The Columbus Dispatch: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2009/12/26/1_REGIFTING.ART_ART_12-26-09_D1_8JG1IKQ.html?sid=101