It's still regifting by any other name....

The other day I was talking to someone about regifting (go figure! And yes, I do talk about other things...like when my 14 yo daughter can kiss a boy.....OMG!!!  maybe more on that later....!!)  Anyway, this guy reportedly never regifted nor never would. (or should that be ever would? Beck??)  Of course, I started into my investigative reporter questioning techniques and finally caused him to 'fess up that he has indeed regifted in the past, he just didn't call it that. So I started thinking (and reading) about some of the other ways in which people "regift", even if that isn't what they call it, so they don't think that they do. (Aside from the examples in the book)  And hopefully, when people have (actually) read my book, they will no longer be loath to regift, or whatever they feel comfortable in calling it.  So here then are a few other creative ways in which to recycle, reuse, and regift your unusual, unneeded, unuseable, or simply unwanted "gift waste" (excuse me, "the lovely items that you have received as gifts but cannot use at this time....")  Let me know if you can think of any others.  Most people already know about "White Elephant" events... but what about:
"Trash or Treasure" Auctions  (usually done for charity or fund-raising.) People donate their "regiftables" or "gently used" items for auction.  If you buy something, it's a regift. And then you can decide it's future fate.
"Purposeful Regifts":  Have you ever had a gift exchange where there is a common theme or category for the gifts that are brought to exchange? It's kind of like a collective scavenger hunt for grown-ups!  Look for these things in your regifter closet!  The "Ugliest Item"; The "Longest Kept" Item (never used); The "Tackiest Item";  The "smallest item";  The "Biggest" item; The "smelliest" item (in general,we're talking candles and stuff here...); The "Most Colorful" item; etc.  (This makes me want to have a party right now where everyone is assigned a "category" of gift to bring. Then everyone must guess as to what category your gift belongs in.....!!)
"Progressive Regifts":  You give someone 2 gifts, 1 a "regift", the other a "virgin gift" (something brand new and purchased specifically for the recipient, if you haven't -actually- read the book...)  The gift receiver chooses 1 gift to keep (not knowing which is which) and regifts the other, along with another "virgin gift".  This would be great at a party, especially for people that feel funny about regifting anything. 
"Book Exchanges":  Alot of people will read a book and then exchange it with a friend for another read.  This isn't regifting, unless you are actually giving the person the book as a gift (It's definitely regifting if you received it as a gift, read it, and are now giving it as a gift to another, even if you tell them!)
"Ornament or Gift Exchanges":  You can refuse to call it "regifting" but it is, in it's most gracious form! However, if the exchange is actually one where you draw names or bring an ornament or gift exclusively for a specific person who takes it home, then you will not be regifting. (but it's highly likely that the person receiving it will....)
"Happy UnBirthday Parties": I love this idea! Anytime during the year, and you can actually attach it to any ones birthday or significant event, you have a party where the host actually gives each of the guests a gift. Not party favors, or a goody bag, either. It is an actual regift, from their own regift closet, of course! What a way to wipe out your stash!
"Wine Taster's Regift": You get a bottle of wine, regift or not. You open it, pour a glass, sign and date the cork, and then graciously regift the bottle to someone, either for a special occassion like a BD, or just on a regular basis, like a monthly  dinner or get together.  The gift-getter then does the same-- pours a glass of wine, signs and dates the cork, and regifts it to someone else. The idea is whoever drinks the last glass keeps the cork (and the glass, if you've been regifting that as well) and then purchases or regifts another bottle of wine, and keeps it going.  I can think of alot of possibilities with this one.... I like it!!

Keep those cards and letters and great regifting ideas coming...and remember regiftable.com, regifter.com and regifting.com are terrific websites, but they are NOT MINE!  Only www.regiftingrevival.com is the Official Website for Regifting Revival.  Don't be fooled by imitations....!
Till next time...