When is re-gifting ok?

I can remember trying to keep a smile on my face to hide the horror I was experiencing. I'm sure my uncle meant well by giving me a set of hot pink pyjamas (complete with cartoon cows), but to a 14-year-old well and truly into her Goth phase, it wasn't exactly a happy moment.

It's happened to pretty much everyone: you tear open the layers of wrapping paper to discover something you wouldn't dream of owning. Perhaps you're a vegetarian who's received the seminal cookbook 100 Ways to Cook a Giant Chunk of Meat. Maybe you've unwrapped a truly awful pair of socks, or a scented candle with an aroma that makes you want to gag.

So what do you do when you have a present that you don't want? Can you re-gift it?

When you're trying to reduce your environment impact, it makes sense to "recycle" unwanted gifts through either donating them to charity, or giving them to someone who will appreciate them.

So, should you re-gift that item?

Here's a handy flowchart to help you decide:

What's your stance on re-gifting? Let us know in the comments below!

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