If you received a present this holiday season that you already own, one etiquette expert said it is perfectly acceptable to regift that item next holiday season, as long as you follow a few guidelines.
Valerie Sokolosky, image and etiquette specialist and author of "Do It Right!: The New Book of Business Etiquette," joined WDUN's Newsroom on Dec. 22, 2021, to discuss the etiquette surrounding regifting.
"My book is called 'Do It Right,' ... if you do it right, it means that you give thought to something that you've received, maybe you have more than one of it or it isn't your taste, but it's a lovely gift," Sokolosky said. "If you think about someone to regift it to, make sure you know that person well enough that you know that they would use it, and, or, appreciate it."
Even if the item is something you purchased for yourself and did not use, Sokolosky said regifting is acceptable as long as you consider the item in question.
"You want to be a giver, not a donor," Sokolosky said.
When it comes to specific rules about regifting, Sokolosky said the main one to follow relates to the presentation of the gift.
"Take it out of the package, repackage it, have it nice again as if you are giving it for the first time," Sokolosky said. "Be sure ... you take that other person's tag off. Because I did receive a gift one time, the name tag was still on. It was very embarrassing."
Sokolosky said you should avoid regifting certain items that might mean more to you than others.
"If it's not in style, jewelry, no. Nothing medicinal, no personal items, and I would be careful with art," Sokolosky said. "Art is in the eyes of the beholder. So a beautiful piece of art you may like, or you may think someone likes it, and you don't know their taste enough."
To listen to the entire interview with Sokolosky, click the audio player above.
