As we approach T-minus 48 hours to the extravaganza that is Christmas, some of you may be starting to panic about what to give family and friends. Perhaps you’ve been busy, broke, or have been living in a cave, but now you find yourself with a list of recipients and nothing to give. The mall is packed, big box retailers are a zoo, and you gave your friends windshield wiper blades last year.*

But wait! You just remembered – what about that picture frame/jar candle/bottle of wine you don’t want/need/like? Perhaps that could be given to Great Aunt Tilly?

Perhaps, but just like there are rules to gifting, there are rules to re-gifting as well. They aren’t hard to follow, just use some common sense. However, for the sake of argument, let’s review:

1. Make sure the original giver and the new owner will never meet.
2. Thoroughly inspect the gift for any identifying marks – hidden notes, tags, monograms, etc.
3. Make sure the original packaging is intact; if not, update or replace the packaging.
4. Rewrap it.
5. Don’t regift items that you’ve used, even just once. Donate it to Goodwill or a thrift store instead.
6. Put some thought and effort into your regifting – if you don’t want the rap version of the Cats soundtrack, what makes you think anyone else would?
7. If you are regifting wine or alcohol, make sure the recipient consumes alcohol.

Now scour your closet and basement for those tasteful and elegant gifts someone gave to you, and give them a good home. And if you see that picture frame/jar candle/ bottle of wine again someday, keep it a secret that you had it first.

*

Image Credit: Plaza Too Blog

Kim is the Fashion and Beauty Editor for Girls Guide. You can check out her personal blog, Parachuting Without A Net, where she talks about just about everything under the sun from being a Mom to whipping up quick dinners. You can contact Kim by Emailing her – kim [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and you can follow her on Twitter – @parachuting.