Stuck for a present at the last minute? You could always recycle one of your own. It’s called regifting, but be careful, it takes planning
BETWEEN CHRISTMAS and January 8th, you can count on several family get-togethers, some nights out marketed as “festivities” but which more closely resemble school reunions, and at least one staid evening meal with an elderly relative.
And, unlike during the rest of the year, bringing a decent bottle of wine and a box of chocolates just won’t cut it – gifts are mandatory and opting out is a non-starter.
Forgotten a gift for your best friend? Who cares. They’ll understand, you’ll kiss and make up and, besides, they’ll appreciate the gift even more in the cold, dark January days. But your elderly Aunt Assumpta will see right through your, “I left it at home” ruse, and will never forgive you, perhaps even going as far as leaving you out of the will.
So, you have 30 minutes to shower, dress, have a pre-party chaser and wrap your gift. A gift that you have yet to source. But what’s that lying beneath your Christmas tree? Could it be the answer you’re looking for?
REGIFTING
The absolute antithesis of the old adage, “ ’Tis better to give than to receive”. Ten years ago, no one would have dreamed of regifting but the tables have turned on the extravagances of yore, and recycling is the catchword of the day, extending even to Christmas gifts.
There are certain instances in which second-hand gifting is unwise/dangerous, and others in which you can easily get away with giving a surplus candle to Auntie Maureen. The trick, though, is not to be caught out – by either recipient or giver.
The festive season is a time of excess and relaxation, of putting the feet up and settling down in front of the TV for a two-week marathon – which is why receiving a good box set is always so welcome.
But what about last year's box sets? The complete collection of The Sopranosmay be timeless, but the chances of finding yourself with the 70-odd hours needed to rewatch it are slim, at best.
DVD box-sets sit firmly in the realm of acceptable regifting. But be warned; regifting the first season of a six-season run is not going to endear you to anyone.
Also, you could think about the beautifully presented collection of horror novels you received last year but will never read again – or the Millennium trilogyby Stieg Larsson. Recycling books is, after all, great for the environment, and for your wallet. Just don't think about the economy; regifting is the Kryptonite to Ireland's capitalism. And, obviously, you must try not to overbend the spines of your intended regifts.
WHEN TO PULL A SHERLOCK HOLMES
There’s no need to go all trench coat and trilby, but a fair degree of caution is advised. After all, you don’t want to offend anyone; choosing appropriate gifts is hard work, and no one likes to think that their carefully chosen gift will be passed on to someone else.
It’s simple enough to circumvent the tangled web of Christmas espionage, with a few simple rules.
1NEVER GIVE family gifts to other family members, unless they haven't spoken since 1975. They will undoubtedly come a-calling on one another over Christmas and spy your gift in the corner, no matter how bad their eyesight or how well hidden the gift.
2DON'T REGIFT within a circles of friends. If your good schoolfriend gives you a lipstick palette or pair of cufflinks that just aren't your thing, feel free to pass them along to your friend from college. Just be sure to remove any incriminating evidence (tags being the main culprit). Which leads nicely along to:
3LOOK OUT FOR personalisation. People like you to remember where you got your gift, so the sneakiest gift-givers will sign the gift, like an autograph from the depths of Hades. "Dear John, I hope you like the book. Best of luck in college this year. Love, Aunt Helen." You know the drift. Unless you're giving it to your own son as a "keepsake", there's no way you're getting away with that one.
And, just in case you’re someone who feels the need to regift jewellery, keep an eye out for engraving: “Love Always, Ken” isn’t going to suit everyone, unless it’s a gift you gave your ex-girlfriend, stole back, and are now giving to your new girlfriend. In other words this will only work if your name is Ken.
THE PERFECT CANDIDATES
Some gifts stick out as being regiftable immediately, while others require a little creative thinking.
Candles, ornaments (those dastardly things) and cookery books are just a few examples of the simplest regifts. Repackage and re-label and you’re good to go.
If you’re brave enough to attempt to give someone clothing you have received, you’d better know them well enough to be sure they’ll like it – because you don’t have the receipt, remember? And you can’t ask Granny for it, because you told her that you loved it; reindeer jumpers have always been your favourites.
Gadgets, gizmos and “funny presents” are usually easily translatable too and, with most, it’s fair to assume they will have been quite popular on the Christmas market, so the fact that you both received and gave one might not raise too many eyebrows (but, to be on the safe side, obey the family-family, friend-friend rules).
CREATIVE THINKING
Think outside the box when it comes to belated Christmas gifts and, if you can’t regift something, make something; a cake, for example, or a wooden carving. The second option may involve some necessary skills, but you get the drift.
And to save cash (and trees), this year I wrapped my gifts in newsprint with thick, colourful ribbons – because wrapping paper is really, as far as I’m concerned, an extravagance too far.
THE NO-NOS
Finally, there are certain people whose gifts simple cannot be repackaged and passed along to another.
1 YOUR PARENTS.Not for any sentimental reasons, but because your mother will never stop asking how you got on with the bread maker, and your father will expect freshly baked loaves every time he calls over.
2 YOUR OTHER HALF.This should be a no-brainer: just don't do it. You won't get away with it, and you will never be forgiven.
3 YOUR BEST FRIEND.Undoubtedly, this will be one of the best gifts of all, from someone who knows you really well. And, just as they'll forgive you if you're late with their gift, they will never forget if you cast theirs aside like old rubbish.
