5 regifting tips for the holidays

Let’s be honest… sometimes we receive gifts that we don’t really like. Luckily, December 19^th is National Regifting Day. Though this day was originally chosen in honor of office Christmas parties and Secret Santa gift exchanges, it’s also the perfect excuse to regift an old present that you don’t want anymore.

Though it may seem rude to regift items you’ve been given, it can be done in a respectful way. Plus, it’s good for the environment.

Did you know that the average American throws away approximately 80 pounds of used clothing per year? That means on average, Americans send 10.46 million tons of clothing to the landfill on a yearly basis. And that’s just clothing. Maybe regifting isn’t such a bad idea after all.

Interested in giving it a try? Here are some tips on how to respectfully regift something, plus some other ways you can put unwanted items to good use.

1. Make sure they’ll love it!

When regifting something, make sure your recipient will actually like what you’re giving them. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth considering.

2. New or gently used items only!

Next, remember to only regift something if it’s brand new or gently used. Depending on the item, it doesn’t necessarily have to be in its original packaging.

One exception to this rule could be old technology. If you’ve got an old phone or tablet sitting in a drawer somewhere, your kiddo or little cousin might love it! You won’t have to worry about a brand-new device getting damaged or broken while they learn how to use electronics responsibly. Plus, that gives you the perfect excuse to swing by Cellular Sales and get yourself a shiny new smartphone or tablet. Check out our deals here!

3. Too personal? Keep it.

If it’s handmade, personalized, or has a special meaning, don’t regift it. Chances are, the original gift giver spent a lot of time and effort on your gift, and it holds some sentimental value. After all, you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.

4. Don’t accidentally give it back.

Be very careful not to regift something to the original gift giver or someone they know. Sometimes it’s easy to forget who gave you that itchy sweater a few Christmases ago… If don’t want to risk someone giving up your secret, it may be best to recycle this item another way.

5. Be prepared for questions.

Finally, remove all tags indicating you didn’t purchase the gift yourself, and be prepared to answer questions about it. Let’s say your cousin Megan ends up loving that itchy sweater your coworker gave you at last year’s Christmas party and says, “I’ve been looking for one of these everywhere! Where did you find it?” If you didn’t do your homework or can’t think of a convincing story, you may have to fess up.

Still have some unwanted items you can’t regift? There are several ways you can still recycle things you want to get rid of and put them towards a good cause.

Find local charities in your area.

Whether you’re getting rid of clothing, household items, old furniture and more, chances are there’s a local charity who could put your unwanted items to good use. When in doubt, check for thrift stores in your area.

Recycle your clothing at department stores.

Some retailers, like H&M and Madewell, will reward you with a store discount when you bring old clothing to their in-store recycling bins. In turn, they’ll reuse the textiles to make new items or donate to other causes.

Have an old smartphone or tablet sitting in a drawer you’re looking to recycle? It may have some trade-in value! Swing by your local Cellular Sales store and see if you can trade in your old device for store credit towards a new smartphone or tablet.

Resell your items.

There are tons of apps out there that help you sell your unwanted items, like Poshmark, Mercari, Depop, and Facebook Marketplace. Just snap a photo of your item, set your price, post it and wait for an offer. Items are usually shipped with a pre-made shipping label, so you don’t have to meet up with anyone in person. Not only will you get rid of some clutter, but you’ll make an extra buck or two.

Get crafty!

Use old clothing items to craft up something new. You can even make a personalized, homemade Christmas gift for someone, which will both save you money and add sentimental value to your gift.

Now that you’ve got some regifting ideas, it’s time to get wrapping! Happy holidays!