Is Regifting Rude? Etiquette Rules for Regifting Gracefully
Regifting is not rude when you choose well and do it with care. The Emily Post Institute says the simplest approach is to tell the recipient it is a regift. If you stay quiet, check the packaging, avoid personalized items, and be sure no one would be hurt. Always re-wrap and write a new card.
Is regifting rude? Not necessarily. The idea that passing on a gift is tacky has faded, and many people now see it as a sensible way to keep a good item from going unused. What matters is how you do it.
Below you will find when regifting works, when to skip it, and the steps that keep it polite. We also cover better options if the gift is not right for anyone you know, including a swap at a gift exchange.
Is regifting okay? The short answer
Yes, in most cases. The Emily Post Institute says regifting was once considered taboo, but sustainability and rising costs have made it a reasonable way to give gifts. The test is whether the new recipient will truly enjoy the item and whether the way you hand it over is respectful.
Think of it as giving a gift that happens to be new to you. If you would choose it for the new person even if it had cost you money, regifting is likely fine. If you are only trying to get rid of something, keep looking.
When regifting is fine and when to skip it
The table below sums up how to tell a good regift from a poor one. It follows the Emily Post Institute's considerations for gifts you pass on quietly, plus our own common-sense advice.
| Situation | Regift it? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Unused item in its original packaging | Yes | It looks new and has all its parts |
| Second copy of a book or a duplicate gift | Yes | Easy to explain and share openly |
| Personalized or monogrammed item | No | Names, dates or initials belong to someone else |
| Handmade or homemade gift | No | Someone made it for you in particular |
| Gift from someone who knows the new recipient | Think twice | The giver could learn what happened |
| Item you would not choose for the recipient | No | It tells them you were clearing a shelf |
The Institute's advice is to avoid regifting anything unique, handmade or personalized. Also make sure the item has its packaging and everything needed to use it, such as parts and manuals.
How to regift without hurting anyone's feelings
If you decide to keep the regift quiet, the Emily Post Institute suggests four checks before you pass it on. If you cannot answer yes to all four, choose another gift or be open about the regift.
- The item has its original packaging and all its parts and manuals.
- It is not unique, handmade or personalized with a name, monogram or date.
- You are sure that neither the new recipient nor the original giver would be offended if they found out.
- You truly believe the new recipient will appreciate it.
Then present it well. The Institute says to always re-wrap the gift and to always write an original card. Never reuse a card addressed to someone else, and never hand over a gift in worn wrapping paper with another person's name still on the tag.
If the item is a book, a game or a food gift, check that it fits the person's taste. Our gifts under $25 can help if you realize partway through that a fresh, inexpensive gift is the better choice.
Better options when a gift is not right for anyone you know
Sometimes the honest answer is that you cannot think of anyone who would like the gift. In that case, you have better choices than letting it sit in a closet.
- Donate it to a charity shop, shelter or community group that accepts new items.
- Offer it to friends in a swap, where everyone brings items they no longer need.
- Bring it to a gift exchange, as long as it fits the group's rules and budget.
- Return or exchange it if the giver included a gift receipt.
If your office or family holds a white elephant game, an unused item in good condition can be a fun entry. Our white elephant gift ideas explain what makes an item worth stealing, and the guide below shows what to look for.
Gift guide
Ideas that people fight over in a gift swap, plus tips on keeping the game fun.
What if you receive a regift?
If you suspect that a gift you received was passed on, say thank you and move on. You do not need to ask, and you do not need to mention it to the giver. The thought of passing something along to you is still a gift of its own.
If the giver tells you it is a regift, accept it with warmth. Someone who shares an item with you openly has trusted you with the truth, and a simple thanks keeps the friendship comfortable. Our funny gift ideas are a good place to look when you want to pay it back with something lighthearted.
Gift ideas from our guides
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude to regift a present?
Not if you do it thoughtfully. The Emily Post Institute says regifting is now a reasonable way to give gifts. Choose an item the new recipient will truly enjoy, re-wrap it, write an original card and avoid anything personalized, handmade or tied to the original giver.
Should you tell someone a gift is a regift?
The Emily Post Institute says the simplest approach is to tell the recipient it was regifted. A warm line such as saying you received two and thought of them works well. If you prefer to stay quiet, first make sure no one involved would be offended.
What should you never regift?
Avoid anything personalized with a name, monogram or date, anything handmade or unique, and anything missing its packaging or parts. Also skip a gift if the original giver might see it in the new recipient's home and feel hurt.
Is it okay to regift at a white elephant or Secret Santa?
Check the rules first. Many groups welcome new, unused items that fit the budget, while others ask for items bought for the exchange. If the organizer is not clear, ask before the party so nobody is surprised when the gifts are opened.
How do you regift without getting caught?
Our advice is to be open about it instead. If you want to keep it quiet, follow the Emily Post Institute's four checks: original packaging, nothing personalized, no risk of offense and a real match for the recipient. Re-wrap it and write a new card.
Sources
- The Etiquette of RegiftingThe Emily Post Institute
We cite primary sources for rules, laws and figures. Price ranges and advice are our own editorial recommendations.
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