Day 7: What's Wrong with Re-Gifting?

Wish 7: In-Kind Charity

It's the time of year when we get gifts. As we know, long ago in Bethlehem, three wise men visited the child Jesus bearing gifts of gold, frankincense (as a kid, I used to think it was Frankenstein), and myrrh. And so, we are imitating that event with gift-giving during the Christmas season.

But let's be honest. Not all of us like what we get on Christmas. When I was a kid, I kept wondering why I got clothes for Christmas. I wanted a 1:72 replica of a Saturn V rocket with matching command and lunar modules. And then I get a shirt with a small alligator on it. What were Mama and Papa thinking?

But part of the tradition is to be thankful and nice. We accept the gifts given to us, and the thoughtfulness of those who gave us these tokens that we didn't want. We do this by parading the sweater our aunt made for us, or walking around in those new shoes pretending they don't hurt. But we have to wear those clothes, at least for a while, because we don't want to disappoint our benefactors. If we are lucky, we outgrow them quickly, so that they could be passed down to our younger brother or sister.

As we grow older, we can find better ways to get rid of gifts we really didn't like. One way is called re-gifting.

I dare any of you readers to say you have never re-gifted. You might get a CD of Pet Store Punks, but you don't like their music. So, you re-wrap it and give it to someone else. Do you think that Mary and Joseph actually kept all those gifts? I mean, what would you do with frankincense and myrrh? I can't even imagine what these two gifts look like!

But what a great concept! We can recycle gifts we don't want. The person we re-gifted to will feel guilty he/she didn't buy you something. You have won a "considerate person" victory... and it didn't cost you a thing.

Of course, you should always remember who gave the gift to you in the first place. You should never re-gift back to the same giver. That is just plain shameful. (And also a great laugh for everybody else because they now know that you are cheap!) The consolation is this: if the gift was tacky enough, it may have been re-gifted many times over. It would be fun to see how many Christmases or birthdays will pass before you get your gift back.

But there is one re-gifting where you will not be called "cheap". You could re-gift to charity. There are people who need that pair of shoes more than you do. There are kids living in poverty who will accept a toy - any toy - just to get something this Christmas. These people in need don't care if you like or hate the gift you are giving away, as long as it is clean and not broken.

I know your next question: What about an expensive leather bag, or a gift certificate to a shop you don't like? How can the needy have any use for those? This is where you can think outside the gift box. Listen up.

In North America, you can return your unwanted gifts back to the store. Considerate givers will provide an exchange receipt for clothes and goods. You can take the gift and the receipt back to the store after Christmas Day. Most stores will not refund money, but they will give you a replacement (usually for a different size of clothes), or a store credit.

A store credit is as good as cash if you donate it. However, it has to be a practical donation in-kind. You wouldn't give a store credit slip from Versace to Our Lady of Divine Mercy Orphanage, would you? But a K-mart or Walmart store credit is more appropriate. Here's a good tip: donations of store credit or gift certificates can be receipted. Therefore, you can save on your income taxes because donations are tax-deductible.

Here's another tip. If you get gift certificates and store credits for shops you prefer not to buy from, then sell them on an online buy-and-sell forum or auction. A lot of savvy shoppers will be willing to buy $100 in store credit for $80. This will give you hard cash that you can give to charity. As always, ask for a tax-deduction receipt from your chosen charity.

My wish today is for creative ways to give to charities. Because while we are so lucky, there are many who aren't, and they need your help.