Regifting: Tacky or thrifty?

Regifting: Is it tacky or thrifty? Many of us are currently facing this dilemma. It’s one of the drawbacks of Christmas. The gift-giving is done, so now what do we do with the stuff? In my little house, it’s tough enough to find room for the things I love, let alone the things that I don’t love so much.

Now I know a lot of my family and friends read this column, so let me first say good job guys. I can’t think of a single gift this year I wanted to throw out my car window on the drive home. But other years, I haven’t been so lucky. One year, I had a sweater that sat in the plastic wrapping for a year and a half before I finally wore it. And then, it was worn to feed calves. It was a good sweater, and I’m sure it wasn’t cheap. But, it just wasn’t my color or style. I didn’t have the receipt and the tags were off already, so I didn’t know which store it came from.

Although I can’t recall any specific regifting incidents, I’ve been tempted. In case you are, too, I’ve done a little research into the subject. Etiquette experts disagree on regifting. Some say it is bad form, but others say the focus shouldn’t be on the gift but what it represents. If someone could get more pleasure or use out of the item, why not give it to them? However, one must be extremely cautious while regifting. Nothing could be more embarrassing than giving the gift back to the original giver. At least keep track of who gave it to you. Better yet, send the gift to someone who couldn’t possibly see the original gifter. You wouldn’t want your sister opening a gift from your mother right in front of her. Out of state is the best place for regifts.

Regifts must be re-wrapped as well. Ripped and re-taped wrapping paper is tacky. You’d hate to have the target of regifting find a gift tag with a name other than their own on it. If the guilt is too much to handle, be honest. I received several nice sweaters for Christmas last year. Unfortunately, I outgrew them before I could really use them. They are now the property of my skinny sisters. “Here you go,” I told them. “I’m too fat for these now.” That maneuver killed two birds. They stopped taking up space in my closet and they will get worn before they go out of style.

Handmade and one of a kind items should not be regifted under any circumstances. Some things, like the snowman made from a sock courtesy of your mother-in-law, you will just have to grit your teeth and bear each holiday season until you can get the dog to chew it up.

If you suspect you have been a target of regifting, it’s polite not to say anything. If you dare to regift, you must be ready to accept the consequences. Some things just beg to be regifted, but all in good fun. Champagne and fruit cake are good examples. I also have a feeling someone in this office will receive a giant bucket of Play-Doh in our next gift exchange.

But remember, regifting does have its limits. So please, if something really is hideous, put it where it belongs: eBay.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Finally married!!

Well, it’s Tuesday night once again. Like usual I’m short on time. It’s no wonder that happens so often, especially this time of year. After I get done writing, I’m heading to my seventh (and hopefully final) Christmas program of the year. It might as well be Christmas day, because it doesn’t look like I’ll have much time to complete my cards or wrap presents. Nate and I leave Friday night for my parents. Then Christmas morning, we’ll pack up and head back north for the Eckert family Christmas.

Speaking of that, it will be my first Christmas as a full-fledged Eckert. You may have noticed the name change above. It’s no mistake, and I have not been placed in the witness protection program. Despite a lack of free time in this season, Nate and I finally got around to tying the knot. It was a very small, very simple ceremony. And, in Wisconsin tradition, we visited a tavern afterward.

I really don’t feel any different. Nothing has really changed significantly, except we’re now legally bound to one another. If it hadn’t of been for the not so subtle hints from our friends and family, we’d probably still be unwed. It takes time and money to plan a wedding, something we don’t really have an abundance of. That happens when employed in the agriculture and/or newspaper industries. But we’re finally sharing a last name, so now the real work begins.

First is all the name changing. I’ve started keeping a list of all the things I need to change my name on. From utility bills to credit cards to places in this newspaper, you don’t realize how many places your name is until you need to change every single place. Nate certainly got off easy in this area.

I also have to re-learn how to sign my name. So far, I’ve only had to sign it once on our marriage certificate. I stumbled and bumbled over it. I think the capital “E” is what trips me up. The surname just does not flow well into cursive. But I could be a lot worse off for last names. I’ve seen quite a few names of the eastern European variety with lots of letters but few consonants. At least this one’s easy to spell, but not so common as Nelson. Unless you happen to live in the Goodrich area.

Because we made it simple, there’s a lot of things we missed out on. We spent our wedding night at our respective jobs: me at a meeting and Nate milking cows. Then we honeymooned in the town of Medford. But we also missed out on some rather unpleasant aspects of a big traditional wedding, like clutter and fighting. As we were leaving after being married, our friend, Dana, who was married last spring, leaned over and said, “That was the most stress free wedding I’ve ever seen.” That’s the effect we were going for.

So now it’s time for more Christmas music. I’ll leave you with my favorite marriage quote I’ve found so far. This one’s for you, Nate: “I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.”--Rita Rudner.