Surprising Discovery Of Holiday Re-gifting

I was surprised last week to receive a few recycled Christmas gifts, because I had never thought of the convenience of the practice.

I received a gift wrapped in familiar paper. When I opened the gift it looked very familiar, like one I had bought for someone a couple of years ago. It had not been used and there was no indication that it was harmed or tampered with in any way. It was an inexpensive gift, a practical room freshener, lemon-scented and fitted in a chrome canister. It cost about $50.

I looked at it for awhile trying to place to whom I had given the room freshener. Once I figured that out, the plot thickened because it was an unused, 2-year-old gift. As I thought more deeply about the transaction, it dawned on me my friend couldn’t return the gift because I didn’t furnish a receipt with it. I’m sure the store I purchased the freshener from doesn’t exchange purchases without a sales slip.

Once I realized that this was my friend’s way of adding humor to my holiday season, I appreciated the gesture even more, although I’d have uses new wrapping paper and put it in a bigger box and new tags and ribbon. I think that using the original ribbon is a little tacky, but it was funny.

After all, it’s the thought that counts.

With all the purchases made online these days, recycling gifts is another dimension of holiday shopping that is worthy of additional thought.

Some people take gift-giving very seriously, so I don’t recommend trying this with a friend who doesn’t have a sense of humor.

My investigation continues because my curiosity demands I find out how this holiday practice began without my noticing it.