A Word on Re-Gifting

Today I hosted a baby shower for our neighbor. We have been getting to know this couple for the last 6 months or so, and they are really lovely. She and her husband are from England, and she invited several of her friends who are also from the UK. And here's what I couldn't believe: almost none of them had ever been to a baby shower. I thought everyone did baby showers--that it was a cross-cultural phenomenon. Like, you know, getting pregnant in the first place. But I guess not.

They told me they'd never been to one, and I was like Aunt Voula in My Big Fat Greek Wedding: "You don't eat NO MEAT?"

And, oh, oh! Remember when Aunt Voula is talking to Ian's parents about her "buh-bopsy" (biopsy) and says, "Inside that lump, they found teeth and a spinal cord. Inside that lump, was my twin!" I laughed so hard I snorted. But, I digress. Sorry.

The baby shower. Right. It was fun. We had cupcakes!

Aren't those adorable? If you a)get pregnant, and b)move to Australia, and c)be my friend I'll throw you a shower with cupcakes, too!

I have to be honest though. My friend Holly helped me with the cupcakes. And by "helped", I mean that she did almost all the work while I sat next to her and chatted. You see, I am not very good at many difficult things, but this one thing I can do. I can chat with you while you do the hard thing. That's okay, right?

We had decorations!

Now, that I did do. Except for the part that Jason helped me with.

And we had games, too, which I am not usually a fan of at showers, but these were fun. And here's where my question comes in for you. If you made it through Aunt Voula and the cupcakes.

What is your position on re-gifting? Allow me to explain.

So I planned these games and I wanted to give little gifts to the winners of the games. I ran out of time to shop for little gifts, and I was trying to keep costs down for the shower. So, I decided to re-gift some things that I have been given in the past and hadn't used.

Now, if you've given me a gift in the past, and are wondering if it was your gift that was re-gifted, let me reassure you: no way! I loved your gift, and I use it/look at it/listen to it everyday. I am actually wearing it/sitting on it/drinking out of it right now. In fact, could you please send more, because I am nearly out of it. I am only speaking of things that others have given me. Just so we're clear.

I confess that, from time to time, I re-gift. But I do so in what I feel is an ethical way. Here are my rules for re-giftage:
1. The gift must be in good condition and not opened or used.
2. It must be something that I consider good quality, just not necessarily something that I need at that time, hence its unopened state.
3. The recipient must not know or be acquainted with the original gifter.
4. I do not re-gift for a major event.

So, what do you think? In situations such as mine today--needing small gifts as party favors, I feel that re-gifting is entirely appropriate. Even ecologically responsible. Ha! See? I am so green and stuff!

But do weigh in, and tell me your thoughts. And I will add that I have been the recipient of a re-gift several times. Once at my bridal shower, someone gave me a gift and forgot to take the card from the original giver out of the gift! Hee hee! That was rich. But I didn't really mind, cause I liked the gift. What about you?