A new survey is shedding light on an age-old holiday dilemma: whether or not it’s okay to regift something that’s been given to you.
Forty-one-per-cent of British Columbians surveyed in an Insights West poll said they expected to receive a gift they didn’t like over the holiday season.
But instead of simply keeping the dud presents, more than one-in-five surveyed -- 21 per cent -- said they planned to either exchange the gifts they don’t like or regift them to other people.
Pollsters say British Columbians are more likely to regift than their neighbours in Alberta. Just 12 per cent of Albertans said they’d consider exchanging a present they didn’t care for – and 15 per cent said they’d consider regifting.
Etiquette experts vary on whether it’s rude to regift, but there is some agreement on one cardinal rule: thou shall not regift to someone close to you.
Louise Fox of The Etiquette Ladies in Toronto says handing off a gift is acceptable as long as you follow these guidelines:
• It must be appropriate. The present has to be something the person would enjoy and not just something you want to get rid of.
• It should be intact.
• Don't give to someone in your close circle.
• Don't give something dated.
The Insights West poll surveyed 1,417 people in B.C. and Alberta from Dec. 4 to 6th. It claims a margin of error of +/-3.9%.
Have your say: Do you regift?
