Robin Boles

I love giving gifts. It feels so good to pair a person with something that will bring them value or joy, especially when I know it’s the perfect match. As we navigate the season of giving, it's hard to separate the joy of giving from the compulsion to buy, buy, buy, which has progressively asserted itself as the real theme of the season.

With this in mind, I propose we rethink the over-consumption that has become central to this time of year and embrace the practice of regifting.

The nature of the holidays compels us to over-consume in many ways. We eat more, we drink more, and we buy more: decorations, wrapping materials, and of course, all the gifts, which may or may not ever get used.

Unfortunately, every year, millions of gifts end up forgotten in closets, returned, or eventually tossed, representing an unaddressed but persistent contributor to household waste. Choosing to regift, when done thoughtfully, offers a promising alternative to this holiday madness, one that cuts waste, conserves resources, and nudges our culture toward more intentional giving.

Every product we purchase contributes to resource consumption: material extraction, water use, manufacturing energy, packaging, and transport. By regifting an unused item, you extend the value of those already expended resources. Regifting isn’t just a clever money-saver or decluttering hack; it epitomizes a meaningful sustainability practice.

To be clear, when I say “regifting,” I mean the giving of something that we already possess but do not use. Whether the item actually was a gift or came to you in another way, passing along perfectly good items that you won’t use gives them a second life.

Most of us have lots of things we don’t use: duplicate appliances, unopened electronics, decor that never quite matched. Regifting allows these objects to fulfill their purpose instead of gathering dust and taking up space.

Holiday spending can hit our budgets hard. Regifting allows you to give meaningful presents without overspending. Perhaps you can’t afford to purchase a new appliance for your niece who just moved into her first apartment, but you could gift her the ice-cream maker you bought on a whim but have never used.

How often have you purchased a gift fully aware that the recipient likely won’t use it for whatever reason, but you needed a gift, so you bought it anyway. With holiday giving in particular, we become driven to check everyone off our list, leading inevitably to purchasing something, anything, for that hard-to-shop-for person. This is no good for the environment, our budget, or the person for whom we bought that gift.

Regifting provides the opportunity to put intentionality back into the act of gifting. We have been conditioned to prize the shiny and new, but regifting challenges us to rethink value and our values. It encourages us to appreciate utility, reduce overconsumption, and approach gifting as part of a circular system rather than a linear one.

Whenever we view our actions through the lens of sustainability, we add layers of complexity. Sustainable shopping isn’t simply about buying “eco-friendly” products; we must consider the life cycle of that item: How was it produced? How far have it and its components travelled to get to its final destination? How soon will it end up in the landfill? The questions shouldn’t change when it comes to holiday shopping, but we might add: Will this gift be used? Is it durable? What happens when it’s no longer needed?

Regifting allows us to sidestep the first set of questions and move on to fit. Instead of discarding an item prematurely or letting it stagnate you’re matching it with someone who will actually use it. You have solved several problems with one action!  

Mindful regifting takes attention. Regifting carries a stigma steeped in perceptions of tackiness or weaponization as a subtle snub. But, it doesn’t have to be like this. By following some simple ground rules, you can regift and relax, ensuring you’ve approached it with generosity and care.

Choose only unused or like-new items; no scratches, stains, or missing parts. Second-hand or vintage items are acceptable, as long as they are in good condition or have been thoughtfully embellished or refurbished. Regifting is not your opportunity to unload the items in the bag that’s been sitting in your car to be dropped off at Goodwill. It’s a practice of passing on items that will bring value or joy to the recipient.  

Make a match. Regift items suited to the receiver’s taste, lifestyle, and needs. Regifting should come from an authentic feeling of fit, which has nothing to do with whether something was purchased brand new for that specific person or has been sitting unused in your possession. Part of what makes regifting so flexible is that the ideal item varies by household and recipient. The key is to align what you have with the person who can use it.

Wrap with intention. Treat the regift like a fresh present not simply a secondhand pass-along. Remove old tags or cards and present the gift as you would any other.

Prevent awkward situations and hurt feelings. Unless you have a clear understanding, avoid regifting within close social or family circles.

Be honest if asked. Open conversation about the benefits of regifting can help remove the stigma and encourage others to consider more mindful consumption.

This holiday season, consider the gifts tucked away in your own home, the still-boxed candle set, the duplicate blender, the book you loved but won’t reread. Someone on your list might be the friend or family member who would genuinely enjoy these things.

Regifting doesn’t make you a cheapskate. It’s celebrating a different kind of abundance, one that values resources, relationships, and responsibility.

Stop before you shop; the most sustainable gift may already be in your home.