Regifting

Lore & Background

The term 'regifting' was popularized by a 1995 episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld titled 'The Label Maker.' In the episode, the character Elaine calls Dr. Tim Whatley a 'regifter' after he gives Jerry Seinfeld a label maker that was originally given to Whatley by Elaine. Whatley later reveals to Elaine that the label maker was faulty, which gave him the excuse to give the item away. Another variant introduced in Seinfeld is 'degifting,' which refers to the act of demanding a gift back from the receiver.

Several rules of etiquette regarding regifting have been proposed in popular media, including rewrapping the gift, not using the gift before regifting it, and not giving the gift back to the original gift-giver. Regifting has become a popular addition to white elephant gift exchanges or yankee swap events. While there are no rules that specifically prohibit or encourage the practice at these parties, generally the host suggests regifting if it is an option. However, if the host suggests a spending limit, it is generally considered poor etiquette to regift in lieu of making a purchase.

A variant of regifting was mentioned as one of Oprah's Favorite Things during a recession-themed 2008 episode. A Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind Poll in December 2010 showed that regifting was commonplace. Burçak Ertimur, a professor of marketing at FDU, noted that the popularity of regifting is driven by many things, including thrift in difficult economic times, a way to get around high expectations about gift-giving, awareness of landfill waste, and the sheer volume of possessions people have.

Reader's Guide

Regifting has become a notable social practice, particularly in the context of holiday gift exchanges and environmentally conscious living. Its significance lies in how it reflects changing attitudes toward consumption, waste, and social obligations. The practice gained mainstream visibility through the Seinfeld episode, which coined the term and embedded it in popular culture. Over time, regifting has been adopted by environmentally and budget-conscious individuals who encourage the 'green gifting' concept, making it more acceptable in certain circles.

The legacy of regifting includes its formalization in events like white elephant gift exchanges, where items can be regifted from year to year. In the United States, National Regifting Day is observed on December 18, created by the debt-counseling group Money Management International. Research indicates that 40% of office party gifts are regifted without use. In Canada, eBay marketed 'National Re-gifting Week' as December 26–30. The practice has also been studied academically, with polls showing its prevalence and the varied motivations behind it. Regifting remains a subject of etiquette discussions, balancing thrift, environmental concerns, and social norms.

Did You Know?

• A variant called 'degifting' refers to demanding a gift back from the receiver, similar to the concept of an 'Indian giver.'
• National Regifting Day in the US is December 18, created by the debt-counseling group Money Management International.