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Have you ever regifted?
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Not really... I did get an awful carousel that looked like a frosted cake with white horses and pastel colored accents... Just awful. Got it at a Secret Santa work event...

Had a friend I KNEW would love it... So, I gave it to her, but told her how I got it...

My step-mother was the queen of regifting... I got a perfume collection one year from the people I babysat for. A few days later, we were at Grandma's and my Step-Cousin opened the same perfume set from my step-mom to her... I exclaimed, "I have the same set!" Got home and my set was missing...
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

No, anything that is really tacky (like coconut shell wind chimes from Railroad Salvage my brother gave me for Christmas one year) goes straight to the church yard sale. Would never re-gift. Prizes I have won, that is a differant story. Hubby and I do craft shows, and some of them have raffles of items donated from each table. Last year I won a nice earring and pendant set, perfect for a gift for someone at work. But re-gift? Cheap,cheap!

I never regifted before getting married, but now I do. Punky really didn't need 4 identical bears to mark her birth.

Some friends of mine have a Christmas party each year with a swap and steal gift exchange. One of the first years it was set up as a white elephant gift exchange, a place to dump that "what is it?" gift everyone seems to have hiding in a closet. One guy showed up with a new hubcap that didn't match either of his cars. We never did find out how it came to him, we were all just fighting not to wind up with it!

One of the first years it was set up as a white elephant gift exchange, a place to dump that "what is it?" gift everyone seems to have hiding in a closet. One guy showed up with a new hubcap that didn't match either of his cars. We never did find out how it came to him, we were all just fighting not to wind up with it!

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Our holiday party gift exchange at work was white elephant for years... There was a coconut lamp that surfaced every year. Folks were savvy and usually someone new to the organization would get it... Recent years, it is a $5 limit -- lots of boxes of Whitman's Chocolate Samplers and Lottery Tickets floating around, cleverly disguised...
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

So let me ask what y'all think....

One woman in Big Scary Man's family has a rule for that difficult gift - anything and everything gets displayed in the house for one year, after that it's garage sale material.

I thought it was a good way to handle an ugly gift but I've been surprised at the bickering, anger and downright venom her tatic has inspired. Do you think she is displaying bad manners? Or are the gift givers being overbearing and over senistive?

I am lucky in one aspect to not live close to family. I've faced this very same challenge. My biggest problems were that my Step-Mom (here she is again in a posting) has given me some of the most out-there gifts you can imagine. Here are recent examples:

1. A six piece luggage set that came in a box the size of a phone book (literally). It was made out of a very thin nylon fabric. Full set, mind you -- folded into a small box. From English Leather (must have came with a cologne someone gave my Dad). Major re-gifting... It all has an English Leather cologne stamp on the side of it, LOL...

2. Hard-bound book entitled, "Duct Tape, Milk Jugs, and Vinegar, 1001 uses for household items..." Interesting book, no complaints, but it was my ONLY gift that year... Did you know that if you break up colored soda bottles into small bits of glass and fill a baby food jar, you can give it as a paperweight? I am not going to give away any more secrets, you'll have to buy the book...

3. Dad got her a pair of 1/2 ct. diamond earring studs about four years ago, very good quality/clarity, very pretty (actually, he handed her the several hundred from a gambling trip and she bought them). I had admired them when I saw them. Fast forward to that Christmas. She calls me a month early. Says she wanted to get me a gift, but wanted to ensure I liked it before they spent the money...She was getting me diamond earrings like Dad go her. I about died -- Yes! I'd love them!!! WOOHOO!!! She went on to lecture me that I'd have to have them insured, etc... They were spending a lot of money on them... I promised I would... Hung up ecstatic... So, Christmas rolls around. I open the box and inside were tiny, tiny dark grey, cloudy diamonds. 1/16th of a ct., to be precise. If I was not not careful, they'd pull thru my ears backwards, they weren't much bigger than the hole in my ear... Found out from my Mom that my Step-Mom bragged that she got them for $39 at a discount store. (Mom and Step-Mom get along somewhat due to sharing grandkid stories, etc...) If she had just sent them without the huge build-up... What a let-down...

5. Two years ago, when I visited, she had a spinning container carousel that she showed me and asked what I thought (in a hinting way). I mentioned that I loved it for her, but carefully mentioned I didn't care for it for me. It was "something I thought about", but I didn't have any room for it (took up half a shelf) in my cabinets and if she were fishing for a gift item for me, please don't get me one. She also called a few months later and asked if I wanted a DVD player. I said, actually I was saving up for a DVD-VCR combo player and if they wanted to get me one, I'd love it, BUT PLEASE DON'T GET ME A DVD PLAYER, I WANTED A COMBO UNIT and would get one for myself if it didn't show up under the tree. So, as one would guess, that year I got a spinning container carousel (with four broken containers) and a DVD player...

4. Even when I was a size 5-6, I always preferred Medium sized clothes, and in later years, Large/XL sized, depending... I am also a red-head. The color pink is not for me -- I've always indicated I didn't like pink (hated pink on me). So, almost all the clothes she's ever gotten me are size small and pink...

5. In the 80s, all I wanted was a bottle of Obsession for Women. She refused to pay $20 (or whatever it was back then) on perfume and bought $20 in cheap trinket gifts. One year I again asked for it and she threw a fit at the cost of $20 for a bottle... I said, it is for ME, not YOU. About 10-15 years later, I eventually did get a bottle from her, years after I no longer cared for the scent...

6. Every year she complains bitterly about the cost of postage... Just got an e-mail that my birthday box is on the way and it cost her $12 to mail. On, and on, and on about it...

I always profusely thank her/my Dad (who is clueless) for whatever they get me and get them exactly what they want (spend a lot of money on them). Believe me, the one time I got her something she didn't like (butter boat) she let me KNOW.

But, back to your original question. I hold back a couple items in the event they ever visit me... But, they haven't. I've been in Maryland 15 years now and each year when I invite them, she always says, "There isn't anything on the East Coast we want to see/do..." NOTHING to do on the EAST COAST??? I always counter, "I don't come to Iowa because it is the mecca of civilization..." Instead, they go to Vegas each year...

Anyway, when I visit them in Iowa each year, I take one piece of the "luggage" for them to see (usually a small case I put travel items in) and have been known to wear my diamonds on visits... As to the small pink clothes, I did give them to a tiny blonde roommate while I was in the Air Force... She loved them -- I knew they'd never visit me overseas, so I was safe... She hasn't gotten me clothes for a while...

I tried to say, let's not exchange anymore and just send cards... They had started to get into the habit of sending me a check in a card... I said, if we are just passing money back and forth... She threw a fit as the only gifts they get are from me... And, I am very careful to get them nice gifts I know they'll love...

The latest genious move I made last year was to request restaurant gift certificates. I eat out on the weekends with my friends and thought that would be perfect. Just don't get me one for Olive Garden as OG isn't near me... I got a VISA gift card... When she called for my BD, she said, "I was going to get some of the gift cards you suggested on the list, but most of the places didn't open until 5PM and I was not going to be in town at that time of day!!! So, I got a VISA card..." Basically the same as sending cash...

My gifts have actually become a fan favorite and I have friends who can't wait to see what she sends... I no longer ask for anything specific, that has never worked for me, rather, I enjoy the surprise of the surprise much more than if it were actually anything I could use (aside from $ or a VISA card...)...

I did get a huge, and I mean HUGE, flame orange and gold glitter glass bowl from my elderly neighbor last year. She was so pleased with it as it went with my kitchen (I have sunflowers and sage green in it -- not a speck of flaming orange and glitter). So, I am very carful to put the bowl out from time to time on my counter for her to see and will continue to until she is no longer my neighbor... I put it up in a closet a good part of the year, as well... It will not accidentally break until well after she isn't my neighbor anymore...
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

OMG! Next time you give a post like that, give warning! I want to make sure I put down my drink before I spew all over the screen

I'm looking forward to your Christmas this year

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she always says, "There isn't anything on the East Coast we want to see/do..." NOTHING to do on the EAST COAST??? I always counter, "I don't come to Iowa because it is the mecca of civilization..."
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I use to always keep a couple bottles of wine on hand for drop by guests. Big Scary Man wasn't much of a wine drinker, but one night he opened a bottle and liked it so much that when it ran out, he opened another.

Somewhere between "you're the bestest friend I've ever had..." and "Honey, I don't feel too good" he decided to re-open the discussion of where our next house should be - and decided that we were moving to Iowa. He claimed there is no culture east of the Mississippi, why are NYC and San Fran considered gay friendly when Iowa is so much better, great place for songwriters, best schools in the nation...Iowa is so great they don't even have crabgrass and our lawn would look better.

Next day I found he has never really been to Iowa.

And I haven't seen him drink more than a single drink in an evening since.

I love Iowa and go back often, but rather than saying there isn't anything to do on the East Coast, why not be honest and say, "We'd rather go to Vegas than visit you." That's when I threw back that I didn't go to Iowa as it was the mecca of civilization...trying to drive the point home I went to see THEM.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

That's when I threw back that I didn't go to Iowa as it was the mecca of civilization...trying to drive the point home I went to see THEM.
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Ahem....Watch what you say there,Tammy! Iowa is much better than Los Vegas or anywhere else. ::wink:: Why we even have Living History Farms right here in Urbandale. And many, many times, Urbandale as well as Iowa City is listed in the Forbes top 100 and Money Magazine top 100. This year Urbandale is listed #39 on the Money Magazine list. Too bad, Tammy, but Iowa City, which is close to your hometown of Cedar Rapids, is not on the list this year.

Urbandale, IA Money Magazine ranking

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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

How wonderful to do nothing and then rest afterwards. Meow!

Ruby, I love Iowa...
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Oh Ruby, Big Scary Man spent a week one night in Council Bluffs - he gets his drawl back r-e-al thick when he talks about it, said the ladies were nice. Must of had a great time if he is working so hard to get me to move across country while my parents are still alive!

(and I miss living in a "top 100" town....)

>>Ruby, I love Iowa...
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>>Tammy

Yes, Tammy, I know that you really love Iowa. I was just kidding. To me, it's just a state like any other. It has it's good and bad. I especially love the four seasons and don't feel that it ever gets too hot or too cold (for long, that is.) I also appreciate the cost of living in this state.

Except for the very short time that we lived in Ohio and Louisiana, I've spent my whole life in Iowa. And of the 3 states, I must say that although Iowa is a good state, one of the other two is 'the state from hell' in my opinion. I'll give a hint, it ends in an 'a' and it's not Iowa. Pam was born there.
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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

How wonderful to do nothing and then rest afterwards. Meow!

I supposed that if I got someone a present and it vanished after a year, I might be hurt. More likely I would not even notice. I have the most horrid gift ever given living in one of my closets. My dear but nutty grandma got it for me when I was in high school and it has always been in a closet. It is a basket, made out of armadillo skin and it's head and tail make the handle. Nose is attached to the tail. It is absolutely horrid. I have not ever even been able to bring myslef to give it to someone else.
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Tessa Onyx, Foudini, Charlee, Spottie, ShyRaven, Buddy, Tuxie, Widdle Attila Sipowitz, Lizzie, Minnie, ET, Mylo, Penny (We be house cats at last), and Salem, Wicca and Marmalade (We iz also house cats, we guess)and the 5 porch kits also Riley da goggie and Buddha da baby hamster too
Tabitha and Samantha..always in our hearts
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

I have the most horrid gift ever given living in one of my closets. My dear but nutty grandma got it for me when I was in high school and it has always been in a closet. It is a basket, made out of armadillo skin and it's head and tail make the handle. Nose is attached to the tail. It is absolutely horrid. I have not ever even been able to bring myslef to give it to someone else.
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Tessa, you could always donate it to Goodwill. Don't you think that maybe some needy person would appreciate a purse like that? :::smirk:::

I agree with you though, it sounds horrid!
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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

How wonderful to do nothing and then rest afterwards. Meow!

It is a basket, made out of armadillo skin and it's head and tail make the handle.

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Wow. That sounds like something to behold.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Give me your address and you can behold it up close and personal, it even has little hairs on it. You will just love it.
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Tessa Onyx, Foudini, Charlee, Spottie, ShyRaven, Buddy, Tuxie, Widdle Attila Sipowitz, Lizzie, Minnie, ET, Mylo, Penny (We be house cats at last), and Salem, Wicca and Marmalade (We iz also house cats, we guess)and the 5 porch kits also Riley da goggie and Buddha da baby hamster too
Tabitha and Samantha..always in our hearts
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

Give me your address and you can behold it up close and personal, it even has little hairs on it.

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Little hairs on it... I can't stand it, you are killing me... Any chance you can snap a picure of this precious gift and post it for us?
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Wait a minute -- Armadillos don't have hair... LOL!!!!
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

They apparently have little tiny fine hairs on their ugly little bodies. I will try to find it and snap a picture just for you
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Tessa Onyx, Foudini, Charlee, Spottie, ShyRaven, Buddy, Tuxie, Widdle Attila Sipowitz, Lizzie, Minnie, ET, Mylo, Penny (We be house cats at last), and Salem, Wicca and Marmalade (We iz also house cats, we guess)and the 5 porch kits also Riley da goggie and Buddha da baby hamster too
Tabitha and Samantha..always in our hearts
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

No, I don't regift either.
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Tessa Onyx, Foudini, Charlee, Spottie, ShyRaven, Buddy, Tuxie, Widdle Attila Sipowitz, Lizzie, Minnie, ET, Mylo, Penny (We be house cats at last), and Salem, Wicca and Marmalade (We iz also house cats, we guess)and the 5 porch kits also Riley da goggie and Buddha da baby hamster too
Tabitha and Samantha..always in our hearts
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

Nope, always figured I would get caught somehow, meeheehee
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PHTessie