25 . 12 . 2011
The SWAP Life – Holiday Resolution
If swapping is rooted in love and the holiday season is rooted in love, it follows that regifting must be rooted in love as well.
What? you say, The dreaded regift? The dark side of holiday cheer?
Regifting is the best way to spend less and have the most of fun!
That’s exactly right. I got to thinking about regifting this year as I was purchasing presents for my nieces and nephew. I kept feeling guilty because what they and I really want, not just for Christmas, but for life, is to spend time with each other. Buying them stuff just seems to fly in the face of that. This calls for a change!
Looking back, I do remember the great feelings I would get as a child when I was given a present by someone I loved. No matter what it was, it was the best present ever because it came from someone I loved without restriction. That’s not to say I feel it’d be appropriate for me to give them the wine decanter that’s been hanging out in the back of my closet for the past two years, but something tells me that if I look through my things, I can find stuff to give them that will satisfy both their excitement and anticipation on Christmas Day AND my desire to bring them joy without spoiling them. The way I see it, the world and its ideas can change all they want, but childhood by definition never will. My wee ones more than likely feel exactly the same way as I did, and that is why I should explore the art of regifting with them.
Come to think of it, I know exactly what amongst my things one of my nieces wants: my cherry-patterned purse (swapped!), and that fuzzy scarf (knit with gifted yarn) she doesn’t know I’ve seen her burying her face in (just thinking about it gives me an attack of the cuteness). Okay sweetie, because it’s Christmas and love always wants to share, this year they’re yours. And I know you’ll take good care of them.
Well, that’s two presents taken care of, but what about that wine decanter? Surely it could be a special something too! Do you know someone who would like a wine decanter? Should I pass this query onto our facebook page? Could this be the start of an amazing regifting adventure?
Regifting is love. At least it can be, as long as we drop for ourselves the social stigmas that have been attached to it.
Swap on,
Laura
P.S. This entry was posted a little later than I expected (Christmas), so I thought I’d add a little update since we finished unwrapping presents just an hour or so ago. The regifts were loved 
I ended up giving the swapped purse to my best friend instead of her daughter since there were chains on it that we were nervous she’d hit herself or her brother with if she swung it around (which she is most certainly likely to do). My best friend loooooved it, and my niece took the scarf to her bed so she could snuggle with it at night.
Christmas mischief managed.
Happy holidays everyone!
