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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 24, 2006 Regifting: Seinfeld's 'other' holiday tradition also thrives The Associated Press Get a present this year that you're not exactly thrilled about? Say, maybe some ceramic sheep or a hockey puck? Well, give it to someone else. Not that there's anything wrong with that. In fact, it's now acceptible to rewrap something and give it to someone else — as a gift — or so etiquette mavens like Peggy Post say. But there are some rules. Regifting started to lose its taboo when it was given a name — the "Seinfeld" writers are widely credited with coining the term in an episode about a label-maker in 1995. It seems straightforward: You get a gift that's not your style, but you know someone who would adore it. So you wrap it up and give it to that person. Advertisement He or she likes the gift, never knows its origins, and you save some money and closet space. That's why it's accepted in etiquette circles. Apparently, nearly everyone's doing it. According to Shopzilla, an online retail comparison site, almost two-thirds of the people it surveyed have done it. But evidently not everyone is good at regifting. Web sites like regiftable.com are littered with horror stories of recycled-gift-giving gone awry. Such mistakes are easily avoided. Post says there are two main considerations before regifting. "The key thing is that the recipient would love to have it," she said. "Regifting out of laziness is against the principles of etiquette." She added that the gift can't be "a cast-off or used item, and it can't be a one-of-a-kind thing. "You have to be careful not to hurt any feelings." One other common pitfall, said Leigh Zarelli, vice president of merchandising for Gifts.com, is regifting within the same social circle. "It's best when you regift something to, say, a business associate or an out-of-town friend," she said. That reduces the likelihood that the original "gifter" will catch wind of the act. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary