Throughout the year, there will always be occasions when it would be appropriate to gift a friend, associate or family members. In my first post, I mentioned the option of re-gifting as a way to save money.
Excerpts from my post of December 30, 2008:
"Re-Gift
Though this idea does not appeal to some, this has been a common practice by quite a number of Filipinos. Many, especially in the economic situation we are in right now, consider re-gifting practical. I am sure that over the past couple of years, we have received at least one present, which may have been re-gifted. If you must re-gift, give special care & attention to the process keeping the receiver in mind. The sincerity of the gesture still counts the most."
Recycle, instead?
Personally, I find recycling gifts more acceptable than re-gifting because, in recycling, it involves the time, effort & creativity of the giver. This post will give a few ideas on ways to recycle gifts & how to make it fun and rewarding.
To keep the items well preserved, whether for re-gifting or recycling, carefully peel off or cut off the tapes before storing & keep them in their original boxes & wrappers. Insert the cards of the givers in the boxes or stick them on the wrappers. This will prevent you from committing the unforgivable-giving a gift back to its giver. When it is time to re-gift or recycle an item, check it thoroughly for condition, left over tapes, cards or scribbling. A giver might have noted on the brand tag your name, or personalized wrapping tissue might have been used as stuffing.
Gift Recycling Suggestions:
A. Re-package as a Gift Set
Toiletries can be removed from their original packaging, & when arranged nicely on a Japanese paper lined basket, a small stuffed toy bought from a gift shop added as an accent & wrapped with clear cellophane tied with a ribbon, would make a pretty gift for a young lady.
A few pieces of apples taken from a boxful given by a client, a pack of ham from a friend, and a can of special tea from a relative, together can make an enjoyable food basket.
A ball pen, a memo pad, and a table clock arranged in a special box made from hand-made paper bought from a specialty store, would be a stylish office gift set to a working mom.
B. Use as Gift Container
A brightly colored cookie jar given by a friend can be filled with brownies. A relative will appreciate the present more if a tag is placed on the jar saying that the brownies were freshly baked by a family member.
A sterling silver basket laden with fruits makes an elegant birthday gift to an elderly woman.
The remaining unbroken wine goblet from a set that was damaged in storage, when filled with chocolate truffles, wrapped with clear cellophane, and tied with a red ribbon at the stem will be perfect for Valentine's day.
C. Use Small Items as Accent
A decorative tassel can be placed on the neck of a wine bottle, or, a small ornament can be glued on a ribbon tied around your present.
On my birthday last year, I received a set of 3 ceramic picture frames of different sizes. I was able to use the 2 pieces but the 3rd & smallest piece remained in its box, unused for months. Last week, I got the frame, washed & left it on a paper towel to dry. I, then, inserted in it a picture of a very close friend taken during our younger days & placed the frame carefully on top of a moist chocolate cake I bought from a neighbor. The cake was a hit when I brought it to my friend's birthday lunch.
A sterling silver basket laden with fruits makes an elegant birthday gift to an elderly woman.
The remaining unbroken wine goblet from a set that was damaged in storage, when filled with chocolate truffles, wrapped with clear cellophane, and tied with a red ribbon at the stem will be perfect for Valentine's day.
C. Use Small Items as Accent
A decorative tassel can be placed on the neck of a wine bottle, or, a small ornament can be glued on a ribbon tied around your present.
On my birthday last year, I received a set of 3 ceramic picture frames of different sizes. I was able to use the 2 pieces but the 3rd & smallest piece remained in its box, unused for months. Last week, I got the frame, washed & left it on a paper towel to dry. I, then, inserted in it a picture of a very close friend taken during our younger days & placed the frame carefully on top of a moist chocolate cake I bought from a neighbor. The cake was a hit when I brought it to my friend's birthday lunch.
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