By Maggie Varner
The art of re-gifting is more common than most will admit. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, re-gifting, by definition, is “to give someone a gift that was previously received from someone else.”
Many re-gifts may seem lazy and irresponsible, but more recently re-gifting has become a comical gag on loved ones.
This pastime has swept the nation, bringing up the true meaning of the holidays—not giving things to family, but spending time with family. By giving gifts that are inexpensive and hilarious, it may bring the family closer together, through laughter.
Brent Floyd, a sophomore political science and psychology double major, described his favorite re-gifting memory.
“My aunt is notorious for shopping at Goodwill,” said Floyd. “My older sister got an atrocious sweater one year, and re-donated it to Goodwill. A year later she got the same sweater from the same aunt. It was awesome.”
Many memories like this are shared during the holiday season, and this tradition of re-gifting is celebrated through white elephant Christmas parties.
At these parties, guests bring the silliest, most outrageous gifts out of their attics and basements. Everyone draws a number out of a hat. The person who draws number one will choose a gift and open it immediately. Number two has the option to either steal number one’s gift, or grab a new one from the pile. The pattern goes on like this until each guest has a gift. This is a fun way to get to know people’s personalities and also to clean out some junk from the attic.
Allie Jackson, a junior mechanical engineering major, described one of her favorite gifts she has given to a friend at a white elephant party.
“My family and friends call this party a dirty Santa party,” said Jackson. “One time I took a coupon and wrapped it in toilet paper. And it surprised my friend that the coupon was hidden inside. Sometimes my family uses real gifts. But I think it’s a great way to bring fun and bonding into the holidays.”
