Re-gifting! Believe it or not if you google “re-gifting” there are numerous articles about the controversial practice such as “Re-gifting 101,” “Re-gifting Etiquette,” “Proper Re-gifting” and so on.
Once considered tasteless and a social faux pas, re-gifting is now accepted by the Emily Post Institute. However, there are definitely rules to follow when re-gifting to keep from appearing gauche or hurting someone’s feelings. The rules address such “no-no’s” as re-gifting an item that has been made especially for you or monogrammed for you. Do not re-gift perishable foods and do make sure that the gift is appropriate for the recipient. It is also suggested that the gift be re-wrapped before re-gifting.
Re-gifting has gained in popularity since comedian Jerry Seinfeld coined the phrase more than a decade ago. But, if you are still not convinced that re-gifting is an “okay” practice Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has gambled and won the white elephant dilemma. Those unwanted items become prizes for a Sunday afternoon of “After Christmas Bingo.”
The 2nd Sunday in January, members bring the Christmas gift(s) that they would like to recycle to church. Remember, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”
Following worship everyone gathers in fellowship hall to enjoy snacks (those huge bags of caramel corn and tins of cookies that came for Christmas) along with a game of bingo. When you bingo, you get to select a wrapped gift from the bingo booty.
It may sound corny to some, but many folks look forward to the annual event. Take Mary Chris Gibbons—she loves it. A retired school teacher and current jewelry maker, Mary Chris finds beauty in stuff that others may consider junk. An avid Elvis fan, Mary Chris has added to her Elvis cup collection at after Christmas bingo and last year she went home with a coveted glass bottle.
Some of the prizes this year included a rubber duck tape measure won by Wendell Patterson and a handmade purse won by Frank Whittington. The pastel, beaded bag seemed more a spring or summer fashion statement than a winter one, so we probably won’t see Frank carrying it anytime soon.
Other prizes carried home by bingo players included a moose Christmas ornament, a cave man doll, a Stanley pocket flask, a candle with a compact disc of mood music and a pig salt and pepper shaker.
If someone really wanted one of those items and did not win it, they should not dispair as another chance may come along next year!