Greetings, Traveler Weekly Readers!
I’m Sherry Gordon-Harris, Certified Etiquette Consultant, owner and instructor of Royal Purpose School of Etiquette. Our purpose is to assist with the Total Refinement of You, including children and adults, by offering classes and workshops on Etiquette and proper Manners.
As we learned in the previous articles, Etiquette is the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group. Manners are a person’s outward bearing or way of behaving toward others. It’s a way in which a thing is done or happens. In general, Etiquette is simply respecting others and not causing an offense to others.
The end of the year holidays have now come to an end. You may have been part of numerous gift exchanges. You may have received more gifts than you have room to keep. Or maybe you received that gift that you just can’t use practically. Should you keep it and let it go to waste? Or should you regift it to someone else you think may get some use out of it?” To regift or not to regift? This is an age-old question.
Some may think it’s tacky or inconsiderate to regift. The answer is totally up to you. Most agree that it is acceptable to regift. What’s most important is that you follow a few etiquette rules if you decide to regift. First, only regift the present if it is brand new, unopened, and still in its original packaging with tags. As long as the gift was not customized or personalized with your initials or special message to you it should be okay to regift.
Next, keep away from regifting in the same social circle from which the gift came. It could be embarrassing or hurtful if the giver found out that you gave away their gift to one of your mutual friends. And if the gift is unique, it may be easily identifiable. So, avoiding the same social circle or even geographical area is ideal.
Finally, consider if the gift is something you would’ve bought for the person anyways. At the end of the day, it is the thoughtfulness of the gift that counts. So, consider your relationship with the gift receiver and how well you know this person.
If this combination doesn’t work, you can always save a really nice gift for a pink elephant gift exchange where participants get the opportunity to pick a gift they actually want depending on how you play the game.
Once again it has been my pleasure sharing this Etiquette tip with the Traveler Weekly Readers. There’s more to come. Well wishes to you and your family. I encourage everyone to, “Live your life with Purpose in a Royal Manner”.
So, whether you, your family or group want to learn Etiquette for the first time or just want to brush up on your skills, consider enrolling in a scheduled class or book a private class with Royal Purpose School of Etiquette LLC. We can help with the Total Refinement of You. Contact Sherry Gordon-Harris at (309) 585-6145 or e-mail RoyalPurposeSOE@gmail.com or visit http://www.RoyalPurposeSOE.com. Thank you.
The Traveler Weekly 