The word 'regifting' originated on an episode of Seinfeld (The Label Maker), in which the character Elaine Benes refers to Tim Whatley as a "regifter" after he gives Jerry Seinfeld a label-maker that was originally given to Whatley by Elaine. However, the practice existed before.

When you get a gift from someone and you either don't like it or have any use for it, then you give it to someone else as if you bought it, that's regifting. Some people wait to do this a whole year or even for another event, but the principle is the same. So, if you work in the corporate world and end up with six hot-cold flasks or eight briefcases and you decide to present these to persons on your shopping list, that's regifting.

Dos and don'ts

Although many people may regard this habit as tacky, it has its merits. After all, who needs six hot-cold flasks?

It is also perfectly proper to give such gifts to those in more need of it than you. Also:

1. Don't mention to the new recipient that you are passing on a gift.

2. Change the wrapping.

3. Don't give hand-me-downs or used items.

4. Keep track of who first gave it to you.

5. Don't regift candles, books, cologne, pens, tasteless jewellery, scarves, bath products, soaps, CDs, champagne, computer software, socks or fruit cake.

6. Gift cards with specific amounts of money are popular, don't regift partially used ones.

7. Don't regift items from companies that have gone out of business.(Go to google.com for more ideas)