“During the holidays, there are many actions besides recycling that we can take to minimize the amount of waste we create,” said Freeholder Rick Fontana, solid waste and recycling liaison. “These gift ideas and simple tips will help you conserve resources, minimize ‘the mess’ and save you money too. They might also give you a gift idea for that hard-to-shop-for person.”

“Green” Gift Ideas:

• Tickets: theatre, dance, concert, comedy, sports events
• Season passes: sports and entertainment venues
• Memberships: gym, organization, books or magazines
• Lessons: cooking, music, dancing
• Gift Certificates: restaurant, car wash, spa, bed & breakfast
• Services: housecleaning, yard work, car washing
• Charities: Donating money in the recipient’s name is doubly rewarding. Contributions to nonprofit organizations often are tax deductible and the charities benefit too.

Reduce Waste

• Purchase products with little or no packaging
• Send electronic holiday cards
• Reuse gift wrap or gift bags
• Make the packaging part of the gift (wrap in a table cloth, dish towel, an article of clothing or a reusable tote bag).

These are pretty good suggestions. But I disagree with sending electronic holiday cards. First off, they’re really a lazy way of communicating. (Take ten minutes and write a personal letter.) Also, while some service providers are reputable, I caution my family to never open e-cards because they are a common way of spreading malicious code that infect PCs.

Wikipedia cites the following rules of re-gifting etiquette:

• The primary rule is not to give a gift back to the person who gave it to you.
• Similarly, re-gifting to someone who knows the original giver carries the risk of exposing both your lack of attachment to the gift, and your failure to select and purchase a new gift for the recipient. (Made popular on the ’90s sitcom, Seinfeld.)
• One should remove any cards and other indicators that the gift was originally given to you.
• Finally, using the gift before re-gifting it — so that it is no longer “new” — is generally considered inappropriate.

Etiquette guru Emily Post suggests that re-gifting should be done only rarely, and under specific criteria:

• You are certain the gift is something the recipient would enjoy.
• The gift is brand new (no cast-offs allowed) and comes with its original box and instructions.
• The gift isn’t handmade, or one that the original giver took great care to select.

According to results of the November 2005 Re-gifting and Holiday Credit Card Use Survey posted at Regiftable.com:

• More than half of surveyed consumers do not find re-gifting rude
• Nearly 4 in 10 people have practiced re-gifting
• Women 35-54 years old are more likely to regift than men
• Re-gifting is more practiced among those who are college educated
• One third of re-gifters do so to save money

In general, don’t regift the following:

• Used or opened items
• Expired items, such as last year’s Dilbert desk calendar.
• Champagne/alcohol
• Eclectic items the receiver might not be interested in

If your feeling tacky about the whole idea, give your stuff to a charity or resell on CraigsList, Amazon or eBay.

Related links:
(You’ll enjoy this song) Regifting for the Holidays by The Alice Project

Regiftable.com

Emily Post

GiftMe.com

MSN 12 rules for regifting without fear

US News & World Reports

That’s all folks. Let the re-gifting begin!
-BD

Very reminiscent of The Bowler character from Mystery Men.

Remember, only a trained professional should grind up cutesy crap fond memories in a blender.

• If you are just starting to date someone, tell her you are out of town that week.
• If you are trying to break up with someone, do it before V’Day so you don’t have to spend more money on her.
• When you’ve been married many years, try to make it about the kids doing something nice for mommy.
• Desperate and cheap? Show up naked with a big bow on you.

Still don’t know what to do? Well… there’s always a White Castle near you.

“Make your Valentine’s day STEAMY! Take your Valentine to White Castle on Wednesday, February 14 between 5 and 8 p.m. and enjoy hostess seating, candlelit dining and your own server. Reservations are required.”

“Special this year, you can also treat your honey to a romantic White Castle dinner in your home! Cupid’s Crave Kits include eight cheeseburgers, one sack of fries, two regular soft drinks, coupons and keepsake items to heat up your homespun romance. Now, ain’t that sweet?”

Ahh, I think my wife would kick my butt if I tried to pull that one on her.
-Roland