The holidays can be the most generous season for gift giving — but there are quite a few issues related to that.

A controversial idea like regifting could cure some of those issues.

What You Need To Know

  • Regifting or 'thrifting' for gifts can save money and the environment

  • Regifting is seen as tacky by some, but experts say it is a growing trend

  • SUNY ESF says Americans waste $15 billion every year buying gifts people don't want

According to SUNY ESF, $15 billion is wasted every year on gifts people don’t want, and five billion pounds of unwanted gifts go in the garbage. 

With the holiday season in full swing, many people are faced with the age-old dilemma: What to do with a gift you can’t use or don’t love? For some, the answer is simple — regifting. But is it thoughtful or tacky?

The amount of waste from gift giving can be staggering. That's where regifting — passing along a gift you received to someone else — is becoming increasingly common during the holidays.

A survey by nonprofit credit counseling agency Money Management International found that more than 60% of Americans say regifting is more accepted.

While some see it as a practical way to save money and reduce waste, others say it feels impersonal. So, where do you draw the line?

“Regifting and reuse is the ultimate made in America. Even if it wasn’t made in America. It is now. It’s living in America. It’s staying locally," says Sue Fassler, director of sustainability at SUNY ESF. "Maybe with your family, your friends, maybe Facebook Marketplace in your local region. I wanna reframe it and kind of challenge people to think: Why do we think regifting is taboo? As a person, as a society, let’s change that."

Experts suggest a few rules for regifting. Keep the item in perfect condition, rewrap it and make sure it’s appropriate for the recipient. Most importantly, avoid regifting in the same circle of friends or family.

Experts add holiday culture is shifting to where regifting is becoming a practical, albeit sometimes controversial, solution for unwanted gifts and financial stress.

Fassler added that even when you think you’re doing the right thing and returning an item, sometimes it cannot be restocked, so it still ends up going to the landfill. Also, consider sharing all extra gift bags and gift wrap. These are items that can add to waste.

Sharing old gift bags and extra wrapping paper is a way to save money and reduce waste.

Fassler also said if each American family wraps three presents in newspaper, fabric or reuse an old gift bag, that would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields, which is something she says can make a huge impact.