The idea of regifting has the negative connotation of an unwanted item, given haphazardly, with little thought for the recipient. The term was first coined in a 1995 Seinfeld episode called "The Label Maker", when Jerry receives a gift that Elaine had given to another friend. However, if you follow some simple, common-sense guidelines, regifting can not only please the recipient, but can also make good organizing, environmental, and economic sense.

A large part of my work as an organizing consultant consists of helping people declutter, so I am well-aware of how often gifts end up languishing in someone's closet. And in these troubled ecological and economic times, throwing away something that someone else would love and use is no longer a viable option.

Follow these guidelines when you are deciding whether to regift:

• Match the gift to the receiver using the same criteria you would if you went shopping. Consider the person's interests and needs, the gift-giving occasion, and the appropriateness of the value of the gift.
• The item should be in its original packaging, with all labeling intact, and no evidence that it has been opened. There should be no tape marks, small tears, or damage in any way. If the gift can logically be put in a new box, then do so.
• Make sure the item is current and in style. Three years ago I received an I-Pod that I didn't want and never opened. I still have it, but it's now out-of-date in terms of storage capacity. I can no longer regift this, but I do have the option of donating it.
• Rewrap the gift unless the original wrapping is in pristine condition.
• Keep a gift log for items you intend to regift. This will save you the embarrassment of giving something back to the original gift-giver or to their friend or relative. Make sure you regift items outside of the social circle from which you received it.
• Remove any cards and gift receipts.
• Never regift something hand-made by the original giver or a one-of-a-kind item.
• Don't regift something you received from someone who may be in your home and looking to see how you're enjoying the gift.
• It's better to give a gift after the fact than to regift an inappropriate item.
• If you are giving something that you have used or is a family heirloom, be upfront about it. I recently gave a friend my copy of a book that I loved and cherished, complete with my highlighted passages, as a birthday gift. Not only did it fit the message of the book to give a used copy rather than a new one, the highlighting gave her an additional window into my thoughts. In this case, giving something used added value to the present.

So, in the spirit of the times, when we have too many things, too much trash, and a shaky economy, consider a fresh perspective on regifting.