In the fall, I received a beautiful teal floral silk scarf for my birthday from a dear aunt who lived on the east coast. Even though the scarf was lovely, it really wasn\u2019t me \u2013 I couldn\u2019t coordinate it with anything in my clothes closet. However, a tinge of guilt rushed through me when I considered donating the scarf to a charitable organization. Then several ideas came to mind. Surely, someone else might enjoy the scarf, and since I lived in the west, who would be the wiser? Immediately, I set-up up a \u201cregift drawer\u201d in my bedroom dresser and tucked the scarf away for safekeeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the spring, I wrapped the scarf elegantly and gave it to my boss at a birthday luncheon. I watched her open the gold brocade gift box slowly, fold back the matching tissue and carefully lift the scarf to admire it. She smiled, raised the scarf to her chin, and brushed her cheek with the silk fabric, \u201cIt is so soft, I adore the lovely blue and green hues. It accentuates the navy suit I\u2019m wearing. Thank you so much.\u201d she said and draped the scarf around her neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad you like it,\u201d I replied, beaming, feeling smug and secretly priding myself in mastering the art of regifting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the summer, as I was on the way to meet my husband for lunch, he called to say his meeting was running late and to wait for him in the office lobby. As I stood at the receptionist\u2019s desk, a deliveryman handed her a birthday bouquet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh thanks!\u201d she squealed. \u201cThey are so nice to me here. I also received a box of candy and a gorgeous silk scarf.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly, she pulled the scarf from a gold brocade box buried beneath other gift boxes stacked on the desk and tossed the delicate floral blue and green silk fabric over her shoulder. I managed to utter a feeble birthday greeting, but I was stunned \u2013 it looked like the same gift box, tissue paper, and scarf \u2013 could it be? Of course not, I thought, it was only a coincidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the winter, I took inventory of my regift drawer. I was amazed at the nice things I\u2019d accumulated. There were two bottles of Chanel fragrances that were all the rage, an assortment of trendy gold and silver chunky bracelets, and two simulated pearl necklaces with matching pearl drop earrings. I wrapped and adorned each regift with ribbons and bows and was able to cross six people off my Christmas list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then on Christmas Eve, the unthinkable happened. The postman delivered a small package addressed to me from a business associate. Quickly, I opened the brown box and dug through the foam packing material. I was dumbstruck\u2026there was the gold brocade gift box tied with a gold sequined ribbon. For a moment, I was engulfed with a glimmer of hope. Surely, it was only a coincidence, but there was no mistaking the blue and green floral silk scarf tucked inside. I fought back the tears as I looped the exquisite scarf around my neck, feeling ashamed for so many regift blunders. Suddenly, I was consumed by tears and laughter as I wondered if anyone else had failed so miserably at regifting. I vowed there\u2019d be no more regifting for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To begin the New Year, I made a resolution to never regift again. Not ever. And I\u2019ve kept that promise I made to myself over twenty years ago. It is the only resolution I\u2019ve ever kept.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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