Regifting seems to be in vogue, especially when we’ve had to tighten our belt buckles, and books make for easy targets. During a cost-of-living crisis, it appears to be the norm—no longer is it frowned upon as it was in the past, and you won’t be seen as the Grinch of the family. Moreover, an increasing number of people are turning to sustainable gift-giving as consumer mindsets shift towards saving our planet. As a result, individuals are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of their choices, leading them to seek ways to align their values with their purchasing decisions.

According to a 2022 study by Pack & Send, which surveyed more than 1,500 participants, over two-thirds of respondents (72%) admitted that they plan to regift items. The research also revealed that over half of the respondents (53%) were more likely to regift items last year than in the past, as a direct result of the cost-of-living crisis. And Royal Mail’s latest report suggested that over half (55%) of consumers would be more likely to shop with an online retailer that has made a clear commitment to sustainability. Indeed, this is a watershed moment for retail and consumption.

Is it okay to regift books?

I am a notorious hoarder of books for one reason only: in my mind, I will eventually get to my TBR pile, and anything I’ve already read is a ‘classic’ that belongs in the permanent collection on my shelf. Some are lovingly signed by the author, while others have been meticulously collected over the years with my pocket money, including my student loan. There is something incredibly difficult about giving away books, a challenge that philosopher and journalist Julian Baggini says is related to our unwillingness to let go of our egos.

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Writing for the Financial Times, Baggini explains while we don’t keep clothes that no longer fit or unusable crockery pots, he says: “Often, the beauty of books we fall for is the effect of their display en masse, irrespective of what lies between the covers.” Yes, we ‘might’ save them for a rainy day, and let people borrow them. But he adds that “when the ‘might’ is slight, it isn’t right.” In actuality, it’s almost a form of fetishisation—a spectacle through which we can demonstrate our intellectual depth without actually having to express it in words. Baggini also believes therefore, that our identity and ego are tied up with our bookshelves.

Travel guides can appear as if you’re a seasoned adventurer; language and old study textbooks in our minds, exhibit your other worldliness. In the end, they are souvenirs of your life’s journey as Baggini describes it, trinkets for all of the things you have adored and experienced – but the danger is that we end up becoming stuck in the past, living out our glory days. He concludes: “To get rid of these books requires confronting some uncomfortable truths. It is to admit failure.” I am guilty of all of this.

What is the etiquette for regifting books?

Regifting books can be a thoughtful and sustainable gesture if done with care and consideration. Here are some etiquette guidelines to follow when regifting books:

• Select the right person. Choosing someone who you believe will genuinely appreciate and enjoy the book means considering their interests, reading preferences, and whether the book aligns with their tastes. You don’t want to give a nonfiction book to a fantasy fanatic!
• Inspect the book. Ensure that the book is in excellent condition, especially if you have a habit of dog-earing pages and writing notes.
• Remove any notes from the original giver. Avoid any awkwardness or confusion.
• Consider the timing. Regift books on appropriate occasions, such as birthdays, holidays, or special events – if you’ve just had a birthday for example, and suddenly they receive a book for no apparent reason, it may raise some eyebrows.
• Be honest if asked. There’s no need to pretend if you’ve read the book or if it’s not brand new, they’re your friends and family – so they will understand (hopefully!)

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• Include a thoughtful inscription. Adding a personal note explaining why you thought they would enjoy the book can make the regift more special.
• Avoid regifting to the same circle! It’s best to avoid situations where the original giver might find out, unless they believe in sustainability!
• Respect author and publisher rights. Keep in mind that authors and publishers earn royalties from the sale of new books. While regifting is acceptable, consider supporting authors and publishers by buying new copies when possible.
• Donate instead of regifting. If you’re unsure about regifting or the book doesn’t suit anyone you know, consider donating it to a local library, school, charity, or a Little Free Library. This ensures the book finds a good home.
• Regift with thoughtfulness. Regifting should be an act of thoughtfulness, not a way to dispose of unwanted items. Take the time to consider their interests and preferences before giving them your book.

Remember that the key to successful regifting is sincerity and consideration for your friends and family’s feelings and interests. When done thoughtfully, regifting books can be a meaningful way to share the joy of reading with others. Sustainability Matters outlines some great tips for regifting books as well:

What the experts think about regifting

Cheryl Robson, the publisher at Aurora Metro Books, believes in the principle of regifting but raises an important point regarding books. She told How To Be Books, “I think the principle of regifting is a good one as it is more sustainable to re-use items. However, when it comes to books, you need to be aware that publishers and authors only earn royalties from sales of new copies, so there are no royalties being earned on a used or second-hand book.”

Authors and publishers invest their time and creativity in producing books, and buying new copies supports their work. Robson’s perspective underscores the ethical aspect of regifting books, showcasing the importance of respecting the creators behind the content.

Rebecca Forster, a USA Today bestselling author with over 40 books to her name, offers a practical approach. She often gives books as gifts, saying, “A book is a terrible thing to waste.” Forster’s approach is thoughtful and considerate—passing on books she has received but doesn’t resonate with her to someone who might enjoy them. Her practice ensures that books find new homes where they’ll be appreciated.

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Dr. Marcia Layton Turner, Executive Director and Founder at Association of Ghostwriters, emphasises the emotional and connection aspect of gifting books. She explains, “Giving someone a book and explaining what you appreciated about the book and why you thought they would enjoy it demonstrates that you thought about what would make their life better.” Dr. Turner highlights the value of sharing personal insights and connections through books, creating a meaningful exchange between giver and receiver. However, she does note that giving a book you haven’t read is “lazy, but acceptable.”

While Stacy Ennis, CEO and founder at Creatively LLC, encourages regifting books as a sustainable and thoughtful gesture. She shares her own regifting practices, mentioning, “Passing along a book means you’ve 2x’d the value because now two people get to read it!” It’s all about sharing the love.

Sandy Poirier Smith, CEO of Smith Publicity, Inc., suggests a unique and sentimental approach to regifting books. She recommends gifting books with a personal history, such as those passed down through generations or associated with cherished memories. Adding a personalised inscription or note can make the gift even more special, conveying the significance and “priceless” nature of the book and its connection to the giver.

Readers’ insights on regifting books

To gain insights from readers, we conducted a Mastodon poll with 129 respondents. Surprisingly, more than 90% of participants were in favour of regifting books. Some shared their personal experiences and thoughts on the matter:

One user shared an amusing anecdote: “I once was given random stuff from someone’s kitchen because they had forgotten my bday. If you were given a book that’s not for you but you know your friend will like it, why not?”

Another user highlighted the practicality of regifting: “If the book has been personalised or was deeply personal in some way, then I’d hold onto it, most likely. But in general, if I kept all the books I ever read, there’d be no room for me in the house anymore, so it’s either regift or just donated to be sold to someone else.”

An individual also stressed the importance of considering the recipient’s interests: “It depends. If it’s non-fiction of a subject I have no interest in, I’ll pass it along to someone who might be interested. I would never re-gift fiction I hadn’t read unless it was specifically asked for or I know the recipient likes the author.”

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In the end, regifting books appears to benefit both the giver and the recipient, as well as the world at large. Firstly, we must make socially and ethically conscious choices in our consumerism, as it has spiralled out of control. Simultaneously, we need to exercise prudence in managing our finances during uncertain times. When it comes to hoarders, the more we can disassociate our identities from these physical objects, the more we can liberate ourselves from the expectations of being something we are not. It’s a cathartic experience for everyone in the end.