With the holidays approaching, there are plenty of etiquette segments in the media that discuss the concept of regifting. Here’s one great way to get some auction items for your rescue! Regifting is the notion where you give someone a gift that was previously given to you. That item could be the wrong size, not a great color for you, or an item you just don’t like! Either way, you are saving yourself the space in your home to store this item by passing it along to someone else. After all, it’s the thought of giving the gift that truly counts!

Now, how about we encourage people to regift their unwanted Christmas present items to your rescue group for a future silent auction, tricky tray or other event? If they do so before Dec 31st, they can still receive a tax deduction receipt for this year’s taxes. And, they won’t have to store the item that they don’t really want in the first place. There are several articles online which mention groups of people hosting parties the week after Christmas to exchange their unwanted gifts in a Dirty Santa game or White Elephant exchange. Instead of going home with something else they don’t really need at these parties, encourage people to donate the items directly to your group.

According to NPT Instant Fundraising:
” A 2006 Harris Interactive survey found that more than half of Americans admitted to “regifting” and 78 percent believed “regifting” was okay most of the time. ”

So, help keep the holiday spirit alive by helping RESCUE these unwanted gifts and turn them into funds for unwanted RESCUE animals! What a perfect concept to recycle presents into some good! Oftentimes, those unwanted gift items are not horrible, they are just wrong for the person who received them. But, they’d still be great for someone else. And, your rescue group gets a good start on some great auction worthy items for your next event!

Contact the media now to get started on this campaign, encouraging drop-offs at your shelter or other popular locations (Petco, Petsmart, your vet’s office, your favorite hair salon, a friendly mall store). Send out your press releases by mid-December to the media members, and remind people again right after Christmas (and around the time of Hanukkah, as well) about this great opportunity to do some good!