Chirky

Nearly everyone has received a gift at some point in their lives that couldn't be used, particularly, in that recipient's life. Gardening tools for someone who lives in an apartment. A pair of jeans that don't fit and don't have a receipt. A hunting rifle for a PETA lobbyist.

I recently read an article by Jocelyn Noveck (an AP writer) about regifting parties. I think I would like to organize and host one this year.

The rule: you bring a gift (Christmas, birthday, wedding, etc.) that you've received and can't use. You wrap it nicely. Everyone is free to trade (without revealing what gift is inside) until a designated time.

Then a warning bell rings, and within 15 minutes or so, the order comes to unwrap what's in your hands. It's yours. And whatever you get, you can't go home unhappy. You started with something you didn't want anyway.