It’s happened to all of us.

We unwrap a gift and find something that defies description.

Our first thought is “Regift.”

Amazon may have another idea – but does it pass the Miss Manners test?

Holiday Reject

Amazon, the e-commerce giant, obtained a patent for preventing those white elephant gifts from even arriving.

Here is Amazon’s idea —

• It creates a digital gift conversion process
• Gift recipients have an option for flagging notorious gift givers
• It offers options for establishing rules for gifting – e.g., convert any gift from this person
• Another option notifies sender of gift conversion – or –
• Sends a thank-you note for the original (later converted) gift

No wonder Emily Post’s great (times 3) granddaughter has her tinsel in a tangle.

Return on Investment

Returned purchases (up to 30 Percent) are a major problem in retailing.

There is a huge financial incentive behind Amazon’s patent.

But, is it too tacky to be considered?

Perhaps it’s because I’m from a different era —

• I still send thank-you notes – by snail mail
• I was raised to say thank you – no matter how much it hurts
• I try to spare a person’s feelings – even after receiving the most hideous of gifts

Maybe there is a better way to handle this expensive gift return fiasco,

Eliminate the Guesswork

The longer my single life extended, I had a brilliant (in my mind) idea.

• Why not a gift registry for the perpetually single?
• All my friends received lavish gifts – why?
• Just because they were getting married

Since I believe in all things fair – here was how my idea worked.

• Individuals of a certain single age (it started at 40, then rose to 50) sign up for a gift registry
• It works like a wedding registry
• List what you like/want
• Let everyone know where you are registered
• TaDa! – you have new gifts to replace your old towels, sheets, etc.

I told you it was brilliant.

So why not a giant gift registry?

• You register
• You list what you like/want
• You let everyone know where you are registered

Eliminate the guesswork – and save the embarrassment.

So, what do you think? Do I have patent material here?

What do you think about Amazon’s digital gift conversion process?

i-Stock Photo Credit: File #: 12146441

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