TresSugar

A Do or a Don't: Regifting

DearSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0800

I know that many people are scaling down holiday celebrations this year, including shopping, which is probably why 64 percent of Glamour magazine readers admitted to regifting. It might not be the most PC thing to do, but if you're going to do it, I'd say this is the year to do so. But tell me ladies, do you think regifting is a do or a don't?

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Good Idea or Bad Idea: Regifting

DearSugar — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:00:00 -0700

Are you the kind of person that has a gift drawer? Do you have a gift and a card for every occasion just in case you don't have time to shop before an event? And what about re-gifting? What happens when you receive a gift that you already have, or a gift you will just never use? Do you think it is acceptable to re-gift it? Some people think it is extremely tacky but others think it is fair game, so what I want to know is; do you think it is a good idea or a bad idea to re-gift?

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Sunday Confessional: Don't Hate Me Because I've Re-Gifted

DearSugar — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 07:30:00 -0800

Dear Sugar,

I have been working overtime this holiday season and haven't had very much time to shop for presents. My fantastic boyfriend is currently out of work and has been hinting to me that he's spent countless hours buying and creating homemade special gifts for me.

When I broke up with my last boyfriend, he gave me back the fancy watch that I had bought him for his birthday. Inside there is an engraving that reads, "Yours Til The End of Time. I Love You," and it's signed with my name at the bottom.

The watch is virtually new. He only wore it for two months and seeing as I can't return it because of the engraving I've decided to re-gift it and give it to my current boyfriend. It's so special and I know he will really appreciate something so generous. He would never ever spend that kind of money on himself.

I am fully aware that this is wrong, but like I said, I have zero time to shop and it sounds like he's put so much effort into gifts for me that I am justifying in my head that this is OK. We are going to be exchanging gifts tomorrow on Christmas day with both of our families. Can you forgive me?

No Re-Gifting Here!

GiggleSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 07:02:00 -0800

This is a little post-season Christmas humor. I love that even though grandma gets this guy drugs, she still doesn't get it right. Grandmas are always so unhip!

E. Jean Is Back, Offering Advice to a Woman Who Hates Her Man's Scent!

DearSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Dear E. Jean,

I'm a lawyer who is seeing a kind, generous, sweet, gainfully-employed man. But in conversations with friends, I refer to him as a "smothering barnacle." I also actively avoid kissing him, can’t stand the way he smells, and his baby kisses on my forehead make me want to scratch his eyes out.

I'm almost 37, never been married, and he is a great guy, but he smells so bad (to me) that I can’t bear to be near him, though he'd probably smell irresistible to some other gal who actually loved him. Do I break up with the best guy who's ever come along? - Texas Attorney

To see E. Jean's answer, read more.

Texas, My Trollymog,

Though 99.9 percent of the Dears are dying to tell you to get RID of the fellow (and are ready to strangle me for even running this question) . . . I quite like him. He doth reeketh a whiff? So what? That scent he's wearing is called "eau de employed." In this economy, honey, you may have forgotten what a man who holds a job actually smells like.

And come on, Miss Dainty Doily, how over-refined have you Texas attorneys become? Since when does a little tang banish "the best guy who's ever come along?"

Grab him by the ears and say, "Dude. Kill the baby smooches. I’m gonna show you how I like to be kissed." And when he leans in to begin the lesson, hold up your hand, smile and whisper: "Ahhhhhh - not so fast, you bewitching animal! Your man scent is a little too intoxicating for me. So look what I found . . . " And here hand him a box of hand-soaps, shampoos, and aftershaves. (If you're the high-strung Gossip Girl type - and aren't we all? - drive home your point by removing the top from the aftershave, sniffing and staggering backwards with your hand fluttering at your heart. He'll get the picture.)

A woman can always - always! - improve a "kind, generous, sweet" man because he wants to please you. Indeed, I once scrubbed down one of my husbands in vinegar and drove him around with his head hanging out the window till he dried off.

P.S. If you've washed him up and still want to wash him out, re-gift him to the ladies on GreatBoyfriends.com and chalk it up to a bad case of the "McClintocks." Martha McClintock, PhD, of the University of Chicago, has discovered that you're a sucker for gentlemen who smell like you do, but not exactly like you do; and you go wild for a fellow who smells like your dad, but not precisely like your dad. The theory is you will choose a mate with an immune system which will give your offspring a better chance in life.

But to hell with Martha! You have 50 or 60 years worth of olfactory foul-ups and fun in front of you.

To see more advice from E. Jean, visit Elle magazine and AskEJean.com.

Do Tell: What's the Worst Gift You've Ever Received?

DearSugar — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Unfortunately, not everyone has a knack at giving good gifts. If you receive something you just have no use for, you can always regift it, but there are some things that are just so bad, you wouldn't want people to think they came from you! In the spirit of gift-giving, why don't you take a trip down memory lane and tell us, what is the absolute worst gift you've ever received on Christmas?

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Ask E. Jean for DearSugar: Do I Have a Right to be Upset?

E Jean Carroll — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 23:35:00 -0700

Dear E. Jean--

I’m writing to you because I need some advice (and consoling). I recently received an e-mail from my so-called friend stating that my ex-boyfriend and she have feelings for each other. They’re seeing each other! This “friend” I’ve known for many years and this ex-boyfriend was my first love. I dated him for two years and he was my longest relationship.

Do I have a right to be mad? Is that “no-no” of staying away from your friend’s EX non-existent now?

I guess my real question is, what do I do? Do I start a cat fight over it? I have NO feelings for my ex anymore. So do I just leave it be? Do I say something? I don’t really think I should be the one responsible for calling or meeting up with her. I’m just so angry and hurt and confused I don’t know what to think! Please help me!

To see E. Jean's answer read more

MISS SAUCY PANTS: Please. Why waste the fellow? You trained him. You loved him. You left him behind. Regifting men is the highest form of happiness there is. Each time you recycle a chap, you become a brighter, better, finer, more beautiful woman. Your friend is happy. The lad is happy. Phone her. Wish her well!

Indeed, I call upon ALL DearSugar Readers! You’re the coolest women on Planet Earth. Step up to the plate, secure the happiness of womankind, and regift your old boyfriends! Women who pass on their ex-boyfriends to other women suddenly start meeting wonderful fellows. (I know because I did an Oprah show about GreatBoyfriends.com).

So, let’s get some serious karma going here. What can I say? Chasing men is delicious entertainment. But who knew it could be so dang spiritual?

To see more advice from E. Jean visit Elle Magazine and AskEJean.com

This Week With DearSugar

DearSugar — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 04:00:00 -0700

E. Jean struck a major cord this week. These comments are very intense, so why don't you weigh in -- What's your take on two married people cheating?
The microwave seems to be the big winner here, but do tell, what appliance could you not live without?
Are you a dog or a cat person?
Learn some tips on how to help a grieving friend
You don't need permission to actually eat on a date!
What would you demand if you had to give up sex?
Can Clueless Calob re-gift his old engagement ring?
Who do you check out more? Men or women?
Ladies, pull and pray is NOT a good form of birth control
Are we raising spoiled kids?
Who is your favorite man in uniform?

You Asked: Can I Re-Use an Engagement Ring?

DearSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 06:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar--

I had bought an expensive engagement ring 3 years ago which I now possess again since we did not proceed with the actual marriage. Can I present it to my new girlfriend or do I need to buy a new one? If I do propose to her with the old ring, how will she take it if she finds out? I don't want to lie if she asks me so what can I say so that she will understand if she does find out? She knows I was previously engaged, but she doesn't know anything about the ring. I have managed to restore it and it now looks like new with new packaging. I don't want to do anything that I will regret in the future so any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated. -- Clueless Calob

To see DEARSUGAR's answer read more

Dear Clueless Calob--

In a nutshell, NO, no you should not propose to your girlfriend with a "used ring," and why would you want to, it sounds like that ring didn't bring you good luck the first time around! Although you never married the woman you originally gave the ring to, it technically "belongs" to someone else. If you are already essentially feeling guilty for thinking about re-gifting the engagement ring, your girlfriend is bound to find out, and if she is like any other red blooded woman, she's going to be upset and quite possibly furious.

The good news is that your old ring doesn't have to go to waste per se. Diamonds can be traded in for another stone and using the money from the other ring towards a new one for your current girlfriend is totally acceptable, so I highly recommend you finding a jeweler or diamond broker you trust and going that route. Although your engagement isn't going to be all about the ring, I am sure your girlfriend is going to want you to present her with something that is special and unique to YOUR relationship, not with something that was purchased with another woman in mind. I hope I was of some help to you, and good luck!

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This Week With DearSugar

DearSugar — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Do you agree with E. Jean when it comes to "re-gifting" men?
Do guys really like dirty girls in bed?
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What do you think, should Shayna lose her virginity?
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In order for your condoms to protect you, you have to make sure they don't break - click here for some helpful, necessary tips
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Do you like your men svelte or strong?
What bogus celebrity statement annoys you the most?