Second-hand presents .. is that OK?

HappySad

I am now collected second hand MR Men books to give as party presents for my son's birthday. They will just cost 25p each! Now just need to get some low cost party bags and then I am sorted.

I feel more confident to give second hand to more people. I just won't tell them in the same way that people don't tell people the price of their present then why not tell them where it comes from.

dolly_day_dream

I have just asked my son if he would mind a second hand gift and he told me that it depended on what it was. He wouldn't want second hand pants! However if it meant that he was getting a bigger, better present than he might have done then it was fine. Come to think of it he has 'negotiated' some deals like this over his birthdays/christmasses before. I try and search out gifts that show that I have taken time and thought for the person concerned. If it is second hand then so be it. No one has complained yet. But then I don't let them know where their presents come from.

However I have come out from the 'second hand/charity shop' closet more lately and am letting everyone know that if at all possible I will buy second hand before buying new in order to help conserve the earth's resources. This has caused some very funny looks from parents of my class as I spend my Saturday mornings visiting all of the 19 charity shops in my town. However it does mean that my class is very well stocked with (second hand) reading books which are a form of gift to them.

VickyA_2

When OH and I got engaged, people asked me whether I'd got a new diamond. :rotfl: Pointed out that they're all a few million years old and mine actually came from his gran's dress ring. They all liked that it was sentimental, but when it came to their engagements they all wanted "new" diamonds even when "old family" ones were on offer.

2nd hand is the best way to make sure you're preserving and recycling, donating money to charity - on some occasions and making you feel good that you've saved money!

HappySad

dolly_day_dream wrote:

I have just asked my son if he would mind a second hand gift and he told me that it depended on what it was. He wouldn't want second hand pants! However if it meant that he was getting a bigger, better present than he might have done then it was fine. Come to think of it he has 'negotiated' some deals like this over his birthdays/christmasses before. I try and search out gifts that show that I have taken time and thought for the person concerned. If it is second hand then so be it. No one has complained yet. But then I don't let them know where their presents come from.

However I have come out from the 'second hand/charity shop' closet more lately and am letting everyone know that if at all possible I will buy second hand before buying new in order to help conserve the earth's resources. This has caused some very funny looks from parents of my class as I spend my Saturday mornings visiting all of the 19 charity shops in my town. However it does mean that my class is very well stocked with (second hand) reading books which are a form of gift to them.

Sound good what you are doing. I like your signiture. Have you looked at the tread I started about happiness==
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=207392

jo_b_2

I've had some books that have been in really excellent (as new) condition from www.readitswapit.co.uk

I'm going to save a couple of them as Christmas presents rather than dashing around at the last minute to buy things for the sake of it. I won't be telling the recipients that they are second-hand though!

I can't see anything wrong with people recycling gifts and items to give to others again, personally, so long as they are likely to be enjoyed by the recipient.

If the recipient is likely to be offended or disappointed by the present (whether second-hand or new), then that would defeat the object of recycling as a gift, IMO.

HappySad

I used to get many presents in the past and I found myself making trips to the charity shop to get rid of them. I now let it known to friends (family don't give presents only to the children in the family) that I don't want any presents.