Money Moral Dilemma: Is it OK to give second-hand gifts?

Cyclamen

If the gift is suitable for the person and you have chosen it with love, thought and kindness it really doesn't matter if it's brand new or just 'new to them'.

I buy audiobooks for my parents all year round and save them for Christmas and Birthdays.. they are almost always 'used' but I can't afford full price, this way they get more books. But I do spend time looking for the right author, story etc rather than any book.

Yesterday i sold some small ceramic plant pots on facebook.. the puchaser is adding a plant and giving them as gifts..

So choose wisely rather than buying any old item and go for it.

I'm not a fan of 'regifting' when the gift was previously given to me but if I know someone will like an item I don't they get it as an 'unbirthday', 'unchristmas' present. But when money was really tight I also did this.

It is the thought that matters..so do what you feel comfortable with.

Pollycat

fizzking wrote: »

I think it shows a mean streak if you give 2nd hand presents at Christmas.The recipient might be offended.

Why not give them away at some other time? The recipient will be pleased

I don't see it as being mean at all.
I'd prefer to receive a (for example) Karen Millen skirt from a charity shop (in great condition of course) as per my post #6 than a Primark skirt that costs the same.

As for the recipient being offended - isn't the point of buying gifts to know the recipient well enough to know whether they would be offended or not?


There's a big difference between hunting the perfect gift down from a 2nd hand shop and wrapping up some cheap soap and bubble bath set that Auntie Doris gave you last year.

MSE_Kelvin wrote: »

I've seen a lot of good quality second-hand stuff I think my friends and family might like for Christmas. My family have got used to my habit of reusing wrapping paper, but is giving second-hand gifts to save money (and the planet) OK?

Reading the original 'dilemma', it sounds like the author is considering doing the former rather than the latter.

Pollycat

mavidor wrote: »

Second hand is perfect! I buy and sell antique and vintage jewellery for a living and sell quite a few pieces for gifts, the quality is superior, the price cheaper and you help the planet as well as a small business, no brainer!!

Indeed.
For my sister's significant birthday, I found a piece of silver jewellery that was hallmarked with the year she was born.
I knew she'd love it and also appreciate the thought and effort that went into the gift.

nickyhatherell

As a family most of us have agreed to spend just £5 on each other so we spend all year looking out for things we know they would like; had some real bargains in the charity shops and car boot sales this year, and in previous years - as someone else said; for the sake of our world we all need to buy less, but at the same time it is nice to give (and receive) an actual gift to open on the day. We get more for our money, the charities gain and the world is a better place for less items being made.
This year we have also used whogivesacrap toilet paper wrappers as wrapping paper.... they look beautiful and it's anoter win-win for charity and the environment

suki1964

fizzking wrote: »

I think it shows a mean streak if you give 2nd hand presents at Christmas.The recipient might be offended.

Why not give them away at some other time? The recipient will be pleased

Why is it only mean at Christmas?

You know its not YOUR birthday, we celebrate Jesus's birthday. And he came into the world with nowt and left it with nowt same as we all will.

The commercialism around Christmas sickens me tbh. If I have to give a gift then its a thoughtful gift, something that the recipient will love, enjoy, use or cherish and if that comes from a charity shop then so be it

Not one single gift box of mass produced 3 for the price of 2 box of smellies will be given by me.

purepatsy

I often give second hand gifts too my family & they are always pleased to receive them.
I buy things online at boot sales, I also belong to a freebie site & pick up the odd thing that I know they will like.
Buying something that would normally cost a fortune for a very small sum is very satisfying & an excellent way to recycle & save money.
I also like to receive second hand items, it pleases me no end.

Cimscate

My sisters and I take great delight in shopping in charity shops and telling each other what a bargain price we paid for their gift. As long as it's in good condition and suits the recipient I don't see any problem with it. You benefit, the Charity benefits and you're recycling, what's not to like.

Bluey1295

I wouldn't complain if someone bought me a Rembrandt.

pickledonionspaceraider

fizzking wrote: »

I think it shows a mean streak if you give 2nd hand presents at Christmas.The recipient might be offended.

Why not give them away at some other time? The recipient will be pleased

Someone who choses to be offended by receiving a second hand present, is not the kind of person I would be close enough to, to be purchasing presents for.

The eternally offended brigade

Skiddaw1

Wouldn't offend me. Often give second-hand books as presents for example. Glad to receive them too.


Also like to make some of my gifts when I can.