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

crmism

Given the inferior quality of many goods sold these days, which compels a throw-away society simply because they don't last or fall apart, your decision to pass on or buy second-hand items and use them as presents is eminently sensible. There is nothing wrong in doing that and, if I were a DIY person with a limited armoury of tools, I'd welcome something that is made in high-grade Sheffield steel, no matter how old it is, as it will last forever. The same applies to most other items that could be gifted as presents without any embarrassment on the part of the donor.

Lurkingmole

I have been using pages from an old wire bound road atlas as wrapping paper for small items like dvd's and books. Most of the pages are still in excellent condition, and the maps have handy grid lines for easy trimming and cutting to size. It looks very attractive and you can also match the page you use to the recipient eg somewhere they have recently been on holiday etc

I source many of my presents from charity shops, and as other posters have stressed it is time and thought that is important here. I make many visits to many charity shops and eventually I will be rewarded with something that is absolutely perfect. I still remember my excitement on finding a box set of all the old St Trinians Films. I also remember how thrilled my mother was on Christmas day - there were films there which she had never even seen..

onwards&upwards

pickledonionspaceraider wrote: »

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

Well it depends doesn’t it?

I was in the room once when someone unwrapped an obviously second hand game that then was instantly found to have several pieces missing. That was awkward, and I felt really bad for the recipient because it was blatantly obvious no thought or care had been given at all.

A second hand gift can be a lovely thoughtful perfect present (like the jewellery from an earlier post, or a first edition book) or it can be a cheap thoughtless way to just save a few quid.

JayD

I think it's fine as long as the gift is in pristine, as new condition. I have often been given things as gifts that I really don't want and would never use - and am happy to gift them on, unopened and unused, to someone who I think would appreciate them much more than me. However, I would only give a second-hand/obviously used or pre-loved item to someone if I know it is something that they really want badly and who wouldn't mind not being the first to use it.

JayD

onwards&upwards wrote: »

well it depends doesn’t it?

I was in the room once when someone unwrapped an obviously second hand game that then was instantly found to have several pieces missing. That was awkward, and i felt really bad for the recipient because it was blatantly obvious no thought or care had been given at all.

A second hand gift can be a lovely thoughtful perfect present (like the jewellery from an earlier post, or a first edition book) or it can be a cheap thoughtless way to just save a few quid.

totally!!


Well said :t

primrose_penguin

Yes why not, we all get too much all through the year anyway.I buy my husband second hand books every Christmas, a lot are out of print so it makes sense. I also reuse gift bags, so don't have to buy any usually. Christmas is not about getting as much as you can, unfortunately the true reason for celebrating Christmas is virtually lost these days.

stmartinsdiver

Can you imagine getting a pair of used trainers as a Christmas present? So can I.
What about a nice framed picture of a subject I'm known to like? Yes of course that's fine.
Horses for courses people - know your recipients well and just use your common sense.

Angelfeathers

Of course second hand is okay, as long as it's in good condition! We all need to start reusing things instead of continuously making new, and this is a great way to introduce the topic to those who (somehow) have missed all the warnings and don't realise we're heading for disaster!

pollypenny

My friend bought me a lovely old platter from a junk shop one Christmas it holds the turkey every year.

Pollycat

pollypenny wrote: »

My friend bought me a lovely old platter from a junk shop one Christmas it holds the turkey every year.

Much better than a cheap soap and bubble bath set from Poundland.

And it holds memories. :T

I really can't see why some people are saying it's wrong to gift second-hand items. :huh:

Maybe they don't understand the concept of really knowing the person you're buying for and what will make them happy.

But then again, I don't understand the concept of buying gifts for someone you don't know well enough to know their likes and dislikes.