Do you give secondhand gifts?

[pollypurebred39]

Years ago, when my oldest child was little, every Christmas & birthday was secondhand entirely. I used to go to yard sales during the Summer and buy games and toys that were like new. I had very little to work with, sometimes a $1 or sometimes less, but I always managed to find games and toys for 25 cents, or even a dime. I'd always be able to get my Sister's kids a gift & maybe 2 or 3 for my own son for Christmas. Same for birthdays.

I also searched out old glass candy dishes with lids. I'd fill them with candy and secure shut with a ribbon. Or old cookie jars that I'd bake cookies and fill. These went to adults. Occasionally I'd find a really nice, within my budget male or female gift and I'd pick that up.

Now, if I'm out and I find something secondhand that I know somebody would love, I pick it up if the price is right. But mostly I shop 75%-90% off clearances throughout the year. It seems those prices are better then anything I've seen secondhand for years now. Maybe it's because of the area where I live, I'm not sure? But the prices at yard sales and thrift stores have been crazy high. I can buy the same kinds of things new at a better price on sale in the regular stores, and most certainly I can do better price wise when it comes to clearanced items.

[Libby]

Maybe its just me but honestly, I wouldn't care if its 2nd, 3rd or 4th hand....as long as its something I can use and not clutter or a gift for the sake of giving a gift. I kinda believe in the 'one mans trash is another man's treasure' philosophy.

I have given a gift of something I owned and cleaned up b/c I know someone close to me would put it to good use.

I also believe in re-gifting as well.

[khaski]

Goodness YES! My kids get probably 80% 'second hand'....it allows them to have a nice present filled Holiday without us breaking our budget. I also give second hand to my best friend, another 'thrifter', and my Father...I do NOT give second hand gifts to my other friends' kids (the few close ones we give gifts to for Xmas/bdays), or my in laws, unless they are 'new' with tags/box second hand items.....they wouldn't 'get it'. I do, however, have good luck finding 'new' used items at yard sales over the summer, so it helps. Great finds this year-
- HUGE Dora dollhouse, with furniture and figures, for 2 yo DD- $20, yard sale
- New in box Rescue Hero water craft from our local 'green center', with 10 Figures I bought at yard sale for $8, sold some off on eBay, got all $ back (so basically free, then), for 4 yo DS
-New, wrapped 'build a book' package for friends 5 yo, $3 at Thrift store

Not only is giving second hand 'thrifty', it's 'green', which is IN right now.

[BlissMommy]

I do. It really depends on the item and whether the person will like it. I love to buy books second hand.

[Maine Girl]

Yes i always find books second hand that are in great condition and are given as gifts. Last year i bought some nice glasses at the thrift store to go with homemade kahula. Many of my friends and co-workers shop second hand for the holidays. With the economy and being green I know i have seen many more people shopping at thrift stores, yard sales, church fairs.

[littleplum]

Absolutely! I get way more bang for my buck at the consignment and thrift stores. On Black Friday, I scored a whole kitchen trash bag full of clothes for my sisters and niece for less than $70. (They use the fancy trash bags with the handles, lol). I'm preparing a care package for my mom and sisters to mail out today. Tons of clothes and some personal care items that I scored for free or nearly free with coupons.

Now that we are expecting our first little one, I let every one know that we like used stuff and "heirlooms". This year for Christmas, my husband's grandmother is giving us an old china cabinet of hers, AND her mother's china. I'm so excited.

[YankeeMom]

Yes!

This year ds12 is getting a used PSP w/ a game & movie (both used). Ds9 and dnephew11 are getting used DS Lites. They are also getting used 12" GI Joes (since that's the only way you can get them anymore).

Both dd's are getting used movies.

[cab54]

I haven't yet, but I'm not against it, if I have an unused or gently used item that would fit the bill.

[teagan911]

I do for most of my children's gifts. DD's b-day is this week and I am hoping to make her a dress up trunk. I am heading to the thrift store to find some frilly dresses, hats etc. to add to the trunk. My other DD and DS's b-days are in 2 weeks and they are both getting used bikes. They don't care one bit if it's used, and they love the fact that they usually get better quality gifts. When MIL asked what to send DD for her b-day, we asked her to go to thrift stores and help us fill up her trunk. She doesn't believe in second hand gifts, so she went to toys r us and bought $15 plastic shoes, $5 fake lipgloss, $15 plastic purse and accessories and then spent $10 to mail it to us (we are overseas). Now, while we are very appreciative of her sending DD a gift, she doesn't have much money and I feel like she wasted her money on this stuff. The plastic shoes are going to fall apart and hurt dd's feet, and I believe they are already too small. The fake lipgloss has tiny little pieces and will be lost immediately, and the plastic purse will also rip etc. She could have saved a lot of money and picked up a dress or two, maybe a .50 purse or something. Those items will last longer and are actually real dress up clothes vs. the plastic, and cheap materials used for dress up clothes at the toy store.

[piney]

[QUOTE=Libby;1441421]Maybe its just me but honestly, I wouldn't care if its 2nd, 3rd or 4th hand....as long as its something I can use and not clutter or a gift for the sake of giving a gift. I kinda believe in the 'one mans trash is another man's treasure' philosophy.

Libby i fell the same way but i never give secound hand gifts,but i do try to get things on clearance if i can.

[dinah]

i have. i've given used toys before. and second hand books to close friends.

[mauimagic]

I love finding books at my favorite (ten cent) bookstore - really great condition - and perfect for someone!! Yard sales are also great places that I find gifts. Fortunately for others - my DH and I were sales reps for gift lines and had our own store - so a lot of samples and inventory come out when we have yard sales - some shop owners restock their stores with our sales!!

[krbshappy71]

Absolutely!! All the time!!

Everyone in my life has received a second-hand gift whether they knew it or not.

People I openly give second-hand gifts to and brag about what a "steal it was" are: daughters, parents, boyfriend.

Everyone else I just don't mention it.

[Jeanna]

Absolutely. If it is something I think the person would like. I also think if someone was so rude to "look a gifted horse in the mouth"another words "it's the thought that counts" then I probably would not buy them anything again. JMHO

[oheoh's momma]

No I guess I am the minority here. But I do buy gifts on clerance racks, and I do re gift. years a go a friend of mine gave me a set of Tempation pottery I gave it to my best friend for her birthday.