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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To reuse gift bags?

118 replies

Spookytoast · 21/10/2018 10:59

I was given some presents in really lovely gift bags for my birthday a few months ago. I kept a few because I couldn’t bring myself to put them in the recycling.

Just wrapping a birthday present for MIL now and the wrapping paper I bought goes really well with one of the gift bags.

Is it BU to give someone a gift in a second hand gift bag? I’ve kept it in lovely condition!

OP posts:
TheSpottedZebra · 21/10/2018 11:15

I reuse them too. And I judge heartily anyone who uses sellotape to keep the top of the bag shut.
Hmm

Starryskiesinthesky · 21/10/2018 11:15

Everyone reuses them. It's the done thing!

Clockwork95 · 21/10/2018 11:16

I always reuse them!

Ellisandra · 21/10/2018 11:16

Why would you not?!!
I wouldn’t care if I got one I recognised back - if I even noticed, I’d just think “I like this non wasteful person”.

Now I want them to come with a fold out flap so you can record each movement! I’d like to read back that a bag I received had carried good wishes from one to another, to a wedding, a 50th, a graduation... telling a story Smile

MrsJayy · 21/10/2018 11:18

I give the tatty looking ones to the woman who does craft where i work she makes stuff with them so 1 bag many many uses 😁

Original poster
Spookytoast · 21/10/2018 11:18

Glad everyone’s with me. DP looked at me as though I’d suggested we give his mother a second hand toothbrush or something.

OP posts:
TombStonebake · 21/10/2018 11:19

Who DOESN’T reuse gift bags Confused? Of course yanbu. Very U to chuck them after each use, unless they’re ruined.

HoppingPavlova · 21/10/2018 11:20

I always reuse them. I put a post it inside with the name of the person who gave it so I don’t give it back to themGrin.

LoniceraJaponica · 21/10/2018 11:20

I would judge you if you didn't reuse them.

didyouseetheflaresinthesky · 21/10/2018 11:20

I reuse them unless they look tatty. Then we just use them for each others presents when we run out of wrapping paper on Xmas eve.

Also if I see any tags that would match existing gift bags, I buy them.

NeverTalksToStrangers · 21/10/2018 11:23

If the gift tag has been written on, I've been known to find a plain coordinating one from the cupboard and attach it instead. BlushIt's surprisingly easy to do.

WildCherryBlossom · 21/10/2018 11:24

These are definitely for re-use. I get the rage when DH scrunches them and puts them in recycling 😡.

I should LTB shouldn't I.

arranfan · 21/10/2018 11:26

We've used the same gift bags for years - specifically so people don't have the recycling problem and it still looks special.

SheSparkles · 21/10/2018 11:27

YANBU at all-it’s the best thing about gift bags!

Sarahjconnor · 21/10/2018 11:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BewareOfDragons · 21/10/2018 11:27

Of course they should be re-used ... it's why they're so durable!

Just replace the tag or pop a car in the gift bag along with the gift!

I have a stack that I draw from; pile goes up and down depending upon time of year!

Larasshadow · 21/10/2018 11:27

We always reuse them too. They go back and forth in my family.

twoshedsjackson · 21/10/2018 11:28

"Pass the gift bag"......My friends and family play this game with relish! Nice to recognize old friends as they come winging back to you with a nice gift inside! The record holder is on its eighth year....
If the tag is written on, easy enough to add one.
I have been known to snip off the sellotapy bits of nice wrapping paper, trim it down and iron it if it's really nice paper; maybe a step too far, but think of the resources you are saving.

Wrongintherightway · 21/10/2018 11:29

I reuse all my gift bags I never write on the tag so the recipient can reuse it.

People recycle them????

SleepySofa · 21/10/2018 11:29

I always do this! I never write on the gift bag label either, so the recipient can reuse it.

bellsbuss · 21/10/2018 11:29

I always reuse them , thought everyone did.

SleepySofa · 21/10/2018 11:30

@Wrongintherightway, snap!

katseyes7 · 21/10/2018 11:32

My friends and l always leave the tags blank so they can be reused! My best friend's birthday is a couple of weeks before mine, and she gave me my presents in the bag l gave her. Which was recycled in the first place!

BlueJava · 21/10/2018 11:32

I re-use them too!

SleepySofa · 21/10/2018 11:34

When DS was born, we got loads of blue baby gift bags and I’ve been gradually reusing them one by one as friends have had little boys... I got out the last one a few weeks ago to give to a cousin who’s having a little boy, and found to my annoyance it had “Born in 2014!” glued on in massive wooden letters. I had to buy a new one!