Reusing gift bags

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

A conversation that occurred with my Mum today
DH asked me while I was on the phone if we had any gift bags left, joked about cutting the previous tag off.
My mum then asked me if reused gift bags and seemed shocked that we do. I've got one that seems to come back on a biannual basis for example.
She claims that no one does this (except my DHs family, as obviously we do to get that particular one back

So are we the only ones?
YABU... It's just you
YANBU... We reuse gift bags

(They get retired when they get grotty. But they still last a few uses!)

I'm the person who not only reuses pretty bags but collects every bit of decoration and reuseable paper from my own and other family gifts - I have a bag full of them. It makes the brown paper and hessian I now use prettier, and yes, they'll go again for another ten years

That's what they're for! We have favourites that we send each other every year. So wasteful just to chuck them!

I always reuse! Have a million of them in a cupboard. DH would chuck them if he got the chance. In fact, when we moved he made me throw away a heap and I still think about it 7 years later 😭😂

Definitely reuse. It makes me sad when I receive one that someone has written on the tag (but I still reuse it, just with no tag attached!)

We reuse here. It's why I buy bags and rarely wrap anything.

I have a drawer in my chest of drawers which is given over to storing gift bags, birthday ones, Christmas ones and bottle bags. I'd never dream of throwing them out unless they were showing too many signs of wear.

I have a friend who is really good at decorating them too so I will often search for plain used ones in charity shops and she will then decorate them so the recipient is getting something completely unique and reusable in with their present.

I reuse them unless my young children have stolen them to play with. Endless fun putting thing in and out of bags and they using them to playing holidays or for -old tat- treasured possessions.

I reused one just today! I have a collection of different sizes, none of which I bought.

I reuse, it’s good for the environment!

Of course! I love to wonder where the gift bags have lived!

Definitely reuse, one reason I am always pleased to get one!

I reuse! Have a good stash kept in one of the largest ones!

Of course you re-use them; wasteful not to!

And I have quite a selection to choose from as I get lots of gifts from my students in pretty bags. My children pinch them for their own gift giving for birthdays, secret santa exchanges, etc.

I think I might have given one back to to the person I got it from last year but I've got so many in the cupboard I can't be sure!

Absolutely I do. I thought everyone did. What a waste if people just chuck them after one use. Crazy. I often don’t write on the tag so they can be reused.

If I'm handing a present to someone directly (as opposed to leaving in a pile at a party) I don't write on the tag, in the hope that the pristine bag will be reused. And if I do have to buy one, I avoid anything occasion-specific, as I hate it when I think I've found the perfect bag in my stash but it turns out to be a Happy Easter one.

Of course you re-use gift bags, what's the point of wasting them?

Yep I’m with you OP I have a bag of gift bags! Funnily enough raided it today! All the Christmas ones have been reused and sent off. Tied on a new tag, most of the time I will wrap what’s inside too.
I don’t often keep wrapping paper - but more because I’m terrible at opening it in one piece! I do try, and certainly have reused.

First off, unless it’s been written on, how would people know?
And second of all, they’re easily 2 or 3 quid a time - so wasteful to Chuck out, and I’ve received plenty that are most definitely second hand! If it still in good condition, and serves its role in looking nice and covering a present up, the. There’s no problem.

Reuse them!

Reuse of course!

I've just been looking for my stash of bags but can't find them. I'll be gutted if I have to buy some tomorrow.

Surely they are meant to be reused. Until they simply wear out and fall apart.

I've got quite a stash of birthday ones which we reuse between us all every year though I admit I do need to build up my Christmas collection.

@Scottishskifun

Yep I reuse them they even have their own drawer. Everything from wedding bags to birthday bags. I reused one yesterday for nursery presents

Get in!!

I also have a drawer for my bags.

I have a friend who writes on the tags and I tut tut every time. Isn’t it an unwritten rule to never write on the tags?

I envision these bags going round and round until the tags fall off and they’ve been clearly used so many times that one more time is pushing the proverbial.

One rule - ensure you do not use the same bag that was given to you by X next year. Strangely enough I always remember who gave what bag.

Reuse until past redemption! Once too scruffy to pass on again, I use them as filing hangers for bills etc in my bills box!

I reuse them n also don’t write the tags so others can too ☺️

I have some that have been reused so many times, they have Woolworths price stickers on the bottom and I hope will continue to give good service. I just need to remember to always give them to people who will return them.