To give people second hand gifts

[GADDay]

Please be honest. Is this a really crap thing to do.

The gifts are good quality, in exceptional condition and if bought new, would cost £100's.

I would prefer to receive repurposed or second hand. So a bit biased.

I buy loads secondhand and love that -always trawling fb marketplace, eBay, charity shops etc BUT I'd be very hurt if I was given something that was a regifted unwanted present -it hasn't been acquired (either secondhand or new) with me in mind and is also something you actually don't rate -or you wouldn't be getting rid of it.

Been doing this for years, recipients have generally been very pleased.
start in the summer and find just the right things.

I meant that all together the items would cost 100s - I have paid a lot less. It's not really about the money - more about reusing perfectly good things.

Everything is in near new condition. 100% clean and some in original boxes - but obviously opened.

I am only buying this year for nearest and dearest family. So relatively easy to choose gifts that I know are wanted or needed.

Do it. I wish more people would. Much better for the environment.

It's vintage special interest - that the recipient expressed interest in. I can't elaborate as it would be a giveaway.

Yes- same here and enjoyed picking special items for each person. I have had a crisis of confidence in the past few days.

Feel reassured that lots of people wouldn't bat an eyelid.

I have done this this year, money is tight as well as the environmental impact of constant consumerism.

I hope my friends and family aren't as snobby as some of the pps on this thread 🤷‍♀️

Honestly, no, I wouldn't want second hand things given to me as a present and I wouldn't dream of doing that. I would pass things on to friends because they're useful, just out of kindness, but I would not wrap them up and present them as a gift.

The exception would be something special like an out of print book or first edition of a favourite author or something like that.

taliaG · Today 12:36
Honestly, no, I wouldn't want second hand things given to me as a present and I wouldn't dream of doing that. I would pass things on to friends because they're useful, just out of kindness, but I would not wrap them up and present them as a gift.“

Curious to know why? Things are things, surely?

I'd rather you save your money.

Honestly, no, I wouldn't want second hand things given to me as a present and I wouldn't dream of doing that. I would pass things on to friends because they're useful, just out of kindness, but I would not wrap them up and present them as a gift.
I wouldn't give things that were mine as presents, I would pass them on. I do buy specific presents second hand as you get so much better quality for the money, or in the case of books or similar you can buy more than one book off their book list, or add a food/drink item or some nice socks for the same money.

But what is the difference between an old book off my shelf and an old book off someone else's shelf? I may as well just rummage through my drawers and see if I've got some old junk I don't want any more, then wrap it up and say happy Christmas.

TaliaG · Today 12:45
But what is the difference between an old book off my shelf and an old book off someone else's shelf? I may as well just rummage through my drawers and see if I've got some old junk I don't want any more, then wrap it up and say happy Christmas”

Not how it works for keen secondhanders. I spend months looking for just the right thing for each person.

And if they know that and appreciate that then that's great! I think it's fairly unusual though and if OP is in any doubt about how it would be received it would be better to buy a new item.

taliaG · Today 12:56
And if they know that and appreciate that then that's great! I think it's fairly unusual though and if OP is in any doubt about how it would be received it would be better to buy a new item“
Fair enough. Have been buying secondhand for as long as I can remember, my kids do the same now. Means we can buy much nicer things than we could otherwise afford.

Bit annoyed at all the competition these days, tbh 🤣

A book off my shelf hasn't been bought specifically for that person and there is no cost or effort involved. For presents there is always thought and effort to source an item, or else make something for the recipient.

Honest I'd rather you didn't buy 2nd hand and at all. I'd be saying let's just send a card.

The most thoughtful gift I've ever received is a second hand book.

I think there's a big difference between a 'vintage, special interest' alarm clock that someone has shown interest in and a second hand alarm clock.

As long as it is really good condition then it should be fine but I can imagine some people would turn their nose up

I wouldn't just do it before checking in with them first. 'I've found you the most perfect present, which I otherwise couldn't afford, but it's secondhand. It's in great condition though. Would you mind?'

Would give them the chance to say yes or no, and save awkwardness when it comes to opening it.

@lurkingfromhome good job op isn't buying them for you then lol

I agree, @Aprilx , that a second hand book of a specific edition or of a long-lost favourite is a wonderful gift. I was meaning “something my kids or I owned and read and am passing off as a man actual gift” type situation is unacceptable.

My mum mentioned a book she’d loved as a little girl in the 50s that she was heartbroken when her mother gave it away. I found a copy online in a second hand book in Nova Scotia (the shipping took forever) and gave it to her for Christmas. She was delighted.

That’s a second hand book as a present. “Here’s a collection of Wibbly Pig books from our book case” is not.
(Although Wibbly Pig is lovely, obviously)

I've bought a vast majority of kids Christmas gifts from Vinted this year! And if friends have asked what my kids would like I've suggested they check Vinted too, doesn't bother me in the slightest stuff being second hand

I would much prefer a second hand gift to something bought new.

@GADDay I think this post identifies the number of people who just buy a shit tonne of random gifts cheap and dish them out with no thought of who's going to get it. At that point it's comparable to rummaging through drawers to regift old stuff.

However, you mentioned you've picked out things specifically for people and their tastes. In my opinion 2nd hand doesn't matter so long as it's in good condition - youre probably able to get better quality things as it's cheaper.

I think its great, for the environment and the knowledge of you buying tailored gifts for people