Cheap, Used, Gifts

I am doing the same thing actually! I am a frequent vistitor to goodwill, they have some really great things. So far I have picked up these things for christmas presents; 2 shirt, a skirt, a stuffed animal(looks brand new!), and a purse. All the stuff that I listed look brand new. I would not mind getting a gift from someone that bought it at goodwill, this is because i constantly buy myself stuff there. Oh and the best deal ive found was a shirt for my mom, its harley davidson and cost me less than 3 dollars!

How I would react would depend on what you gave me. I would rather not receive a gift than get used socks and underwear. LMAO My last girlfriend used to buy clothes there and wear them. My current girlfriend buys clothes there and uses the fabric. There isn't anything wrong with some of the items so why not buy used things for gifts. Personally I don't think Christmas should be so commercial. If someone made me something I would honor it more than someone going out and buying me something. Just like I would rather install a flower bed for someone rather than buy them something.

I bought some "Nancy Drew Mysteries" books on ebay for my granddaughter for Christmas. They are, of course used (though barely!) but I never even thought about that!

I will be buying my kids clothes from the second hand stores around here. I always check there first. I think even if we had enough money to buy all new clothes and never wear them more then once I would still prefer to check the second hand stores first. There will never be a pair of jeans worth $100 to me ever. My family thinks I am overly cheap and they are a bit critical about it so I wont be buying their stuff there just to keep the peace.

I think that is great. It is saving you money plus it is helping the Goodwill workers and the Salvation Army make money for those who are in need. Those two do such good things for others.

I have never bought anything that was used to give as a gift but I have bought something that was pre-owned. I make a lot of the gifts that I give as I find it to be less expensive. I have received some gifts that were used and I have never felt offended or reacted in any way other then I would have had the gift been brand new. It is the thought that goes into the gift, not the amount of money that was spent or where it was purchased from.

I agree with you never look a gift horse in the mouth. I don't think that there is any thing wrong with giving a gift from a thrift store as long as the gift looks good and works. I never give clothes new or gently used because I never seem to get the person's style right and I don't want any one to buy me clothes new or gently used. That is just something I would rather do myself. For myself other than clothes it doesn't matter where the gift comes from because it the fact that the person took the time to try to find something that I would enjoy and new doesn't always fit that bill. And if I find something that someone else would enjoy from the thrift store then they will get that.

Some older used gifts I definately would like if it were something like a tin I was collecting etc...I wouldn't mind any gift as long as I could still use it...or if like I said was something I really wanted for a collection...even tea cups etc.

I see nothing wrong with finding good, used, quality, clean items for gift giving. However, I do think you need to be sure it is clean, current, and in good working condition (unless it is an antique and your gift recipient is into antiques). My "friend" gave me a hair dryer that he purchased from the Lighthouse Mission. It was obviously about 20 years old, and it had gunk all over it. I'm sure he thought a hair dryer would be useful. But, he could have at least washed off the sticky gunk that had been left on it by the previous owner! GEEZ!

I guess it really all depends on the gift. If the person that I am buying for likes antique time things then most definatly. However I wouldn't buy cloths or anything like that and give as a gift. I really want it as a gift either. I'm not too big on thrift shops and second hand shops as you pay a few more dollars and you have the item brand new. I have found some good deals in the thrift stores but not too often. Hence why I don't really care for them.

We don't have a goodwill or a salvation army in our place but back home we have a place called "ukay-ukay" for used clothing. My mom loves to look for used reusable clothes and other items and she gives them away during Christmas. So far she had made a lot of people happy and we never heard anybody say it isn't great. When giving something it is not really the item that counts but the thought that you took the time to look for something for that person. In our busy world, I am fine with whatever I receive. Take care and happy every day!!! =)

I will purchase used items, depending on what it is, and give to family members who do the same, or who I know will not mind. I don't think I would give something used to someone I did not know well enough, however. But in my family we exchanged used CDs and DVDs and other items all the time. It's really not a big deal for us, and makes a lot of sense in that way as we are 1) saving money and 2) recycling!

A gift for someone else should be a new item, if it's clothes or something. I'm cool with buying used clothes and wearing them but it's different when you're actually giving it to someone. This Friday I am going to a tennager's birthday party. Her mother said to get her anything pink, so I am going to the dollar store today and getting her a matching cold-weather set (headband, gloves, scarf) for $3. I just think it's tacky to give thrift-store clothes as a gift. Other items, such as mugs, pictures and things are fine. Happy MyLotting!

yes i would if that is all i can afford. i would also recieve them as gifts too. like the old say what is one persons junk is some elses treasure.

Not only would I, I do buy things at sales and the Goodwill, some of the items still have tags on them! Im saving money and still getting things that I know my family and friends would like! Nothing wrong with that. In fact my whole family loves sales and goodwill, I have been able to get away with getting gift certificates to them for my teen girls that love the clothes there! I wouldnt take offense to receiveing something used as it is what is from the heart that counts in my opinion. In my opinion Christmas has losts it meaning. It is all to much about buying buying buying!

Hi Elusive, Goodwill and the Salvation Army both do very good work. By purchasing these items from them, you're helping them out as well. Homemade gifts are another great way to go. Depending on the gift, I would also do this, and be happy to receive such a gift as well. In fact, I have received gifts like this before, and the items were very useful for me. Take care.

i would not give used items as gifts but would use them myself for sure. i agree wholeheartedly that times are tough but i have cut back on alot and i am only getting gifts for a few people this year and limiting how much i spend and no credit cards at all. i am only buying for the kids in the family and my son and my parents. not even buying teacher gifts this year as i cannot afford it. not sending christmas cards either as i cannot afford them or the stamps. you do what you have to do. having a roof over your head and food in your belly are the priorities not gifts and i am sure others would understand this. if they don't it is really their problem.

A good present's a good present. Only the other day, I was browsing through a charity shop and I found a copy of "Moondial" on VHS for 50p. This is a fantasy TV programme from a few years ago, and I have an ex-girlfriend who is just as heavily into this genre of TV as I am, so I bought it for her for Christmas - I know she'll appreciate it (I'll probably also get her a book). Most of my friends don't have much money, so I've had second-hand and cheap (or even free) stuff given to me in the past.

Yea I think it is okay.However I am not sure how others I know feel about it because It is joint giving between the two of us for these gifts.Meaning my husband and I give them so I am not sure how he would feel.I buy my clothing from Value Village and I sometimes think wow what a great deal because buying them from a "retail" or "big box" store is more expensive but I am usually very good when it comes to finding sales.I also tend to shop at the local dollarama in my town each month when I need things like garbage bags;tin foil;coffee;etc.Now in this day of age things are expensive and things are tight in the world economically and things.So you can never be too afraid of bargains!!! and it is also thoughtful and close to heart and in my eyes thats what counts:)

For me,its the thought,not how much it cost.With money so tight for most of us today,your ideas are great.I think the dollar store is a great place as well.You can get a lot of beautifull gifts in there that only cost a dollar.