Survey: Second-Hand Gifts?

In case you haven't noticed, we're in heavy gift mode here at Apartment Therapy. With so many gift ideas, not to mention actual gifts, flying around, we got to wondering: does a gift always have to be new? Our holiday budget would go a lot further if we were shopping at thrift stores rather than Macy's... and we'd slow down, at least a little bit, the cycle of consumption that seems to get us all in trouble these days.

Amidst all the news of the mortgage crisis, we've noticed a few stories like with headlines like this one: Holiday Sales Down As Mall Traffic Slows. So it seems like a shift to a lower-cost—and more green—source of gifts would be a natural response.

But that ignores the social aspects of giving: what's it mean to give—and how's it feel to receive—a used gift?

image by loleia via sxc.hu

Comments (11)

Giving a beautiful vintage handbag or vintage jewelry seems like a wonderful idea. Same with vintage pottery, knick-knacks, posters, etc.

I chose "never" but I guess it can be qualified. I wouldn't give second-hand gifts to most people, but there are some who appreciate it and I try to get people what they will enjoy not what I think they should have. And I wouldn't limit it to gifts found in pricey vintage stores if I find the perfect gift at a Salvation Army--that doesn't make any sense to me. One of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received was my great-grandmother's cookbook. Not everyone would be in to that, but I blog about vintage recipes so it was perfect for me.

i think it just depends on the state of it. we give second-hand books all the time (and i mean new titles, not old editions), and as long as they aren't torn up or dirty, who cares? i do have a few relatives who would be pretty upset not to see a store tag on something, though...

Second-hand gifts are only tacky if the thing itself is tacky, or the means or motive of the gifting is tacky... it's not fair to give someone something you really believe is ugly just to get rid of it; unless you truly believe the other person would like it

Of course it's ok! Yeah, it's good for the environment, but you can find a lot of fantastic and unique things via second-hand.

Buying from Salvation Army is affordable, eco friendly and puts money towards a good cause. Anyone who finds that combination offensive needs an intervention.

I wouldn't give used footwear or pjs because that could offend the reciever but jackets, vases, pottery, belts are all good.

If you give it in a nice reusable gift bag how will a potentialy offended recipient even know where you bought the gift?

For me, gifts are all about intention and thoughtfulness. I would much rather receive something fabulous saved from the landfill (aka used) than an expensive new trinket that was thoughtlessly given without regard to my tastes or needs. I've made it known to those who want to buy me presents that I love to get used and reconditioned items. Ebay and other auctions sites are great sources as well.

If you do not know the person enough to buy/make the appropriate gift, then buy food or gift card. Re-gifting is tacky and quite cheap. A thoughtful inexpensive is better...than "here take my crap off my hands".

There are any number of items where I strongly prefer vintage over anything in the stores today. If the giver's best local source for whatever-it-is happens to be Salvation Army, that's an accident of geography.

The critical issues should be (a) whether the recipient most likely wants the item and (b) whether the item is in an appropriate condition (a 1950s cookbook with notes handwritten in the margin is a fascinating bit of history; a pilled sweater is just plain icky).

A thoughtful present that fits the recipient in all ways, is a thoughtful present. Vintage, used, or new--it doesn't matter.

I find out what people collect. For instance, my mother in law collects salt and pepper shakers. So throughout the year, we look for interesting pieces to add to her collection and give them to her as gifts.