Thread: Would you give gifts bought from a thrift store or garage sale?

I'm a thrift shopper always, I love the deals on books specifically. I have often found items that still have tags on them at these stores and have given them to family members as gifts. As long as theres nothing wrong with it I see no reason not to give it. Also alot of my handmade gifts have come from bins at thrift stores where you can get a gallon size ziploc bag full of specific crafting items such as ribbon by the bag for $1. As far as receiving thrift items, I dont mind a bit, I'm a yard sale fanatic and I love thrift stores, and yes I'm one of the people who does not feel guilty about shopping them because I am on a VERY tight budget for items that are not an immediate necessity. DH's hours get cut once winter hits, shorter days mean shorter paychecks but not smaller bills! So I save where I can whenever I can.

About two weeks ago I bought a Harley sweatshirt from the local Salvation Army, it was brand new and originally cost close to $50.00, I paid $5.00 for it! It was for me... of course. I would say about 75% of my clothing comes from thrift stores... And I dress very well too.

I love thrift stores!

Sorry op, not to change the subject. but, has anyone ever gotten a gift that came from the trash!! lol, i was thinking about this post and started laughing. when Sweetie and i first got together, he would give me stuffed animals that someone would throw away. like the giant gorillas and big teddy bears, and big stuffed cats. he would wash and dry them and bring it to my house and give it to me. i didn't know about it until he told, i couldn't get mad cause i had never seen it before , so it was new to me. people will take any type of gift that you give them as long as it is something they love and it is given with thought and love.

Originally Posted by VALENA-)45

Sorry op, not to change the subject. but, has anyone ever gotten a gift that came from the trash!! lol, i was thinking about this post and started laughing. when Sweetie and i first got together, he would give me stuffed animals that someone would throw away. like the giant gorillas and big teddy bears, and big stuffed cats. he would wash and dry them and bring it to my house and give it to me. i didn't know about it until he told, i couldn't get mad cause i had never seen it before , so it was new to me. people will take any type of gift that you give them as long as it is something they love and it is given with thought and love.

Yes, In swaps on here...They say peoples trash is another person's treasure..LOL I beg to differ, the "trash" I got a few times....Yes, it all went into the trash, the person could have saved shipping cost & thrown it away on their own....lol

My favorite gifts to receive are used, antique jewelery! I hate most of the new jewelery, love the antique silver and turquoise etc.

Originally Posted by freebielover

Never given a used gift & it's just not something I would personally do. Maybe a rare collectible that you couldn't get anywhere else but I'm not a fan of buying used stuff. I have a fear of stuff coming from a smoking household & smelling like smoke

Your fear is understandible to me, cause i am a smoker. but you couldn't tell by my clothes. i use febreez when i wash clothes or anythng else. it will take the smoke smell out of anything. i used that and baking soda to get the cat piss smell out of my Crown Victoria. Sorry, op, for high jacking your post again.

I think it depends on the person you are giving too. My aunt gives my children things from goodwill, and garage sales for Christmas and my children don't mind at all.

It depends on the person - I thrift store shop *big time*, my sister thinks it is "beneath her" ( her words - not mine ) - so if I find a nice piece for her collection does it matter if I paid a pittance at a thrift store or big dollars at an "Antique Store" ? To her - it matters. To my firends of a like mind, they would be insulted if I paid full retail on something for them. The hunt, the sale, is part of the fun.

Having worked at a Thrift Store and uncounted garage sales ... ask yourself - where do the high end Antique Stores get their merchandise ? Estate Sales, yard sales, thrift stores, salvage stores, Salvation Army, Goodwill, St Vincent's and such ... pay pennies and charge dollars - it is how they stay in business.

Originally Posted by Jolie Rouge

It depends on the person - I thrift store shop *big time*, my sister thinks it is "beneath her" ( her words - not mine ) - so if I find a nice piece for her collection does it matter if I paid a pittance at a thrift store or big dollars at an "Antique Store" ? To her - it matters. To my firends of a like mind, they would be insulted if I paid full retail on something for them. The hunt, the sale, is part of the fun.

Having worked at a Thrift Store and uncounted garage sales ... ask yourself - where do the high end Antique Stores get their merchandise ? Estate Sales, yard sales, thrift stores, salvage stores, Salvation Army, Goodwill, St Vincent's and such ... pay pennies and charge dollars - it is how they stay in business.

I also agree that it depends on the person and the circumstances.

If it's an antique that a person enjoys, where else would one buy an Antique?

For myself, I 'gift' to myself all the time...

I'd give only to someone who is of like mind as myself.

To my kids' friends, a teacher or an aquaintance....I'd give new.


The hunt, the sale, is part of the fun.

: This is the only reason to shop anywhere.....it's all in the hunt and the sale.