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Stored under Miscellaneous on December 14, 2005 at 10:05 AM
With Christmas nearly here, I have noticed a lot of people talking about whether or not it is acceptable to give away items that you find at a garage sale as a Christmas gift. Many people are going to immediately say no while others may think about it and say sure. I believe that it would certainly depend on what the item in fact and the person who would be receiving the gift. If you have a sister who loves antique Coca Cola items, and you find a great antique clock, would it be acceptable to give it to her as a gift? I would say definitely. On the other hand, maybe giving someone clothing that you purchased from a sale would not be acceptable.
The answer to the question is solely based on your opinion and the opinion of the person who would be receiving the gift. One person made a good suggestion which would be have the 2 types of gifts separated so there is a pile of "store bought" gifts and "garage sale" gifts. I certainly think that this would be a good idea for families who are big into garage sales. Families who understand the great items that are possible to purchase, new or used.
I am curious to see how others feel about this topic. Please leave a comment with your opinion. Thank you.
Comments
I do not think that it's ok to give garage sale items as gifts. It just seems so cheap and I would be a little annoyed to recieve someone elses junk as a gift.
I agree that giving someone a gift that was another persons junk is one thing, but what if that junk was an unopened box. Would it be any different?
No. I would feel bad doing that. I'd feel like I hadn't given a real gift and even if they didn't know the difference I would.
You can buy some new stuff at garage sales also, people who never got around to returning items, or got a gift they never used.
The way I see it, if it looks 'as good as new', why not? Especially if it is something the other person has been wanting. What a way to promote frugal living and keep more boxes and stuff out of the land fills.
Sorry to be way late with a comment, but I think it's OK, depending on what it is. I picked up a computer at a yard sale and gave it to my sister for Christmas. It needed some work, but that's what I do for a living and by the time I was done with it, it was better than new.
She knew I didn't pay much for it, but it was so much better than what she had she didn't mind.
My uncle is a skilled woodworker and sometimes makes his own gifts. The raw materials don't cost him much, but it might take him a weekend to put it all together. I don't see that as being very different from buying and fixing up yard sale finds.
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I do not think that it's ok to give garage sale items as gifts. It just seems so cheap and I would be a little annoyed to recieve someone elses junk as a gift.
Written by Abby on Dec 14, 2005 11:18 AM
I agree that giving someone a gift that was another persons junk is one thing, but what if that junk was an unopened box. Would it be any different?
Written by Kevin on Dec 14, 2005 11:22 AM
No. I would feel bad doing that. I'd feel like I hadn't given a real gift and even if they didn't know the difference I would.
Written by Abby on Dec 14, 2005 11:33 AM
You can buy some new stuff at garage sales also, people who never got around to returning items, or got a gift they never used.
The way I see it, if it looks 'as good as new', why not? Especially if it is something the other person has been wanting. What a way to promote frugal living and keep more boxes and stuff out of the land fills.
Written by ~Dawn on Dec 14, 2005 01:16 PM
Sorry to be way late with a comment, but I think it's OK, depending on what it is. I picked up a computer at a yard sale and gave it to my sister for Christmas. It needed some work, but that's what I do for a living and by the time I was done with it, it was better than new.
She knew I didn't pay much for it, but it was so much better than what she had she didn't mind.
My uncle is a skilled woodworker and sometimes makes his own gifts. The raw materials don't cost him much, but it might take him a weekend to put it all together. I don't see that as being very different from buying and fixing up yard sale finds.
Written by Dave Farquhar on Jun 22, 2007 02:57 PM