By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains.
When my kids were little, I got almost all of their toys and clothes at yard sales. They didn’t even know that toys came in packaging until they were six years old. After all, why pay 90% more to have the toy come encased in unnecessary, resource-depleting material? A 4-year-old really doesn’t care. They only want the toy.
Since my family was used to receiving presents that were pre-owned, it was no big deal to keep doing it at Christmas time. It’s not like I’m giving them dirty, ripped and broken items. At a yard or estate sale, I find gently used or never used items that are financially out of reach if they were brand new. Just this weekend, I purchased a hip like-new soft leather jacket for my daughter. Retail price new: $200. Yard sale price: $5. It’s a no-brainer. Wrap it up in a pretty re-usable holiday bag with tissue paper and it’s a WOW present.
I do realize that in some circles giving used items as gifts is considered gauche. I read on MSN Money that are used aren’t “real” gifts. What does THAT mean? Because I didn’t go to a retail store and hand over way too much money for pristine packaging that my gift isn’t real?
The truth is that I only give used items to my family and my very best friends who understand and appreciate my shopping philosophy. I follow basic regifting rules and find my friends thoroughly enjoy the gorgeous cashmere sweater or music CD that I give them after a day of yard sale hunting.
Personally, my very favorite gifts are items that have been handmade for me. It doesn’t matter if it is a cookie, a picture, a handmade scarf or a poem. It is all in the presentation and the thought that went into the gift. It is NOT about the money or the packaging.
Here are my five rules for gifting from yard sales:
- Ensure the item is totally clean and in good working order. If it needs batteries, buy and install them so that it works immediately.
- Present the present nicely. I really like using gift bags with tissue paper. The bags can be reused and the tissue makes it look festive.
- Make a handmade gift tag. They are easy and fun to make. Put a little extra love and attention into the tag. Attach to the hang tag a picture of you and the gift receiver when you were in kindergarten together, lyrics from a meaningful song or just a pretty holiday sticker.
- If the item does not have the manual, find it online, print it out, and include it with the gift.
- Do not apologize for your gift. You went shopping for it, paid good money for it, wrapped and delivered it. This takes far more effort and is more meaningful than just ordering a gift card from Amazon.
So readers, what do you think? Gifting from yard sales or not? Let me hear from you.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
I dont think there is anything wrong with it. Years ago, I purchased a tea set at an auction, I think I paid like $4 or $5 for it. I wrapped it , and gave it to my daughter in law (she is from the Phillipines, my son is a Navy Man) She totally freaked out. She wanted to know how I came by it, and eveything I knew about it, (believe me , she knew alot more about it than I did). So I will keep doing this when something of interest comes my way!!
I think the most important thing is giving something that you are sure someone would like. It is not the cost or the source that is important. It may sound corny, but it really is the thought that counts. I have given family members and close friends things of my own that they had previously admired that I knew they would love to get. It’s kind of like willing it to someone, but not waiting until after you are gone. I think it’s better.
@Vicky Davis. Yes! Yes! My sister once gave me a statue that she owned that I loved. Now I love it even more because it came from her. It IS the thought that counts.
One of the most touching gifts I ever received was a silver teapot from an elderly neighbor who was downsizing & moving into a condo. She knew it would be meaningful to me & she no longer needed it, so she was just passing along something of hers that she wanted me to have. It’s the nicest form of gifting when you want to share your personal things with the recipient to remind them of you whenever they use them.
I love finding treasures that I know my friends or family will love at yard sales. Especially things you can’t buy new anymore but I know they want. It means much more to them because they know it’s something you can’t find easily.
@Jen I totally agree. I think it is more fun to find something for a friend or family member at a yard sale than for myself. If I can stand to wait, I put them in my “holiday present” box and save them for later. If it is too early in the year and too great of a present, then I give in an give them a “Happy Today” present.
I think this is such a lovely idea. When you find something that’s been used and is in great shape, you’re showing a great amount of care and respect for the person who receives that gift. It’s almost as if you’re saying: I trust you with this treasure.
@Vicky Davis and @Bobbisbargains I agree, too! If the recipient really loves the gift, it doesn’t matter where it came from.
@Bobbi I love your generous spirit and the “Happy Today” gift idea.
@Carole Hanna You are right, hand me down gifts can be very powerful ways to say “you are important to me.”