This might’ve been a more appropriate post a month or so ago, during the holidays, but I gave someone a present I found at Goodwill the other day, and it got me thinking: what are your feelings on thrifted gifts?
I know some people who’d rather receive something new than something old, and others for whom a used gift has more character and history. Do you ever worry that a second-hand gift might be an affront to some recipients, almost akin to re-gifting?
I tried to thrift my Christmas presents this year, and I had a few hits — a blue-and-white reproduction Spode plate for my mom, a turquoise lidded teacup for Fala — but sometimes it’s hard to find just the right thing. Probably it would be easier if I didn’t leave all my shopping until, like, two weeks before Christmas. I suspect that with some foresight and planning, one could easily thrift every gift all year round. Do you know anyone who exclusively (or almost exclusively) thrifts their holiday/birthday gifts? If so, what’s their trick?
Oh, and speaking of re-gifting, check out Never Liked It Anyway, a site where people can offload their unwanted romantic trinkets and bridal gear, post-break up. There’s not a whole lot for sale at the moment, but as a concept, it’s at once genius and kind of horrible. What’s really interesting is that it gives the jilted (or jilting) party the opportunity to tell the story behind the stuff they’re getting rid of — which is often the most engaging part of second-hand items for me, and which, admittedly, it’s probably a welcome chance to vent in some of these cases.
I think—for most recipients—it might depend upon the gift? Like, an object with some vintage value to it would be more “acceptable”? But I don’t really know. My perspective may be skewed, too, because I love garage sales and think lucky finds there are awesome. I’ve given someone a huge full spread calendar from 1977 of Babar the elephant illustrations, which went over well. On the other hand, I’ve also given someone else this trivet made of California wine corks—also a hit because that person really liked wine—that was more recent, and not very vintage-y.
Also, I love Never Liked It Anyway. Their tagline is excellent: “a place where once loved gifts from once loved partners get a second chance.”
This is a very good point, my friend. And, yeah, I think the “second chance” is what I love about thrifting — besides finding awesome stuff for not quite as much money.