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Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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Posted by nancyl_ont (My Page) on Mon, Sep 30, 02 at 20:10
| I am a very practical person (wouldn`t have survived this long otherwise) and often pick up really nice things for my granddaughters, myself and daughter. They are always just given. Now my 5-year old GD has a birthday coming up and I have just bought her a very sweet dress and hand-knit cardigan. Would it be tacky (?) to wrap them up as gifts? My DD buys the kids expensive clothes but I don`t really feel like spending 30 or 40 dollars for something she does`nt really need. The kids have just about everything. I don`t mind, however, spending 5 dollars. I`d appreciate an opinion. PS. Forgot to say that the really nice things I pick up are from the thrift shop. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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I have given my GD's items from the thrift shop, but not as gifts. I would instead look for a game, puzzle, book, etc within the price range you are able to spend. My GD's love reading so ask you daughter what kind of book she likes. They have a really good selection at the different stores and you can get a good selection. My daughter has read to both girls since they were born and they take good care of their books.
Marie |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| I would consider a GIFT for a special occasion tacky. Something brand new shows that you cared enough to spend that extra amount. I agree about the books. You can get nice books for about five dollars at even the best book stores. Even an inexpensive coloring book and crayons would be a good gift. Just skip the thrift store for birthday gifts. Save the dress and sweater to give later. Unless your daughter is used to going and buying from thrift shops on her own, she may not like getting clothes from there either. That's just my opinion of course. I have several items that I got from one store, but while they are good clothes, I really don't enjoy wearing them. |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| Thanks gals. I think you`re right. I didn`t feel comfortable about it either. Think what I`ll do is open a bank account for her and give her the pass book as a present. I think she would be quite proud to have her own bank account and it would give her dad a place to put all her birthday/Christmas money gifts she gets from relatives overseas that he ordinarily just puts in his pocket. Cheers. |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| you might think about buying savings bonds too. and suggest they do with the money that she gets. debbie |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| I guess I'm even luckier than I realized. My grandkids get nice gifts and no one cares whether they came from the thrift store. Their parents both feel that an appropriate gift for the child is much more important than the price or where it came from. For example, a trike that you can't even buy new anymore for about $3, but I didn't get that one my DD did. Another thing I've started doing is making PJs from high quality flannel sheets from the thrift stores. You simply can't buy that kind of 100% cotton flannel in ordinary fabric shops and if you could the price would be out of this world, they look like they've never been used and they're already preshrunk. My SIL thinks it's a marvelous idea. Of course his parents shop the thrift stores for the kids too. Guess we're all a bunch of cheap skates? It all depends on the people involved and their attitudes. In our family time together is the most important gift anyone can give. |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| Really I wouldn't see anything wrong with you giving her the dress and cardigan and something else. I think if you then went and spent a few dollars on something else nice and threw those in too, it wouldn't seem so bad. It also depends on the condition of the clothing~something with stains and stuff doesn't show that you care very much. |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| Hmmm... I would consider it tacky to place the emphasis on the value of the gift, not the thought behind it. My MIL is a big thrift store/consignment store shopper, and I am the very shocked and proud owner of a great St. Johns Knit suit with the tags on it (from Jacobson's here in Louisville). She bought it for $125; the tags were $800 for the jacket and $550 for the skirt. |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| I shop in thrift stores and garage sales. Have two grandsons in the area (5 & 7). What I do for a special time is a Day with Grandma. We watch cartoons, eat homemade pancakes, make crafts, go to a $1. store for one toy and candy for a movie - then go to a $2.50 movie. The parents give them everything, but I have more time. They love having someone sit and watch cartoons with them. Also, they receive dozens and dozens of Christmas presents. It takes them 3 days to open them - I've made arrangements with the parents - I'll give my gifts on Thanksgiving. Try being creative - it's cheap. |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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An interesting thing happened to me at Christmas the year before last.I have only ever been given new gifts for Christmas, but my FIL, knowing that I have an interest in things old and antique gave me a gift for Christmas that he didn't bother to wrap, probably because he felt that it was some how inappropriate to give.
He had been to a house sale and picked up 2 beautiful rose patterned Royal Albert B&B,saucer & cup sets. He gingerely and with embarassment presented them to me on christmas day. To make matters worse my BIL mockingly laughed at him over the whole gesture.
Well, laugh on him. I was touched that he had thought of me, and they match my lounge room perfectly as an ornament.
I will treasure these gifts eternally, and like most "new" gifts,they will appreciate not depreciate.
Point is, just because it's not new, doesn't mean it won't touch the heart and become a treasure of your loved one.
Funny how sometimes a little dress and cardigan can become the greatest and most treasured memory you have of a grandparent in years to come when we haven't got them around anymore.
If you mean enough, they'll love it because you gave it, not because it's new or old.
Listen to your heart on this one I say! |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| I, too, think that whatever you give indicates that you cared enough to spend your TIME looking for something for that person. If you find something that is appropriate for someone, give it! If they care where you got it, IMHO they're placing the emphasis on the wrong thing. Similar to hmbr (poster above), my parents frequent yard sales. They occasionally pick up something for me. Do you know how much it means to me to know that, on that Saturday morning, while they were out enjoying their hobby, they thought of ME??? They saw something that reminded them of me and they bought it for me. Even if they wrapped it up and put it under the tree, it means that they were clued in to me enough to know that I'd like what it is that they saw. That means so much more to me than if they'd shopped for days to find something brand new. |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| The stories above remind me of a gift from my grandmother many years ago. She found a dress in at Goodwill she thought I'd like and bought it for me. Grandma didn't have much money and a gift from her was really special; to this day it brings tears to my eyes to think of it. Thanks for reminding me. My grandkids will continue to receive a mix of new, old, bought, and handmade from me. I hope the dress and cardigan that started this thread were given and received with the very special love that makes them priceless. |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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I think it would depend on the person receiving the gifts. If they frequent the thrift shops, they'd think nothing of it. My 8yr old daughter and I go a lot. She loves to shop cause she knows she can get more for her money.
I started back working days and had to have clothes for it. Couldn't afford to go to stores and buy, hit the thrift stores. You wouldn't believe how many asked me about my new clothes. I just can't see giving what the stores think they need for their clothes. Now my husband is another case. He believe the more you pay for something, the better it is. |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| I've shopped at a Purple Heart outlet ever since I went in by accident at Christmas about 15 years ago and saw the variety and price. A few years ago, my granddaughter had at 'thing' for dresses and her parents didn't have the $ to buy dressy dresses for her play time, so I went to the above outlet and picked up about 7 dresses, all priced under $3.oo each and each looked beautiful on her and no one was worried if she accidently spilled something on them. Three dresses were even worn to school on dress up day because they were so nice. I look the clothes over carefully, checking hems, pockets, buttons, and the end of sleeves for stains and tears. Quite a few couldn't have been worn over once or twice. One time when she was about 4 yrs old, I had found quite a few really good outfits there and gave them to her wrapped for her birthday which is the beginning of Oct.(she still needed quite a few winter outfits for nursery school). Everyone was exclaiming how beautiful they were(her parents knew where I had bought them)as she opened the multiple boxes. My daughter told everyone there that I had not bought them new, so people would not feel that I had outbought them on her presents and due to the fact that no one could tell they were used, no one felt it was inappropriate to give them. They were amazed at the quality and price paid. I buy jeans, coats and some nightgowns and blouses there for anywhere from $1.50 to $8.00 each. They have nothing missing and no tears,stains, etc.I only shop a regular store if I need something specific in style or undies,socks or shoes. Of course everything gets washed first. But I would never go back to paying $40.00 to $100.00 for a coat, when I can get one like new for $8.00!! |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| I have always impressed on my grandsons the strong difference between need and want and that spending is not a measure of love. They really enjoy going to thrift shops, auctions, and garage sales with me. I am happy to say that all the kids in our extended family understand (if some times wistfully) that they should not have extras when others have greater needs. And NO ONE children included receives gifts at Christmas that don't come from any of those sources. They know it and accept it. It is such a joy to see them helping decide Christmas evening what group receives "Christs birthday gift" that year. |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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I think it depends on what her parents are used to buying her. If they didn't have money to buy nice clothes, then, yes, I think nice second-hand clothes would be appropriate. However, if they have money and dress their children in expensive clothing, they would probably not be too enthusiastic about used clothing, regardless of how nice it is. When you are poor and in need, you are humble.
Cathleen |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| I believe so. Money goes so much further there, and it is the thought that counts. When my granddauhter was a bit oever two, we went to one and she picked out a birthday present for her mom. She understood that she was giving a gift, and wouldn't let me touch it after it had been picked out, as a two year old might do. Her mom loved the gift also. It is a way to have cheap fun, and some wonderful and unusual items cane be found. I'd say go ahead. cocooner |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| I thought it was the "thought" that counted. Remember in the old days before Christmas became such a commercial holiday. People gave homemade things...."heaven forbid" it didn't come from Dillards. I think if they like it , it fits, do it. You can always buy them one gift and fill in with whatever. I would hope that my grandkids would not be too fussy to accept a gift from a Thrift shop. By the way..their mommy and daddy own a Pharmacy. and she shops at thrift shops too. patti (who is posting here for the first time...actually reading here for the first time....not intending to step on toes) |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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Hey Dingbat,
I agree with you. My daughter and I shop at thrift stores all the time and she loves ANYTHING I buy for my grandsons.
And I have given them as gifts. And my daughter really appreciated all that I've gotten.
It's the thought and love that went into it, not the price or where you bought it. |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| I personally would never give a thrift shop item as a gift. I tend to buy my grandgirls (3 & 4) things that they want - not necessarily need - within reason. I tend to think that even what kids "want" can be made educational if the giver sits and uses/plays with the gift with the child. I do, however, refuse to buy DVD's, no matter how much they might want a particular DVD. That said, all the furniture, toys, car seats, bikes, etc., that I have for them here at my house came from the thrift store. |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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I outfitted my grandaughter for school from second hand consignment shops.
This way I got brand name clothing for a fraction of the cost.She was with me and helped pick out each outfit,then we came home and she modeled everything for poppy.
Her parents were sure happy and she will be one of the best dressed little six year olds in school.
All six outfits cost me just over 100.00
Eliza Ann |
RE: Are thrift shop gifts OK?
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| how about doing something for the little girls future. Put money in an educational investment fund. It is tax free when used for education. Don't be cheap this is your grandchild! They will get the money when you pass down the road. See the children enjoy it or at the very least invest in their education and save tax $$$ |
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