Should I Give a Thrifted Gift? How to Avoid Looking Cheap

So — you’re considering giving a second hand gift, but you don’t want to look cheap. It’s smart to consider how your gift is going to come across! Make sure that your offering is received in the thoughtful way that you intend by following these steps. 

1. Target the gift to the receiver

Don’t buy up a set of coffee mugs at the consignment store just because they’re a bargain, and give them to a friend who doesn’t drink coffee. Instead of shopping for bargains, you should be shopping with your friend or family member (who will receive the gift) in mind. What are they interested in? What’s their style? Use that to guide your buying — not price tags. 

2. Clean, repair and polish

Before giving your second hand gift, make sure you thoroughly clean and decontaminate it. Take care to wash it in the right way. You don’t want to give a gift that smells musty, or has gathered dust. Repair damage and polish it ’til it shines before you wrap it up!

3. Presentation is everything

When giving a second hand gift, it’s important to package it with care. Wrap it in gorgeous cream and gold paper, and top it off with a bow. If you’re eco-conscious, you can wrap it with recycled paper, but make sure that the end result is nice and shows attention and care. Don’t throw a stylish second-hand gift into a crumpled old gift bag, and expect it to go over well! Instead, use  pretty paper and bright new ribbon. 

By following these steps, you can definitely give second hand gifts and avoid looking cheap. Shopping at thrift stores isn’t just about saving money (though that’s nice, too!). It’s also about finding unique vintage items that other stores  just don’t carry. Share your love of vintage, but make sure you’re doing it in the right way. Do you think it’s okay to give second hand gifts? Share your opinion in the comments section below!