‘Second-Hand’ Xmas Presents??

[Smowball]

After being quite ill lately and having left my Xmas shopping much later than usual this year, I got to thinking - I was having a clear out months ago and in this clear out I ended up with a box of many unwanted, unused and many even unopened items. Included were a sports jacket/coat that teen smow bought then didn’t want - it still has the price tags on, a whole box of brand new, unwrapped nail polishes of every conceivable colour - there must be at least 20 of them, several books which have never been opened/read, and much more.
I was going to box up and take to local charity shop, and Mr Smow said why don’t you use some of those as Xmas presents? Not to save money, but because they would be perfect for certain people. The sports coat would be perfect for Mr Smows brother, the nail polishes for a friend who adores getting her nails done, and so on and so on…….
it makes sense, it’s giving them to people who would really like them,but a part of me thinks that it looks like I’m being stingy. ReLly not sure what to think about it tbh.
What do you think?? Or have you ever done anything similar?

P.S. hope you’re all having a good evening x

[Bobbisox1]

Yes, forward gift them, nothing wrong with that Smow,that’s as long as when you do, they don’t know it ;)))

[jno]

it's the thought that counts. If you've taken the trouble to think about what to give who, it's nobody's business where it came from or how much it cost.

Don't give things back to the people who originally gave them to you, obvs.

[Karamia]

I think it's a lovely idea, especially when you are thoughtfully matching the gift to the person who will appreciate it.

[Smowball]

God yes, imagine giving back to the person who bought it!!
But seriously, I hate just wasting things and most of this I’m pretty sure I’ve bought myself in the first place. Anyone ever done this with anything?

[andres]

Makes perfect sense to me. The in thing at the moment is to recycle everything so why not?
In the past I have been like a magpie and have collected lots of books ,collectibles, paintings etc. and will now quite happily give them away at Christmas.

[cashier]

Sounds like a good idea, and if you don't tell anybody they will never know.

[Mamyalynne]

Perfect way of doing things, saves waste and you make people happy too.

[Smowball]

Hmmmm, maybe it’s not such a bad idea after all…….. x

[Tilly2]

Get rid Smow!

[Smowball]

Get rid in what way?? Lol

[johnny.5]

just make sure you don't give an unwanted present back to the person that sent you the gift in the first place :))

[Smowball]

God Johnny that would be a nightmare!!

[DTCwordfan]

Go with it, Smow - now I have some fabulously dross wines I could pass on to you to 'dispose of' to your unsuspecting relatives friends - or those beyond their station......!

[Smowball]

Yep I’m liking that DTC! : )

[roopower]

I've done this with a few things in the past, as long as you don't give the gift to the person who gifted it to you! No-one will be any the wiser.

[Tuvok]

I do the same as you - with raffle prizes.

What I win in one raffle gets donated to the next, then anything from it might go to the first raffle the next year.

I've never bought anything specifically for a raffle!

[Khandro]

One of the most memorable Christmas present-givings we ever had was maybe 40 years ago when no one had much money to spare, & we decided (3 kids) to give presents as a sort of competition 'en misère', a prize for who could give the best present at the lowest cost.

The prize went to the daughter who gave Mrs K, a packet of perennial flower seeds, which she planted in the garden & gave pleasure for years. I found in a charity shop one present I remember of a flower press - basically 2 pieces of plywood with bolts & wingnuts to press flowers between - examples still exist! 2 quid I think.

I think the lesson is, presents are not necessarily about money, but imagination & fun so go ahead Smowball

[Smowball]

I like that Khandro!

[anneasquith]

A great idea S. we could also purchase out Xmas presents from charity shops ?

[Smowball]

Hey Annea. You ok? Funnily enough a while ago I was walking past our local charity shop and a top in the window caught my eye - it was a mauve Lycra sports vest - which I knew would look great with some sports leggingss I have. It was brand new - still had label on - so I went in and bought it. It was just £1!