Modern Day Treasure Hunters
Re-Gifting Is Taboo?
Posted by TreasureHunting • 2/19/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS]
Tags: antique, gifts, re-gifting
The other day I gave a friend of mine an awesome antique picture frame I picked up at a a thrift store. It wasn't cheap... but it is old and used, showing a little wear but still totally her style. She loved it!
Do you guys gift your loved ones with stuff you've found...? And is giving someone an old, used (albeit antique) item considered the dreaded "re-gifting?" I don't think it is... but what the heck is the difference? Why is re-gifting so bad if the item has never been used?
There's a fine line in here somewhere... does anyone else see it?
User Comments
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I do it all the time, as you can read under the 'For My Friends' tag on my blog. I don't wait for special occasions though, when I have or find something that I know a friend would like, or even asked for I just give it straight away. (must admit I traded that torso for a meal... but I consider that my 'pay' for the paint job I did on it)
But I think there's a clear difference with the 'dreaded' re-gifting as you call it, if it means an item you had as a present, but absolutely hate. I would rather try to sell it than pester my friends with it, as my friends have basically the same taste as myself!
And I love receiving curb found or second hand gifts too!-
I'm glad you guys see the fine line between re-gifting and gifting-used items... It hit me the other day when I was like "wait,... is this... rude?" I didn't think the picture frame gift was in bad taste, neither did my friend, but I thought I'd point out the distinction between the two.
I guess birds of a feather flock together and my friends are like-minded, so yeah, they don't mind getting used/found stuff.
Jenn - LOVE the story about your dad,... that's too cute! What's the weirdest thing he's given you? -
Hm... weirdest I would have to say would be a silver snuff spoon.
But I've gotten things like, oh, these porcelain disks that went on a brass bed frame... Books on stuff I collect but he's read first and then given to me... A Finding Nemo flashlight...
Yup, Christmas is always really... creative... at my house. It's sort of a running joke with my friends. "Well, what was it this year?"
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I buy vintage or antique items for certain friends who like those types of things. And there are certain types of things I know people collect which I do pick up at thrift stores. I don't consider that regifting, but gifting.
I don't regift, I'd rather donate an item I didn't need to charity. Maybe someone else will love it.
My dad is pretty funny though because I think he walks the line between regifting and gifting. He buys things used for himself and then decides he doesn't want it anymore or doesn't like it as much and gives it to somebody else. So Christmas at my house is always sort of... interesting. I've gotten some pretty strange stuff. -
Jenn, I think you're right about the terminology. If it wasn't given to you first, but you bought it second hand or even found it for free, it doesn't matter if it's used or old, that's a GIFT.
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