General Etiquette > Life...in general

Used Gift Bags

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Autumn Rose:

I saw mentioned on another thread about someone giving a gift in "used tissue paper and a used gift bag".     Now granted, they also got a terrible gift....so I can see why they were annoyed about the whole thing.

However, my question is:

I have used "used" gift bags and tissues before.    Especially for when I am "wrapping" a gift for one of my sons (many, many) birthday parties.

Or if I have a "general gift if someone stops by for the holidays" gift.

They are not "obviously" used.

Ack!!!    Am I perpetuating a faux pas?

I must admit that if I had a million dollars.....it would be a different story.    But if I have $25 to spend on a birthday party gift....and it cost me $5 for the bag and tissue....I would rather it go TOWARDS the gift....vs. the wrapping.

Thoughts?

jmarvellous:
I reuse any gift bag I have that doesn't have writing on it and any tissue paper or gift box that's not torn up.

I draw the line at reusing wrapping paper because it's torn 99% of the time and creased to boot.

I think used is just fine, obviously. Worn out or torn might show slightly less respect to the recipient, I think.

JennJenn68:
Our family always re-uses gift bags, if they are in good condition.  They don't have to be perfect for family members, as a general rule, because we're all very conscious of economy and resent the price of them.  I will, however, make a point of buying a new one for someone outside the immediate family, but that's only because our local dollar store has some really good ones for (obviously!) a dollar, or sometimes even less.  If I had to shell out five bucks or more for a gift bag, particularly for a child's birthday party gift, you can bet that I'd be re-using!  (At every child's birthday party I've witnessed, the guest of honour couldn't care less about the wrappings; all he/she is interested in is what's inside!) 

In this throwaway age, I try to think of it as doing my bit toward being environmentally friendly.  Or maybe that's just my rationalization because I am, quite frankly, cheap, especially when it comes to forking out money on "decoration" items.  (Actually, I guess I'm just cheap, in general.  I don't buy clothes or shoes unless I have no option because the ones I have are, literally, falling apart.  I don't wear makeup.  Jewellry and accessories bore me.  Um... I guess I'm missing the "shopping" gene or something!  Ah, well...)

Jones:
I reuse gift bags provided they are versatile and generic (don't say "Happy 40th" or something), and don't have a name on it from the previous gift occasion.

Outdoor Girl:
Any gift bags and tissue paper that are in good shape get reused, provided the pattern is appropriate to the occasion (no Barbie for a little boy, for example).

The tissue paper that is worn gets used for balling up to fill in spaces in boxes where you don't want the stuff to move.

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