Used Gift Bags

[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.

[Rivaini]

As far as I'm concerned, the entire point of using gift bags in the first place is that they are reusable!

That's why I don't write directly on them, and I tend to go for pretty colors, patterns, and designs rather than something with a printed message.  And I will totally reuse the tissue paper inside too, as long as it's not torn.

[Judah]

Gift bags are expensive! We reuse gift bags if they still look good.  Heck, for immediate family, I've bben known to use a Christmas bag to wrap a birthday gift but, I wouldn't do that with anyone outside the family.

[rose red]

I've resused gift bags.  As long as it doesn't look battered or torn, nobody can tell the difference.

[Rosewater]

I would reuse gift bags but would not reuse tissue paper because to me, used tissue paper, looks, well, used.

[SuperMartianRobotGirl]

As far as I'm concerned, the entire point of using gift bags in the first place is that they are reusable!

That's why I don't write directly on them, and I tend to go for pretty colors, patterns, and designs rather than something with a printed message.  And I will totally reuse the tissue paper inside too, as long as it's not torn.

Yeah, I think this is the point of gift bags.

[portabella]

OP, I think I was the one who told a story about a horrible gift I received from someone in a used gift bag and used tissue.  What I neglected to say was that the gift bag was old, worn/tattered, and the tissue paper was creased.  It was totally tacky.

However, I have a few nice gift bags that are still in excellent condition, and I see nothing wrong in using them again (but not for the person who originally gave them to me).

[Rivaini]

OP, I think I was the one who told a story about a horrible gift I received from someone in a used gift bag and used tissue.  What I neglected to say was that the gift bag was old, worn/tattered, and the tissue paper was creased.  It was totally tacky.

However, I have a few nice gift bags that are still in excellent condition, and I see nothing wrong in using them again (but not for the person who originally gave them to me).

The tissue comes creased right out of the package, so something like that wouldn't even be a blip on my radar. Sometimes I crumble the tissue on purpose to give it that uniform crinkley look. 

My Grama reuses old-looking bags too, and I really don't care. As someone else said above, gift bags are expensive! I don't think my Grama should have to waste money on something that isn't even the gift.

[Shoo]

I save and re-use gift bags, wrapping paper (if it's really pretty), bows, tissue....

It's a point of pride for me!

[Yvaine]

I reuse the bags if I can't tell they're used, and I get new tissue.

[Gumbysqueak]

Reuse reuse! We even have a gift wrapping room. Ok, it is a closet in the basement.  The extended fam knows to stop by and ask for a gift bag. We make sure the names and receipts are removed. It would be an insult to toss a gorgeous bag and not reuse.

Plus, as other people have mentioned, to toss is bad for the environment.