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The holidays are fast approaching (which is kinda scary because I haven’t even began shopping) 
and many of you are scowering the net and sale sections of your local stores, for that perfect gift that shows your appreciation to the person but doesn’t scream “cheap.” Now I personally love thrifting, especially items like clothing, coats, and shoes….but I understand not everyone shares my passion. So in a recent conversation with family and friends I posed the question “would you mind getting a thrifted item for a holiday or birthday present?”
The reviews are mixed….some people don’t mind it if it’s an item like jewelry or a gently used designer handbag, while others are traumatized by things like the bed bug epidemic and say “No way” to clothing. It might be okay for someone like your sister who you KNOW would love those 2 cashmere Banana Republic sweaters, but maybe NOT for your sister-in-law. The more I thought about it, I think gifting personal items like thrift clothing would be okay as a casual saw-this-and-thought-you-would-love-it kinda gesture, but unless you know them VERY WELL, I might pass on it for a Christmas or Birthday gift. But in the event you know someone like me who LOVES IT and you do decide to give the gift of thrift (especially clothing), here are a few things to remember:
1. Have a good relationship – you don’t want to ruin a relationship, so you really have to know your audience. Ask yourself, “is this something you know they’ve been dying to locate or would really enjoy having?” If it’s a situation where those swapping have a small budget, then this might make you look quite the savvy shopper if you’re able to score a really nice designer for the price.
2. Know their tastes – be it dishes, furniture, or clothes; you have to know the persons taste since they are not able to return the item.
3. Have it cleaned - as per the instructions on the label, take the extra step to have item cleaned and pressed. With clothing I’ve often found items with the tags still attached, but you always want to make sure there are no stains, holes, ring-around-the collar or pieces missing like buttons.
4. Nice presentation goes a long way – I would stop by a dollar store and get a nice box and tissue paper…no folding it up and handing it to them in the same plastic bag you got it in. Just because it’s not new, you still want to make sure it looks great when they open it because afterall, it’s still new to them.
5. At the end of the day, have fun with it and remember to get things YOU would like to receive!
But what are your thoughts? Ring in to tell me below if you’d mind getting the gift of thrift this holiday under the tree?
