If you’re an avid secondhand shopper whose weekend schedule is jam packed with visits to estate sales, flea markets, and the like, you may be wondering whether it’s appropriate to gift some of your thrifted finds to your friends for birthdays, housewarming celebrations, and other special occasions. After all, if you’re someone who prides yourself on finding one-of-a-kind pieces, it’s only natural to want to share some of the love!
However, is gifting secondhand good seen as thoughtful or a faux pas? We spoke with two Southern etiquette experts to find out. The general consensus is that giving thrifted items to family and friends is just fine. However, there are still a few basic rules you will want to follow in the process, which we’re highlighting below.
“When chosen with care, it signals thoughtfulness, creativity, and attention to detail, and at a time when sustainability and uniqueness are increasingly valued, a pre-loved piece can feel more personal than anything bought off the shelf,” says Alison Cheperdak, the founder of Elevate Etiquette in Washington, D.C.
Meet the Expert
-
Alison Cheperdak is the founder of Elevate Etiquette in Washington, D.C.
-
Jacqueline Whitmore is an etiquette expert in Palm Beach, Florida.
Be Mindful Of Space
Unlike many common gifts—bottles of wine, gourmet snacks and chocolates, bath products, and the like—secondhand products are generally not consumable and therefore will take up space in your recipient’s home. One of the first things to consider is whether or not the person you’re shopping for wishes to add more decor to their home.
“Just because someone might like an item doesn’t mean they have room for it,” Cheperdak comments. “When in doubt, think small and versatile.”
Make Sure The Item Is Something Your Recipient Will Appreciate
As is the case when giving a loved one any type of gift, whether the item is new or used, you will want to ensure that the piece is one that they will enjoy, not just something that you like. If you have a strong sense of your recipient’s likes and dislikes, then giving them a thrifted piece that complements their aesthetic can feel super personal and kind.
“Someone once sent me a pretty porcelain miniature elephant that was in the same pattern as my china,” says Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette expert in Palm Beach, Florida. “I thought, ‘How thoughtful and original!'”
Not only was the piece something that Whitmore was excited to use, she was also touched by how well her friend understood her style.
“I was so impressed that the person paid enough attention to my pattern and was able to locate this hard-to-find item,” she adds, noting that she assumes the elephant came from either an estate sale or thrift store. “Sometimes the items we purchase at these kinds of places are rare, gently-loved, and can’t be found anywhere else.”
The phrase “gently-loved” is one that you should keep top of mind when gifting, of course. As Cheperdak states, “Choose something in excellent condition that you’d be proud to give.”
Don’t Try To Pass The Item off As New
Even if your thrifted item is like new, honesty is the best policy, and you should not try to pass off your gift as a brand new item if it actually isn’t, Cheperdak adds.
“Own the charm and character of a secondhand gift,” she says. “Being upfront adds integrity and avoids any awkwardness later.”
Prioritize Presentation
Just because you sourced your gift at a rummage sale doesn’t mean you can’t wrap it up so that it appears luxe.
“Elegant presentation elevates even the humblest item and reinforces that it was chosen with care,” Cheperdak says.
And don’t forget to include a card, particularly one that describes the item. As Cheperdak adds, “A short note explaining why you chose it—or any interesting history it carries—adds warmth and thoughtfulness.”
Related: 11 Unexpected Treasures You Can Find At The Thrift Store
Read the original article on Southern Living
