While browsing Andrea’s site not too long ago, I came across her post on used gifts and was wondering what YOU all thought about them.

Why is it that so many people think they have to give brand new items away at Christmas time (or for any holiday, really)? I actually love receiving used gifts and I have many friends and family members who feel the same… but we always receive new gifts during the holidays.

I don’t want to sound ungrateful. Of course I am appreciative of any gift I receive, but I love seeing people save money and one great way to do that is to give used gifts. I’m not talking about dirty or broken items, but things that someone could actually reuse and love as much as you once did.

Here are some used gift ideas that you might consider giving this year.

1. Clothing
Even though new clothing goes on sale all the time, it’s rare that you can pick up an article for a few dollars or less. Thrift stores, yard sales and online classifieds like Kijiji and Craigslist, are great places to find used clothing for a fraction of their original prices.

T-shirts, pants, sweaters, jackets… all of these are articles of clothing that everyone needs. They surely would make great gifts! You will be able to give more than usual, as well, because the cost of used clothing is much lower than anything new.

2. Baby Gear
Do you have an expectant mother and/or father on your gift list this year? Consider giving used baby items that you either pass down yourself or purchase from a thrift store.

Some great used baby gear ideas would be toys, swing, changing table, bouncy seat, high chair, etc. Babies don’t need much to be happy and well cared for.. but the items they do need can be rather expensive if you purchase them all brand new. Baby items are meant to be shared, so go ahead and gift some of your favourite used items this year.

3. Books
As long as there is no visible wear (or not very much, at least), books make great used gifts. Have you seen the price of books lately? I don’t know what’s going on, but prices seem to be going higher and higher all the time.

I can’t justify spending $20 on a book that someone is probably just going to read once. What’s wrong with buying a used copy instead – for only $5?

4. Furniture
If there’s someone on your gift list that has been talking about getting some new furniture, it might be a good idea to see if you can pick something up for them from the classifieds or a thrift store.

Some people are very picky about the type of furniture that they purchase, though, so I wouldn’t advise giving used furniture gifts to those folks. However, if you know that your friend or family member is open to different types of used pieces, it may be a good idea to see if this is something you are able to purchase for them.

Coffee & side tables, baskets & bins, lamps and coat racks are all great gift ideas… but do pay attention to what people are mentioning needing and try to only pick up those pieces to avoid adding more clutter to someone’s home.

5. Home Decor
Think candles, serving dishes, clocks, mirrors, and artwork when it comes to home decor gifts. These types of items can always be found at your local thrift store, so be sure to check out their selection every so often to find that perfect little something for a loved one.
Home decor gifts are one of my favourite things to receive (used or new!). I’m not even close to being a designer, but I do know that you have to love your home and the things inside it if you want to be happy living there. Since I spend a good 90% of my time in the house, I want to be surrounded by beautiful things.

Giving used gifts does not make you cheap and it does not mean that you are poor. You are choosing to give those types of gifts because you think they will be useful and loved by the recipient(s).

Of course, it’s a good idea to make sure that the people/person you plan to give used gifts to are okay with the idea. Some people are really put off by letting used items come into their home and it’s probably not very smart to gift those types of items if you’re unsure of the recipients’ feelings toward used goods.

Giving used gifts is not only a great way to save money, but it is a fantastic way to recycle! One (wo)man’s trash is another (wo)man’s treasure…. right?

Do you like to receive used gifts? Please let us know in the comments.

photo credit

For the last two weeks we’ve talking about frugal living tips for your home, as well as ways to be more frugal with groceries and transportation costs.

This is the final week of Frugal Living Tips and I want to end off with ways to be more frugal with your finances, entertainment and all of those miscellaneous things in your life.

Entertainment:
46. Make your own coffee, instead of buying it from your local coffee shop.
47. Send invites to any events you host via email, to save money on postage costs.
48. If you go out to eat, drink water. Any other beverage will be overpriced.
49. Stay home. Find contentment in staying home instead of always going out to have fun.
50. Use the library. You can find books, magazines, movies, music and even fun activities at libraries. Take advantage of this FREE opportunity – just remember to return the items you borrow on time, to avoid paying late fees.
51. Learn to say no. You don’t have to attend every party, or go to every baby shower. It’s okay to say no sometimes.

Finances:
52. Keep snacks in your purse or vehicle to avoid stopping at a fast food restaurant or vending machine when you get hungry and are out and about.
53. Bring your lunch to work. Avoid buying lunch every day, as this can really kill your budget.
54. Live on cash, if possible. It’s much harder to spend money when you actually see it leaving your hands.
55. Quit smoking. This is an expensive habit that really needs to be kicked as soon as possible. Save your money and live a healthier lifestyle by throwing those cigarettes in the trash – for good.
56. Create a budget and stick to it. Spend less than you make.
57. Pay yourself first. Saving for your future should be one of your top priorities.
58. Shop on sale. Follow the Canada yearly sales cycles and only buy things when they go on sale.
59. Buy gifts year-round. Watch for sales and pick up birthday, Christmas and other gifts as you see item at great prices.
60. Learn to negotiate. You can negotiate the price of just about anything.
61. Pay your bills on time. Late fees are so unnecessary!
62. Switch to a no-fee bank. There are a few of these available. If you don’t use the bank very much, you probably don’t need all of the services you are paying for, so – make the switch!
63. Pay your bills online, to avoid postage costs. Most banks offer this option.
64. Create an emergency fund. It’s important to have a safety net in case an unexpected emergency arises.

Miscellaneous:
65. Take advantage of Reward Programs, such as Shoppers Optimum, Air Miles, HBC Rewards, etc.
66. Happily accept hand-me-downs. Nothing beats FREE!
67. Re-gift. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with re-gifting a gift that you received and never intend to use. Just make sure you don’t give it back to the person who got it for you in the first place!
68. Give homemade gifts for holidays and birthdays. Not only are the inexpensive, but gifts mean so much more to someone when you make them yourself.
69. Use Ebates when you are shopping online. You might as well earn some cash back from purchases you were already planning on making.
70. Use Swagbucks to earn cash, gift cards and prizes. If you spend time online, this simple program can be very lucrative.

Frugal living is not something that is difficult to do. It also does not mean that you are cheap or a tightwad (as many people like to call me!). Living a frugal simply means that you are being responsible with your finances and only spending money on the things that are important to you.

The more money you save by not spending on frivolous items, the more you can enjoy a life free of debt and full of opportunity.

Please share your frugal living tips in the comments.