From The Past: December 4, 2007

Do you believe a wrapped gift needs to be brand new?

I do not have this dilemma this Christmas, but the question did arise a few Christmases ago. I bought about ten used books for my mom. They looked new except a few may have had the previous owner’s signature inside the front cover. In my opinion, that makes the book even better and more unique, but some people may not appreciate that.

I decided to wrap the books as if they were new and present them to my mother. She received other gifts from us that year, but I think it was those books that gave her the most pleasure. Even though some said 1989 or 1990 on the cover, the stories were no less good. In fact, she is still working on reading them to this day.

Photo from 2005

I recently bought something from ebay which will be a Christmas present this year. It is new, but I just wonder if it would matter if it wasn’t.

Does it matter to you what the item is if it is used or not? Do you prefer to not get any used items or do you not mind the gift at all no matter where it was bought or who the previous owner was?

I would not want used lotion or make-up as things of this nature are personal and may or may not have touched skin; you never know. You may feel differently though if it is your favorite lotion or face cream and was discontinued. In my opinion, books are the exception to the rule, but you may feel otherwise.

I am wondering how you feel about used CD’s and DVD’s. Would it bother you if you received a movie or CD for Christmas and it was not shrink-wrapped? What about clothing?