s/o gifting rules: giving used books?

[Deleted]

Do other people do this? We do this pretty frequently because we can give the person more books.

My parents have given me used cookbooks and sewing books. We've given them used novels.

Or is this just my family?

H has frequently given me used records, but I guess that's different since new pressings aren't available for a lot of the stuff he's given me.

[cjeanette]

Like took a book of their shelf and wrapped it up for Christmas? No, I have not seen that done.

My H did buy me records from an antique store for Mother's Day. Used but new to us.

[Deleted]

Eco-friendly and practical!

I wouldn't give a gift like that to someone I was trying to impress (unless it was a first edition or some other kind of special used book), but I think that's perfectly fine for family. Rules should be relaxed with gifts to family anyway.

There's a used cookbook store near me which is kind of a beloved neighborhood institution, so there's definitely a market for them...

[Deleted]

No, purchased at a used bookstore, not taken off your own bookshelf. I think one year we gave my FIL half a dozen novels for his birthday because we got them at Half-Price Books.

[UnderProtest]

What is wrong with me that I read that as coloring books, not cookbooks? I think if the sentiment is there, then it's okay. If they gave you a used book because they were being a slacker, that is a different story.

[mrsbro]

I work in a Library so my idea of used books and used books is a little skewed

Specific edition I was looking for - yes
Good condition book they know I would like - yes
Used book of sketch condition - no

[Deleted]

My mom and MIL always give me books and magazines, I read a lot of stuff. Never as gifts though, just whenever they are done with them. They do buy me magazine subscriptions as gifts and my mom bought me some old vintage-y cookbooks as part of a birthday present.

[Deleted]

Nov 30, 2012 11:34:31 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

I think if the sentiment is there, then it's okay.

I think this is where we come from. For us, it seems like the real issue with giving books is figuring out stuff the recipient would like.

When I was in college, I cooked for my roommates regularly, so my parents would go find all these great cookbooks at used bookstores.

Maybe I'm weird, but I actually appreciate the idea of my parents going to a used bookstore and combing through the shelves looking for something they think I'd like instead of just buying something off the best-seller shelf at Barnes & Noble.

[cjeanette]

Nov 30, 2012 11:33:57 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

No, purchased at a used bookstore, not taken off your own bookshelf. I think one year we gave my FIL half a dozen novels for his birthday because we got them at Half-Price Books.

I think that is fine.

[cowboyjoe]

I think it's fine as long as they are in good shape. I would love a stack of books as a gift, used or not.

DH has recieved used video games before for Christmas and we never thought anything of it. I think it's along the same lines.

[limey]

My hometown has a huge indie bookstore with an almost cult following. My family has often bought books from there for gifts.

[changedname]

I have given used books from second hand book stores but they were in "like new" condition so the person wouldn't have known anyway. I went to a shower last month and it was a "bring a book instead of a card thing" - I got a great used book for it that looked like new.

For my SIL's new baby I bought her a used book from amazon as it is out of print and the only new edition was $35,000! .

I also buy used books for my nephews all the time when I see something cute.

[mbcdefg]

MH and I do this all the time for ourselves and for each other. We'd rather recycle and be MM about it - if the book is legible then who cares if it's dog-eared?

IDK offhand if I've done it for my closest friend (who is a librarian) but I doubt she'd be offended. And I bought two books for $1 each at Goodwill to give to a good friend as baby shower gifts, but they were good as new and I triple-checked them for markings and signs of wear.

I wouldn't do it for anyone else because they love to label us as "cheap" to begin with.

[audette]

Santa brings us used books every year (except maybe this one).

Beside the stockings/gifts, there is a stack of used books. First one up gets first pick. And so on.


It's the one thing Dad does for gift buying. He goes to a used bookstore and finds books, and tries to match what he picks out to the people that will be there for Christmas. Every now and then, one of the ones he picks is unexpectedly of interest to someone other than the person Dad thought would select it, and it turns kinda entertaining.

My family reads a lot. A lot, a lot. My siblings sent books randomly to DH when he was deployed, because they read them, enjoyed them, and thought he'd like them. My sister and I routinely exchange books because we think the other person would like them. I'm probably one of the ones that reads the least, and I still get in an hour or two a day. Sometimes even more, now that I can read (on my kindle) and knit at the same time. (no need to hold the book open, turning pages is easy...)


So long as the book is one that the recipient is likely to enjoy, go for it!

[hopeful2012]

I bought DS a bunch of used books for Christmas. I probably wouldn't do it for anyone else as an actual gift unless the book was in pristine condition and you really couldn't tell. I would be fine giving people used books if it was just like a random thoughtful thing (i.e. thought you would like this and picked it up for $1) vs. a Christmas/birthday gift.

[explorer2001]

Well if early editions count as used then yes. I've given people super old books like 1910 and earlier editions as gifts. I buy used books and music for myself. Oh and I bought a used copy of a cookbook for my mom because she wanted the same book she had used for years until the binding broke. Not really the same thing since she asked specificslly for the 1978 edition because it had certain recipes the new one didn't.

[ondaflipside]

I picked up used books before. I think I gave it to a CW as part of her b-day gift. It's a travel book about my hometown, where she planned to visit. I saw it at the used bookstore and thought of her when I saw it.

[froggy76]

We do this for my FIL. He goes through books like crazy, so we just get him a whole bag full at the used book store. I probably wouldn't do that for anyone else, but it's perfect for him.

[Deleted]

I wouldn't have an issue is H did this, in fact he requests used games so that he can get more for the money. If it was like a secret santa or something though, I might side eye it.

[flatlan]

We give used books in my family all the time. We also gave DH's nephew used Wii games last year for Christmas from a used game store with a guarantee. It allowed us to get him twice as many games.

[magdala9]

Nov 30, 2012 11:33:57 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

No, purchased at a used bookstore, not taken off your own bookshelf. I think one year we gave my FIL half a dozen novels for his birthday because we got them at Half-Price Books.

I have been doing this for years because we have great used book stores in our area and my family and friends love books.

[Deleted]

Yes, in fact one year the 'rule' for the family drawing was that the gifts had to be used/from a thrift store. Another year it was that it had to be something that you owned (as in you took something from your house to give).

It's a fun way to keep spending down for the whole family. And I like things with history.