Ok. I have to pose the question. Why are store brand gift bags accepted as ok when giving gifts? I went to another bridal shower recently and almost every gift from BBB was in their bag or box, with BBB splattered all over it.

Are we so lazy we can't wrap or use an appropriate style bag anymore?
Is it that we don't care?
Is it that we are that cheap?
Is it "in" to do this?

It's obviously not for me. I am cheap and would never, ever do this.

dl

I don't use store bags for gifts, either. I either put it in a gift bag or wrap it in wrapping paper. I do use the store bags, but for other stuff like lunches, trash, etc.



Lisa

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That has not happened at the showers I have been to. I would never dream of using a store bag for a gift, I always use a gift bag/tissue or wrapping paper. I am also cheap, but I still wouldn't do that. That would be the same thing as using a Walmart bag or a grocery store bag to bring your gift in.

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Some people are lazy, some people are cheap, and some people don't care. I don't think it's "in" to give gifts in the store gift bag. I personally would not do that either.

Any input from people who do?

I work for a catering company and we do tons of showers, the ONLY store bags I ever see are from bb and b. around here they tie ribbons on the bags, I think that is bb and b's version of free gift wrapping.

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I registered at BB&B for my wedding and one of the services they provided to people who bought gifts from there was free wrapping. It didn't bother me at all. I know people who are giftwrap challenged and think professional wrapping (regardless of the advertisement) looks nicer or who don't want to spend $3.99 on a bag and another $1.99 on tissue paper. They'd prefer to spend the money on the gift. I get that, too, and somewhat agree. I look for deals on wrapping paper and gift bags and prefer to wrap gifts in actual wrapping paper, then tie on a great bow. However, if something comes up last minute and I'm not prepared, I have to use what most other people use. I'm not ashamed to admit that nothing irritates me more than to spend an extra $10 on a bag, tissue, and card, especially when I know that if it's for a wedding, it's going on a table, then loaded in a car and will probably be squished by the time they receive it.

I would never give a gift in a Wal-Mart, Target, Macy's bag, etc., but I don't see the harm (or insult) in taking advantage of a gift-wrapping service provided by their registry store of choice (knowing that the store WILL use it as an advertising opportunity). I would prefer to spend the extra money on a nicer gift, rather than packaging. Just my opinion.

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Kim

Why would anyone care when the paper, bags, boxes are just thrown away? Personally, I could care less and I would have no value judgment about the person giving me a gift in a Walmart bag or a fancy, ribboned and papered box. I actually find wrappings wasteful in both time and resources. And, they are somewhat attention seeking when the wrapping is over the top.

My kid's s birthday gifts were wrapped in the funny's or in a store bag or box. Christmas wrapping was usually seasonal because it is always for sale 90% after Christmas. Perhaps I am unusual?

You obviously weren't the bride, so why would you care at all?

I totally agree nightowlrn in the scheme of more important things it truly does not matter to me at all, its trival in my personal view but everyone has the right to their own personal views on the subject. Peace. Catherine

Maybe they are trying to save the trees. I really wouldn't care if I got gifts in the store bags. They look better than my wrapping jobs, LOL

BB&B offers free gift wrapping if you buy off the registry. It is a silver box with a nice ribbon and bow, or a gift bag with a bow. I don't remember what the bag looked like but not just lake a bag they would put your purchase in. I love when you buy a large hard to wrap gift because they will put it in a huge bag that would cost a fortune to buy. I think if the person getting the gift hates the bag, or box they can just give the gift back. lol

I am big on presentation and would not present a gift to someone in the store's advertisement. I just personally find it a little tacky. I would, however, accept the bag (since it's free) and use it for something else, such as dropping off things at the local self help center.

In general, I hate going to parties and seeing all the gifts in gift bags. It's like, gee, I can't be bothered wrapping the gift and putting on a bow. Reminds me of the lack of hand-written thank you notes. I prefer the "old fashioned" way when it comes to gift giving.

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My mom taught us that if something is worth doing, you don't do it half way. You do it and you do it right. If one is buying a present, it's not done until it's wrapped or bagged for the occasion. Professional wrapping is not a store salesperson tossing the gift in a bag or box and thus deciding it's wrapped.

The bags and boxes had bbb all over them and from some of the posts here, I have to chalk it up to being lazy. Perhaps it's a regional thing as some of the posters here haven't seen people doing this.

I enjoy reading the different viewpoints on this and to know that it isn't a trend everywhere.

dl

aia - I just remembered that the hostess announced "she just thought", yes those words I remember now......she just thought the bride would go around and personally thank each person and then not have to write thank you notes.

This was a nice shower, not a trashy shower by any means. And of course, when the hostess announced it was over, people were up and moving so the bride didn't get to thank each person.

I agree, also. A written thank you should still be a courtesy to acknowledge a gift. Although......maybe the brides think the gift giver couldn't be bothered beyond a store bag, why write the thank you notes?

dl

One more reason to alert us that you are a superior human being (with stellar upbringing no less) who must sing it to the world.

Yea

This is surprising to me. Where do you get the "chalk it up to being lazy"? I didn't see that in any of the posts.

I have to comment on the bride just thanking people personally. I think it's ridiculous and shameful for someone not to send a personalized thank you note. I just gave a baby gift to a neighbor (left it nicely wrapped at her house as I couldn't attend her shower) and got a pre-printed 4x5 picture of the pregnant mom and her DH with the words "Thanks for the baby gift" printed at the bottom. I was absolutely appalled. This lady had 4 showers (2 out of town), got tons of gifts and didn't thank one person with an actual note.

Allinaugust - I agree with you. I try to wrap every gift given because I absolutely detest gift bags. It takes the fun out of being able to unwrap the gift, especially for a child.

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Kim

I personally would not agree that give a gift in the bag it was purchased in is lazy, however to me personally from seeing so many bags that comes out of these stores lately they are beautiful and must be expensive to produce to have the stores logo on the bag truly some personlized bags are beautiful. Now of course perhaps if you were to bring a gift to the party in a grocery store bag now that is tacky. Also with what DL said about going around saying thank you to the people personally that I personally feel a handwritten note always is the better way. I cannot imagine especially at a big event where there are too many people to acknowledge to personally thank each one again my views on the subject. Peace to all. Catherine

For me it doesn't matter that the packaging is "costly" or not, it is more that the person thought to take the time to wrap the gift or put in a gift bag or made the attempt to make it look nice as opposed to throwing it in a store bag at the last minute, that makes it look like they rushed to the store and didn't have the time or chose not to take the time to do anything more.

Even if it is wrapped in the funnies or newspaper or wallpaper or reused wrapping paper or material, I have seem some very unusual "wrappings" in my time that didn't cost very much at all or were free. The fact that someone took the time/thought to wrap the gift means as much as the gift itself in some cases.

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I just received one of these as well from a wedding. Almost 3 months after the wedding I received a picture of the bride & groom with pre-printed at the bottom "Thanks for the wedding gift and sharing our special day." Even their names were pre-printed. I was appalled as well.

I don't think people are lazy who wrap in store bags, I just think it's not important to them. My grandmothers were totally opposite. One wrapped them all very pretty and special. The other always gave it in the bag the store put it in when she bought it (not a wrapping bag - the paper/plastic bag). I never cared. She always said it was the gift that mattered.

Like I said above, I prefer to use a gift bag/wrapping paper to give. I don't judge or care about it when receiving. It's just my preference when giving. I put the store gift bags to use, just not the use the store intended!

Lisa

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It's wanting what you've got"

I also got one of those pre-printed wedding thank you's with the couples picture on it and I LOVED it. The couple was on walking down a pathway with trees surrounding them and it said something about thank you for helping them start a new path in their lives or something like that. I didn't have a picture of them together, the shower was actually the first time I had met the groom.

It just depends on people's taste. Nothing is wrong, it is just the way people are brought up, they way people like to do things. Everyone does things differently, doesn't make it wrong, just makes it different.

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[quote=nightowlrn;3401165] And, they are somewhat attention seeking when the wrapping is over the top.QUOTE]

I don't agree with this ~ but maybe it's because I like to wrap things up to look pretty. I never considered myself an attention seeker, but maybe I have to reconsider that now. I'm a crafty person and enjoy wrapping gifts. On the flip side, when I receive a gift I don't care how it is wrapped. DH is notorious for giving gifts in the store (plastic) bag.

I also don't mind the thank you cards that are pictures with a printed "thank you". They went to a lot of thought and effort to have them printed and sent. Isn't that one step up from no note at all?

Speaking of which, I'm sure I'm the minority here, but I also don't mind not getting a thank you note. I personally always send them, but I realize that not everybody is cut out of the same mold. I have more to do/worry about than keeping track of who sent "proper" thank you notes out in a timely manner.

[quote=freer;3401283]Hmmmm, I guess I'd better look in the mirror..... I was thinking to myself that I certainly wouldn't judge someone for utilizing wrapping services at a store, but I was definitely judgmental on my friend's choice of thank yous. Something for me to think about. Reading back - she had 4 showers... Maybe rather than sending no thank you at all (from a limited time standpoint), this was a good option for them. Thanks for the different perspective.

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Kim

LOL!! Just what I have been saying....

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IMO who cares about the bags...when I receive a gift, I don't think twice about the bag (or wrapping) and I never have. You guys crack me up

norn and gg - I would have expected nothing less of each of you, and especially to band together. Bravo. This post was about a trend I've noticed and my opinion, along with asking others.

Some have seen this trend, some have not. Some are ok with it, some are not. You two just keep pounding away at me and pretend not to note others who agree with me. But that's ok. We are all entitled to our opinions when the subject is subjective, rather than factual. Each of you have proven yourselves in other ways to be pathetic in your factual postings.

If you want to smack me or anyone who puts thought into what they do, who follows through, and cares beyond tossing something in an advertising laden bag or box, go for it.

I never said I am superior or stellar or any other words you want to trump up. But you two keep at it, it makes for entertaining fictional reading.

dl

really? Just because someone has a different opinion to you doesn't make them anything but opinionated---Oh yeah, kind of like you!(and me, and groovygirl, and countless others on this board). I realize that some (or even many) don't particularly care for me here--but good lord! It's just an internet message board. If you take it too seriously, then that's the bigger problem than someone who is not "nice" or "sugarcoats" things.

The only person who can make YOU feel inferior is yourself (generally speaking).

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I think it's just a matter of priorities. Lots of people find wrapping a waste. I like to wrap things. Maybe they spent all their budget for the gift and had none left over to buy wrapping paper and don't keep it at home.
Maybe they figure that it's just going in the garbage so why waste the money and/or time and/or effort. Maybe they forgot to get the paper and at the last minute they just wrapped it in the bag.
I guess I kind of find it somewhat tacky but in the long run it doesn't really make a difference.
We are all "supposed" to be green these days so maybe they're just doing that.
I guess I would take into consideration who the giver was. It might sound preposterous but these days for many people it's just a waste of money that can be used towards the gift or for gas or something else.

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If you are giving me a gift and have taken the time and thought to buy something, I don't care, wrap it, bag it, hand it to me in nothing. When I am giving a gift 9 times outta 10 I will wrap it, oddly gift wrapping is something I enjoy doing. I have been know to use gift bags if it was a last minute of forgotten to buy till last minute gift, but the norm I wrap. I have gotten a lot less judgemental of things of this sort partially I guess I am just to busy to spend time thinking about it "pun intended". I have two older sisters that try to use gift bags exclusively, not store gift bags such as BBB, for reasons as different as the two sisters are themselves. One has Parkinsons, some days it takes her 10 minutes or more to put on her socks, when she tries to wrap a gift it looks more like it was wrapped by a 2 year old and still takes over half an hour. The other sister is plain lazy, everytime gift wrapping is mentioned she complains far longer about how bad she hates to fool with wrapping than it woudl take to wrap for a whole kindergarten class. I TRY not to judge about much of anything anymore. I like the post about the picture of the bride and groom and the poster had never met the groom. That is another reason I like about this board, a lot of different opinions and a lot that make me rethink my attitudes about things.

Funny you say all of this, when there is not much more pathetic than the way you find every thread I post in and bring up some old memorial day stuff from a year ago. THAT is pathetic and you are miserable.

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I think gift bags and boxes are a great idea.Most of them are reusable which saves you money plus less waste are filling up the land fills.
I have used the Bath and body shop bags but I also still wrap the old fashioned way.It would not bother me at all to recieve a present in a bag I had given in a previous year especially if its one I thought was really pretty.We always reuse nice wrapping and bows in our families.

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I have to agree with you Dolly. Gift bags are reusable and they are so cute with so many choices. Also less expensive than wrapping in most cases. I know people might think it's tacky but you can go to $ Tree and they have tons of sizes and styles. I even bought a whole bunch of beautiful Madonna and Child ones as well as glittery fairy with animals ones. You can put some tissue paper in or sometimes I wrap the gift and put in the bag. This is especially useful if you are giving more than gift just wrap them (or don't) and put in the one bag.

This board is so funny. We are all so different and some things that people feel so strongly about just make me laugh.

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Well said I completely agree.

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Well, because some of us go through the trash after the guests leave and ...ummm... recycle the gift bags, tissue paper and bows...

Please don't tell me some of you other frugal and smart people haven't done this.

Guilty, as charged.

I don't have to dig through the trash for the tissues and bags If the event is a family event, they already know to save it all for me I wouldn't dig through the trash at someone else's event though. I can say that I haven't bought a xmas bag or birthday bag in many many years. It's become a family tradition to try to remember every year what gift was once in the bag LOL

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I agree. I absolutely hate how much money is wasted on really expensive wrapping supplies. Especially for kids -- you could actually buy another gift for the money that's wasted on the wrappings

I buy all wrapping supplies at Dollar Tree -- I would never dream of spending $5 for a gift bag, another couple of dollars for a fancy bow and another few dolllars for a card

A bit off topic but nevermind the cost of wrapping paper and fancy bags, how about the cost of cards I spent 24.00 on cards for fathers day, between for my dad my father in law, my husband and 2 brothers. I really miss the homemade we made as kids or the ones our kids made themselves, no money spend, yet so much more beautiful because we or them made them and you cannot put a price on that. Peace to all. Catherine

I agree, Catherine. Cards are so expensive. I usually make mine, or shop for bargains. I boxed sets with a nice variety. Also, a lot of dollar stores carry nice cards at reasonable prices.

Freer I also agree I buy alot of cards at garage sales or tags sales but sometimes for special occasion and if I do not have a fathers day card I have to buy them but some cards are 6 and 7 dollars that is crazy. Peace to all. Catherine

There is no way, in a million years I would spend 6 or 7 dollars for a card. I would go without first, for sure.

Freer......you are right. I'm working at Family Dollar right now and we sell cards that are either 2 for a dollar or a dollar a piece and they really are quite nice!!! Not Hallmark but very nice nonetheless.

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Melissa

Melissa I agree with you 100 percent while I said some cards 6 and 7 dollars I would never dream of buying them either 3.00 is my limit, your talking to the coupon queen, garage sale /goodwill store lover here lol. Again I totally agree some of these cards are sooooooooooo expensive. It is funny because my parents kept alot of cards when we were growing up and cards they gave us and each other the prices on the back were 15 cents and 25 cents omg . Peace to all. Catherine