Why second-hand fashion makes the perfect Christmas gift
Wondering where to start with your Christmas shopping this year? If you want to give a fashion gift, have you considered buying something second-hand, like clothes or jewellery?
Some people feel nervous about buying a second-hand gift, especially when it comes to fashion because they’re worried about appearing cheap or not putting much thought in. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In the right circumstances, a second-hand gift at Christmas can be magical, delighting the person opening it with something much more personal than what can be bought new on the high street. That’s because you might find something rare or discontinued that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to buy. Better still, if you shop somewhere that donates its profits to charity, the gift will benefit more than just the person receiving it.
And if you do decide to buy something pre-loved this Christmas, you won’t be the only one. An Oxfam study of 3,000 shoppers found that a third were gifting pre-loved items. A CeX survey discovered that people anticipated spending around £110 on second-hand presents.
Read on to discover why buying pre-loved can make the most thoughtful gift this festive season, along with second-hand gift ideas and tips for presenting them.
Why does second-hand fashion make a great Christmas gift?
There are three reasons why second-hand fashion makes for a great Christmas gift.
First, you can choose something that perfectly suits the person you’re buying for, rather than limiting yourself to what’s in shops at the moment, seasonal trends and expensive designer items usually outside your budget. For example, someone who loves vintage or retro fashion will really appreciate something that has a unique and authentic history.
Second, for someone socially conscious who tries to buy less new clothing, a pre-loved gift will go down a lot better than a new, fast-fashion item. It’s better for the environment. When a second-hand item replaces something that you would otherwise buy new, the associated emissions can be much, much lower - potentially as much as 80% according to logistics provider Bleckmann.
And last, you can help those less fortunate and raise money for charity at the same time. Either by buying from a charity shop or shopping online using charitable marketplaces like Causee, because we donate our profits to good causes.
When is it a good idea to suggest buying second-hand gifts?
Buying second-hand can be particularly fun when everyone agrees to do it. Below are a couple of great occasions when you could put forward the idea of buying second-hand.
Presents for your friends
It’s happened to all of us. Someone suggests that you all do presents this year but that can mean finding and funding another three gifts within an already stretched Christmas budget.
As a way of keeping things affordable, why not suggest that everyone buys second-hand? That way, you can have some fun finding pre-loved gifts without impacting everyone’s bank balances.
Work Secret Santa gifts
Secret Santa gifting at work can get out of hand. While no one wants to be a killjoy, the average cost of a Secret Santa present is £14. That’s a lot to spend on a work colleague at a time when costs keep going up. You could set a budget of £5, but that brings its own challenge: what can you get that will seem like a nice present for just £5?
One solution could be to suggest in advance that everyone buys a second-hand gift. You might be surprised by how well this idea goes down. It can make gifting feel more imaginative while keeping costs down, and may also fit perfectly with your company’s environmental values.
Which second-hand fashion items make good Christmas gifts?
There are many pieces that would make wonderful second-hand gifts for Christmas, including retro, designer clothing and handbags, jewellery and accessories.
Retro
Buying second-hand gives you the chance to find one of a kind rare pieces, retro or discontinued items you’d struggle to locate anywhere else. It’s perfect for those in your life who have a more particular or unique taste.
Designer clothing and handbags
While designer clothing is often too expensive to justify the high price tag for many people, shopping pre-loved can make designer items much more affordable. Second-hand designer handbags are particularly popular as gifts, because you can often find them for much less than they would cost new.
Jewellery
Producing new jewellery can generate significant carbon emissions, with one Pawnbroker study finding that 95% is caused by mining and metal production and the remainder 5% generated from the design, production and transport process.
Second-hand jewellery could be the answer if you’re looking for a gift that feels unusual or personal. You might find a vintage piece that suits the recipient’s style, or something you’d struggle to find new. And unlike a bespoke piece, you don’t have to wait for it to be made.
Some even buy second-hand wedding rings during the festive season, with Christmas Eve being the most popular day to propose.
Sunglasses, scarves and other accessories
Fashion accessories like sunglasses and scarves are always an excellent choice for second-hand Christmas presents. They suit people you’re a bit unsure on what to buy. After all, you can never have enough scarves.
Second hand accessories are also good gifts for when you know someone is going on holiday, like a good quality pair of sandals for someone off on a beach break, or ski gloves for someone heading to the slopes.
How should you present a pre-loved fashion gift?
If the person you’re buying for is a socially conscious consumer, consider wrapping the gift in brown paper, an old tin or shoebox.
As you’ve made the effort to buy a thoughtful Christmas gift, you could also wrap it lovingly with a second-hand fabric item like a scarf or shawl, which can become another gift afterwards.
For a vintage or unusual product, you could include a thoughtful note explaining its history or the story behind why you chose it.
Where can you buy second-hand fashion gifts for Christmas?
Although there are several places to find second-hand Christmas gifts, Causee is a great easy-to-use ethical marketplace. We donate our profits to charity, so your Christmas shopping can support a good cause as well as delight the person receiving your gift.
