A secondhand gifts ONLY Christmas

[SweetRascal]

For cost and the environment, I've decided to do a secondhand gifts only Christmas, with the obvious exception of food items.

But some people can be a bit funny about things that aren't new. I'm wondering what some members of my family will really think (although I'm sure they'll be polite and gracious).

I look carefully round charity shops, boot sales and Facebook marketplace. I wouldn't buy just anything but love a spontaneous find that I think someone would like.

My children couldn't care less if something is new but adults can be a bit different. Having said that, I'm still going to do secondhand only despite what they may think. It will save money and I feel like it's one way forward for the environment.

However, I am interested what people think about this?

I’d rather you just didn’t buy me anything and if you did I’d just throw it away.

I don’t do second hand and I won’t allow my family to have it either.

Why? If it good quality and something you like would you really throw it away purely because it was second hand?

Of course I would. I don’t want used gifts.

I don’t think you should do this without agreeing with other people that this is what you will mutually do this year. I don’t think it is fair to force your opinions on people through your gift giving.

Surely it depends on the item? Giving 2nd hand or even older books as presents is normal in my family. Or a collectors item.

But not a pair of pyjamas or tshirt as a gift (unless specifically requested brand).

Reframe it as Vintage or Antique.

I would hate this! I'd feel I'd have to spend time I don't have scouring charity shops (round here they all have That Smell and are 90% bobbled polyester clothing) for something that would work as a gift.

My daughter is currently obsessed with 2 films from the 80s so I have been tracking down merchandise for her. This of course means I am only getting these things secondhand - because they only exist secondhand.
But she also has asked for a specific book which was only released about a month ago so has yet to have copies make their way to the charity shop. So that I can't buy secondhand.
Basically.... buying someone a gift should be something you know they specifically want or you are 100% sure they will love if you get secondhand.
Buying a brand new copy of a book because it's just come out, you know they read the author and this is the latest in a series they have been reading for years = good.
Buying a secondhand copy of a favourite author because you know they like to collect different editions of their books = good.
Buying 3 random paperbacks for £1 from a charity shop simply because they are secondhand = not so good.

I don't like it unless it's a book.

Really depends on what it is but imho presents should be unused unless we are talking antiques etc. But we do things like trainers and kitchen stuff so that would not be amusing second hand

I also feel like people need regular reminders that the only reason they can be "environmentally friendly" with second hand is because others buy new...
Buying new is not some kind of sin if you use it till it dies or pass it forward.

Second hand doesn't mean the same as used though - I have bought so many things which still have their tags on, candles, perfume which were all unused from charity shops.

Doesn't it depend what it is though?

I can understand you feeling like that about clothes or shoes. Or, say, sone wonky jigsaw with a few bits missing. But other items in good condition and chosen with care, why not?

I have bought items for myself that are second hand. Very recently we got a lovely bookcase that is just perfect for our living room. Solid wood and good condition, not a mark on it. The nearest things we could find new were either naff, self assembly stuff or cost more than three times the price.

As a child I remember an old lady friend of my parents giving me one of her own books for Christmas. It was a lovely hardback brought out for the Coronation of George VI. I was very impressed by it and I still have it more than 50 years on. Can't say that for any of the new gifts I was given that year!

I wouldn't consider that second hand tbh. I think many people don't consider new with tags as such. Logically it is, but it's same but different 😁

@5foot5 No, it doesn’t depend what it is. I want new or nothing at all, or your agenda gift will just go straight in the bin.

I don’t like second hand/old/charity shop gifts. If you do, great. You do you.

We did this for a few years with DH and his family. I didn't really enjoy it because half the time I couldn't find suitable gifts so ended up buying second hand tat, which also seemed wasteful. Having said that, I do still occasionally buy second hand gifts if I'm in a charity shop and see something I think that person will like. I also don't mind receiving second hand gifts.

I'm curious do you get/ use secondhand anything? Do you for example get vintage clothes or antique furniture for example?

Would you rather use disposable than second hand as well? That's something I've noticed with a few people but as someone who hates flimsy paper plates and waste I hate disposable stuff.

No, I don’t use anything second hand. I like some vintage styles (40s/50s/60s) but I would never buy or wear them. If I wanted that look I would buy replica new.

I do not like antique furniture. I find it very ugly and like everything I own to match.

I can’t think of a time where it would be disposable vs. second hand but if that ever were the case then yes I would pick disposable every time. I don’t have a problem with waste.

I don’t have a problem with waste

You do have a problem with waste. We all do. It's such a sad attitude. Waste and wastefulness is everyone's problem. Buying everything new and keeping it until it is completely broken and done is better than being very wasteful and (for example) decorating your living room every year with a completely new set of ornaments and soft furnishings, and throwing the old away.

I have pretty much bought all our toddlers Christmas pressies from Vinted this year. He’s into Happyland which is overpriced plastic. Got some amazing sets for a fraction of the price in very good condition!
Also some brand new toys that he will love!

I can afford the full price I just hate buying more plastic first hand. We’ll pass it on again if it’s still in good condition when he’s finished.

@HeraldicBlazoning No, I don’t. You make waste your crusade if you want but it’s not my issue.

Quite obviously I don’t redecorate every year, mostly because it would just be a lot of hassle, but I don’t “make do” or mend. If somethings broken I’ll chuck it and buy again.

You are free to do as you wish, just as I am free to do as I wish.

Do you not feel even a tiny bit guilty that the planet is drowning in stuff? I'm not "crusading" against anything, but I am mindful that everything we buy and consume has an impact. This isn't a new thing, we've been taught the reduce, reuse, recycle thing since the 80s at least.

It is your issue. It's everyone's issue. Just like climate change, or the cost of living.

@HeraldicBlazoning Nope. No guilt. Why should I? Waste, climate change, cost of living. None of them are my issues.

I will keep my family living at the same standards we always have.

Would you not even take it back to a charity shop so it can be sold again?

My DP and I did this last Christmas, we bought a present for each other from a charity shop. This year we are doing the same and have bought some items for the grandchildren. We couldn’t find anything suitable for the adults, so they will get restaurant vouchers.

No, I don’t have time to be doing that.

I think second hand things are great for kids, it's really easy to find good gifts in brilliant condition. I've done second hand for adults if I happen to come across something, but I think I'd find it much harder to consciously do and would prefer just no adult gifts.