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?

@SkylightSkylight 😂😂 I can feel the addiction beginning…

I try to avoid buying new generally. I don't really have adults to buy for because we stopped adult gifts, but family is fine with second-hand. My DC understand that I can afford to get them more books/games if I don't buy new and that it is more responsible to reuse than constantly produce more goods.

I clicked on this thread hoping to get some more ideas for sustainable gifts.

My DC (tween/teen) will be getting preloved clothes from Father Christmas, along with rechargeable batteries, preloved books, things they can eat (branded cereal they don't get the rest of the year), second-hand board games and one is getting a vintage egg cup.

We're getting an experience from my parents.

I recently discovered some preloved book subscription gifts which are great if you have a bookworm.

Memberships (museums, galleries, English Heritage), experiences, theatre, nice food and drink... There are lots of options if you want to avoid new but also don't want to do second-hand.

Personally, I'd rather have second-hand if available. When I think about the sheer volume of stuff in the world, I feel slightly sick. I wouldn't gift something that didn't look new unless I knew the recipient would be OK with it. But so many books (for example) look untouched. And I have some lovely clothes that you would never guess weren't new when I got them and better quality than I could afford new.

Most of my friends are the same. I've been really surprised by some of the comments on this thread. It just goes to show that we often live in our own little echo chambers.

I would like second hand gifts as long as they were personal to me and not a random cookbook or ornament.

With people who are invested in everything being new, I'd probably suggest cutting all gifts for adults rather than try to get them to be open to second hand.

That's really great, I know what I like and my face must be a picture when I'm presented with some tat like keyrings or stone bracelets. That could have been spent on a bottle of EVOO for the same price. I need no more tat. Unless it's useful tat like a baking tray 🤣

You'll have a lovely jumper which you will use and get pleasure from.

Sounds like a fun challenge OP although I don’t know why it would be limited to charity shops. I’ve bought and had gifted lots of items for my house which were vintage which let’s face it are just used. ( original angelpoise lamps, Bakelite phones etc… all design classics). I’ve also gifted Atomic style tea sets, embroidered linens, old patchwork quilts, prints etc. Clothes are a bit trickier but band T shirts or US college T’s would be great for a teenager for example. Books are also good and certainly wouldn’t be out of print editions in my neck of the woods.
Maybe you’d like to look at Re-found objects for some inspiration

www.re-foundobjects.com/category/view/2ndhand

I know someone who is still trying to get rid of bedbugs from his house as a result of acquiring a secondhand laundry basket six years ago.

Secondhand furniture? No thanks

He’s not doing a very good job of getting rid of them is he 😂 bloody hell…

I’ve tried not to buy much new stuff this year. We are making a conscious effort and it does make a difference financially. As for gifts I have got:

~mens Rapha cycling to £12 vinted (RRP £98)
~DM Leonore boots £80 Vinted (RRP £160)
~ childrens Barbour with Liberty lining £8 (RRP £??) eBay BNWT
~3 Georg Jensen serving bowls £50 for 3 (£90 odd each new) charity shop
~cashmere jumper from the secondhand cashmere company £38
~bordallo pinhero jug £6 charity shop
~Joseph Joseph rice cooker BNIB £3 charity shop
~Mens OnRunning trainers BNIB £19 vinted

all look new, so I’m really happy.

I wouldn't want a secondhand gift but tbh it's because I really don't want more stuff, new or old! My close family buy me something and I always treasure it as they know me really well and choose something that I always end up treasuring (because it's from them as much as for the thing itself). From my friends, I'd rather have their company or have them buy me a drink on an occasion that we are together. Second hand tat is better for the planet than giving new tat, but I just prefer not to have more tat! Books and gardening vouchers are the exceptions for those really wanting to gift a 'thing'.

Personally I wouldn't . My recipients wouldn't appreciate second hand gifts or home made for that matter .
Fine for yourself if that's what you choose but I wouldn't for others .