Charity shop gifts

[DontFundHate]

So this year I'm trying to save some money and the environment by not buying anything new. This is fine for me, I'm replacing toiletries that I use up, trying not to buy new clothes unless good quality that will last a long time, and frequenting charity shops too.

It got me thinking though, perhaps I could stop buying new things as gifts too for birthdays, Xmas, teacher gifts etc. What charity shop items would be good for gifts? I can think of lovely children's books, vases, anything else?

I know it depends on what you can find but would like a little idea of things to look out for, and possibly to inspire others to do the same? Thank you :)

my local charity shop has a little section of new goods that they still get the profit from, and it includes things like candles etc. might be worth a look if yours does the same? x

Of you still send cards , the charity shops are full of them at the moment.
Most Oxfams sell Faith in Nature products ( new, free from nasties and good stuff ) soaps, shower gels, body wash etc .

I buy secondhand things for DH, DS, and me from charity shops and eBay, but I don't think I'd plan to buy someone else a secondhand gift unless I happened to see the perfect thing. I find charity shops really hit and miss though, I can't imagine trying to buy something IYKWIM.

I get a bunch of books the kids might like from charity bookshops. DH and I do token presents so I might get him a book and DVDs and maybe a shirt. When the kids were younger then I could get good toys - now it's Lego from ebay...

I have done this. I have bought cake stands, china tea plates, vases, tins, that sort of thing.

It’s definitely A Good Idea.

eBay has a whole section of items for sale listed by charities!
They usually have a blue / yellow ribbon at the end of the title.

Things to look out for: toys , jewellery, clothes, music stuff, trinkets and ornaments, CD's & DVD's (If you still but then) ...

Thanks everyone. Yes I remember now that our Oxfam often sells new items.

I think I'll make a birthday list for the year and keep it in my purse, so that when I pop into the charities I'll have a quick look for everyone on my list

I think that not everyone appreciates second hand gifts and another option is to cut back on the gift buying so e.g. don't bother with gifts for teachers (just get the kids to make a card for them if they want to do something), talk to your friends and families about reducing presents or do family gifts like experiences or maybe make something. Personally I'd rather get some homemade biscuits than a vase someone else has chosen from a charity shop.

For teachers, an idea that has gone down well at our school is a gift bag full of nice coffee, teas, cordial and biccies which I hand into the school office (well labelled obviously, so everyone knows who it is from). This started because in P1 my child had a job share and I felt the office staff and headteacher did a lot too. Might be a thought for people?

And so on a similar note, we now do gifts of fancy food for family members rather than “things “. Another option might be cuttings, seeds or new plants from a garden centre for those one knows well enough? For those people who “have everything” ifykwim? A meaningful message and a bit of ribbon or nice twine/fabric (can be reused) I find can make it look special.

Grandparents contribute to memberships for places eg zoo, national trust, with a a token gift to open on the day...

In the past, i have very occasionally bought gifts from charity shops, but they have to be very good quality.
A dog eared yellowing paperback is NOT one of them. Boxed crystal glasses went down well. You should also be careful 're gifts for children as many parents do not like second hand gifts for their children. If possible, thoroughly wash / clean anything that seems suitable.

Charity shops round here are full of teacher gifts like those "best teacher ever" mugs, so there's definitely a cycle going on. The alternatives mentioned by PP sound much better to me.

Another option is to donate to charities rather than buying a gift. Or get an "experience" gift voucher, eg for a restaurant. I have a family member who gives second hand gifts,but I do find they are often random things that I don't need /won't use which eventually find their way back to the charity shop. I think books would be a good option, also kids stuff, but the homewares would have to be carefully chosen. Sorry, this probably makes me sound ungrateful... Id probably prefer home made jam, or no gift, as I think gift giving is overdone.

I'd also rather reduce gift giving, or give consumable gifts. I hate the idea of giving gifts that won't be used.

The charity shop I volunteer in has a little selection of lovely new fair trade or recycled gifts. This year so far I have bought those little shopping bags which fold into a pocket for your bag made from recycled saris - lovely and colourful and only £4.

We also regularly have things like purses, bags, toiletry gift sets, candle gift sets, craft kits and lots of chocolate!

I bought a charity shop cardi for a friend’s new baby recently and she loved it! It was originally Gap and in perfect condition.

I’ve also put some stuff on my son’s things to get me Christmas list and written “second hand is fine” in the description if applicable.

Can’t see why it’s a problem tbh.