Are pre-loved Christmas gifts cheap or chic?

There are plenty of good reasons to give second-hand gifts this year, but there are still some pitfalls when it comes to regifting.

Once upon a time, gifting someone a pre-loved item at Christmas would have seemed a cheapskate move.

But with a rapidly noisy global conversation about climate change, landfill and consumerism, perceptions are shifting.

In Christmas 2018, about $400 million worth of unwanted presents were gifted — the equivalent of 10 million items (and let’s not forget the wrapping and packaging).

Consumers are increasingly conscious of this, says Yasmin Grigaliunas, the founder of World’s Biggest Garage Sale, a social enterprise that reuses, renews and remanufactures items destined for landfill.

“What we are seeing, given the rise of sustainability and the rise of big voices like (environmental activist) Greta (Thunberg) and others around the world, is that there is a broader acceptance now that second-hand is not second best,” Yasmin says.

Yasmin has launched a #onesecond pledge to encourage people to embrace pre-loved gifts this Christmas.

“We say, ‘Take one second to buy one second-hand item this year’ and be really proud of putting that item under the tree or in the Secret Santa box because together we can save millions of gifts from ending up in landfill,” she says.

“By doing so, you are building a fairer and more sustainable future, not just for Australia but for the world.”

Discover the magic of second-hand gifts

Apart from the feel-good nature of being environmentally friendly, the joy of giving something second-hand is the unique story of your shopping adventure, Yasmin says.

“Who doesn’t like sharing a great story at Christmas lunch about the second-hand item you found and the treasure hunt you went on?” Yasmin says.

“It speaks to the beautiful age-old value of, ‘It’s the thought that counts’. So let’s put some more thought into our gift-giving this Christmas.”

It’s a theory echoed by Queensland University of Technology academics who say this Christmas people are yearning for connection, given the isolation experienced by pandemic lockdowns and restrictions.

Pre-loved items have personal histories that offer a richer experience than a new product, while upcycled items (such as an old pair of jeans transformed into a backpack) have entertaining back stories.

Handy tips for second-hand shopping

Pre-loved items can be found in myriad places, such as op shops and online portals including Gumtree, eBay and Facebook Marketplace.

Choosing a second-hand gift for a loved one is the same process as if you were buying a new one — you’re looking for something that will bring that person joy.

It can be practical or decadent, but the key is to consider carefully what would suit them best.

“Think about the person and what they love and then go and find something that they love in that second-hand market,” Yasmin says.

“For me, I always look for books. I also look for brands my family love.

“Usually what happens is when I am looking for a particular gift, I end up finding other things that are great stocking fillers for others.”

No-nos when it comes to second-hand items are very intimate items such as cosmetics and underwear.

Helpful hints for a merry ‘regiftmas’

Another aspect of second-hand gift-giving is the practice of regifting, which is taking something that someone else has bought for you and giving it to another person.

There are certain rules to follow when it comes to regifting, etiquette expert Susie Wilson says.

“You should be certain that the gift is something the recipient would like to receive, ensure the gift isn’t one that the original giver took great care to select or make, and it’s not handmade or personalised — think monogrammed or engraved,” Susie says.

“Simply put, you have to make sure you don’t hurt anyone’s feelings — either the original giver’s or the new recipient’s.”

Susie also says to be careful if the person who gave you the gift is in the same social circle as the new recipient as things could get awkward very quickly.

“Saving on the time or expense of shopping for or making a gift isn’t worth the cost of hurt feelings or a damaged friendship,” she says.

Written by Cathy Anderson.

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