Save money by buying second-hand Christmas gifts: here's how

Would you give a pre-loved gift this Christmas?

For many, the idea of a second-hand gift might conjure images of well-worn shoes that are about to fall apart, pre-used make-up brushes, or dodgy refurb tech with scratches and odd stains.

But these days, it’s so easy to get brand new or nearly-brand new stuff at a massive discount if you’re willing to shop around and buy preloved. And, as our research shows, the tide is shifting with more and more people willing to receive pre-loved gifts.

As our resident consumer expert Vix Leyton says: “We really need to get over ourselves when it comes to second hand gifting. The stigma is completely outdated. There is an astonishing amount of brand new, never-used stuff on resale platforms like Vinted – tags still on, boxes never opened, books that have clearly never been cracked.

“Kids’ toys and clothes in particular are often barely touched before they’re outgrown. You’re not giving someone ‘old’ things, you’re giving perfectly good items that just didn’t find their first home.

“My tip is simple: let go of the idea that a gift has to come straight off a shelf to have value. A thoughtful, well-chosen second-hand present is every bit as meaningful – and in many cases, genuinely better – than buying yet another mass-produced item new.”

Those of us who value sustainability may even prefer a pre-loved gift to a brand new item. As Vix says: “We are drowning in ‘stuff’, and platforms pushing ultra-cheap, ultra-disposable products are adding to the problem. A lot of it ends up in landfill in record time. Shopping pre-loved reduces waste, cuts demand for new production and often gets you better quality for your money.”

How to find the best pre-loved gifts at the cheapest prices

If we’ve convinced you and you’re ready to give second-hand gifting a go, here are a few tips to help you get the best deal on your thrifty festive shopping.

Check out several online marketplaces

People list preloved items on places like Vinted, eBay and Facebook marketplace. It’s worth looking on all three to find the best deals.

If you’re really keen on getting something brand new and unboxed, places like Vinted have filters allowing you to search by the item’s condition. Or, you can use keywords like “BNWT” when searching. BNWT stands for “brand new with tags”. So, for example, if you’re buying someone a jumper, it’ll come with the original tags attached.

That way, nobody needs to know the item didn’t come straight off the shelves, but you often get a massive discount anyway because it’s still technically pre-owned.

Don’t be afraid to haggle

Most online marketplace sellers are just regular people who want to make some extra cash and get rid of stuff they no longer have space for. Lots of them are open to offers and are willing to knock a little off the price to make a sale. So don’t be afraid to ask for a lower price. The worst they can say is no.

If you really don’t want to haggle, it’s worth “liking” or “saving” products you like. On platforms like Vinted, the seller gets a notification to let them know you’re interested and can send you an “offer” to entice you to buy. This is usually a small discount on the original price. Win-win.

Raid the local charity shops

Christmas is the season of giving, and what better way to celebrate that than by buying your gifts at a charity shop? Vix says: “Charity shops are full of brilliant finds, and they come with a built-in halo effect – your present funds a good cause at the same time.

“Among friendship groups, it can even be turned into a bit of fun: set a budget, give yourselves an hour and do a ‘charity shop challenge’ to build the best gift basket. It takes the pressure off spending big and replaces it with imagination.”