One in three shoppers plan to buy second-hand gifts this Christmas, study finds
One in three shoppers plan to buy a second-hand gift for their loved ones this Christmas – with 94% of those doing so in a bid to save the pennies amid the cost-of-living crisis, research has found.
Over a quarter of consumers (28%) would be most likely to buy pre-loved toys and games, or jewellery – while 45% would gift someone a second-hand book, rather than buying new.
And the survey of 3,000 adults, who celebrate Christmas, found that 28% love the “hunt” for the perfect gift – up from 19%, who said the same in a similar study carried out in 2021.
Meanwhile, one in five (21%) like the idea of buying something that has a story behind it, rather than something brand-new – compared to 13% who said this two years ago.
The research, commissioned by Oxfam, also found that the number of festive shoppers planning to buy second-hand has risen by a third in the last two years, up from 25% in 2021.
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Lorna Fallon, director of retail for Oxfam, said: “Attitudes towards buying second-hand are really shifting, as the clear majority of us now feel it is acceptable to give pre-loved gifts at Christmas.
“Whether it is the cost-of-living crisis or environmental concerns that are driving people to buy pre-loved, it is encouraging to know that a third of all shoppers are planning to buy second-hand this year. Pre-loved gifts give items a longer life, and they can go on to bring joy to others.”
18-24-year-olds are the most likely age group to do so, with nearly three-quarters of these youngsters shopping pre-loved this festive season (Oxfam)The study also found exactly a quarter of those polled are planning to make second-hand gifting a tradition with their loved ones each Christmas – as just over half (53%) feel it’s a good lesson to pass on to future generations.
And young people are now leading the way, with 73% of 18-24-year-olds planning to give second-hand, versus just 28% of those aged 55 to 64.
TV presenter and Oxfam ambassador, Miquita Oliver, said: “Second-hand does not mean second-best. In the last few years, we have seen a rise in popularity of vintage fashion, with more and more young people proud to wear second-hand clothes. We need that mindset to extend across gift-giving.
“Charity shops are a great place to find unique, thoughtful presents – what does it matter if a book has been read already? I love imagining who last turned the pages. I’m proud to give and receive second-hand gifts at any time of the year.”
According to the OnePoll.com figures, exactly six in ten people believe it’s more acceptable than ever before to give second-hand gifts to a loved one. And over half of respondents (57%) admitted that being able to find quality items that are second-hand is a pleasant surprise.
Furthermore, over a third (36%) of all respondents would be grateful to be given a pre-loved present on December 25 – with just 6% saying they’d be shocked or offended.
The research also revealed people have more or less the same concerns about climate change now that they had in 2021.
Lorna Fallon added: “Second-hand shopping offers a unique and high-quality range of gifts. You also contribute to reducing waste and conserving resources.
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“The joy of gifting is in the thought and effort put into finding the perfect present, and when you shop with Oxfam you'll love the search as much as the giving. Second-hand gifts offer a special touch of nostalgia and thoughtfulness, making each gift a treasure with its own story to tell.
“By swapping just one or two presents for a pre-loved gift, it will help to stretch the Christmas budget, whilst helping to support people and communities around the world, including those hit hard by the climate crisis.”
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