Now, obviously, certain used gifts are not for everyone. Giving a pair of worn-out shoes that your toe sticks out of the front to your new fiancé would probably not be the best idea. Some things can be more of a liability than an act of kindness. Another example could be gifting a car that is missing an engine, unless it's something super-rare and you can work on it yourself and you enjoy that type of thing.
Many people will scoff at the idea of receiving a used gift as a present, and that is fine if you feel like you're "above" second-hand gifts. I'm not here to convince you that you're not bougey, I'm just here to explain some of the benefits of gifting and receiving used items.
Some of the topics I will cover in this article are the benefits to gift used items, some of the trends we have been seeing, and where the future of gift-giving may be trending.
The Benefits of Gifting Used or Second-Hand.
The stigma of the embarrassment in gifting used or second-hand gifts can finally end. There are so many benefits to gifting used gifts!
- You can save money: The holidays are often-times traps by corporate America to force us to buy, buy, buy. No doubt we can give gifts if we have the resources to do so, but why does it all have to be so new and expensive? It doesn't when you shop second hand! Imagine paying anywhere between 50% to 90% off! That's more money to use for the things you love, and the recipient will appreciate the fact that you thought of them (If they truly care about you).
- You can get awesome, unique stuff: This holds true for every category. What they serve you in the retail stores is just what they think you're interested in today. Imagine opening up a world where the interests of today can be expanded to the interests of all-time. Let me explain. In other words, you can find treasures that were beloved from all eras. Imagine finding a super-cool board game only produced for a few years 30 years ago! If your partner loves board games, that could be an awesome, unique gift for them.
- Many times, you are supporting a small business or benefitting charities: Most of the second-hand industry is run by local re-sellers or charity organizations. Imagine the impact you can make on the many people that you shop from by choosing to buy used. In this day and age where everything is turning into a giant corporate-driven mess, you can pledge your allegiance to what you believe in by supporting local, sustainable shops.
- It's wicked sustainable: As if you didn't need any more quality reasons to gift second-hand gifts. By gifting used cars, you're keeping them out of car graveyards, and by gifting used clothing you are keeping them out of landfills. Keeping things in economic motion can have a huge impact on the planet we all share!
The Stigma
No one is quite sure where the negative stigma associated with gifting used items came from but it's time to end it. If you spent the time researching and finding a second-hand gift for someone, they should appreciate it or else you should dump them as a friend. They're not really worth your time or effort.
In no way, shape, or form should you be embarrassed about giving or receiving a second-hand treasure. Like I said, there is a lot more effort and thought behind the gift and is often times more personalized.
A lot of the time while thrifting you'll see something very unique, and that person that it's perfect for just pops into your head! What's more thoughtful than that!? The answer is nothing.
Here at Diversity Consignment, we see and hear this happening all the time. "OMG so and so would love that!" "I'm buying it just for them!" There's nothing more beautiful to hear.
Giving a gift card to a second-hand store can also be a sneaky way of giving something new and used at the same time. Try it out.
The Future of Gift-Giving
As time goes by, more and more people are shopping more sustainably. This is true especially for personal shopping, but also moving in the same direction for gift-giving during the holiday seasons.
More emphasis on sustainability and more awareness on the benefits of shopping used items means a better world for us all to enjoy. I say the future holds a reversal on the stigma. Let's gooooo!
-Ian Drake, Diversity Consignment
