Secondhand Holiday Gifts Beat Brand New for Shoppers

Secondhand Holiday Gifts are quietly winning this shopping season, as more Americans say they would rather give something one of a kind than another mass-produced present still in its shrink wrap. The shift, captured in a new resale survey released this week, turns a habit once driven mainly by saving money into a deliberate choice about taste, thoughtfulness and waste.

The survey, from online resale platform ThredUp, finds that a clear majority of shoppers plan to buy pre-owned items for the holidays this year, according to a company release distributed through GlobeNewswire. That headline result sets the tone for a season in which vintage finds, rare editions and carefully chosen used pieces are moving from the margins of gift guides to the centre of them.

About six in ten respondents said they intend to shop secondhand for gifts, a share that suggests pre-owned shopping is no longer a niche backup plan for tight budgets. Instead, it is becoming a first stop for people who want a present that cannot simply be picked up again at the next mall or ordered in bulk online.

Why shoppers are switching

Uniqueness now rivals saving money as a reason to buy used, the survey finds. More than half of respondents said they would rather receive a one-of-a-kind, vintage or hard-to-find secondhand gift in excellent condition than a brand-new, mass-produced alternative. For younger shoppers in particular, the story behind an item matters as much as its price tag.

That sentiment was summed up by ThredUp co-founder James Reinhart, who said in a statement that a secondhand gift used to be seen mainly as the budget choice. People now want gifts that feel personal, he said, and secondhand shopping is where many of them are finding that feeling.

Budget pressure has not disappeared, of course. Shoppers who plan to buy used expect to put more than a third of their holiday gift spending toward secondhand items, on average. Among millennials, that share rises to nearly half of the gift budget, a sign that the habit is deepest among shoppers who came of age with resale apps and thrift culture already in full swing.

The season itself is busier than usual, which helps explain the appeal. Respondents expect far more social occasions across November and December than in a typical two-month stretch, and many said they made trade-offs last year to cover the cost, most often by going without something for themselves or spending less on a gift than they had hoped. Buying used, or selling from a closet to fund new purchases, offers a way to stretch a list without shrinking it.

More than half of respondents said they have sold items from their closets, or expect to do so, to help pay for the holidays, according to the survey. That closet-to-gift loop is part of why resale platforms describe the holidays as their biggest moment: one person's declutter becomes another person's present, and the money stays in circulation a little longer.

What this means for your gift list

For gift givers, the practical takeaway is to start earlier and search more specifically. The best secondhand finds are, by definition, not restocked. A rare colour, a discontinued design or a well-kept vintage piece will not wait for a last-minute shipping window, so shoppers who browse early have the widest choice and the best condition grades to pick from.

Receivers, meanwhile, seem more open than givers sometimes fear. A large majority of respondents said they would like a gift they already loved just as much, or even more, after learning it was secondhand. The stigma that once attached to a used present appears to be fading fast, replaced by appreciation for the effort of finding something singular.

Brands are noticing the same shift and building their own resale channels. Heritage wool maker Pendleton launched a peer-to-peer marketplace this week for pre-owned apparel and blankets, including pieces from its archive that were previously sold only overseas, reported by Wisevoter. The move follows a wider pattern of labels opening official secondhand shops rather than leaving resale entirely to third-party marketplaces.

That brand-led route also answers one of the main worries about buying used: trust. An official marketplace can verify authenticity, grade condition and handle returns in ways that a random listing cannot, which matters most for higher-value gifts such as designer bags, watches and outerwear.

There are still limits worth keeping in mind. Secondhand is a poor fit for gifts where sizing, hygiene or a warranty matters most, such as personal care items or electronics with a short support life. Checking condition descriptions, photos and return policies before buying remains essential, and sellers should be honest about wear if they want the resale loop to keep working.

For readers planning a busy holiday season, the message is simple: a gift does not have to be new to feel considered. Secondhand Holiday Gifts reward patience, a good eye and a little knowledge of the recipient, and this year's survey suggests more shoppers than ever are ready to give that approach a try. For holiday travel ideas, see our story on the Dominican Republic travel boom drawing Canadians, and for a tech-gift angle, read about smartglasses turning everyday life into a game.