Millions of eco-conscious people plan to have a ‘second-hand’ Christmas

By Mustafa Mirreh, 72Point via SWNS

Millions of eco-conscious people are set to have a "second-hand" Christmas this year - as almost a third plan on buying pre-owned presents to be more environmentally friendly, a study claims.

The poll of 2,000 adults who celebrate Christmas found 62 percent consider the current climate crisis as an important factor when buying pre-used items.

Nearly a quarter (24 percent) are changing their purchasing habits this Christmas to avoid waste, with 23 percent wanting to buy gifts to prevent them going to landfill.

Consumers plan to spend as much as £76 ($101) on pre-loved gifts, with a third buying second-hand to support charitable causes.

Almost four in ten adults are motivated to shop second-hand by the thought of bagging a bargain ahead of Christmas, while 31 percent think they’ll find more unique gifts for loved ones.

When asked about their attitudes towards receiving a second-hand Christmas gift, 42 percent are more open to it now than in previous years.

And 19 percent said that they would feel "grateful" receiving a used gift as a Christmas present.

“It’s encouraging to see that Brits are more accepting of buying second-hand than ever before to protect the environment, with the climate emergency in mind," saidLorna Fallon, retail director for Oxfam, which commissioned the research.

“World leaders met recently at COP26 to discuss how countries can tackle the crisis - but individuals can also effect change by making choices that are better for the world we live in.

“With Christmas just around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to find a unique gift for friends or family, while striving to protect the planet and raising money to support Oxfam's vital work in fighting poverty around the world.”

The study found second-hand gifting is far more acceptable now - with 31 percent feeling they’re doing the right thing for the environment, and 17 percent "feeling good" for much longer compared to when they buy something new as a Christmas gift.

Looking at their Christmas wish list, 36 percent would be happy getting pre-owned books as a present for someone, as well as DVDs (21 percent), toys (20 percent) and jewelry (19 percent).

Other second-hand gifts on the wish-list include ceramics and ornaments, home furniture and glassware.

The survey revealed that signed copies, rare and collectibles, first editions and fiction are the most popular type of book people would consider buying as a second-hand Christmas gift.

However, not everyone is keen on buying a second-hand Christmas gift this year, with just under one in ten adults admitting they would feel "disappointed" if they received a pre-owned present.

When asked why they wouldn’t shop for a second-hand Christmas gift, 23 percent said they are concerned the person receiving the gift would turn their nose up.

When searching for used Christmas gifts, 71 percent will visit a charity shop to find the present they want.

And 43 percent would consider buying a pre-owned Secret Santa gift from the same place.

But six in ten would still opt to find second-hand presents on an online marketplace, with 35 percent visiting a charity shop online rather than in store, according to the research via OnePoll.

Meanwhile, over a third of adults (35 percent) are likely to buy Christmas presents that are second-hand for their children this year.

More than half (58 percent) said the kids wouldn’t mind whether a gift was new or old, and 54 percent think second-hand clothing is better as children grow out of everything so quickly anyway.

Meanwhile three in ten adults are keen to get their kids something pre-owned as a Christmas gift to get them thinking more about the environment.

And over half (53 percent) generally feel "happier" buying second-hand Christmas presents than buying brand new.

Author Mark Haddon, best known for "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," bought "The Theatrical Notebooks of Samuel Beckett: Krapp’s Last Tape" and "The Theatrical Notebooks of Samuel Beckett: End Game," for his partner.

“She’s not a big indulger, so she’s hard to buy presents for at the best of times," he said.

“This Christmas, post-COP26 especially, we both feel a bit queasy at the prospect of buying yet more unnecessary new stuff - so buying something second-hand is the perfect compromise.”

Lorna Fallon added: “It’s great to see so many people embracing conscious consumerism this Christmas.

“The Oxfam Online Shop and high street shops are offering Christmas shopping if you’re after a good quality, unique gift that doesn’t cost the earth.”

TOP 25 SECOND-HAND CHRISTMAS GIFTS:

• 1. Books
• 2. DVDs
• 3. Toys & games
• 4. Jewelry
• 5. Ceramics & ornaments
• 6. CDs
• 7. Vinyl
• 8. Video games
• 9. Arts and crafts
• 10. Bags / purses
• 11. Home furniture (i.e. chairs, shelves, tables etc.)
• 12. Glassware (, drinking glasses, vases etc.)
• 13. Mobile phones
• 14. Watches
• 15. Game consoles
• 16. Women’s clothing
• 17. Kitchenware & crockery
• 18. Tableware (cutlery, plates, glasses etc.)
• 19. Hats, gloves & scarves
• 20. Tablets
• 21. Men’s clothing
• 22. Cameras
• 23. Sewing, knitting & haberdashery supplies
• 24. Stationery
• 25. Record players