Have you ever felt guilty about the amount of waste generated over Christmas? You’re not alone. A Gumtree survey found 2 in 5 British people have ‘eco-guilt’ over the festive season. And yet, a third of us are prepared to let our sustainability principles slip – all in the name of Santa. Second hand gifts simply aren’t on the radar.
Worries about rising costs are to blame, with 68% of people admitting that financial strain is a central reason for buying cheaper, less sustainably considered gifts.
UK set to spend £19bn on 1.4bn gifts this Christmas – but 1 in 5 forgotten come spring
On average, we are each set to buy a whopping 21 presents this Christmas, costing £391. But that’s not all. In addition to gifts, the UK is prepared to shell out for 13 items of clothing, 14 new decorations, and 13 pieces of homeware this Christmas. Plus nearly 1 in 3 (32%) of us will buy festive fancies such as novelty ties or Santa hats – despite knowing most will end up in landfill.l.
All the hard work that goes into shopping may also be in vain. Nearly a fifth (18%) of presents bought will no longer be in use come spring. So it’s no wonder why listings on Gumtree skyrocket every April.
Would you buy a preloved gift?
Just 14% of people say they plan to buy second hand gifts for someone this Christmas. But with more than 2 million listings predicted to go live this December on Gumtree, there are oodles of items waiting to be discovered.
To save money and reduce waste this Christmas, Gumtree’s trends expert Hannah Rouch urges shoppers to think second hand first. Her tips for findings the perfect pre-loved presents include:
Tips for finding great second hand gifts
- Clear out to cash in: Before starting your shop, clear out your cupboards and list anything you no longer use. Others might be looking for that exact item, helping you to make a little cash before the present splurge.
- Be prepared to be surprised: Approach second hand gift shopping with an open mind as it allows you to uncover something you might not have thought of for your recipient. If you need something specific, set an alert so you are the first to know when the item is listed.
- Set a budget and stick to it: One of the joys of pre-loved shopping is the ability to barter. Seen something you love that’s outside your budget? Don’t be afraid to ask the seller if they are prepared to take an offer.
- Think second hand – for everything! Christmas involves a lot of ‘stuff’. Whether it’s wrapping paper or cards, wreath hangers or decorations. But often these items are already available in your local community. Check out our Christmas categories to see if someone has overbought and willing to share.
- Free doesn’t mean cheap: Our freebies category is full to the brim with Good Finds that others no longer need. Before putting your hand in your pocket, check out might be just around the corner for the best price of all – absolutely nothing!
Methodology
*Research conducted by CensusWide on behalf of Gumtree across 2,004 Nationally Representative Consumers, aged 18+ between 17th – 20th November 2023.
