Pass on used gifts? Why not

Give away used items?
Why preloved gifts are so special

The second-hand market is booming, especially for babies and children. The little ones grow out of their new pants and bodysuits so quickly that you can watch them doing it. It’s almost not worth buying everything new. There have long been second-hand platforms for children’s things, or clothes of different sizes are swapped back and forth within the family.

When it comes to baby things, second-hand shopping is now normal

And not only clothes, but also toys or the new baby attachment for the chair are not only mostly fine second-hand, but also significantly cheaper. So where a true second-hand trend has now developed, many elsewhere find it difficult to give away used things. Especially on public holidays – Easter or Christmas – and on birthdays, many people have to overcome even more. We’d rather indulge in the holiday hustle and bustle and get a new present in a hurry. Why? Many still seem to think that a new gift is worth more than a used one, and that the gift recipient who receives a new gift is valued higher.

But what if exactly this new gift is not needed by the other person? Just give away? Why not. Who hasn’t received a book where you already knew from the title that you would never read it. Or a perfume that just doesn’t smell good for you, cosmetics that you don’t need or funny socks that would rot in the closet. The point is not to offend anyone, but to redistribute things to the people who can actually do something with them. Because maybe your best friend wanted exactly this book that you just got from your grandma.

A used book or a kitchen appliance? Maybe your girlfriend will like it

You can also handle things that you no longer need yourself. To stay with the book example: A read novel is a wonderful gift. You don’t just give away an old book, but a story that you have already lived through yourself and are happy to pass on.

What applies to a book can also apply to other objects. Perhaps there is a kitchen appliance that you no longer use yourself, but you know someone who would find it a relief. So why not pass on something that you have sitting around that is of use to someone else? Because remember, you’ve spent money on this item before, so the gift isn’t free. And if you can’t find anyone to give your unwanted gift to, then it’s worth either selling it or maybe even making a donation – the main thing is that it doesn’t go stale in the corner.

Children don’t care if the toy is used

And how great is it for the kids when they get a whole (used) Wild West Resort from Playmobil that the now rowdy neighborhood kids used to play with instead of just a new rider and horse? In their fantasy world, children don’t care if the characters have already passed through other hands – and it’s simply cheaper, even if that’s not the focus.

Although there is still skepticism about giving away used items, the trend towards new gifts seems to be gradually breaking down. In a survey conducted by the Rebuy platform in 2021, 35 percent of Germans gave away used items for Christmas. These are mostly things bought second-hand via second-hand platforms. 42 percent cited the price advantage as the reason, and even 52.7 percent see the advantage in terms of sustainability.

Used books are particularly popular

According to the rebuy survey, actually used books are particularly popular (17 percent). This is followed by toys (14 percent), clothing (13 percent) and consumer electronics with 12 percent.

Fortunately, used or now so-called preloved gifts are becoming more and more popular. A gift should bring joy to the recipient, and it doesn’t matter whether the book has already been read, the item of clothing worn or the tablet used – the main thing is that there is joy. If you want to give old things a new life, you either pack things from your own household or buy used things at the flea market or on second-hand platforms. The nice thing: Sometimes there can be a real one-off.

Sources used: rebuy.de

Bridget