I will never forget the embarrassment that flushed my cheeks when an associate pointed out what she had discovered in the book I had gifted her child. BIRO. She assumed that I had purchased the book secondhand because of the pen mark, and shunned my present because she assumed it was pre-loved and this wasn’t good enough for her child. This was eight years ago, and since then, I have always hesitated when considering buying secondhand for others.
The truth was, the book wasn't pre-loved; it was new, but unfortunately, I had chosen a book that had accidentally been tarnished with the presence of ink in the shop. Just my luck!
At the time of this “gifting incident” I was struggling to pay rent, make ends meet and practically survive in NYC; however, I still always wanted to help others celebrate milestones around me. That's why I still managed to source a gift for this associate. A brand new gift might I hastened to add. However looking back, I probably shouldn't have bothered, that money would have been better spent on a glass of overly priced wine in the city. Or just a cheap bottle from the convenience store. I digress- but isn't it funny how we remember these things? Her reaction to just the thought of the gift being secondhand did something to me; It made me embarrassed even to consider pre-loved as an option when buying presents in the future.
But last year something shifted within me and I challenged myself to be open to pre-loved gifts as options for friends and family, and the reaction from loved ones was fantastic! And where I couldn't source pre-loved, I opted for conscious brands that told a story and created pieces to last and one day be someone else's secondhand.
This year, I’m planning on doing the exact same thing and hope my tips and tricks can help you spend less but buy gifts that will forever be remembered.
For a thoughtful, less consumerist Christmas, here are my top 5 rules for making your gifts do well and do good this season.
Tell the truth
Secondhand is all about conjuring up outfits, looks that are one of a kind and moments that are true representatives of ourselves. That’s why, when we gift secondhand, it's always good to be honest. Avoid any awkward moments by shouting about the origins of your secondhand present. A bit of explanation helps confirm that it’s a thoughtful choice. This can be achieved by writing a little note on a card, sharing the story behind how you sourced the piece and why you think it’s perfect for the recipient.
Stay On Message
Homing in on pieces that increase with value as they age, such as first editions of novels or clothes designed to stand the test of time are always a good idea for guaranteed sentimental value.
Make sure your gift looks the part
Now that you know how to source secondhand gifts like a pro, you could be in for some real treats. But the journey doesn’t end once you have sourced the item. Imagine you’ve sourced your best friend an almost-impossible-to-track-down dress from a Stella McCartney collection, don’t go ruining it with cheap foil wrapping paper and sticky tape. Consider wrapping your piece in vintage wrapping paper, add velvet ribbon, cuts of foliage from the garden and a few drops of essential oil to brown paper.
It’s all about the ‘add-ons’
You can go the extra mile by finding the perfect pairing for a preloved gift. You could team a pre-loved cashmere jumper up with a vintage wine decanter and a bottle of red. Suddenly your one of a kind item is part of a thoughtful story that will be remembered and treasured as the recipient discovers every element of joy in each gift.
Made To Last
If secondhand doesn't come naturally when sourcing gifts or finding it harder than expected to find presents that you think are right for your loved ones, then opting to support and purchase from local and conscious brands is your next best option. I recently came across Others Trade For Hope; The Salvation Army's global social enterprise links local markets with global opportunities.Others partner with artisans in Kenya and Bangladesh and offer consumers a variety of handmade, well-crafted items designed to last. The designs are timeless and also practical, meaning that these gifts will never go out of fashion and will always stand the test of time.
My picks include the coasters and wooden baskets; they are perfect as dressing room essentials and are great gifts that are undoubtedly always coming in handy.
This organizing box comes with a wooden handle made from natural fig leaves in Jhnaidah, Bangladesh. This would be a great "add-on" for you gifting bundles if you were to add some secondhand accessories to a gift or even showcase it as an organizer with any other items you think would be suitable for your loved one. I especially love the woven texture and how sturdy it looks. Like I said, these pieces are made to last!
Coasters are often underrated and can come in handy for many different reasons; vases, beauty products, the obvious; coffee mugs, and even pure decoration. You can't go wrong with coasters, especially sustainably made ones like the ones below.
This box contains six coasters and is made in Jhnaidah, Bangladesh, from natural jute fibers. The artisans are involved in all steps of the process, from harvesting the fibers to washing, drying, and braiding the final product. The finished result- well rounded, perfectly formed, and designed to last timeless coasters.
