Giving a second hand gift is the most unique way to give a cost effective and thoughtful your loved ones a gift they will cherish. Each year it is getting more and more difficult to pick out a unique, cost effective thoughtful gift for your loved ones.
The high street stores sell pretty much the same thing each year and eventually the Soap & Glory gift sets and Hotel Chocolat chocolates wear thin. But fear not, for second hand gifting is here to save the day! Enter the magical, wonderful world of second-hand gifts, where thoughtfulness meets sustainability, creativity, and affordability. If you're looking for unique gifts and low-cost gifts shopping second-hand is the way to go.
This second hand gift guide from Sunshine Thrift will walk you through why second hand gifts are becoming the go-to presents for any occasion throughout the year and how, in 2025, you can become a second hand gift giving master.
When to give a second hand gift
You may be asking yourself, “but are there certain occasions where it isn’t suitable to give a second hand gift?” The answer to that question would be a big fat no! The art of giving a second hand gift giving doesn’t focus on the fact that the gift is second hand but instead that giving a second hand gift opens up the door to gifts you may not have found, been able to afford or simply just don’t exist brand new.
Housewarming gifts
When giving a housewarming gift, it’s important to pick something which reflects the person who it is for. Is this person bright and bubbly and loves colour? Then a colourful piece with lots of personality is the way to go.
An example of a practical second hand housewarming gift could be a vintage wine rack.
If you wanted something more decorative and at a lower price point you could opt for a colourful second hand plant pot for indoor and outdoor use.
Birthday gifts
Birthday gifts are all about the person whose birthday it is, which opens up the door to a wide choice of second hand gifts from second hand clothes to unique home décor. As an example, if this person has a passion for vintage then a retro gift such as a vinyl record or a vintage wall sign would show them that you have put thought and consideration into finding something they can cherish.
Christmas gifts
Just like with birthdays, when giving a Christmas gift, you want to focus on who it is for. Christmas is a time for celebration, spending time with family and friends and reflecting on the year just gone. It is the optimal atmosphere to whip out your most thoughtful and unique gift of the year.
But rest assured, this doesn’t have to be your most expensive gift of the year! We can’t shy away from how expensive Christmas time can be, but we can help you save a little by encouraging you to make just one second hand gift purchase.
Valentines gifts
Now, this is one gift you don’t want to get wrong. Thought and consideration into this gift is paramount to your partner loving it. Take the opportunity to show how well you know your partner and choose a second hand gift that reflects your relationship.
Perhaps you have a shared love of disco, choose a second glitter ball or even a second hand clothing item like flared trousers or a chunky boots that they can wear to your next disco party.
Why choose a second hand gift?
So far in our second hand gift guide we have covered when it is appropriate to give a second hand gift (it’s all year round btw) and now we’re going to get into the nitty gritty of why you should give a second hand gift, if you were ever unsure.
It saves you money!
Gift giving isn’t about how much you spend, it is about how well the gift is suited to the recipient, how well the gift reflects them as a person, and how much thought you put into that gift.
Second hand gift giving opens the door to certain items and brands which may have been outside of your budget to give as a gift. It also allows you to reduce your budget and purchase low-cost gifts, if needed, without it having any implication on the quality of the gift.
Here's an example, you really want to get your mum a good quality cashmere jumper for winter as a Christmas gift but cashmere brand new is so expensive. But by making the switch to buy this item second hand, you can get her the gift you hoped for, without it becoming a financial burden on you.
Reduce your impact on the environment
Second hand gift giving is where sustainability, thoughtfulness and budget friendly gifting come together to reduce your personal impact on high consumption rates whilst finding your loved one a thoughtful, unique gift.
In 2023, a third of consumers planned to return, re-sell or donate their Christmas gifts from 2022. These gifts were valued at over £232 million; it is a crazy number! By choosing to give a second hand gift at any time of the year you, as the purchaser, are reducing your own personal consumption and it is encouraging you to give a more thoughtful, unique gift which the recipient is more likely to cherish.
Second Gifts are Thoughtful and Unique
We have mentioned it over and over in this second hand gift guide, and we can’t stop! Giving a second hand gift, at any time of the year, encourages you to put more thought and effort into finding a personal and unique gift for your loved ones.
We’re all guilty of picking up the first ‘kind-of’ suitable gift we lay our eyes on in the first shop we see, but ultimately, this gift could be returned, re-sold or even binned, and what a waste that would be! Instead, take the time to pick out a thoughtful gift, that is a low-cost gift to you, but high in personal value for the recipient.
How to find the perfect second hand gift
Know your audience
Gift giving is magical and fun and such a wonderful feeling because it is one of those rare opportunities you get to show your loved one what they mean to you, how well you know them and more importantly what they mean to you.
Picking out the perfect second hand gift is all about knowing the person you are buying for, what are their interests, do they have any style preferences, what are their hobbies?
Match your second hand gift with at least one of the answers to these questions and you’ll be sure to pick out a unique, thoughtful gift they can cherish.
Give yourself a little more time
If you’re going to take anything away from this second hand gift guide, it is that second hand gifting cannot be achieved if you do not give yourself the time to find the perfect gift. Don’t forget, this isn’t like running down your local high street, nipping into the first shop you see and picking up the item right in front of the door. It is about thought and effort, and this takes time.
When shopping second hand or vintage clothing and home decor, there is usually just one of each item available and so it may take a few more trips to your local charity shops or a few more scrolls on your favourite online second hand shop to find the right gift.
Set a budget
Second hand gift giving will save you money because it is all about hunting down that low-cost gift. But, that doesn’t mean you should go into any second hand gift hunting expedition without a budget in mind.
Check the condition of the item
Checking the condition of a second hand item can be more or less important depending on what you are buying and where it is from. If you are gifting a vintage home décor piece from a vintage faire, it is likely to have signs of age which only contribute to its character. If you’re gifting a clothing item from a charity shop you want to ensure that the recipient will get maximum use out of it and will not need to wash the item before wearing it.
When buying from online second hand shops like Sunshine Thrift you can expect that the majority of their stock is in excellent or brand new condition and for the handful of items that may have signs of use, this is often clearly detailed in the product information.
Where to shop for second-hand gifts
Online second hand shops like Sunshine Thrift have made it easier than ever to snap up a second hand gift at budget friendly prices. Shopping online for your second hand gift is the convenient method that will make second hand gift shopping as easy as buying brand new.
Alternatively, you can find great second hand gifts in store and in person at your local charity shops, antique shops, car boot sales, local markets or vintage warehouses.
If you love to haggle, then why not take a look at online marketplaces such as Vinted, eBay and Depop where you will find millions of sellers looking to get rid of their unwanted vintage and second hand pieces.
Make second hand gift giving as convenient as buying brand new and choose your preferred second hand shopping method(s).
Our Final Thoughts
Second-hand gifting isn’t just about saving money—it’s about choosing unique gifts that are sustainable, meaningful, and full of character. Whether you’re looking for low-cost gifts, stylish second-hand clothes, or creative gift ideas, Sunshine Thrift has you covered.
So why settle for the ordinary when you can give a gift with personality and purpose? Start exploring the world of second-hand gifts today and make every present truly unforgettable.
Discover our second hand gift guide collection where you can shop gifts for under £10, vintage gifts, unique home décor gifts and second hand clothing gifts.
