Book worms would rather have a whole box-full of second-hand books, rather than just one new one that’s read within a week.
Would you mind if you found something under the tree that had been “previously owned”?
A poll conducted by Gumtree showed that the majority of South Africans aren’t concerned about whether the gift they receive is second-hand or not.
Fifty-one per cent of participants said that they didn’t mind whether a gift was second-hand, but 17 per cent said it was not acceptable and gifts should be bought new.
The remaining 32 per cent said that it ‘depended’ on what the gift was, with several saying they wouldn’t mind pricey second-hand items like laptops or cellphones. Eleven per cent of the respondents added that they believed ‘it’s the thought that counts’.
Most people said they were just pleased to receive a gift.
Many people like to use Gumtree for gifting because second-hand often equals unique – you find rare items and collectables that you can’t just pull off a retail shelf, and besides, a bargain item isn’t necessarily second-hand – many items found on the site are brand new.
Second-hand toys are also a great way of stressing the importance of being good stewards of the environment in your children, without spoiling the fun. Most thrift stores and charities will tell you that they are inundated with used toys, many of them barely played with.
A representative from the online gifting company Tidy & Co, said that gifting isn’t necessarily about the item itself, or even its value.
“We believe that gift-giving should create special moments between people. That means your gift should be unique and thoughtful. Ideally you want a gift that represents a moment you and the recipient have shared in the past.”
Of course, not everyone is particularly ‘gifted’ at coming up with gift ideas, so Tidy & Co actually created a Gift Finder that allows users to answer questions about the recipients, and then makes suggestions based on the profile and personality.
Shoppers should also take the time to browse, checking to see what’s available, and making an appropriate decision about what to buy. For example, book worms will appreciate a giant box of second-hand books to devour during the holidays – and the whole box-full often costs less than one best seller off the retailer’s shelf. You might also find a vintage surf board or guitar for an enthusiast, or an entry-level telescope for a budding astronomer. It’s about being creative rather than spending a lot of money.
Gadgets – such as tablets, digital cameras, binoculars and car accessories – seem to be the most desired secondhand gift items, but jewellery, vintage clothing and furniture are also popular.
Items that should not be bought second-hand include fixer-uppers (unless the recipient enjoys refurbishing old finds), certain baby items (that may have been recalled), or items that are missing parts that will have to be replaced.
Living things (plants and pets) are not good gifts, because the recipients may not be willing or able to take care of them.
