New research by PACK & SEND previously revealed that 60% of UK adults would be unhappy to receive a second-hand gift this Christmas.
But with an estimated £42 million’s worth of unwanted gifts ending up in landfill, Brits are being encouraged to ‘re-gift’ – where you pass on your unwanted gift to someone else as a present. What’s one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Right?
However, according to a recent survey conducted by PACK & SEND, nearly two thirds of Brits would regift second-hand presents – and not tell you about it!
In a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults aged 18 and over, 68% said they wouldn’t admit to it being ‘preloved’, and 61% feel no shame in regifting.
That’s despite 1 in 5 saying they would be offended if anyone gave them a second-hand gift.
eBay data shows that Brits are the most active second-hand shoppers in the world, with many consumers seeing it as a more affordable way to buy clothes, toys, and home products, while some favour the sustainability benefits.
So, what is the stigma surrounding this pre-loved re-gifting cycle?
Dr Daniel Glazer, a Clinical Psychologist and co-founder of US Therapy Rooms, makes an interesting assessment about the potential gap between personal consumption and social gifting: “People are comfortable buying pre-loved items for themselves but may hesitate when it comes to the giving or receiving of them because of the social symbolism attached to, or the personal meanings they assign to, gifts.
“While thrift and sustainability are increasingly valued, the emotional language of gift-giving might not have yet caught up.”
This could be closely linked to the fact that 72% do not think second-hand gifts are more unique, and meaningful and nearly 30% associate them with being cheap.
Eloise Skinner, author and psychotherapist, explains what might be behind an underlying taboo associated with second-hand gifts:
“Second-hand gifts could carry the connotation of being less expensive or less thoughtful than a gift bought first-hand. Some people could associate the amount of money spent with the degree of care and attention one gives to the gift-selection process.
“But, if done well, second-hand gifting doesn’t have to feel taboo. Putting in time and effort into the presentation of the gift demonstrates intention and thoughtfulness, which might offset any preconceptions the recipient might have about effort and value in association with a second-hand gift.”
