What if Santa Claus brought you a used coat? Giving used gifts is changing the trend and becoming one of the biggest trends this Christmas

“Mom, I already know what I want you to give me this Christmas.”

Naturally, the cold passes through the mother.

“I want a skirt I saw in Vintage.”

This tale, starring a 12-year-old girl, was told to me by a classmate when I shared my intention to write about it. The unstoppable rise of the used gift. It is very graphic when it comes to illustrating a thriving reality: younger generations have radically changed the meaning of the expression second hand If it is difficult for us old people to accept that Santa Claus brings us jacket A user or a mobile phone that has already passed through other hands, for the new batch of Spaniards it seems quite normal, even desirable.

You have to understand some and others. In Spain, the second hand – embodied, for example, in those clothes you inherited from your cousin ricasha-, It has carried a heavy negative connotation for decades. the Post-war periodAnd development, the successive oil crises in the 1970s made economic fragility, or the threat thereof, a state of chaos. Almost chronic fear and discord Among the Spaniards, who also served We will associate what is used with scarcity or charity. Buying used meant not being able to buy new, being part of a low or risky social class, receiving what others had left behind, not what one chose… The above generated a feeling of lack of control over one’s life and decisions: it was not a choice, but a symptom of necessity. After that, marketing will take care of doing the rest: branding and branding Claims The ad reinforced the idea What was valuable was new.

But times have changed. and second hand, Cover it sustainability speech, It has been appreciated, especially by younger generations, who have not experienced the kind of scarcity discussed in the previous paragraph. platforms like Vented also vestier Collective, Specializing in used clothing, or used clothing departments that carry the hack mark Zara also mango They ended up adding to their websites, normalizing and even idealizing the practice of buying what others no longer want…and bragging about it. Today there are legions of those who brag about Great clothes Bought in some Humana store For a ridiculous price. Name Change – These products are now called Pre-loved- Rounding out the positive aura.

In this new context, Christmas comes.

Instead of speculation, let’s look for data. They come in all colors, with enormous fluctuations, but in all cases they indicate an increase in the Spaniards’ acceptance of second-hand goods. The latest survey conducted by the used camera buying and selling company Mpb indicates that 42% It would be my pleasure to Giving and receiving Used gifts if they are in good condition this Christmas. A reconnaissance This operation conducted by Melanuncius and Abinio at the end of last Christmas among 1000 Spaniards revealed that 55% bought gifts On platforms second hand (products Pre-loved They are called now, if you change the name, you already have part of the way done). Among young people From 18 to 24 years old, this percentage rises to 66%. However, we are below the European average, which in 2023 already reached 64% of consumers who were thinking of abandoning used products, according to research conducted by Adevinta (a group that includes in Spain, among others, Fotocasa, Infojobs or Milanuncios).

the british, For example, they are entirely dedicated to formula. In the UK, 83% of people say so I would be happy to receive a used gift, 68% of buyers plan to allocate part of their budget to it. This percentage rises to 83% Generation Z. Conducted a survey Amazon in Europe A year ago (out of 10,000 people) I revealed that used gifts seemed mostly to young people “It is considered original or romantic.” the Sustainability It is another one of the arguments put forward by those who choose this type of gift.

Second hand magic

Graphic designer Alexandra Nikolaeva (31) is clear: “If it’s clothes classic Great, yes I would like someone to give me a second hand. Even if it were luxury clothing, He will be happy.” He will not be disgusted by A Refurbished phone. “I’m all for recycling things, and if you have to pay less for something that works well, so much the better,” he explains. For the photographer Elena Eribus (26 years old), receiving a used gift yes, although he adds a few “buts”: “It depends on the product. Maybe a jacket classic Or very special clothes that would make me excited. But a blouse or something more common… I’d rather it be given to me straight up. On the other hand, if it’s a camera, a book, a piece of jewelry…it has something specific to it charm That the person who gave it to you has earned it He explains In the second hand. In that case I wouldn’t care at all, in fact I would like to In addition to finding a “jewel” that actually had a first life.

Everything is sold used, however classification Of preferences when it comes to gifting dominates refurbished technological devices, Especially mobile phones, but also tablets and small devices. Clothing, accessories, books and video games will follow.

The refurbished mobile phone, the king of Christmas

Last Christmas, 29% of Spaniards chose to give gifts refurbished appliances, According to a study conducted for Back Market by IPSOS. Among them, the most popular was Mobile phones: 48% of those given the renewed one chose it. If we take into account that according to the same survey, 87% of Spaniards would not mind receiving a used or refurbished gift…, and the circle closes, which is pleasant. Value for money (57%) and environmental reasons (33%) were the main reasons given by those who chose to give these products as gifts.

Then there are clothes and accessories, including jewelry. As I recently explained to I donate Jewelry Pilar Lobato, to sardinero antique jewelry, We are currently living in a reality Boom Of jewels classic Which had its origin around the time of the pandemic. One of the reasons that explains its appeal is The aura of exclusivity that surrounds them: “Antique jewelry may look similar, but they are rarely identical.” he art Deco, Specifically, it is on fire: People search above all else Rings “Platinum studded with diamonds and geometric lines.” (Global Note: According to MarketResearchIntellect, the global used jewelry market was valued at $ 21.7 billion euros in 2023It was expected to grow at a rate of approx 10% annually Until 2030).

A similar process has occurred in the field of luxury clothing and accessories. But not only. Used clothing and accessories market, according to recent report estimates Resale next chapter Affiliated with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Vestiaire Collective, it already represents approx 8% of total fashion sales It could reach 10% by 2030. “What would you rather have? That I give you the used Chanel bag that you like so much (the one I can afford, honestly) or that I don’t? That’s the question. And above all, there’s something about luxury accessories that have passed through time that instead of worsening the product, explains Natalia M. (53 years old).”

This is the question.

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