Move over Black Friday. In Puget Sound, there’s an even better way to get great deals for every family member—and simultaneously give back to the community. Thrift stores across the region hope more families consider giving more “new to you” holiday gifts this year by participating in “Secondhand Sunday.”
Secondhand Sunday falls on Nov. 30 this year, the Sunday after Thanksgivng and smack in the middles of Black Friday discounts (Nov. 28) and the big online buying sale day, Cyber Monday (Dec. 1).
A national trend
It’s also national movement. In the face of a climate change crisis and the hyper-commercialization of the Christmas holiday in particular, proponents say shopping secondhand is a great way to highlight the value of gifting with a low—or zero-carbon footprint.
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Learn how one family has integrated low-carbon gifting into their annual holiday exchange in the article “The re- re- re- approach to holiday gifting: regift, recycle, renew, resew, repurpose, re-read . . .”
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“Secondhand Sunday is about stepping away from fast-paced consumption and choosing creativity, community, and purpose,” said Evergreen Goodwill’s Derieontay Sparks. “Invite your kids to hunt for your gifts in the same places — it’s an excellent opportunity to teach them about reuse, reducing waste, and the truth that a thing does not need to be brand-new to be appreciated and enjoyed.” Evergreen Goodwill operates 25 regional thrift stores.
The invitation is to gather your gently used gifts at any of the many secondhand, consignment, or charity shops in Seattle and the surrounding King County area. Doing so will not only bring smiles to recipients but will also support small businesses, benefit the environment, help raise the necessary funds for the charities served by the shops, and, in Goodwill’s case, aid people in the community in building career skills, confidence, and self-sufficiency.
“It’s is an easy way to make a difference in the community,” said one secondhand retailer.
Tips
Evergreen Goodwill and other thrifters offer the following tips for winter holiday-related secondhand shopping:
Curate a gift basket. Avoid cookie-cutter gifts with a thoughtfully selected gift basket. Start with a fun receptacle. For example, grab a secondhand basket or purse while you shop for a team and fill it with themed items (candles, books, tees).
Go for quirky. For a white-elephant gift that steals the show, look for retro novelties. A good bet: “As Seen On TV” items often bring a laugh.
Check out the games. It’s hard to know if a kid or family will enjoy a new game, so why pay full price to find out? Be sure to open boxes and check that all pieces are there. If they aren’t, ask yourself: “Do I have anything at home that could substitute for the missing piece?” Simple things like beans make for easy substitution in many games.
No one will notice used cooking and decorating items. No one needs a brand-new gravy boat, and holiday lights, indoor decorations, and outdoor display items cost a fortune when purchased new. Puget Sound’s secondhand store will be bursting with such items in the next month, and nobody, especially young children, will care if the lights on the tree outside are new or used.
Precious metal jewelry is easily spiffed up for a tween or teen. Why add to the environmental and human cost that many metals and gems bring with a gift? Secondhand jewelry can be beautifully restored with inexpensive household materials. It takes just a few simple steps.
A secondhand gift card lets them choose. If your child is hard to pin down when it comes to a gift or if you want to help them shop sustainably for others in the family, consider a secondhand store gift card. Then, just let them roam.
Caution
A note to parents: When shopping for secondhand toys, games, and other items for children, it’s a good idea to do a quick search on Recalls.gov. Doing so will help ensure you’ve found a great gift that won’t harm your child.
