This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
The Black Friday sales that have just passed and the approaching holiday season are often synonymous with waste and useless expenses… There is, however, a very interesting solution to please without breaking the bank and while respecting the environment: gifts from second hand. Two experts provide their best advice so as not to be mistaken. Follow the leader !
If there is one thing to always keep in mind when you start shopping – and this is all the more true for second-hand ones – it is that the gifts you are planning to give are very personal and must correspond to the tastes of the person who is going to unpack their package. To stand out, Émilie Carrière, co-founder of the Inédit.e boutique and owner of the Paris-Montréal vintage brand, encourages people to leave second-hand gifts at the foot of the tree. “It often has a nice effect on our loved ones and it’s very satisfying, because we take the time to choose something special for them,” she enthuses.
Shop with an open mind
Time, precisely, is a parameter to take into account when you decide to embark on the adventure of second hand for the end of year celebrations. For Marie-Claude Masson, Communications and Marketing Director of Renaissance, a Quebec non-profit second-hand market organization that resells donations at a low price while facilitating socio-professional integration and encouraging everyone to take concrete action to preserve the environment, it is a real race against time. “You often have to shop at different addresses and on different dates to find the rare pearl,” she explains. Also keep an open mind and perhaps not have too specific an idea of what you want to offer. According to her, it’s really all about creativity and originality. “When you’re nostalgic, for example, thrift stores are the perfect places,” adds Mme Mason.
Émilie Carrière suggests for her part to favor classic pieces. “At Inédit.e, we sell a lot of accessories, like scarves, belts and handbags, but also decoration, like mirrors,” she says. As far as clothes are concerned, according to her, a cashmere cardigan, a neutral colored knit or a silk shirt are timeless pieces, “often very little worn nuggets”, easy to find that everyone can “cherish for years”. To make second-hand gifts last, this saleswoman specializing in second-hand also advises to “take a good look at the labels with the composition and raw materials” during shopping sessions.
Long list of benefits
While second-hand shopping on the Internet is often very tempting, Émilie Carrière suggests going to the store instead. “Online, you never really know in what condition you will receive the article… And then, what does it mean when the description indicates “in good condition”? she raises. Being able to touch, look carefully, even try the objects of desire is, therefore, a precious saving of time and money. “With us, everything we offer is a firm sale, it’s really better not to make mistakes for the gifts we want to give,” she warns. In Renaissance businesses, exchanges are possible, but within three to seven days – with the exception of electronic devices, which are refundable – which leaves minimal leeway when it comes to offering gifts. In case of hesitation, Marie-Claude Masson indicates the option of the gift card. “It’s perfect for the little Christmas stocking and to encourage someone to try the second hand,” she remarks.
In this regard, Marie-Claude Masson emphasizes that the second-hand market is growing and becoming more democratic. “Previously, at Renaissance, our donations came from the wealthy classes and were intended for the working classes. Now it balances out and everyone gets second-hand. You shouldn’t be embarrassed to wear it and have it,” she exclaims.
For Émilie Carrière, finally, whether it’s clothes or objects, “if you’re not sure of yourself, you don’t buy, because the purpose of choosing to give second-hand gifts is to ‘avoid overconsumption’. In addition, the second hand would allow, according to her, “to become aware of what we have, to pay attention to it and to take care of it”.
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the To have to, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of To have to did not take part.