PRACTICAL WAYS TO CREATE MEANING
Finding used gems
Think being “used” is second rate?
Think again.
After a couple of decades of living the everything-new American lifestyle, some of today’s teens, as well as 20and 30-somes find the quaint quality of used gifts appealing. They also love the sheer practicality of saving 80%
on a product. As this group of gift buyers becomes more and more aware of ecological issues, the environmental
benefits make used gifts a draw as well. For older generations, those in the 50s and older, gravitating to used gifts
may bring back memories of childhood or of gifts that were made without plywood or plastics.
So here are some places you can go to find nice gifts for family and friends—without seeming second-rate or
cheap.
Places to shop
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Antique stores
Consignment shops
Thrift stores
Used bookstores
Garage sales
Auctions
Estate (tag) sales
Swap meets
Pawn shops
Flea markets
Sporting goods stores selling second hand items
Craigslist (http://bit.ly/hkFm8)
Freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org/)
Gift ideas
1. For power tools, musical instruments, electronics or jewelry, check out pawnshops. Though you may
think of pawnshops as seedy, some pawnshops are far different than 10-20 years ago
(http://bit.ly/9JhJd2).
2. Books make great gifts…While it’s easy to order online, remember to check out your local used
bookstores or library book sales to see what’s in their inventory. You will save money, support your local
economy, and reduce shipping emissions and packaging waste.
3. For sporting goods, try Craigslist, garage sales and sporting goods stores that sell second hand items.
4.
Got a child wishing for an American Girl doll and accessories or other high-end toys? You can save $100
or more by buying used. Do check the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (http://bit.ly/97yCW3)
for recalls when buying used toys.
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5. Are teens on your list? Wiis, Xboxes, sporting equipment, drum sets and a wealth of other teen-hot items
can be purchased used through Craigslist and garage sales. Also consider purchases that will get those
you love off the couch and out of doors. One University of Minnesota Public Health study
(http://bit.ly/96nTul) showed that older adolescent boys spend 14.2 hours per week, on average, on the
computer, and only 5.1 hours per week in physical activity.
6. Antique stores, garage sales and estate sales are places to find higher end items at huge savings. A
standing electric mixer purchased at a garage sale may save you $100, and an oak table with dining room
chairs for 12 is a find on Craigslist and could save you $2-4,000.
7. No one minds a used gift if they are getting what they want. Think vintage clothing for teens and antique
broaches for the beautiful women in your life.
8. Pottery and linens—found in nearly every “used” venue—can make nice, smaller gifts.
9. Want to raise the bar on acquiring used gifts? Organize a swap meet with friends where you each bring
items you no longer want, and you swap goods. One Iowa woman organizes a clothing swap with her
women friends every year. Though it’s not a gift-related event, she raves about the finds, and certainly
saves loads of money.
Additional resources:
Used Gift Ideas: Eco Friendly, Inexpensive Secondhand Gifts for All Occasions (http://bit.ly/ctveQw)
Visit our Facebook page for more ideas and to contribute your own!
Reclaim your Holidays is a project of the University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy & Environmental Education. Support for this
project is provided by the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP) Conservation Education Program and Iowa
Department of Natural Resources Solid Waste Alternatives Program Agreement Number 10-G550-41FL. Any opinions, findings,
conclusions, or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of IDNR.
For more information, visit www.ReclaimYourHolidays.org.
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