Second-hand gift-giving: a structured practice…
Long frowned upon, considered unconventional and little practiced, the offering of second-hand gifts is now becoming established. This year, almost one French person in two (45%) claims to have already given a second-hand gift, while 43% have already received one: these mirror figures illustrate a definite spread in the population, on the part of both givers and receivers, confirming the trend noted in this barometer since its first edition in 2023, and which anchors second-hand giving in the ordinary experience of giving and receiving gifts.
Another sign that the practice is taking root: a majority of people who have already given a second-hand gift started less than three years ago (20% “less than a year ago” and 39% “between 1 and 3 years ago”), while a quarter of them (25%, +5pts vs. 2024) have adopted the practice for 5 years or more. Although it appears to be a relatively recent trend, second-hand gift-giving seems to be gaining more and more followers over time.
There is a clear generational difference: the experience of giving or receiving this type of gift peaks among 18-24 year-olds (59% and 55% respectively), and drops sharply after the age of 65 (29% and 28% respectively).
… and legitimized by the absence of taboos and a drop in disqualifying perceptions towards it
In line with previous waves, 80% of second-hand gift givers were transparent about the second-hand nature of their gift, and, symmetrically, 84% of second-hand gift receivers said they were informed of this, testifying to a normalization of the practice. Indeed, when it comes to feelings about this type of gift, disqualifying signals are decreasing: only 12% say they were disappointed when they received one, down 5 points since 2023, and 14% associate this gesture with cheapness, compared to 19% in 2023 (-5 points).
However, social markers play a role in perceptions: while transparency on receipt is high in all walks of life, the discomfort of giving is more pronounced among those of modest means, reminding us that a residue of economic stigma remains. Although the proportion of people who feel embarrassed or ashamed to have given this type of gift has fallen slightly since 2023 – it concerns only 2 out of 10 French people this year (-1 pt vs. 2023), with only 3% expressing “a lot” of shame – this embarrassment is concentrated in financially constrained environments, i.e. young people (35%) and poor households (31%). The most highly educated are also significantly more likely than average to perceive a stingy gesture (23% vs. 14%), a sign of a persistent class effect.
A growing second-hand market, better structured and responding to a demand for ethical, responsible and economical consumption
What distinguishes this survey wave from previous ones is the reason for purchasing this type of gift: almost one in two was bought specifically to be given as a present (48%, +7pts vs 2023), going beyond the simple utilitarian aspect of reusing one’s own goods (23%, -4pts vs 2023).
This largely intentional nature of the gesture is accompanied by a diversification of where second-hand gifts are purchased beyond the internet, even if this is the platform to which buyers turn the most (69%, – 4pts vs 2023). Physical” purchasing channels are gaining ground: flea markets are cited by 46% of respondents, second-hand shops by 35% (+8 points vs. 2023), and associations by a quarter. The significant increase in the use of second-hand clothes shops may be part of a fashion phenomenon driven by a desire for more ethical consumption, a desire for uniqueness (finding unique “vintage” pieces) but also for pragmatic reasons, as second-hand clothes are considered less expensive.
Indeed, once again this year, the price argument is the main reason for buying second-hand gifts (51%), ahead of environmental concerns, cited by 4 out of 10 respondents (38%), in line with previous waves. It’s worth noting that the higher the level of education, the more “responsible” the justification (35% of non-graduates vs. 43% of university graduates cite this reason), a sign that this type of consumption combines both purchasing power constraints and the meaning given to the gesture.
A social reception of second-hand gifts marked by a high degree of acceptability, with red lines that remain with regard to certain rites of life
The acceptability of such gifts varies according to the ritual: the rarer the occasion, the less second-hand gifts are tolerated. In this new wave of surveys, the norm is becoming stronger for family occasions: second-hand gifts for Christmas and birthdays are judged “not shocking” by 6 out of 10 French people. On the other hand, for weddings, almost 7 out of 10 (68%) consider it shocking to offer second-hand gifts. On the question of the value of these gifts, the French remain divided, with one in two (52%) believing they have more character and charm than new gifts.
More broadly, attitudes towards second-hand gifts are largely favorable: nearly nine out of ten see second-hand gifts as a good gesture for the environment, more than eight out of ten consider that they can be of as good quality as new ones, and “it’s the gesture that counts” is also supported by a large majority. Finally, 35% plan to buy at least one second-hand gift for Christmas. Once again, a generational difference structures these perceptions and purchasing intentions: young adults (18-34) and households with children are the driving forces behind the boom – both in terms of supply and Christmas purchasing intentions – while senior citizens remain more on the sidelines.
