A Christmas that doesn’t cost the earth? Here are the benefits of buying used this festive season
Christmas looks a little different this year – and it’s not just due to the seemingly never-ending shadow of COVID-19, looming over our beloved festive period like the Grinch who once stole it.
Amongst the whirlwind of the past year, we’ve also been facing another crisis. One so drastic, and so important that it led 94-year-old Sir David Attenborough to join Instagram in a bid to halt the course of our planet’s devastation.
The conversation around our environmental challenges has seen an incredible rise in brands shifting to more environmentally conscious and sustainable ways of making and selling their products. Consumers too have played a part in turning the tide, with many of us opting to shop used or second hand from smaller, more independent shops and websites.
But as we come up to one of the biggest shopping periods of the year, how can we make sure that we are cautious about the effect we have on the planet we live on and love?
Buying used gifts could be our biggest opportunity to not only reduce the impact of our Christmas carbon footprint but also give friends and family something that has an interesting backstory, its own tale to tell. In fact, new research from used photography and videography kit specialists, MPB, shows that half (50%) of Brits agree that used items offer interesting histories and stories, making them unique and compelling – with a similar number believing you can get far more for your money by buying used.
The environment is clearly on the brain for lots of us, with more than a quarter of Brits planning to give at least one second-hand or used gift this Christmas, and a significant number planning on using recycled wrapping paper and cards.
And for those worried gift receivers might be offended to unwrap something used, fear not – almost half (45%) would be happy to receive a used gift if it were in good condition, and three in ten (30%) would actually prefer to receive second hand or used gifts.
The figures suggest that the conversation around sustainability is starting to shift people’s attitudes on how and what they consume.
Buying used is becoming more and more recognised as being socially conscious as well as thrifty – a way of allowing people to own products they love in a way that’s good for the planet and the bank balance.
MPB’s CEO, Matt Barker, expects the trend to rise:
“At MPB, we have always championed buying used – but we expect to see an even bigger boom in used retail over the next 12 months as the trend for buying sustainably continues to grow. The world needs more circular businesses, who advocate the mentality that buying used is better than buying new – and begin to offer products that, quite literally, don’t cost the earth.”
If you’re curious about buying used this Christmas to gift friends and family, here are some ideal suggestions for photography lovers, travel obsessives, aspiring YouTube creators and more from MPB. But it doesn’t just have to be tech – there are also plenty of other brands and businesses out there promoting the circular economy, from fashion to books, antiques to interiors – why not try incorporating used into your Christmas shopping this year, even if it’s just one gift.
- Want to buy a gift for a photography beginner but on a budget? Check out this Canon Powershot G9 for under £150, a perfect starter camera for anyone looking to up the quality of their images – available from MPB
- Know someone obsessed with street photography? Why not surprise them with a Fujifilm X-Pro1, whose design is an homage to old rangefinders, offering those gorgeous colours synonymous with Fujifilm cameras for just over £300 – available from MPB
- Family member or friend off travelling when the world opens up? Make sure they capture their experience with a Fujifilm X100F – perfect for those who care about style and don’t wish to skimp on image quality on their travels but need to limit size and weight. A thoughtful gift for under £750 – available from MPB
- Want to help an aspiring YouTuber on their journey to stardom? The Sony Alpha A6400 really shines as a vlogger or creator’s tool, and makes the job of solo filming as easy and efficient as possible. Best paired with a Sony E 18-55mm lens, this one can be snapped up for just over £750 – available from MPB
Maddy is a freelance journalist, PR and content writer. She has written for CRISP, HuffPost, heat magazine, Sabotage Times and City A.M. and has an interest in sustainability, travel and books, along with new up and coming restaurants and bars.