Second-hand Christmas gifts: how to give pre-loved presents people love

Is it OK to give second-hand presents?

For most people, yes. A good-quality piece that has been looked after is often a better present than something new and cheaper, and plenty of people are pleased to receive something that did not need making from scratch.

It helps to think about who you are buying for. Close family and friends who already buy second-hand themselves are the easiest. For someone you know less well, stick to items in excellent condition, such as pieces listed as "New with tags" or "New without tags", which have not been worn. If you are not sure how someone feels about it, ask a partner or a friend of theirs.

What makes a good second-hand gift

Some things suit pre-loved gifting better than others.

• Knitwear. A wool or cashmere jumper from a good brand can cost far less second-hand than new. Our guide to telling if cashmere is good quality covers what to look for.
• Bags and small leather goods. Purses, wallets, belts and bags often show little wear if they have been looked after.
• Jewellery and watches. Small, easy to post and nothing to fit, apart from rings and bracelets.
• Scarves, hats and gloves. Easy wins when you do not know someone's size.
• New, unused beauty. On Rewear UK, beauty and grooming products can only be listed new and unused, in their original packaging, with the condition shown as "New, sealed" or "New, unused, no seal". That makes a sealed skincare or make-up set a straightforward present.
• Kids' clothes. Children grow out of things quickly, so much of what is listed has hardly been worn.

Anything that needs a precise fit, such as tailored trousers or formal shoes, is harder to get right unless you know the person's measurements.

How to get the size right without asking

Size labels vary a lot between brands, so "a 12" will not always fit someone who is usually a 12. A few ways round it:

1. Look at what they already wear. If they have a favourite jumper or coat from a particular brand, buy the same brand in the same size.
2. Measure something of theirs. If you can borrow a piece that fits them well, lay it flat and measure across the chest from armpit to armpit, and the length from the shoulder to the hem. Our guide to measuring clothes for buying online explains how.
3. Ask the seller. Sellers on Rewear UK can add measurements in cm to a listing, but they are optional, so if they are missing, message the seller and ask for the ones you need.
4. Choose forgiving items. Oversized knitwear, scarves and accessories leave more room for error.

Most pieces on Rewear UK are sold by private individuals, and a buyer simply changing their mind is not covered in the same way as an item that is not as described. A seller may agree to take something back, but they do not have to, so it is worth being confident about the size before you buy.

What to check before you buy

Read the whole listing, not just the title, and look at every photo. Sellers can tag flaws and pin them to the photo that shows them. Then:

• Ask for close-ups of the areas that show wear first: cuffs, collars, underarms, the corners and handles of bags, the clasp on jewellery.
• Check for smells. Ask whether it comes from a smoke-free home if that matters to the person you are buying for.
• Watch out for fakes. If a designer piece looks too cheap, ask for photos of the labels and stitching. Our guide on spotting fake designer clothes has the details.

The price you see on a listing already includes buyer protection, which is 30p + 3% of the item price. Delivery is added when you choose how it is sent.

When to order second-hand Christmas gifts

Sooner is better. Each piece is a one-off, so if you see the right thing there is no restock to wait for. Sellers on Rewear UK post within 5 days of an order, and then the parcel needs time to travel.

Ordering early also gives you time to check the gift properly. When it arrives, open the parcel and look the piece over before you wrap it. If something is not as described, for example damage that was not declared or a different size on the label, message the seller through the app and open a problem report on the order within 14 days of delivery. Do not confirm the order until you have checked it, because confirming it tells us the piece has arrived as described.

You can also send a present straight to someone by entering their address at checkout. Bear in mind that the seller packs it as an ordinary parcel, so the recipient will be the one opening it and checking it, and it will not arrive gift-wrapped.

Making it feel like a present

A little effort makes a pre-loved gift feel special:

• Wash or steam clothes if the listing does not say they have been cleaned, and remove any bobbles with a fabric shaver.
• Fold it neatly in tissue paper and add a ribbon or a box.
• Add a card saying why you chose it: the brand they love, the colour that suits them.

Clearing out before Christmas yourself? Unwanted pieces could be someone else's perfect present.