My antidote to Black Friday
Some creative ways to incorporate second-hand into your Christmas gifts this year
I’ve no doubt your inboxes are staggering under the weight of Christmas gift guides and Black Friday reminders, and whilst I’m reluctant to add another email into the mix, I wanted to send a reminder to:
A. support small sellers and independent brands as much as you can
B. don’t be afraid (or ashamed) to buy your Christmas gifts second-hand
Whether it’s a painting or beautiful one-off vase from one of the many talented second-hand sellers out there, (see here for some of my favourites), or something you’ve tracked down on eBay or Vestiaire Collective. Don’t forget, second-hand doesn’t have to mean old and thoughtful gifting isn’t anything to do with how much you spend on your loved ones. It’s about the care and consideration that’s gone into finding them a gift you know they will really appreciate.
Rather than linking to a list of second-hand bits and pieces in this email, instead I thought I’d share three or four simple gifting ideas that incorporate second-hand elements, but with a bit of a personal twist. All of which would be just as suitable for your best friend as they would be your mother-in-law. Stick with me on this.
BY CANDLELIGHT
Candlesticks and candle holders are a really easy gift I just don’t think you can go wrong with, especially at this time of year when we need all the light we can get. Like mugs or crockery, it’s something I like to have a random assortment of, rather than being too matchy-matchy. It’s fun to have a good mix on the mantlepiece or to spread along the table and there are so many great second-hand ones out there.
Probably a good time to mention that whilst I’ve been very neglectful of my shop in recent months, I have been curating a collection of second-hand candlesticks and holders that I’m determined to photograph properly and list next week (post cyber weekend) so do keep an eye out…
In the meantime, I thought Eesome had some really spectacular ones - see a selection below, some of which are currently in their sale.
Clockwise from top left: Floral metal candleholder - £45, Metal candlestick - £75, Brass candlesticks - £160, Wooden candlestick pair - £45
I’d give them with a bundle of candles wrapped in ribbon and a fun box of matches. You can buy colourful candles in so many places now for a few pounds a stick but some favourites online include these striped ones, this bundle from Sarah Raven or if you’re feeling fancy these stubby candles in seasonal hues from Wax Atelier. I also loved the tapered candles below in various shades of green on Etsy.
A STACK OF BOOKS
I love giving and receiving books as presents, and before you buy new always check WOB or your local Oxfam bookshop to see if you can get them second-hand. I love it when people buy me books they’ve read and loved, and think I will too. It adds a really personal touch to the gift when it’s a recommendation.
Seeing as second-hand books are usually cheaper too, why not curate a little stack (wrapped up in ribbon - yes, I love ribbon) of three or four books based on a theme - if someone is going away on a big trip curate some books by authors of that country, or perhaps they’ve really got into walking this year and you can curate some books that explore nature. Below are some books I’ve read and loved this year, as well as some that are on my to-read list.
Books I’ve loved this year:
White Oleander by Janet Finch
The Mitford Girls: The Biography of an Extraordinary Family by Mary S. Lovell
Fault Lines by Emily Itami
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Circe by Madeline Miller
The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot by Robert McFarlane
Books I’d like to read or receive:
The Pottery Gardener by Arthur Parkinson
Until August by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Memories of Home by Heidi Caillier
Biblio Style by Nina Freudes
High Rise by J. G Ballard
Otherlands: A World in the Making by Thomas Halliday
BRING THE OUTDOORS IN
My Mum is so good at finding lovely second-hand pots or quirky ceramics like jelly moulds and urns in charity shops that she then plants up with spring bulbs (which when kept inside will be forced to flower early) and gives as presents. Paperwhites, amaryllis, narcissi, muscari and snowdrops all look wonderful and bring some much needed joy in that long wintery stint from January to March. There’s a good tutorial here.
The flowers are lovely by themselves but look extra special in a fun ceramic vessel. Top your potted bulbs off with a covering with moss and stick some birch twigs to support the stems. No need to wrap just (yeah you got it) tie a ribbon round. For lots of inspiration look no further than Sean Pritchard’s Instagram. And The Times have just done a video tour of his cottage all dressed up for Christmas - well worth a watch.
Charity shops will be where you find the cheapest vases and vessels and you’ll have to factor shipping into eBay but I had a quick scan and found the below…
Clockwise from top left: Beswick Urn - £6.50, Pedestal Vase - £10.00, Large Mantel Vase - £22, Ceramic Jelly Mould - £2.50
As well as bulbs for indoors, you could also plant up a bulb lasagna that stays outside. Such a genius concept, it’s literally the gift that keeps on giving as you plant layers of bulbs on top of each other that will then flower successionally from March to April. Start with tulips bulbs at the bottom, then narcissi, then top with crocus or iris. Sarah Raven shows you how to do it here.
If you’d rather shop second-hand in person:
The 5th Interiors Boot Sale is taking place on 14th December at St Mark’s Church with lots of well-known names from the interiors industry. You don’t want to miss this!
The Spotlight Market is returning for two days at the start of December.
And if you’re really stuck for ideas, get them a Vinterior gift card and let them decide :)
This is so helpful. Absolutely love the idea of finding jelly moulds etc and turning into planters for a gift. Also! I love getting an old photo frame at a charity shop and getting a thoughtful picture printed out and framed in it - I think it’s one of the loveliest gifts you can give someone.