By Genna Contino
Fears about the 'sketchy' economy have shoppers on the hunt for secondhand Christmas gifts
Gen Z's taste for thrifting has helped secondhand shopping shed its stigma - and more people are expected to gift resale clothing, accessories and other items this holiday season.
Hayley Doyle's love for thrifting began in high school, when she would take her pocket money to shop for secondhand T-shirts and jeans to curate her personal style.
More than a decade later, the North Carolina-based artist still gets a thrill from the treasure hunt at secondhand stores. She has an eagle eye for clothing with &#34;100% cotton&#34; on the tag or sterling silver jewelry stamped with a tiny &#34;925,&#34; indicating the quality of material.
Thrifting isn't just fun for Doyle, it's also more affordable than shopping at big-box stores or the mall. &#34;I actually start looking at Christmas things in the summer to spread out the expense,&#34; she said. &#34;Times are hard and have only gotten harder, frankly.&#34;
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Doyle, 28, describes herself as somewhere in the middle of Gen Z and millennials, groups that have fueled thrifting's growing popularity over the past several years. Young people thrifting clothes as they embrace their Y2K or cottagecore aesthetics have helped secondhand shopping shed its stigma, turning it into a trend, not a necessity.
At the same time, as households face rising prices, a weaker job market and tighter budgets, experts anticipate more people will shop secondhand for gifts this holiday season, especially now that they're able to embrace the affordability without the shame once attached to thrifted holiday presents.
It's unclear exactly how the implementation of sweeping tariffs will impact consumer prices this holiday season, but economists expect a significant amount of the new costs to be passed onto shoppers. To help with holiday shopping expenses, 33% of people plan to apply for a new credit card this year, according to WalletHub's holiday shopping survey.
Against this backdrop, thrifting is becoming more appealing for financially-squeezed families.
&#34;People have always seen resale as a way to be more budget-friendly,&#34; said Goodwill's chief marketing officer Onney Crawley. This holiday season, resale offers &#34;a way to still give meaningful gifts without having to overspend.&#34;
Even secondhand stores are holding Black Friday sales
Crowds at Buffalo Exchange secondhand stores typically die down around this time of year when shoppers tend to turn to big-box stores and malls to buy gifts. This year, however, the  company expects more holiday foot traffic at its more than 40 stores across the country.
&#34;I think it's become so widely accepted and loved, especially among the younger generation, and then combined with the fact that people want to save money this year more than ever,&#34; Buffalo Exchange assistant marketing manager Jessica Pruitt said. &#34;Things are a little sketchy, economically, so I definitely think people will turn to secondhand.&#34;
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Mastercard Economics Institute data confirms that more consumers are choosing resale - particularly for clothing. Spending in the circular fashion market, which includes resale and rented clothes, is up 14.2% this year alone.
In 2024, 27% of online apparel spending in the luxury market went to circular fashion merchants, including sites like The RealReal (REAL) and Thredup (TDUP). In the third quarter of 2025, revenue at those secondhand retailers increased 17% and 34%, respectively.
Buffalo Exchange is capitalizing off the growing interest in secondhand shopping with special holiday deals, including its first ever extended Black Friday sale. The retailer will list a selection of items for 75% off Nov. 25 to 30, expanding the inaugural one-day sale it held last year on Black Friday.
Some Goodwill locations are also offering Black Friday deals this year. For example, two Goodwill branches dedicated to refurbished electronics in North Carolina are running sales from Nov. 28 to 30, offering deep discounts on sought-after gifts like AirPods for $29.99 and Kindle Fire e-readers for $9.99.
Popular thrifted items that could make a good holiday gift include vintage purses, limited-edition sneakers and designer sunglasses. New sweaters and jackets that were donated with the tags still on them are also a solid choice, Pruitt said.
&#34;Maybe you couldn't normally gift your friend a pair of Gucci sunglasses, but now you can because you could get it at Buffalo and find it a lot more affordably,&#34; she said.
Read more: How to tariff-proof your holiday shopping list
Thrift stores that sell a wider variety of items are stocked with potential gifts beyond clothing. Vinyl records, classic books, nostalgic toys, funky mugs, serving dishes and high-end kitchenware are all popular gifts sold at Goodwill stores, Crawley said.
Used sporting equipment can also be an affordable option for kids asking for new gear this Christmas. Parents may be on the hunt for bargains: The average amount families spent on a child's primary sport was $1,016 in 2024, according to the Aspen Institute's Project Play, a 46% increase since 2019.
&#34;Families, especially in regions with strong youth participation and frequent gear turnover, turn to pre-owned options as a practical way to manage costs,&#34; Mastercard (MA) Chief Economist Michelle Meyer said.
Thrifty gifting tips
As a veteran thrifter, Doyle has picked up a few tips and tricks for finding the best gifts from a secondhand shop.
Because she has a large family to shop for, she focuses on finding gently-used gifts that offer both quality and originality, knowing her relatives value the thoughtful strategy.
&#34;[My sister-in-law] will appreciate if I found her a very cute leather handbag for a fraction of the cost at the Goodwill versus going to the store and just picking out one that looks like a million others from the rack,&#34; Doyle said.
When she doesn't know where to start, sometimes finding a nice wicker basket from the homewares section and filling it with smaller items can make it easier - and offers a nice presentation. If a dust jacket is torn on a coffee table book or cookbook, she'll remove it, often revealing a cover with a &#34;beautiful, classic, simple style.&#34;
Here are some other thrifty gifting tips from experts:
-- Give items a good once-over for scratches, wear and tear, rips and stains.
-- Check clothing material on tags - items made of natural fibers like cotton, silk, linen and wool are more sustainable and better quality than those made with plastic-based fabrics.
-- Look for items with original tags, implying they haven't been used or worn.
-- Check jewelry for quality stamps. Look for a tiny &#34;925&#34; stamp to confirm a piece is sterling silver, or &#34;10K,&#34; &#34;14K&#34; or &#34;18K&#34; to confirm the quality of gold.
-- Wash any cookware before gifting it.
-- Look through the racks for Nike NKE, Adidas ADDYY, Lululemon LULU, Alo, True Religion or Levi's LEVI to get a steep discount on popular brand names.
More Smart Spending holiday shopping tips: How to tariff-proof your holiday shopping list
-Genna Contino
This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones &amp; Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
11-29-25 1303ET

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<p>Amid economic concerns, thrift stores are holding Black Friday sales as more Americans turn to secondhand shopping for holiday gifts. Gen Z's interest in thrifting has reduced its stigma, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious shoppers. Rising prices and a weaker job market are driving this trend, with stores like Buffalo Exchange and Goodwill offering significant discounts. The circular fashion market is growing, with increased spending on resale and rented clothes. Thrifted items like vintage purses and designer sunglasses are becoming popular holiday gifts.</p>

Even thrift stores are holding Black Friday sales as Americans seek holiday bargains