Sarah Rainey is an unashamed charity shop addict but finds giving second-hand gifts to friends and relatives can be a bit controversial
shopping yet? Smug alert: I have. And I’ve bought the lot – presents, party outfit, decorations and even the tree – for under £200. What’s my secret? A hiddenIt’s not a new boutique; it’s not a sprawling department store; it’s not even one of those Amazon hubs where you can buy the entire contents of the internet under one roof. Actually, it’s, I am an unashamed addict.
My mother, for example, has no idea the Me+Em cashmere jumper I gave her last year, lovingly hand-washed and wrapped in expensive-looking tissue, cost £10 from a Marie Curie shop down the road. Let’s just hope she never reads this. As a seasoned charity shopper, I’ve picked up some tips along the way – should you, too, want to cut your spending, hack your festive shopping and give to causes you care about.Lego haul, £4 – An equivalent box of new Lego pieces from leading toy shops costs around £50, and this one came with a sweet, hand-embroidered bag to store it all in.Sparkly party dress, £10 – There’s no better way to mark the festive season than dressing like a disco ball.
It’s best to pick a time when shops are quiet – so avoid weekends and after 3.30pm when the schoolkids come in – so you can potter around in peace. And choose your neighbourhood well: some charity shops are real gems while others yield more trash, less treasure. Affluent parts of capital cities and posh villages are better bets for designer goods and high-end items.
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