Marie, a doll in each hand, observes them attentively, during one of the weekly openings of Emmaüs, in Rédéné. She has dozens of dolls to choose from. “My daughter put one on her Christmas list. I have been buying my gifts in second-hand stores for several years. Already, I am motivated by an economic reality but also an ecological one,” says the mother.
Over time, she developed techniques. According to her, you have to give yourself time to search. This therefore requires having the lists fairly early. Then, she searches online, on peer-to-peer resale sites. “Secondly, I come here to Emmaüs or I go to the resource centers. If I haven't found it, I review my choices. I prefer to spend a little time searching than going to stores where, anyway, I leave with nothing. When I look at the cost of a new toy and its quality, I can't bring myself to buy it. My children are used to having toys that have been around, which are not perfect,” argues the young mother.
Céline, looking for surprises for the children around her, has the same logic: “They already have a thousand things. And the little ones, it doesn't matter to them that it has already been used. Many parents already buy second hand.”
“Seeing that it’s made in China, that doesn’t make me want it”
A little further on, in the book section, Maryvonne has made her choice and is going to the checkout. She found children's books on the sea and comic books. “It’s for my grandchildren who live in Germany,” smiles the grandmother who is accustomed to Emmaüs. Just like Billie and Lou, who are leaning over the bins of children's books. “There are lots of cool things. We go around to find Christmas shopping. I can't buy new things, except for books. Seeing that it’s “made in China” doesn’t make me want it. Especially if the gift is only used once. There are so many second hand choices. Giving second-hand gifts is part of our customs. It’s also, I think, something to take on,” says Lou.
“No more complexity in giving second-hand gifts”
Véronique, a volunteer, observes, from her position at the cash register, that people “no longer have any complexes about giving second-hand gifts”. She even assures us, “it has become a philosophy of life. I see a lot of young parents who come to find gifts for their brothers and sisters, friends, people of their generation.”
Yann Toullec, head of Emmaüs Quimper-Rédéné, confirms this trend. “We always have people during the holidays and Christmas is no exception. Second-hand gifts have become trendy. And we also have a little something new with store clearances. We have to tell ourselves that by buying here, we are doing good for the planet but we are also allowing the reception of 60 people,” he reminds us.
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