7 good reasons to hunt for your Christmas gifts at thrift stores

The Christmas season arrives with its usual array of lists, wishes, treasure hunts, and sometimes stress. Every year, we wonder how to give something meaningful, something that will truly bring joy, and something that won't end up as a forgotten gift on December 27th. What if the solution has always been right in front of us? By 2025, a vintage gift is no longer an "alternative" present, nor a hipster or fringe choice: it has become a modern, conscious, and deeply desirable gesture. At Debongout, we see it every day: customers are less interested in "buying an object" and more in giving a beautiful story.

This movement is fueled by several strong trends: the rise of the secondhand market (up 30% annually for furniture in France), a rejection of overconsumption, a search for style rather than standardization, and a genuine desire to reduce the environmental impact of the holidays. Thrift shopping is the elegant and responsible answer to all of this.

In this article, we'll explore the 7 great reasons to hunt for your Christmas gifts , with concrete arguments , figures , expert advice , and a link to our selection of 100 gift ideas to get you started easily.

1. Offer a truly unique gift (and avoid the same old thing)

At Christmas, we all face the same problem: how to give something personal without resorting to the same old thing. Most of the time, stores offer standardized, mass-produced items, sometimes so similar from one shop to another that they lose all their individuality. Secondhand gifts completely reverse this logic: each piece is unique, patinated by time, imbued with character, and impossible to duplicate. A small side table from the 70s, a faience vase, an antique mirror, a retro chest of drawers… these are gifts that are impossible to buy in multiples.

According to an IFOP study, 68% of French people say they want to receive a gift that is “different, something that stands out.” Vintage finds perfectly meet this expectation. They are gifts that tell a story, that transcend time, and that possess a charm impossible to mass-produce. At Debongout, this is our daily reality: each item is hand-selected throughout France. The result: pieces with character, history, and identity.

And offering a unique piece also creates scarcity. We remember a vintage lamp found exclusively for us more than a gadget bought with a few clicks. Hunting for vintage finds is a way of saying: “I thought of you, I looked for something that reflects your personality.”

2. Give a gift that's more sustainable (and reduces its impact)

Giving a secondhand gift is one of the most sustainable choices you can make this holiday season. On average, a secondhand item emits between 70% and 90% less CO₂ than an equivalent new item (source: ADEME). For certain pieces of furniture, such as a bookcase or an armchair, the impact can be up to 98% lower when you avoid new materials, intercontinental transport, and heavy industrial processes.

Christmas is a time with a very high environmental impact: packaging, production, express deliveries… Secondhand shopping breaks this cycle by reusing existing items. It avoids new production, values ​​high-quality materials (solid wood, brass, blown glass), and extends the lifespan of objects. It's the opposite of disposability.

Giving vintage or secondhand gifts for Christmas reduces environmental impact, encourages circularity, and supports an eco-friendly model. A wonderful gift for the planet… and for the recipient.

3. Support local artisans, merchants, and genuine expertise

Second-hand goods don't support an industrial chain; they provide livelihoods for women and men with unique skills. In France, there are over 40,000 merchants, antique dealers, and artisan restorers who breathe new life into objects, sourcing, restoring, transporting, and preserving a heritage that is part of our culture.

By giving a vintage gift, you give immense value to this work. You reward the eye, the experience, the ability to find the right piece, in the right place, at the right time.

In a context where there's much talk about revitalizing local areas and relocalizing trade, browsing antique shops isn't just an act of consumption: it's an act of support. It keeps rare crafts alive, preserves a certain aesthetic, and celebrates a deeply rooted French culture. It's also a way to reconnect with our purchases.

4. Manage your budget intelligently (without reducing quality)

We all know that Christmas can quickly become a real "gift-buying" mission, where we spend a lot... sometimes without finding the perfect present that will truly delight. And yet, it's not the price that creates emotion, but the thoughtfulness of the gesture.

This is where vintage finds make all the difference. Vintage items have that extra something: they're better made, often from quality materials, and above all, imbued with an authentic charm that you just don't find in new pieces. A pretty lamp from the 70s, a handcrafted vase, a mirror with a patina of age… these are pieces that tell a story and instantly add style.

And the good news is: giving this kind of gift doesn't require a huge budget. On the contrary. Vintage finds are the perfect combination of beauty, quality, and common sense. You choose a piece with personality, you give thoughtfully, and you keep the magic of Christmas... without breaking the bank.

5. Give a gift that will last (and won't end up in the closet)

Every year, 20% of Christmas gifts are resold or given away within two weeks of the holidays (according to an eBay/YouGov survey). Why? Because many gifts don't match people's tastes, because they're too generic, or simply because they lack personality.

Vintage finds have a huge advantage: they're timeless. A ceramic vase, an antique mirror, a brass candlestick, or a pretty bedside table… these are objects that blend into any interior and never go out of style. Their enduring appeal makes them gifts that are treasured for a long time, sometimes a lifetime.

Furthermore, vintage items possess a quality that new ones lack: patina. A small mark, a chip, a slightly faded color… these are details that are part of its history. They don't diminish its value; they enhance it. And receiving a gift that has already lived is to receive something rare and moving.

At Debongout, we select only pieces in excellent condition, chosen for their aesthetics and quality. As a result, what you give won't end up in a closet, but will become a striking element in the home of the person you give it to.

6. Reconciling style and emotions (the ultimate impulse gift)

Giving a vintage gift is giving an emotion. In a world where so much looks the same, vintage pieces have that little something extra that creates an immediate connection. A vintage gift is never neutral: it speaks of taste, intention, an aesthetic vision. There's something deeply personal in having sought out a unique piece for someone.

According to a Kantar study, 72% of French people prefer to receive a gift with a story rather than a standard new gift . Secondhand items tick all the boxes: uniqueness, authenticity, character.

Buying secondhand also offers an almost childlike pleasure: the thrill of discovery. The moment you stumble upon the perfect piece, the one that will be exactly what you need for the person you have in mind. It's a gift where you put your heart, your time, and your style.

And honestly: a handcrafted ceramic vase, a small twisted floor lamp, a sunburst mirror or a sculpted trinket tray… these are objects that melt the heart of any decor enthusiast.

7. Encourage more conscious consumption (without giving up pleasure)

Choosing vintage gifts for Christmas doesn't mean giving up on the magic of the holidays. On the contrary, it gives meaning back to our purchases and brings back pleasure where overconsumption has sometimes made it disappear.

Buying secondhand allows you to:
– to consume less but better,
– to move away from a throwaway mindset,
– to prioritize beauty and quality,
– to offer something that matters.

This is not a guilt-inducing or militant gesture. It is a joyful gesture.
We hunt for treasures, we search, we discover, we fall in love with a piece. We offer style and an alternative to a market that overproduces. It's a gift that has meaning, for yourself, for the person receiving it, and for the planet.

How to choose the perfect vintage gift? Expert advice

Check the condition and sturdiness

Check the stability, the joinery, and any minor defects (cracks, chips). A good vintage piece should be in good structural condition.

Investing in high-quality materials

Brass, solid wood, ceramic, blown glass… these are timeless and reliable choices.

Choose a part that matches the actual use

A vintage gift should be practical. Consider the space, the function, and the style of the home.

Trust the experts

When in doubt, consult professionals. They will sort through everything for you: quality, style, condition, and price consistency.

Discover our selection of 100 vintage gift ideas

To help you find the perfect piece, we have prepared a selection of 100 vintage gifts , for all budgets , from the most unusual to the rarest.

👉 See the selection: 100 Debongout gift ideas

Conclusion: to offer meaning, style, and beautiful stories

Hunting for vintage Christmas gifts is about giving much more than just an object. It's about giving a story, an emotion, a unique piece that transcends time. It's about supporting artisans, controlling your budget, reducing your impact, and putting pleasure back where it truly belongs: in the pursuit of beauty and meaning.

By 2025, the vintage gift has become the most modern gift there is. The most responsible, the most stylish, the most personal. In short: the most Debongout.

🎁 Discover our 100 vintage gift ideas
Unique, hand-selected pieces for a Christmas filled with style and stories.
👉 Access the full selection