{"id":68662,"date":"2023-12-03T08:29:59","date_gmt":"2023-12-03T08:29:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/talkcelnews.com\/?p=68662"},"modified":"2023-12-03T08:29:59","modified_gmt":"2023-12-03T08:29:59","slug":"im-saving-300-on-christmas-gifts-with-an-easy-shopping-swap-no-one-can-ever-tell-the-difference-and-they-prefer-it-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/talkcelnews.com\/lifestyle\/im-saving-300-on-christmas-gifts-with-an-easy-shopping-swap-no-one-can-ever-tell-the-difference-and-they-prefer-it-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"I\u2019m saving \u00a3300 on Christmas gifts with an easy shopping swap – no one can ever tell the difference and they prefer it | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
A PART-TIME student has revealed how she is set to save \u00a3300 by swapping new Christmas presents for second-hand.<\/p>\n
The big day is fast approaching and some households have saved big bucks by shopping mainly in charity shops and pre-loved marketplaces.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
That's what Emily Nuttall did last year and she's doing the same this Christmas\u00a0too.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old part-time student and campaigner has saved around \u00a3100 so far by shopping in charity shops. <\/p>\n
She expects to have saved a total of \u00a3300 in total once all her shopping is done. <\/p>\n
Emily spoke exclusively to The Sun and said she enjoys shopping second-hand because it's a "beautiful and unique way" of gifting.<\/p>\n
READ MORE IN MONEY<\/h2>\n
<\/picture>XMAS SAVER <\/span><\/p>\n
I've saved \u00a31k on Christmas buying it all second-hand – I'll never by new again<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>FIR REAL <\/span><\/p>\n
Shoppers go wild for \u2018absolute bargain\u2019 \u00a311 real Xmas trees -cheaper than Aldi<\/h3>\n
She said: "Growing up, our family motto was to always give back to charity at Christmas time, and I love doing so through buying gifts at their shops. <\/p>\n
"We find gifting second-hand items has more meaning than spending lots of money." <\/p>\n
As an adult now she says chooses to shop second-hand because it's "more affordable" and "it\u2019s a way to give back to charities" that have supported her.<\/p>\n
She continued: "The cost of living crisis, working a zero-hour contract, and being a student has had a huge impact on my finances and my mental health. <\/p>\n
Most read in Money<\/h2>\n
<\/picture>CASH IN <\/span><\/p>\n
List of 280 postcodes getting \u00a325 cold weather payments direct to bank accounts<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/picture>DOWN FOR THE COUNT <\/span><\/p>\n
Network still experiencing problems as hundreds left without service<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/picture>SAY CHEESE <\/span><\/p>\n
I tested supermarket Christmas cheeses – the winner was ‘loads better’ than Asda<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/picture>WILKOME BACK! <\/span><\/p>\n
Full list of towns where Wilko stores are returning – check if you’ll get one<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
"I find charity shopping reduces my stress, as I know my finances won\u2019t be worse off after Christmas and I can still gift in a beautiful and unique way."<\/p>\n
Emily, who lives in Guernsey, says she would normally spend around \u00a3200 on Christmas presents before.<\/p>\n
She said: "My family and friends find being given second-hand gifts more special as it\u2019s more personal and gives them joy knowing that you would not find these items elsewhere. <\/p>\n
"These gifts have so much more meaning, and this is the true importance of Christmas \u2013 and is our ethos as a family." <\/p>\n
Emily added that some gifts even bring up memories and conversations about their lives, which is an added bonus.<\/p>\n
Some examples of gifts she has bought so far this year include fidget toys, like spinners, fidget bricks, and worry wriggly worms. <\/p>\n
One fidget spinner alone costs \u00a33.50, Emily bought 10 of these for just \u00a310.<\/p>\n
She also picked up a special Peter Rabbit outfit and toy for her baby cousin \u2013 as it\u2019s their favourite toy – for just \u00a38.<\/p>\n
These could cost as much as \u00a340 for both in a shop like JoJo Maman.<\/p>\n
Another great find she found was a Harry Potter Lego set for \u00a310, these sets tend to cost anything from \u00a345 to \u00a390 new.<\/p>\n
Emily also bagged a scarf, a top, a butterfly ornament, and a toy \u2013 all for just \u00a310.<\/p>\n
Other bits she's grabbed so far include fun packs of cards of which she got three for \u00a32.<\/p>\n
These gifts are just for four people in total, but Emily is buying for 14 further family members and friends so is expecting even grander savings.<\/p>\n
These furher presents will likely be items such as books, games, clothing, photo frames for photos.<\/p>\n
She said she won't be spending any more than another \u00a350 altogether.<\/p>\n
Emily said: "I bought gifts second-hand last year, am doing so this year, and plan to do so again next year. <\/p>\n
"It\u2019s just normal for me now."<\/p>\n
She said that not having pressure to buy expensive gifts is also "hugely important" for her mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as her family\u2019s. <\/p>\n
"Being a student on disability and sickness benefits, only working zero-hour contracts and the added impact of the cost of living crisis \u2013 my family do not want me to be worried about buying things I can\u2019t afford," Emily explained.<\/p>\n
Shopping in charity shops reduces this stress, whilst also still allowing her to give back, she said.<\/p>\n
Emily's story comes after mental health charity Mind revealed that people aren't too keen on charity shop shopping for Christmas presents.<\/p>\n
Almost half of people in England and Wales are shopping more in charity shops because of the rising cost of living, new research found.<\/p>\n
Over 50% of these people say the reason is items are cheaper second-hand, and over a third say they like supporting charity.<\/p>\n
But, despite that, as few as only 13% say they'd gift second-hand presents.<\/p>\n
Mind is urging the public to consider shopping at one of its 160 stores this Christmas, as they offer "high-quality items that could make the perfect gift for friends and family". <\/p>\n
Items range from books and clothing to homeware and accessories.<\/p>\n
You can find your nearest Mind shop using the store locator tool on the charity's website.<\/p>\n
Andrew Vale, director of retail at Mind, said: "We know that Christmas and the pressure to buy and receive presents can bring enormous financial strain, with the rising cost of living only making this worse.<\/p>\n
"We also know that this can bring increased anxiety, stress and worry to so many of us.<\/p>\n
"We are in the middle of a mental health crisis and that\u2019s why we need the public\u2019s support more than ever." <\/p>\n
Emily's top tips for buying second-hand Christmas presents<\/h2>\n
Emily has revealed her top tips for shopping second-hand Christmas presents.<\/p>\n
When you\u2019re shopping for friends and family, try to buy presents that match their personality or will mean a lot to them, she said.<\/p>\n
Emily explained: "For example, I will look for items in their favourite colour, related to a hobby they do or something from their childhood."<\/p>\n
Another of her top tips is to make sure you get a head start.<\/p>\n
She said: "Give yourself plenty of time by starting to shop early. <\/p>\n
"Or even better, keep an eye out for gifts all year round – this is great as it also helps spread the cost."<\/p>\n
The savvy shopper also pointed out that charity shops have new stock almost every day.<\/p>\n
It means it\u2019s important to keep an eye out regularly as the perfect gift may just appear.<\/p>\n
Emily added: "Overall, I think it\u2019s important to not overthink and remember that it\u2019s the thought that counts. <\/p>\n
"You can find some really unique and interesting gifts in charity shops that you would not be able to find elsewhere on the high street."<\/p>\n
Another top tip is to browse sites like\u00a0John Lewis\u00a0for inspiration on what you'd ordinarily want to buy.<\/p>\n
Then when you're armed with ideas, head to a charity shop or look on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or\u00a0Etsy\u00a0for what you're after.<\/p>\n
Sometimes you might even be able to find it unused too.<\/p>\n
Read More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
<\/picture>BARGAIN BUY <\/span><\/p>\n
Shoppers race to nab their favourite Quality Streets in a chocolate BAR for 59p<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>NEW STAGE <\/span><\/p>\n
The X Factor rejects who made the big time – from Stacey Solomon to Rylan Clark<\/h3>\n
Meanwhile, a second-hand shopping expert has\u00a0revealed the three things to buy pre-loved\u00a0online.<\/p>\n
Plus, a mum-of-two has revealed how she has managed to save a whopping \u00a31,000 by doing her Christmas completely second-hand.<\/p>\n
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group\u00a0members.<\/strong><\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Emily-1.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/RR-COMP-xmas-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>XMAS SAVER <\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/newspress-collage-0mjsmep45-1701262745808.jpg\")
<\/picture>FIR REAL <\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/black-ice-seen-collecting-roadside-782470314-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>CASH IN <\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Untitled-design-77.jpg\")
<\/picture>DOWN FOR THE COUNT <\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ROB-CHEESE-COMP.jpg\")
<\/picture>SAY CHEESE <\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/2hg456a-wilko-shop-front-dudley-846611881.jpg\")
<\/picture>WILKOME BACK! <\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/qualityst.jpg\")
<\/picture>![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/xfactor.jpg\")
<\/picture>