The charm of second-hand gifts

One of my favourite recent gifts was a china ornament of a cat in a dress. The words kitsch or eccentric don’t quite cover this cat’s quizzical expression and “Grey Gardens meets abandoned toy shop” vibe — it needs a category all of its own. Crazy-nalia, perhaps.

I like this strange, second-hand objet d’art because it amuses me, it’s unique and I don’t think it cost the person who gave it to me very much because they got it from a junk shop filled with curios, not high-priced collectibles.

Clearly this was a high-risk present, but given the low price and the fact its environmental impact was minimal, it was worth the gamble. With maximalism returning to interiors, something second-hand could be a chance to practise the lost art of the high-stakes object that might delight or dismay.

Obviously this is not a good strategy for everyone, though, which is where a safer option comes in. Those who want to buy second-hand on a high budget could go for the classics, but make them preloved: a Max Mara coat, Chanel costume jewellery or handbag, something “old Céline” from a curated site such as reluxefashion.com. Is your giftee party-minded? Vintage ’80s and ’90s costume jewellery is having a moment, in particular crystal and gold, which you can find on the website of experienced jewellery collector Susan Caplan (susancaplan.co.uk) or 1stdibs.com.

Fashion and lifestyle books are also a winner, especially as there might even be time to leaf through them over the holidays. Fuelled by sherry and mince pies, one can soak up inspiration for January interiors projects from books such as Haute Bohemians (£51.43, abebooks.co.uk), which features decadent houses, or mentally transport to the poolside scenes in Slim Aarons’ A Place in the Sun, with no cost of living crisis in sight (£35.22, abebooks.co.uk).

You could also let happenstance guide you and find something such as an intriguing photography book in a local Oxfam. I regret not buying a £3 book I spotted called The Queen’s Dolls’ House by Lucinda Lambton, which depicted charming miniature furniture and even a Lilliputian cricket bat and ball.

Or perhaps something secondhand-adjacent, such as vouchers to get cashmere mended or a tired handbag reinvigorated (therestory.com). Even better if it’s someone you live with, organise their holey jumpers to be mended and sent back to them (try collingwoodnorrisdesign.com). I would be very pleased if someone did this for me.

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