Food for Thought: Tis the season for Circularity!
Not long ago, “re-gifting” had a pretty bad reputation. We all remember the scenario: someone gives you a present they’re sure you’ll love…but you either already have two just like it, or it’s simply not your style. So, you’d quietly re-wrap it and pass it along just to keep it from going to waste.
Today, there’s a more thoughtful and much more intentional way to think about giving pre-owned items, one that aligns beautifully with the principles of the circular economy.
At its core, the circular economy is about extending the life of the things we already have by reducing waste, conserving resources, and making smarter choices about what we buy. It’s the same approach we use at TFX when remanufacturing and reselling office furniture, and it offers great inspiration for holiday gifting as well.
A recent NY Times article highlighted just how strongly Gen Z is embracing circular shopping habits. The piece was published before Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so the final data is still shaking out, but it pointed to a significant shift in how Gen Z is expected to shop in 2025.
“…on Black Friday, many Gen Z shoppers won’t be scouring luxury stores or big-box aisles for their gifts. Instead, they are turning to thrift stores, consignment shops, and resale apps. About 86 percent of Gen Z-ers say they’re more likely to purchase a secondhand holiday gift this year than they would have been, according to a report from eBay.”
Part of this shift is driven by budget: the article notes that Gen Z’s holiday spending is expected to drop by 23% this year.
But it’s also about values and intentions.
According to the article, this cohort, ages 13 to 28, is seeking items with personality and character. They want gifts that feel unique, have a story, and sometimes even a bit of history. They don’t shy away from the hunt, and the act of thrifting, whether in a local shop or through online resale platforms, has become part of the experience. It aligns with their rejection of waste, especially in areas like fast fashion, and reflects a circular mindset that blends sustainability, nostalgia, and even community.
And for those of us who may not have the time this season to browse the aisles of Goodwill, there are still plenty of circular gifting options we can recommend.
Sites like Thriftbooks offer both new and used titles from sellers across the U.S., making it easy to find out-of-print favorites that still make wonderful gifts.
Fashion resellers like ThredUp provide a feature-rich shopping experience, with a huge selection of secondhand items (including luxury pieces) at deep discounts. They also offer perks such as first-time customer discounts and free shipping on larger orders.
If you’re planning to embrace thrift-gifting this year, here are a few tips to help make the experience smoother and headache-free.
Look for condition ratings: Sites like Thriftbooks sort options by both price and condition. “Like New” should be exactly that, while “Acceptable” may show more noticeable wear, such as creases, small tears, or smudges. Make sure you’re choosing the level of wear you’re comfortable gifting.
Check return policies and guarantees: Because many platforms aggregate multiple sellers, return policies can vary widely. For example, Poshmark considers all sales final unless an item is damaged or significantly not as described. Your purchase may arrive exactly as expected, but it’s always worth checking the policy before you buy.
Don’t overlook major retailers for circular finds: Some big brands offer refurbished or renewed items that make great gifts. Best Buy, for instance, sells refurbished electronics, and Eileen Fisher’s Renew outlet offers beautifully restored pieces from past collections captured perfectly by their tagline: “When you need something new to wear, buying used is the most sustainable choice.”
We hope that however you choose to gift this holiday season, you and your family enjoy good health, joy, and time together.
As we look ahead to the new year, we’re excited to continue partnering with you and to further our mission of being the premier provider of circular office furniture solutions in the country. Our commitment to offering high-end pre-owned and remanufactured furniture, carefully restored, guaranteed, and ready for reuse, is one way we help your organization stay intentional, sustainable, and budget-smart when outfitting your spaces.
Happy holidays from all of us at The Furniture X-Change. If you need us, we’re always here at inquiry@tfxfurniture.com.