OfferUp’s 2025 Recommerce Report shows that more than eight out of ten Americans plan to include secondhand gifts in their holiday budgets, driven by rising costs, shipping stress, and the hunt for more meaningful presents.
Buyers across the country are leaning toward secondhand gifting this year, according to OfferUp’s newly released 2025 Recommerce Report: Holiday Special Release. The survey, which was conducted earlier this month, shows that 81 percent of Americans expect to put at least part of their holiday gift budget toward secondhand purchases, and 27 percent plan to devote as much as half. The reasons span from economic pressure to the hunt for gifts that feel more meaningful than anything arriving in a new-item shipping box.
Holiday costs continue to influence how people shop. OfferUp reports that 93 percent of Americans worry rising prices will affect their seasonal spending. Many plan to manage those concerns by searching for discounts, waiting for promotions, or cutting back on the number of gifts entirely. Secondhand has become one of the most dependable ways to stretch a budget. OfferUp’s survey found that 84 percent of shoppers would buy an item on a resale platform instead of new if the price were better, a number that climbs close to 95 percent among Gen Z.
Consumer preferences are also increasingly skewing toward local options. OfferUp’s data shows that shoppers value the experience of meeting local sellers and discovering pieces that feel singular. Many respondents say that finding unique or one-of-a-kind items is one of the biggest draws of their local secondhand marketplace. Lower prices, the desire to support people within their own communities, and the need to avoid shipping delays all factor into the shift as well. The report highlights that demand for cost-saving measures is not limited to buying. Thirty-two percent of Americans expect to sell items this season to help cover the cost of gifts or holiday travel, and among Gen Z that number rises to 48 percent.
Vintage and collectible items are gaining momentum as some of the most sought-after secondhand holiday purchases. OfferUp identifies them as the top category shoppers expect to browse, followed closely by clothing, accessories, toys, and children’s items. The report also shows that Americans are increasingly open to receiving a secondhand gift, as long as the item is in good or excellent condition. Two-thirds of respondents say they would be happy with a secondhand present, making it a more welcome option than receiving a regift or a dupe.
Shipping anxiety also plays a major role in that acceptance. OfferUp’s survey shows that 85 percent of shoppers feel stressed about holiday shipping, and 74 percent have experienced a gift arriving late or not arriving at all. Those experiences are pushing shoppers toward more reliable, local alternatives. According to the findings, 89 percent of Americans would buy from a local secondhand seller if it meant avoiding delays and fees. The combination of faster pickup, lower costs, and more control is reshaping where people look for holiday gifts.
Secondhand shopping is not limited to presents. OfferUp reports that 36 percent of Americans plan to buy secondhand or vintage holiday décor this year, and younger shoppers are leading that shift. Among Gen Z, 16 percent expect to borrow or swap holiday décor with friends or family. The motivations vary: saving money, finding décor with character, and reducing waste. OfferUp notes that nearly half of Gen Z shoppers specifically choose secondhand décor to lower their environmental impact, reflecting a generational emphasis on sustainability.
OfferUp’s broader 2025 Recommerce Report provides context for this holiday pivot. The firm states that 93 percent of Americans purchased something secondhand in the past year and more than half sold an item. Those patterns align with a market OfferUp expects to reach $306.5 billion by 2030. The shift is not a seasonal trend but a lasting recalibration of how people shop, influenced by economic realities and a desire for gifts with more personal resonance. As OfferUp positions it, secondhand is no longer a fallback plan but an increasingly intentional choice for the holidays and beyond.
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