Today we released our 2025 OfferUp Recommerce Report: Holiday Special Release, and the findings show a clear shift in how people plan to shop this season. Secondhand is becoming a preferred choice for holiday gifting as shoppers look for ways to save money, avoid shipping stress, and find more meaningful and personal gifts.
Secondhand is taking a real share of holiday budgets
One of the biggest themes in this year’s report is just how many people are planning to work secondhand into their holiday spending. The majority of Americans (81 percent) say they’ll put at least some of their holiday gift budget toward secondhand items, showing how mainstream resale has become. And 1 in 4 shoppers (27 percent) plan to spend up to half of their total gifting budget on secondhand.
This shift is happening at a time when holiday budgets feel especially tight. A total of 93 percent of shoppers say rising prices will affect their plans this year. To manage these higher costs, 70 percent plan to search for discounts, 63 percent will wait for sales or promotions, and 48 percent expect to buy fewer gifts.
Younger shoppers are taking an even more proactive approach. Nearly half of Gen Z, or 48 percent, plan to sell items to help pay for gifts or travel, highlighting how flexible and intentional this group is in shaping their holiday spending.
Local resale helps shoppers save money and reduce stress
As holiday budgets tighten, more shoppers are turning to local resale as a practical way to save money, avoid shipping issues, and find gifts with more personality. Buying and selling locally on OfferUp makes this experience easier, whether someone is browsing unique finds nearby or arranging a quick, reliable pickup.
Affordability is a major part of the appeal. Eighty-four percent of shoppers say they would buy an item on a resale platform instead of new if they could find the same product for less. This climbs to nearly 95 percent among Gen Z, showing how strongly value influences younger shoppers in particular.
Shoppers are also choosing local resale for benefits they cannot get from traditional retail. The top motivations for buying from a local secondhand seller include finding unique or one-of-a-kind items (61 percent), getting lower prices (58 percent), supporting local sellers (38 percent), and avoiding shipping delays (37 percent). On OfferUp, these advantages come together in one place, making it simple to discover special items in great condition right in your community.
Growing concerns about shipping are strengthening this trend. Eighty-five percent of shoppers feel stressed about holiday shipping, and 74 percent say they have had a gift arrive late or not arrive at all. These frustrations are driving many people toward more reliable local options. Nearly nine in ten shoppers, or 89 percent, say they would buy from a local secondhand seller to avoid delays and fees. With OfferUp, buyers can pick up items the same day and sellers can meet directly with local shoppers, reducing uncertainty and helping everyone get what they need on time.
Shoppers want gifts that feel more unique and personal
Alongside rising costs and shifting priorities, many people are rethinking the types of gifts they give and receive. Shoppers are gravitating toward items that feel thoughtful, distinctive, and different from what they might find in big-box stores. This is reflected in the categories leading secondhand holiday purchases this year: vintage and collectible items top the list at 40 percent, followed by clothing and accessories at 37 percent, and toys and kids items at 29 percent.
Comfort with secondhand gifting is also growing. Two-thirds of Americans, or 67 percent, say they would be happy receiving a secondhand item in good or excellent condition. In fact, receiving a secondhand gift is considered more acceptable than receiving a regifted item, which 58 percent would accept, or a dupe, which 40 percent say they would accept. Together, these trends show that shoppers are increasingly open to gifts that come with character, value, and a story.
Holiday decor is getting a second life
Secondhand is not limited to gifting. More than one-third of shoppers, or 36 percent, plan to buy secondhand or vintage holiday decor this year. Eleven percent of people, and 16 percent of Gen Z, plan to borrow or swap decor with friends or family.
Shoppers who choose secondhand decor say they do so to save money, which 74 percent cite, find unique or one-of-a-kind pieces, which 61 percent select, or reduce waste, which 43 percent say motivates them. Gen Z is particularly driven by sustainability, with nearly half, or 49 percent, choosing secondhand decor to reduce their environmental impact.
A look at the bigger picture
Taken together, this year’s holiday findings point to a much larger movement already underway. Recommerce continues to gain momentum across the United States, driven by shoppers who want affordability, sustainability, and more control over how and where they buy. According to our 2025 OfferUp Recommerce Report, the secondhand market is projected to reach 306.5 billion dollars by 2030, underscoring just how quickly this shift is accelerating.
To dive deeper into how secondhand is reshaping everything from home goods to apparel to local commerce, you can read the full 2025 OfferUp Recommerce Report for a comprehensive look at the data and trends behind this growth.
Methodology
The 2025 OfferUp Recommerce Report: Holiday Special Release was fielded in November 2025 with a sample of 1,500 U.S. adults. The survey was conducted by Pollfish.