The 2025 OfferUp Recommerce Report: Holiday Special Release highlights that a notable 81% of Americans are planning to allocate part of their holiday budgets toward second-hand gifts. Among these shoppers, 27% expect to invest as much as half of their holiday expenditures in pre-owned items.
Commissioned by OfferUp, the survey was conducted by Pollfish in November 2025, gathering insights from a diverse group of 1,500 adults in the United States.
A key finding reveals that rising prices are a significant concern for consumers, with 93% indicating that inflation will impact their holiday spending plans.
In response to escalating costs, 70% of shoppers intend to search for discounts, 63% plan to wait for sales or promotions, and 48% foresee buying fewer gifts this season.
The data indicates a shift in consumer behavior, as 84% of participants expressed a preference for resale platforms over purchasing new items if it means reducing costs. This trend is particularly evident among Gen Z, where nearly 95% favor buying second-hand gifts.
Additionally, consumers see benefits in buying from local resale sellers. The top reasons for this preference include the opportunity to discover unique or one-of-a-kind items (61%), lower prices (58%), supporting local vendors (38%), and avoiding shipping delays (37%).
As the holiday season approaches, resale is also seen as a method to generate additional income, with 32% of Americans—and 48% of Gen Z—planning to sell items to finance gifts or travel expenses.
In terms of desired gifts, vintage and collectible items lead among second-hand categories, attracting 40% of respondents, followed by clothing and accessories at 37%, and toys or children’s products at 29%.
Shipping concerns continue to affect purchasing decisions, with 85% of shoppers reporting stress about holiday deliveries and 74% having faced delays or missing gifts.
This anxiety about shipping is pushing nearly 89% of Americans to prefer local second-hand sellers to avoid delays and additional costs, as noted in the OfferUp report.
Interest in second-hand gifts extends beyond merely presents, with 36% of consumers planning to purchase second-hand or vintage holiday décor this year.
