by December is fast approaching and for many of us that means we need to clean up and prepare our homes for Christmas.
If something you no longer want or use is in good condition, you can donate it to a charity shop. This helps keep it out of landfill and means your used items can find a new home and bring joy to someone else.
Research from Oxfam found that 39% of people say they feel pressured to spend beyond their means this Christmas, with Brits spending an average of £494 on gifts for eight loved ones.
While charity shops are grateful for donations all year round – even for unwanted gifts in January – donating before Christmas means those looking for second-hand items can find something affordable to wear over the festive period or a unique gift for a loved one.
Here are the items that leading charity shops told us are valued at this time of year.
Winter clothing
Winter clothing is prized by charity shops at this time of year. (Getty Images)
If you have winter clothes that you no longer wear, now is a good time to donate them.
“At this time of year we see an increase in people looking for clothing suitable for the winter months, so we welcome donations such as jumpers, warm knits, coats and hats,” says Josephine Mewett, head of retail at Cancer Research UK.
A British Red Cross spokesperson confirmed this, saying: “With colder months ahead, winter clothing is particularly valued.”
Children’s coats
One in seven families say they will struggle to afford a winter coat or clothing for their children this year. (Getty Images)
There could be 300,000 children in the UK without a winter coat this year, according to a recent study by Barnados.
The data, based on a YouGov survey by the charity, also found that around one in seven parents say they will struggle to afford a coat or clothing to keep their child warm.
The children’s charity asks people to donate unwanted or used children’s coats to their stores and is also always looking for toys, quality clothing and gift items.
Party supplies and clothing
Charity shops are a great place to look for party clothes or festive accessories as they allow you to pick up something for a celebration without spending a lot of money on an item of clothing that you will only wear a few times.
Kate Bishop, director of retail brand and strategy at Save the Children UK, says. “Gift donations such as fashion accessories for men and women are very popular, and of course anything shiny is always welcome before party season.”
Sharing unwanted party wear and accessories also prevents sequined items, which can release microplastics into the environment, from ending up in landfill.
Gift items
Charity shops are great for Secret Santa gifts. (Getty Images)
Are you having trouble finding a good office Secret Santa idea? Charity shops are a treasure trove of items just waiting to be discovered.
Richard Hudson, head of marketing and insight at Shelter Trading, says knick-knacks and gift items are always gratefully received. “People are looking for bargains on Secret Santa challenges or looking for a unique gift for a special someone,” he says.
Cancer Research’s Mewett says this is also a good time to donate “books or CDs and DVDs – anything that might make a good gift.”
toy
Many families are looking for high-quality, used toys at Christmas. (Getty Images)
Many parents and grandparents are looking for affordable toys this Christmas, so it’s a good time to give away toys that your children no longer play with.
“Donating unused toys is a nice way to make room for new ones, but it’s also about passing on the joy. A toy that brings fond memories to one child could become a valuable gift for another,” says Susan Cassano, shop manager at the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
If you donate toys, make sure they are in good condition and check whether they have a CE or UKCA mark. This shows that the product complies with European or British safety standards.
Household goods
Both Save the Children and Cancer Research say homewares such as prints, tableware and vases tend to be popular in their stores. These make great gifts to create a cozy home or for people whose family is coming over for Christmas and needs extra serveware or placemats.
Larger items such as furniture are not accepted by all charity shops. So be sure to check them first. Of those that do, some also offer a free furniture pickup service.
3 great charity shop gift ideas for Christmas
Save the Children offers a range of gifts based on artwork created by children. Including these felt jellyfish, designed by children in Margate. (Save the children)
If you’re looking to buy a gift this Christmas that also includes a donation to charity, here are some great charity shop ideas.
Personal shopping
This year, Oxfam is hosting its first-ever Christmas Personal Shopping Gift Service across three of its stores to help shoppers find affordable, meaningful gifts. The service is free, but you must book a slot.
Charity shop gift cards
Let someone find their own bargain at a charity shop with a gift card. The British Red Cross has its own gift card, while the Charity Shop gift card can be used in more than 2,000 stores across the UK, including participating Marie Curie, YMCA and Shelter stores, as well as a number of smaller local charity shops.
Charity stocking stuffer
Save the Children recently launched a range of stocking stuffers including candles, chocolates, hand cream and tote bags. The range starts at £3.75 and includes children’s artwork.
