This Christmas: Ditch the New—Secondhand Gifts Are Where It’s At!

This holiday season, why settle for something generic and mass-produced when you can give gifts that are bursting with charm, character, and history?

At Black Rock Galleries, we asked three of our fabulous guest curators to spill the tea on one crucial question: What Christmas gift is absolutely better secondhand than brand new? Their answers might just change the way you think about holiday shopping forever!

Memo Faraj: Little Treasures That Pack a Big Punch

Memo Faraj - an artist and interior decorator extraordinaire

“It’s really hard to go wrong with a secondhand gift—we need to normalize this!” says Memo Faraj, an artist and interior decorator extraordinaire. According to Memo, secondhand gifts are all about finding something deeply personal and unique.

“I love giving decorative items that can seamlessly fit into someone’s home,” he shares. “A piece of vintage studio pottery, a small painting, or a one-of-a-kind artwork are all great options. But my absolute favorite? A good catchall!”

A piece of vintage studio pottery…

…a small painting, or a one-of-a-kind artwork are all great options.

Catchalls are small trays or bowls that can be used anywhere in the house to corral keys, jewelry, or tiny odds and ends. “They’re practical, stylish, and full of personality. Plus, secondhand catchalls often have way more character than anything you’d find brand new.” Who wouldn’t want a gift that’s equal parts functional and fabulous?

But Memo’s absolute favorite? A good catchall!

Vintage Hand Painted Nippon Two Handled Compote Bowl, on Stand

A Southern Season "Montreus" Organic Form Horn Bowls

Amal Raad Kapen: Boxes Full of Stories

Amal Raad Kapen - a celebrated interior designer known for her elegant and storied aesthetic

For Amal Raad Kapen, a celebrated interior designer known for her elegant and storied aesthetic, antique and vintage boxes are the ultimate secondhand showstopper.

For Amal Raad Kapen antique and vintage boxes are the ultimate secondhand showstopper.

“The best gifts are antique and vintage boxes,” she declares. “Jewelry boxes, game boxes, bar boxes, cigar boxes—there’s a style for everyone, from classic mahogany to chic chinoiserie.” Amal’s favorite gift-giving moments include an antique lap desk for her husband and a sea captain’s bar box for her brother.

Carved Asian Trinket Box

A.E. Jones Attribution Arts & Crafts Lidded Box, Circa Early 20th Century

Why go vintage? “These pieces are beautifully crafted, full of history, and completely unique,” she explains. “You just can’t find that kind of quality in anything made today.” Whether it’s holding trinkets or making a bold design statement, antique boxes are gifts that deliver substance and style.

Caley Svensson: Decor That Dazzles

Caley Svensson - a passionate advocate for sustainable living and refined design

For Caley Svensson, a passionate advocate for sustainable living and refined design, secondhand gifting is all about elegance and thoughtfulness.

“Gifting secondhand items can sometimes come with hesitation—after all, why give someone a gift that has already been used?,” she says. “However, it’s actually an opportunity to offer a loved one something of exceptional value and quality. It’s all about perception.”

Caley’s secondhand gift guide includes timeless home decor items like vintage vases, silver-plated trays, and hand-painted ceramics. “If I were giving a Tiffany & Co. ceramic box, I’d wrap it beautifully and include a note about why it made me think of the recipient. Presentation makes all the difference!”

“When purchasing secondhand, some items are better choices than others. Personally, I tend to avoid clothing and more personal items, and focus on things like vases, platters, and other home décor pieces.” - Caley says.

For a hostess gift, Caley suggests stacking appetizers on a vintage silver tray or pairing a retro wine set with a great bottle of wine. “These gifts aren’t just thoughtful—they’re unique, memorable, and often way more affordable than new items. Why fight the holiday crowds when you can score treasures at an auction?”

Silver Plate Handled Tray

Why Secondhand Wins Every Time

Our curators agree: secondhand gifts aren’t just better for the planet—they’re better for the heart. Whether it’s a quirky catchall, a stunning antique box, or a beautifully curated decor piece, these gifts have personality and history that shiny new items simply can’t compete with.

So this year, skip the big-box stores and dive into the world of secondhand finds. You’ll not only give a gift—you’ll give a story, a memory, and a little slice of history. Now that’s the kind of holiday magic we can all get behind!