WITH the cost of living crisis hitting hard this Christmas many are resorting to charity shops in the hope of finding the perfect gift at a fraction of the price.
Whatever you’re on the hunt for this Christmas you can be sure one of your local charity shops can help you out, while you help them out.
Shoes, clothing, jewellery, books, homeware, bric-a-brac, and in many, toys are stocked and screaming out to be bought.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Taryn de Vere from the Irish Wheelchair Association said they could have sold their Christmas stock four or five times over due to the huge demand.
“We kept back gift sets for Christmas, anything new that came in we held back and we put it out a few weeks ago at a very low price and they sold really well for us.
“We have also seen a huge surge in people coming into the charity shop looking for Christmas decorations, Christmas trees etc,” she said.
Margaret Toner, Voluntary Manager in Letterkenny CDP Charity Shop said this year people have been donating items they used to hold on to.
“Children have been donating toys that are like new. Many charity shops don’t take toys as a donation but we do.
“In our shop we make up Christmas hampers and sell them to the public at a cheap price. We might put a handbag and a scarf together, gift wrap it and sell it for €5 so our customers get a bargain.
“This year in the shop our staff took part in Kris Kringle and all presents were bought in our charity shop.
“We have received a lot of donations which were unwanted gifts from last Christmas like perfume sets and bath sets and these have sold really well.
“This Christmas people don’t have big money to spend,” she said.
Agreeing with Taryn and Margaret, Olga, Store Manager in Saint Vincent de Paul Station Roundabout said this year she has seen a lot of people buying Christmas presents in store.
“Customers seem to be buying mainly for children, boys and girls up to the age of ten. They are buying a mixture of toys and clothing.
“Usually around this time of year we receive a lot of donations however this year I think people are holding on to what they have as they don’t know what way the economy will go,” she said.
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