The busiest day for selling unwanted Christmas gifts is revealed
Sunday 4th January has been revealed as the busiest day for selling unwanted gifts after the festive season.
Data from online marketplace Vinted has marked the date as an unofficial national holiday for decluttering, re-gifting, and making a bit of extra money after the festive season, dubbed “Sell-It Sunday”.
The first Sunday of each year sees a spike in listings, likely unwanted gifts, averaging three times the normal daily rate – it’s the day that millions of Brits turn their unwanted presents into cash and space for the year ahead. As the post-festive calm settles in and people across the nation begin sorting through their gifts and making important ‘stick or sell’ decisions.
Last year’s top-listed items show exactly how one person’s unwanted gift can become another’s pre-loved gem, with categories including women’s toiletries and perfumes, jewellery, nightwear and make-up topping the listings. The start of the new year also provides a natural moment for people to declutter and recognise the value hidden in unused items around the house.
According to research commissioned by Vinted, 51 per cent of Brits are already sitting on £400 of unused items. And 16 per cent even believe the total value of the belongings cluttering their households exceeds £1,000. Which may be why they are so keen to unload some of their disused goods after getting new gifts and make some money back after splurging on presents for their loved ones.
When it comes to buying, fashion dominates post-Christmas sales but is closely followed by entertainment and electronics. As the platform has expanded into new second-hand categories there has been a rise in demand for items including books, magazines, CDs and vinyl, with 55 per cent of UK consumers expressing interest in buying them.
Jessie de la Merced from Vinted said: “Sell-It Sunday isn’t just the moment unwanted gifts get a second life. It’s become a national reset, a day when people turn clutter into cash, explore fresh styles and discover everything from fashion to electronics.
“It shows how second-hand shopping continues to grow as a smart, stylish choice for 2026.”
Top tips for sellers this ‘Sell-It Sunday’:
Be as descriptive as you can: This significantly boosts your item’s discoverability. People search using different terms, so the more relevant terms you can use in the listing or item description, the more likely you are to be found. For example, instead of “black T-shirt”, try “plain black, short-sleeve T-shirt with V-neck”. Also, if your item fits into a certain fashion trend or style, definitely mention it e.g. Y2K, boyfriend jeans, quiet luxury.
Always give more info about the condition: If there’s any damage (however minor), add measurements and sizes (as you can’t always tell from a photo), and it helps to share your size/height and whether the fit comes up big, small, or is spot-on.
Make it photo-perfect: The first photo is the most important as it determines whether someone taps on your listing in the first instance to find out more, or not. It’s best to choose a photo that clearly shows the entire item from the front. Also, taking photos of your items in natural light can make all the difference as to whether an item sells or not. Photos are best taken against a plain, white or neutral background as it makes your items ‘pop’. With lighter-coloured items, use a darker background to create contrast. Either way, capture multiple angles to provide a multi-dimensional view and take close-ups of details - even the flaws, so buyers know what to expect. The more photos you take (you can upload up to 20), the better informed a buyer will be about choosing your item, and the quicker you’ll be able to sell it.
Make sure the price is right: Your pricing strategy can significantly influence how quickly and successfully you sell your items. We all have high hopes, but it’s also important to be realistic about what second-hand items can sell for. If you’re not sure where to start, a great place to start is to search for similar items and see the average selling price. A good rule of thumb: for items that are "New with tags" or "New without tags", a good suggested price is 80-60 per cent of the retail price, for "Very good" condition, try a suggested price of 60-40 per cent of the retail price, and for "Good" or "Satisfactory" condition, around 40-20 per cent of the retail price.
Add a bit extra so you don’t lose out: People like a good haggle on Vinted but take this into account by adding an extra small but random amount to the listing price, for example £20.89 instead of £20. This means when you get an offer, it won’t hurt you to reduce it. Being open to offers is definitely one way you can sell more of your items quickly. In all cases, it's better to price slightly higher as you can always reduce the price later, but you can't increase it once someone is interested!
Sell in-season: Listing items when they’re really “in-season” is more likely to result in a quicker sale (and less haggling, so more money) vs listing out-of-season items. People are simply more likely to be shopping for summer clothing in the summer, and winter items in the winter. Clearing your wardrobe seasonally also gives you a good opportunity to list the things you no longer wear.
Countdown to the weekend: Get into a routine where you upload regularly. You can list your items on a weekly basis, particularly in time for the weekend, to maximise your chances of a sale. The weekend is the most popular time for browsing and shopping on the app and when most people tend to ‘favourite’ items and complete their purchases. Bank Holidays are another great time to list if you tend to sell in waves rather than regularly. Vinted also allows your followers to receive a notification each time you list a new item. This ensures you return to the top of their feed!
Verify your account: Don’t underestimate the power of having a profile picture and verifying your Vinted account to show that you are an active and trustworthy member. Buyers appreciate knowing who they’re buying from. Your Vinted profile page displays where you have verified your info, so ensure you have verified at least one of the following: email address, Facebook, Apple or Google account. And upload a profile picture if you feel comfortable, alternatively, look online for a website that allows you to create a free avatar, which you can then use as your profile picture instead.
Sell lots of complementary items at the same time: If you’re selling a few items that work really well together as an outfit, mention them in your description and point people towards your other items. This simple cross-selling tactic increases views of your other items and boosts your chances of selling more items.