Looking for niche and nostalgic gifts?

Time really flies. Yes, it’s holiday season again. You’re probably already thinking about the newest toy your nephew has been begging for, that kitchen device your partner keeps hinting at, or what to get your parents so there’s no grumbling at family get-togethers.

This year, we want to challenge our shoppers to try something different. For a lot of us, November is just an excuse to buy more and more. And you know what that means, more e-waste, old devices sitting in drawers, and money spent on gadgets you don't exactly need (another iPhone, really?).

So here’s our remedy, the Back Market holiday guide. At Back Market we encourage slow shopping. And no, it’s not like the neverending line at the grocery store.

So, what is slow shopping? This is a trend that encourages users to be mindful of purchasing, and not to be driven to spend impulsively by flash sales or one-off deals that might not really serve you in the long run. Thinking long-term about what you pick up helps to avoid overconsumption, something that’s a real problem in the tech world, and also is much lighter on your pocket too.

Slow shoppers can save money by looking for deals on offer that don’t expire after Black Friday. We have good deals all year round, from your latest refurbished tech, niche products you forgot existed, to throwback devices to give you that hit of nostalgia. 

We mean it. More than the same old pickups every year, get something you and the loved ones will really want, tailored just for them. 

Ah, the family elders. The younger ones call them tech-averse, they beg to differ. Here’s a gift that lets them prove everybody wrong. An old-school iPad is great for FaceTiming the little ones. It doesn’t have the small, fiddly screens you get with other devices (the screen is a massive 10 inches) so that means it’s a little more accessible. 

With these, you get a lot of bang for your buck – they make calls, can have email, as well as all that other stuff you want a standard tablet to do for you. The older models are little different from the newer ones, so we suggest a 2017 to 2020 model to keep down costs. Busy parents will also enjoy the organisational aspects, especially those that want to keep things separate from their phones. P.S. – it’s also great to hand over to the kids if they need quietening down for 5 minutes (trust us, we won’t judge).

Introducing an old but familiar face. The humble iPod – in some ways, they kind of are like an old friend. You probably met one years ago, and there’s that calm but familiar presence with a device that notches down all the notifications. The old iPods are a good gift for a pal, we think, in a time where everyone could do with switching off. There’s the aesthetic qualities – they’re super easy to handle, host a ton of your favourite music without need for massive data space, and look super cute in a back pocket.

But more so, this is a good gift for whichever pal of yours is currently agonising over their screen time. Without endless calls, inbuilt apps for phone, email, social media, and other things that keep us locked to the little screens, the iPod lets you focus on the music – no distractions. How’s that for wholesome? And, if you’re too much of a screen addict to forgo your notifications, there’s a concession – get the iPod Touch instead.

A holiday shopping guide wouldn't be right without something for the young ones. That’s your cool, hip sibling, who spends a bunch of time on TikTok and knows their rizz from their emotes (no, we don’t understand either).

This year you can avoid being the uncool one without having to translate impenetrable Gen Z speak. Here’s some free game: digi cams, physical film cameras and nostalgic photos are kinda the rage right now. They’re taking over TikTok feeds worldwide, and are great for younger ones into scrapbooking, making physical memories, or generally just taking a lot of selfies.

The Nikon Coolpix is a staff pick of ours. It’s not too hefty, is pretty user accessible, and lets your younger sibling brag to everyone that they’re into amateur photography (trés chic). Plus, you can get them for under £200 – perfect for when they want something else 5 minutes later.

Ah, that friend. That digital VR headset? Got that. That new release by Apple? Been there, bought that. The rumored personal VR assistant software being developed by underground tech labs? Already heard the news, saved the article and joined the waitlist. 

This person is arguably the worst type of individual to shop for. They have everything, or are already on top of shopping leaving nothing left on the gift guide. That is until now. The key to buying for an eager shopper, we think, is to take them back in time. 

Here’s a speaker that’s a hot option, the Rubyoung R630. For one, she really is a beauty. It’s a cross between superb sound (the bass is excellent) and unique style. The case comes with a customisable speaker cover that the user can switch out to their personal liking. It’s familiar without being pretentious, unique enough to not be in their catalog already, and looks pretty great on a mantelpiece too. Lower budgets can opt for the Sonos PLAY:1 or similar, which are equally high in sound quality. Best of all, it’ll stand out amongst all those other gadgets they have.

One thing about the little ones, they do love a screen. Judging by the time spent on our phones, we probably do too. 

That little thing you always see them tapping away on? It’s called a Nintendo Switch. It’s an understatement to say it’s all the rage right now. And, if you sneak a go on theirs, we’ll be surprised if you don’t want to pick one up yourself. Games like Super Smash Bros and Minecraft are some of the most popular on the device. Check out the Back Market catalog for better-than-new pricing, perfect for some entertainment that’s kid-appropriate and super fun.

And if you really want to go the extra mile? Take them back in time. Remember your old Game Boy? Maybe you still have it…. Now, you have the option to pass the baton. Retro game consoles aren’t hard to find in our refurb catalogue, and you can pick up Gamecubes, PS1s, old-school Nintendos and more. It’s a great hand-me-down to a younger one – or, steal it for some throwback fun.

How to find the best Black Friday deals in 2024

Slow shoppers can save money, find the best Black Friday deals, and get ahead of the 2024 shopping rush by buying on Back Market, a place with good deals all year round.