Bargain hunting for Christmas gifts: joint interview with Charlotte and Chrysoline

As you know, at Balzac Paris, we take the life cycle of our pieces very seriously, from their design to their recycling . Chrysoline, who needs no introduction, collects old objects that she likes to hunt for in flea markets, physical or virtual, to decorate her apartment. But how does this sensitivity to the sustainability of products translate at Balzac Paris? Through Les Durables , a monthly meeting where we put the previous year's pieces back on sale at low prices, in a zero-waste approach . Fortunately for the planet, we are not the only ones concerned about the second life of products! Who better than Charlotte, founder of Selency, to talk about it? Selency is an online flea market where more than 100,000 pieces of furniture and decorative objects have been carefully sourced for you. We therefore asked these two experts on the subject to give you their best advice for finding your second-life Christmas gifts in a zero-waste approach.

Charlotte, why hunt?

To have a decor that really looks like us and that is authentic and at the same time to do good for the planet.

What does it bring you personally beyond material gain?

There is a real apprenticeship behind the fact of antiquing, as soon as you antiquing a piece you also buy a bit of history you learn things and you are therefore enriched personally. By antiquing you also learn to pay the right price and measure the value of things, it's important at a time when you believe that a chair of good quality can cost a few euros to manufacture, or that the delivery is produced by magic and therefore free of charge. This measure is important to consume less but better.

3 tips for being as efficient as possible when shopping?

Do not have a fixed idea but rather be open. Observe a lot and especially the details. And tell yourself precisely that you are not necessarily looking for efficiency but that you give yourself the time.

Giving a gift that already has a story, is it a top or a flop?

Of course a big top. Even better, of course, if we manage to have a little piece of the story to tell. Selency in 3 words? Decoration, Authenticity, Singularity. Chrysoline, why re-offer items from past collections through Durables? At Balzac Paris we like to imagine a fashion that crosses the seasons and the years! We therefore think of this one so that our prints, our cuts and our accessories remain in tune with the times season after season to become timeless items in our customers' wardrobes. This is why we offer the possibility of acquiring our collections from the past year at -30% in the "Les Durables" category with the idea that: nothing is lost, everything is transformed! Giving a gift that comes from a collection from the previous year, is it a hit or a flop? It's a TOP! For the reasons that I have just explained and because this creation will have been imagined in our TPR (Always More Responsible) approach, it will be of quality for a garment or accessory that lasts and lasts. What is the little nugget that can be found in the next Durables? This time, we find the pretty Suzette sweater in its denim blue version. An iconic Balzac Paris. Your 3 favorite pieces for timeless (and therefore sustainable) fashion? - The Caesar (for every day and more if you like! Size, look and practicality, it's perfect). - The Suzette jumper (the joy of putting it on in cold weather + impeccable quality). - The George shirt (under a big sweater or for going out, this clever mix of masculine/feminine has not said its last word). Durables in 3 words? Les Durables: Crazy prices! Quality ! Sustainability. Your best addresses for finding second-life Christmas gifts (in Paris and elsewhere)? Charlotte : "Obviously the Selency corner from December 6 to 8 at 51 rue de Turenne 75003 for decoration, thrift stores that can be found everywhere for an original item of clothing or accessory , it can also be electronics on the Back site Market. In fact, it depends on the tastes of the person to whom you want to give a gift because everything is second-hand and sometimes even more beautiful and original than new." Chrysoline : "At the Maison d'Hiver Balzac Paris of course: at 18 rue de Turenne, from December 7 to 22! But also Meert in Lille for delicious Waffles. Le Chat bleu in Le Touquet for a good packet of chocolate. Chez Marion Graux for very beautiful pottery or a bouquet of dried flowers rue de Dunkerque in Paris..." Any advice for a responsible Christmas? Charlotte : "Apply the "less but better", to avoid buying little nephews, cousins, uncles and aunts a mess and low quality gifts which may, as a bonus, not be used. Re-use gift wrap or wrap with recycled paper, or better with fabric in order to avoid having a larger volume of packaging to throw away than the remaining gifts. But the most important thing is undoubtedly to bring about the discussion of good practices for a more "green" daily life, a nice topic of discussion to share everyone's best practices with the family and raise awareness among each other." Chrysoline : "I advise you to wrap your gifts in fabric scraps. To cook at home! To hunt for your crockery and decoration for the big day. But also to think of the most disadvantaged by looking at what your children or yourself could give to people in need! A responsible Christmas is an authentic Christmas! Enjoy ;)"