Parents of children who are making their First Holy Communion are turning to eBay to get bargain dresses and suits.The website has seen a surge in buying and selling of all the paraphernalia that accompanies the day, as parents feeling the pinch opt for bargain deals instead of splashing out hundreds for outfits.
The level of Communion dresses, shoes, tiaras and white paraphernalia traded on the site this year has risen, with more than 300 items currently online.
Bosses at eBay put the surge down to the fact that buying second-hand is the next best thing to getting a hand-me-down from siblings and relatives.
Value
Savvy Mums are logging on to avail themselves of the value, choice and hassle-free Communion shopping on the site.
Ebay's Carey Maguire said: "First Holy Communions this year is all about cost-conscious shoppers seeking good value over flamboyance."
She added that parents who had First Holy Communion's last year now realise that they can sell their items, rather than passing them down to relatives and friends.
"It's down to a lot of our sellers. In the past, children tended to get hand-me-downs from their relatives, but now people have discovered that they can make money."
"Last year's parents are selling the dresses, so our consumer selling is up."
She says "Everyone is feeling the effects of the credit crunch. While parents in the past were spending extortionate amounts, now they're cost-conscious shoppers."
"Parents are realising that the dresses are only going to get one outing per house. For them, it's about not breaking the bank and using a bit of common sense."
Accessories
Meanwhile, girls are still accessorising their dresses and there has been no paring down of added extras, such as veils and handbags.
"All the veils, tiaras, shawls, handbags, shoes are still being bought. There are so many accessories," said Carey.
She added parents are turning to the internet because they don't have to walk the streets in search of the perfect dress.
"People don't want to traipse around shops any more and it's the first time we've looked at this phenomenon."
Carey said that internet sales will soar while the recession bites. "There are 330 communion items listed and that's very significant. There's a big surge."
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