16 Ways to Buy Thrift Store Christmas Gifts on a Budget
As we head into the Christmas season I want to help you be more focused on Jesus than spending too much money! I hope these 16 Ways to Buy Thrift Store Christmas Gifts on a Budget will help you not to stress and will save a ton of money!
You may also like this DIY post about The Best DIY Christmas Gifts Ever! Since there’s no such thing as a Christmas Thrift Store I’ll show you some of my Best Tips for scoring some great gifts for the holiday season! They are awesome and I think you’ll love them.
I mean have you ever wondered if it’s ok to buy cheap Christmas gifts at your local thrift store? To some, this may be the most horrifying thing imaginable, but for others, it’s a reasonable and wonderful way to gather the perfect gift from the heart.
I’ll show you just how to buy a second-hand gift for Christmas that you can buy brand new or repurpose and still be proud to give!!
We spent many years on an extremely tight budget and it was hard to find a great gift while shopping for Christmas gifts that were nice and we felt good about giving to a family member or friend.
If you’ve read my Ultimate Thrift Store Guide to Successful Clothes Shopping ~ 15 Tried and True Tricks from a Pro then you’ll know that I know what I’m talking about here for buying and giving thrifted Christmas gifts!
16 Ways to Buy Thrift Store Christmas Gifts on a Budget
Not everyone can afford to go out and spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on a Christmas present. There have been years when we have been so financially broke that we have HAD to purchase at least a few Christmas gifts at the Thrift Store.
Yes, we had a little extra money, but not enough for a ton of department store gifts, so I’ve learned how to be a wise shopper but still give super nice second hand gift from the Thrift Store.
If re-gifting and thrift stores turn your stomach, this post may not be for you. Or if you have a fantastic income that allows for many extra purchases at this time of year, then this post may not be for you either. BUT… just in case you are curious, read on!
There are rules to purchasing Christmas Gifts at the Thrift Store. Of course, I made them up BUT I think you will agree, that these rules need to be adhered to!
What NOT to buy for gifts at the thrift store!
- DO NOT buy anything that is stained, torn, faded, etc. Clothing items must be as good as new.
- DO NOT purchase kitchen appliances that are rusty, stained, or outdated. They can be dangerous. Think electrical.
- DO NOT purchase items that are cracked, chipped, or just plain broken!
I knew you would agree!
The How and What You CAN Buy for Christmas Gifts
- Many items at a thrift store are brand new, never worn, and never used. Keep an eye out for these things. They may cost a tad more, but not much! I’d say $4.99 for a new fashionable clothing item is a great deal!
- Have a list of who you are buying for and what you are looking for.
- Look for designer labels on clothing, jewelry, bags/purses, and accessories. Many of these are like new because the “previous owner” took great care of something quite expensive.
- If you are looking for party gifts/hostess gifts, this is the perfect place! Check out the glassware, the party platters, and the pitchers. Bake some homemade Cookies or Candy and deliver something special to your hostess.
- Buy books! The books that Thrift Stores has are amazing! Especially children’s books. You will find a TON of great ones! Series, pop ups, crafty, cardboard books, coloring books… just about anything!
- There are usually tons of beautiful candle holders (teens love candles)
- Think outside of the box…what can you paint, mod podge with fun photos. Buy a serving tray like this one or old globe and paint with chalk board paint. Write a beautiful scripture on it or a fun quirky quote!
- If you have little girls, one of the things I loved to do was buy a super fancy pretty little pocket book/purse, you know those fancy sparkly ones and put fun stuff in it. Chapstick, a comb, brush (not from the Thrift Store) So fun and only a couple dollars compared to a department store. Or if you have a teen, this works perfect too…they are pickier though.
- You can also buy pretty art, or ugly art. Make sure the frame is pretty then… If you buy some ugly art, paint over it with chalkboard paint or mod podge a cute quote onto it.
- Buy picture frames and use for Grandma and Grandpa for Grandchildren pictures.
- You know that wall with all of the little bags hanging on it full of this and that. Go look at them! There is some pretty cool stuff in those plastic bags. Think stocking stuffers, homeschool learning.
- Those plastic bags full of this and that also contain lots of kitchen items. Cookie Cutters, unique utensils and many are brand new!
- I’m pretty picky when it comes to small kitchen appliances, Probably because I cook so much, but these need to be new or near new or I won’t buy it.
- Make sure anything electronic works before you purchase it and again new or near new.
- Toys can be a great bargain at Thrift Stores and actually I’m thinking of doing a whole other guide on that since I’m a bit picky on this one.
- I also love to purchase table clothes, place mats, aprons…anything new or near new. The place mats make great Homemade Heating Pads!
- Ok I know the post says 16 but I remembered another fun gift I’ve made…Tea Cup Candles! These are super easy and oh so pretty!
How to turn thrift store finds into Christmas gifts
The whole key to successfully buying Thrift Store Christmas Gifts is this…ask yourself “Would I like a gift like this?”
It’s going to take time to find just the right gift, just as with a regular department store, but it’s worth it for the money you will save.
Think outside of the box too! Look for jars and candy dishes that you can fill with your love! If you simply can’t find something, you can always get very inexpensive pretty jars on amazon and you don’t even have to leave your house! LOL
Thrift Stores often sell Yarn too, so if you knit or crochet you are in luck! Or once again…if you can’t find the color or texture you’d like for your project… you can find great yarn deals online!
I hope that you found some ideas here that will ease the burden of overspending at Christmas time. Remember what the season is truly about and just because you have a heart for giving and a limited income, doesn’t mean you can’t give something beautiful.
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If you’ve decided that Making homemade thrift store gifts isn’t for you…then maybe this gift guide is for you!
More Money Saving Ideas:
Saving Money by Buying What’s on Sale When ~ Free 4 Page Printable for Yearly Sales
Wow, do I love these ideas. Our whole house is furnished from Goodwill and I always get compliments when people come over. I love to look for tin boxes or trays and fill them up with homemade candy and goodies. I do this, not just at Christmas, but all year long. I also buy all my Christmas decorations at thrift stores. What you save on them you can put towards presents. Another good idea is to clean closets in Sept and Oct and take things to the consignment shop – if you are lucky enough to have one and then turn around and use this $ for gifts at the Goodwill – double bang for your buck. And clean closets too !!! Thanks for sharing.
Good post. Glad I am not the only one. Love the stocking stuffers idea. I just finished (another) sweater from thrift store yarn – it was a bag of vintage tapestry wool and the resulting sweater is very, very colourful. Taking apart a sweater to get knitting yarn can be very good, but there are a lot of tricks to it so a little research is a good thing. There are kits to be bought at the thrift store too. Boxes and tins are often cheap at thrift stores, and then you fill them. With whatever. I do china mosaics too, and both the china and base (tray, frame, candleholder, set of drawers, table) usually come from thrift stores. And toys and books and DVDs and Latest Popular Character Items and … stuff. Yeah.
I love the “ugly art” suggestion! It’s so much cheaper to buy art at a thrift store and use it as a canvas than to get a new canvas at a craft store!
I absolutely love the purse idea for little girls! I may have to do that for my daughter.
These are wonderful ideas! I have a “thing” for tablecloths and I always get mine at the thrift store. I figure why pay top dollar for them, when the ones at the local store are practically brand new! We’re featuring you post on Front Porch Friday, thanks for stopping by.
These are really great ideas! With the new Baby coming shortly before the holidays, I’m not quite sure if I’ll meet my goal of homemade gifts for everyone, but I could likely get some nice things at thrift stores instead…:)
Some of the items I inherited from my grandmother were purchased at thrift stores, antique shops, etc. I have a beautiful collection of antique tea cups and saucers. I also have a collection of fine china plates. None of them are the same set, but they’re all white and gold. I absolutely love these, and I keep my eye out at thrift stores for coordinating pieces!
Such great tips, Shari Lynne! In our area you can find many items in thrift stores with the original tags still on them. Congrats, you’re featured this week on Inspire Us Thursday at Organized 31.
I am stopping in from the Frugal Friday Link Up. I don’t know why, but my local good will and salvation army feel the need to purchase good condition items at a super high price. They end up stuck with the items because for a couple bucks more you can buy them brand new in the store. I think the salvation army is on the verge of closing for this reason. Example- 35 dollars for used Nike tennis shoes. Umm I can buy a brand new pair for 40 on sale. LOL
Great tips. I like to buy fabric at the thrift shop. It’s way cheaper than the fabric store.
Me too Heather! Thanks so much for stopping and have a very Merry Christmas!
I love this post! Our thrift store is busier than the mall during the Christmas season – and for good reason. My family KNOWS that I enjoy a gift MORE when I know it was a bargain – they’ve been known to actually tell me the price in order to make the gift more fun : ) To me, a well-chosen book that is JUST FOR ME (for instance, a favorite out-of-print book) is much more enjoyable than an impersonal big ticket item from the mall.
Anna I love your heart! I feel the same way. The more personal the better and you can find such great items at thrift stores! Thank you so much for stopping by and have a very Merry Christmas!
Great ideas and a good reminder that a gift doesn’t have to be brand new to be enjoyed by someone.
Great tips!! Especially number 5, so many books at the thrift store. And I love the tip about picture frames. They can be so expensive at the retail stores. Second hand is the way to go with those 🙂
WOW! These are some great tips! I have a membership at our big Albertan thrift store (Value Village). They offer 50% your entire purchase on your birthday. My birthday is in December, so I should definitely keep this in mind for next year.
I pinned this – such awesome tips.
Thanks so much for sharing (and for linking up to the Christmas Blog Hop)!
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
xoxo
I’m heading to the Thrift Store today. It’s the way I buy most of our family’s things.
Hi Laura! Yay! I buy SO many things from the thrift store too! Happy shopping and thank you for stopping by! Merry Christmas!
I especially like the idea of the glass dishes + cookies = Hostess gift!
Hi Helene! Yes I like that one too, so simple yet meaningful and oooh you can find some super pretty dishes at thrift stores! Blessings to you!
One of my favorite things to give children for Christmas is a gift that is dirt cheap on Nov. 1. I buy Halloween costumes that are marked way down. Like a princess, a super hero, or even an animal costume. I remove the Halloween packaging and put it into a box and wrap as a Christmas gift. Dress up clothes are always a hit with children.
Hi Roxie! OooooH I LOVE that idea! Every child in the world would LOVE that. You are one smart shopper! Thank you for sharing this fun and inexpensive (dirt cheap!) tip! Have a blessed Christmas!
These are fantastic ideas! I’ve gotten so much amazing glassware for practically pennies at my fave thrift shop, and much of it is so unique, I get compliments all the time! Especially for the vintage lover in your life, you’re so right – you can’t go wrong with Christmas thrifting!
lovelovelove,
Erica
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