I Tried Thrifting All My Christmas Presents This Year — And Spent Less Than $100
From swapping my regular coffee for one with peppermint mocha creamer to trading my typical ’80s tunes for Christmas music, I love to make little changes this time of year to embrace the magic of the season. One of my favorite swaps, though, is thrifting secondhand gifts instead of buying them all new.
It’s no secret that I love secondhand things. I frequently write about thrifting, resell in four antique malls, and stock my home and closet with preloved finds. While I’ve given thrifted gifts here and there in the past, this year, I decided to make the most of my charity shop trips and be more purposeful about buying my gifts at secondhand stores. In the end, I found something for each person on my list (11 people) and spent a whopping total of just $79.
It was such a success, I’ll definitely be doing it again. If you’re looking to start your own Thriftmas tradition, I’d recommend considering the type of item and the recipient. Some people love secondhand gifts, and others aren’t as keen on them. For example, would your mom be okay with a thrifted sweater? If not, you could find something like a new book or unburned jar candle while thrifting. Whether you’re searching for a beautiful vintage item or happen to score a new-in-box find, new merchandise constantly hits the floor so that you can score great finds no matter when you go.
I’d also encourage you to think outside the box for other places to find secondhand items. I found my presents at thrift and charity shops, consignment stores, and estate sales, but you could also check Facebook Marketplace. If you plan ahead, you can also keep an eye out during summer yard sales. However, don’t think you’ve missed out if you didn’t begin early — I only started Thriftmas shopping after Thanksgiving and still came out with a very merry haul. Here’s everything I thrifted to supplement other gifts on their wish list.
What I Thrifted for My Grandkids
If anyone is easy to shop for, it’s the kids in my life. They’re thrilled with almost anything, whether brand-new or pre-owned. My daughter is also an avid thrifter, and I was able to covertly shop for my grandkids (ages 5, 3, and 10 months) with her help. The best find was a mini kitchen at our local Goodwill for only $6.
Target Mini Kitchen — $6, thrifted a mile from my house
FAO Schwartz Fruit Stacker — $3, new in package
Two Block Books — $1, for the pair on my daughter’s suggestion
Montessori Wooden Stones — $2 ($29 on Amazon), from a charity shop to help with stacking and sorting skills
Phonetic Reading Blocks — $2 ($25 on Amazon), purchased at Goodwill
Total: $14
What I Thrifted for My Mom and Daughters
I have five ladies on my Christmas list, some of which are easier to buy for than others. My mother-in-law always gives us a specific idea for her gift, so I was thrilled that I thrifted size 10, hard-soled Minnetonka slippers at a consignment shop for $25. It’s not a steal, but considering they were brand-new, retail for $79, and are for a non-thrifter, I think it’s a big win.
Minnetonka Hard-Soled Slippers — $25, found at a women’s consignment shop
Hummingbird Puzzle — $10 ($30 on Amazon), my mom loves hummingbirds and puzzles
The War Book — $1, for my history-loving mom
Vintage 100% Cotton Sweater — $5, perfect for my daughter, who is trying only to wear natural fabrics
Reindeer Rolling Pin — $2 ($18 on Amazon), for my daughter to make cookies with her kids
Basket Tray and Coasters — $2, for my college daughter to use in her new apartment by her couch
Rifle Paper Co. Stemless Corkcicle — $2, for my daughter-in-law, who asked for a small, quality travel tumbler
Total: $46
What I Thrifted for My Husband and Sons
I always have a tougher time shopping for the men in my life, but luckily, I had some help with their suggestions and what I happened to find on my own. Although it was only $2, I’m especially excited to give my son the vintage Jeff Gordon ornament. He grew up watching NASCAR with his dad and grandad (who passed several years ago), and he loves collecting racing memorabilia.
Jeff Gordon Christmas Ornament — $2, and my son will love it
Vintage 100% Cotton Bill Blass Sweater —$4, for my son-in-law, who doesn’t like heavy sweaters
Vintage 100% Cotton Sweater — $1, found at a vintage $1 clothing sale (it was amazing!) for my husband
Paper Airplane Kit — $3, so my son-in-law can have fun with his 3-year-old son
Chillsner Beer Chiller — $4, new in the box for my husband, so he can enjoy his post-lawn-mowing treat
Under Armour Shirt — $5, for my son, who asked for dri-fit, long-sleeve shirts
Total: $19
Are you ready to do your own Thristmas? If you’ve never bought pre-owned gifts, start small. Buy a book on someone’s hobby, or thrift an ornament and tea towel for a gift-topper. I combined thrifted items I knew they wanted or needed with some other, new items from their wish lists, but depending on your appetite for thrifting you could go all in on secondhand gifts for everyone.
Further Reading
I Just Discovered the Smartest Way to Store Paper Towels in Your Kitchen (It’s a Game-Changer!)
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
