Gift giving should be about the gift and the receiver, not the cost. Doing what I call “Second Chance” gifting is a great way to not only save in the pocketbook, but give in a more sustainable and thoughtful way. Thrift Gifting not about just buying a bunch of used stuff either. It’s about upcycling, repurposing and greener gifting. I recently shared on a segment on WGN Daytime Chicago, about thrift gifting and how it has gained popularity. Here are some fun tips for Thrift Store Gifting and ideas to put baskets together.
Tips on Thrift Store Gifting:
Items The Thrift Store Frequently Has A Lot Of:
Books
Wine glasses and glassware
Mugs
Plates and serving platters
Craft supplies such as rubber stamps
Vases especially glass ones
Records
Picture frames
Art
Crystal and cut glass
Clothing
Jewelry
Clean Thrift Store Items Appropriately Before Gifting
Clean items appropriately after bringing them home before gifting. Soft goods such as blankets, towels, clothing and tablecloths can be laundered, glasses ware and ceramics washes in the dishwasher and items such as baskets can vacuumed. For smaller items like books that are aren’t washable, place in a trash bag and put in the deep freezer for at least a week. Make sure to look over items carefully and leave behind anything that has an odor or seems unsafe. If you aren’t sure just leave it behind.
Do A Safety Check On Thrift Store Items
Before gifting ceramic, glassware or jewelry do a lead check on each item, and is in good condition. Pass on anything with an off or musty odor. Make sure nothing your are gifting has been recalled. All soft goods need to be laundered, Don’t gift any type of bath, cosmetic,perfume, candles or consumables from the thrift store. Buy those new and add them to your gifting. Pass on anything of unknown safety. When in doubt, leave an item behind.
Go To The Thrift Store With Certain People In Mind And What They Like
It’s easy to get inside of a thrift store and either feel instantly overwhelmed or buy just a bunch of random stuff. By going into the store with gift ideas in mind, it helps narrow down not only the feeling of not knowing where to start, but what to focus on. While you find you might stumble upon something that is perfect for someone, it can help avoid the impulse to just buy things you don’t need or won’t add to a gift. For instance if you know “A friend” loves wine, you can plan on putting together a basket that has a table cloth, set of wine glasses, decorative wine cork ornament and a book on wine, appetizers or entertaining. For the jewelry lover in your life, grab a beautiful glass container, add craft store felt and add vintage jewelry pieces inside.
Be Willing To Be Flexible On What You Find
Sometimes you can go in with an idea and not find the exact thing you’re looking for. After all, that’s a part of the thrill of the hunt! Maybe you can’t find a tablecloth, but do find a pretty piece of fabric or vintage scarf to line the basket with. Or maybe you don’t see any nice stemmed wine glasses, but instead find some gorgeous juice glasses that would work instead.
Make and Add Some Items To Add To Your Thrift Store Gifting
Something you’ve made such as a hand stamped towel, a painted item or ornament can add a special touch to your thrift gift. Baked goods on a sanitized food safe platter or plate are also a fun idea.
Find Items That Can Get A New Purpose
A vintage wood box for a few dollars and old wallpaper border takes on new life. By gluing the wallpaper boarder inside of the box as a lining and filling it with favorite things like stationary, craft supplies or other items the box becomes a custom and beautiful item to gift.
Gifting a wide mouth vase? Instead of filling it with flowers, turn it into an open top snow globe. Now your recipient has a cute holiday decor item and a vase or candle holder to use later.
Grab Glass and Crystal Trays and Dishes
Vintage glass trays in good conditions can be used as soap dishes, trinket trays and the base to other items. A beautiful crystal pedestal bowl with wrapped candy makes a gorgeous gift.
Cluster items together to create a complete gift
Books tucked in the back, mugs and a cute towel, wrapped candles with candle sticks or even a vase, can all be paired together to create a complete gift.
Add New Items to Your Thrifted Items
Add to your thrift store gifting with items from the Dollar store or other stores. Packets of hot cocoa from the grocery store, a new candle from the Dollar store or lotion and lip balms from the drug store can round our a nice gift with a few extra items.
Thrift gifting is gift giving with personality. It can be something that not only saves you money but creates custom and personal gifts as well! If you liked this post you might also like easy to make and crafty teacher gift ideas.
