5 Christmas Gift Ideas From the Thrift Store

Christmas gifts don’t have to break the bank or come from a big box retailer. That’s why I’m sharing five gift ideas with you that come from the thrift store! Want more thrifting inspo? I have more saved under my thrifting tab HERE!

Not everyone is a fan of secondhand items or things that come from the thrift store, so you definitely need to know your audience on this one. That doesn’t mean that bits and pieces can’t be secondhand, though—especially the gift boxes and gift wrap!

Now before you get weirded out...the cocoa mix isn’t thrifted, but the containers and accessories are!

You can go as wild with this gift as you want, including all the add-ons and mix-ins!

You’ll need a container to gift the mix in, first. I love this canister (thanks...it’s thrifted!), but a pretty jar would be best for transport. You might also want a basket to arrange everything in.

Add-On Ideas:

-Measuring scoop
-Mugs
-Spoons
-Fun plates or bowls
-Festive towel
-Tray
-Framed instructions with how to prepare

Mix-In Ideas:
-Gourmet marshmallows
-Caramel sauce
-Chocolate chips or candies
-Candy canes or crushed peppermint candies
-Whipped topping
-Dusting chocolate
-Adult beverages (Rumchata, Kahlua, or Bailey’s)

The sky is the limit for gifting homemade hot cocoa mix—shared in a thrifted canister or jar! Make it special with all the extras or keep it simple with just the mix and instructions!

Love recipes? You can find all of mine HERE!

I love to get fresh flowers, whether I buy them myself or someone else does.

I also really like the idea of gifting consumables (did you catch my post yesterday?) AND items that can serve more than one purpose.

Maybe that’s me projecting onto others, but Christmas can feel like a lot. There’s a sudden influx of “stuff” to find a home for. I try not to burden others with that feeling.

A pitcher and fresh flowers is an easy way to gift someone with something consumeable and something useful! The pitcher can always be used as a vessel for fresh cut stems, but can also hold drinks! Bonus...because it’s lovely, the pitcher can always act as shelf decor.

Some helpful tips:

1. I like to look for white pitchers...white goes with everything.
2. Glass is better than plastic.
3. Make sure there aren’t any cracks in it. Cracks will let water through.
4. Trader Joe’s is a great place to get fresh flowers!
5. You could easily use add a rosemary tree to the pitcher if you’re gifting for Christmas. Smells amazing and will last!
6. My #1 flower to buy, that will last forever, is alstroemeria. They come in several colors and fill up a bouquet! You could buy a few expensive stems and highlight them in a bouquet of alstroemeria.

The pitcher + flowers would be perfect as a hostess gift, thank you or birthday gift, or for anyone who loves beauty and function!

Is it just me or are there so many DVD’s at the thrift store??

Yeah...that’s what I thought. Also, the best part? They’re so cheap!

That’s what gave me the idea for the Movie Night Basket!

What to thrift:

-Basket
-Cozy blanket (you can wash it)
-DVD’s (Make it extra fun and find some with similar themes!)
-Jars for popcorn + treats
-Fun bowls

Add in some popcorn + candy and whoever gets this gift will love it!

What movies would you look for to include?

We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.

Name that movie!

Dessert Charcuterie Boards are so fun + easy to put together and you can customize it to each person’s taste!

What’s thrifted:

-Serving board
-Linen towel
-Egg cups (It’s fun to display the food at different heights)
-White pot (Perfect for the tall, skinny Pirouettes!)
-Ironstone soap dish (The chocolate Candy sticks look great on it.)

Treats I used (do a little research to find out what the recipient(s) love):

-White Cheddar Popcorn (Not a dessert, but nice to have something to off-set the sweets.)
-Rice Krispies Treats
-Pirouette Chocolate Wafers
-Hollow Chocolate Ornaments
-Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies
-Frosted Soft Sugar Cookies
-Chocolate Candy Sticks
-Trail Mix (Someone might want to be healthy... 🤣)

(P.S. I found all the treats at Aldi!)

If possible, this would be fun to assemble for someone, wrap in plastic, and deliver.

If that doesn’t work, gather all the ingredients and give instructions along with them. You could get really creative with this, even including a diagram of where to put what!

Start gathering boards + trays, a variety of serving vessels, and linens at the thrift store, so you’ll be ready the next time you need a unique gift idea!

Purses!! Well, really clothing and accessories in general. I thrifted this butter-soft sweatshirt recently and the Birkenstock sandals I’m wearing too! I thrifted them 2 years ago at the Goodwill Outlet in Des Moines, IA and have worn them non-stop.

I mean...even my mirror is thrifted! 🤣🤷🏼‍♀️

I wanted to focus for this post, though (squirrel!) on some of the purses I’ve been able to thrift. Thrifting is such a great way to buy gifts that you maybe wouldn’t be able to afford to get people otherwise!

1. Altared State from Many Hands Thrift Market. This bag was in mint condition when I got it and is so good!
2. Merona brand from Target. I got this one NWT (new with tags) at Many Hands Thrift Market.
3. Marc by Marc Jacobs found at one of the Des Moines Goodwill stores. Love the color and that it’s real leather!
4. Another Marc by Marc Jacobs found at Goodwill of the Heartland. I always try to thrift when I’m out of town and this trip paid off!
5. I found this bag at the Goodwill Outlet and have gotten a million compliments on it!

I hope this post proves to you that really nice, name brand things are waiting for you at the thrift store. Whether you’re buying them for gifts or maybe just for yourself, you can save so much money by buying secondhand.

Oh, and also, I know that people can worry that shopping at the thrift store will create a certain look in your home or your outfits.

While I think that’s true—it’s not at all what you think. Shopping secondhand will truly give you a unique, personal, and cool style to everything you put together!

Have I convinced a you to gift from the thrift store yet?? I would love for you to share your thrift store gift ideas to your instagram story and tag me so I can see! You can find me on Instagram at @hilaryprall.