Anyone else still shopping for Christmas presents? Yeah me too.
I figure that if you wait till the last minute, well, it’ll only take a minute 🙂
And because I am super-cheap, I was totally inspired to shop till I flopped by all the great finds at my local Goodwill store. That’s right. I am talking about discount second-hand Christmas gift shopping. And why not? Not only do thrift stores carry some discounted treasures but then you can save a buck during the most expensive time of the year. And don’t fret about the smell that you are sure to carry with you afterwards – it’ll wash right out.
Now let’s get to some of those wares that I discovered that would make DIVINE christmas pressies.
This punch set comes complete with 12 mini glasses and a serving bowl. And not only does the $9 price tag tug on my heart strings but the star design that adorns the sides of the slightly square sides really makes this find sparkle. No entertainer would regift this one!
And speaking of pretty dishes – don’t forget to look through the stacks at your store for favorite designs or even plates you can dress up with a bit of ribbon. I found these two (each under $1.50) and all you have to do is wash, slip some pretty Christmas ribbon through the holes, fill with cookies and give to your neighbor as a small token of your awesomeness.
And if you have more than one neighbor or a bunch of teachers or friends, sets of dishes or chargers can be a lifesaver…just assembly-line your gifts and make sure to include a pretty tag.
And what woman wouldn’t love to get a pair of glass hurricanes under the tree?
The correct answer is ‘a crazy woman’.
You can throw me in that boat with her because I am CRAZY about these candleholders. I found these for $3 each…not too shabby for the avid decorator in your life. Can’t you imagine them filled with candies and wrapped with pretty satin ribbon? Or how bout revealing these at the $10 limit Christmas party gift exchange? Yeah – you just became the life of that party.
Even unusual items can be sweet fits at Christmas time. A cheap birds house would be just the thing to snag for an electic sister-in-law or that globally inspired aunt. And for only $3 you can afford to stick a silk scarf inside and some European chocolate 🙂 Not only would it be a gift but a unique wrapping!
Kid’s would totally understand the meaning of Christmas with a hand wooden box – fill it up with matchbox cars, or jars of candy or even a barbie grooming kit – and I promise, this box will not leave their hand. Plus, it makes life a whole lot easier for mom – during pick up time, toys get thrown in the box and can be carried all at once to the playroom.
Sure, some cheap finds are perfect as-is, and some, well they need tweaking…sortof like Nancy Pelosi’s facial skin. Nancy – between you and me – lay off the lifts. Wrinkles are hot. Embrace the wrinkles. In fact, try to loosen up your forehead skin a little – your eyebrows are growing into your hair line. And honestly, it is kinda freakin me out.
Okay – enough woman to woman banter….let’s move back to Goodwill shopping. Now wouldn’t this little hanging bin look darling with a new coat of paint? I can see it stuffed full of bathroom goodies – perfect for slipping into the loo for guests or for bestowing upon a friend like a gardening goodie-tin or a spa kit or you could even paint it and stuff it with a poinsettia for a hostess gift.
And let’s not forget about those booklovers – Goodwill has TONS of great books that are not just affordable but some can even help you CREATE great presents. This one from Martha Stewart Living is like a gift that keeps on giving. It gives tips on how to make homemade napkins, create hostess gifts and even put together gift bags for the loved ones in your life.
And for those of you that are still working on getting the courage to visit your local thrift store – yes, cheap stuff can intimidate some people – I put together some $20 and under gift ideas that will be sure to get you a spot at the adult dinner table….no thrifting required.
For the cook
Cupcake tree $14.99
Blue foil bon bon baking cups $1.59 for 75
Peppermint crunch sprinkles $3.29
For the Musician
Itunes giftcard $10
Ludwig ms1 hickory marching wood tip drum sticks $7
For the Ladies
Geometric Garden Dessert Plate $4
For the Naturalist
Rattan Cone Tree $8.38
Garden Song Classic Bird Feeder $4.37
For the Fashionista
Cable-knit Scarf $10
So tell me friends, have you ever found the perfect gift at a thrift store? Or maybe you have other penny-pinching present purchasing tips up your sleeve? Anybody have any other ideas about the perfect Christmas gift? Tell me all about it.
A girl after my own heart. I’m a major thrift store shopper. Clothes, house decor and gifts can all be found at Goodwill and other thrift stores. My teenage girls get the most compliments on outfits when they wear something from Goodwill. Its the way to shop!
I want to shop at YOUR goodwill! These finds are so inspiring that I think I might go to my favorite goodwill store RIGHT NOW.
My best find this year was a $5 Pottery Barn Kids easel at a yard sale. It had scribbles all over it from the previous owner, but after a quick coat of spray paint it looks brand-spanking fancy new.
After getting some chalk, dry erase markers and an eraser… my beautiful gift only cost about $15. I can’t wait to give it to my best friends daughter. I am so going to be her favorite Auntie!
Love this! I snagged some great finds for Halloween decorations this year at Goodwill. Unfortunately, I went to 3 different stores multiple times and the ones in my area (Nashville) never did have anything worth getting in terms of dishes and the like for Christmas presents. I apparently need to go Goodwill shopping with YOU Katie! : )
I did inexpensive gifts this year though….everyone got a glass platter from either Wal-Mart or Old Tyme Pottery, then I used glass etch to put a festive candycane and dots design on back of each platter. I’m going to include homemade chocolate and caramel pretzel rods with each plate. Each couple gets a platter and pretzels, total cost was around $7 per COUPLE. Woohoo!
PS Just noticed you organized and added some links to the categories at the top, it looks awesome! : ) Thanks so much!!!
Great post! Thrifting is one of my all-time favorite hobbies. I’m especially impressed with those candleholders . . . and a bit jealous, truth be told. When we moved from Ithaca, NY (which has uhhhhhhaaaaaamazing thrift stores), we kind of lost all our favorite stops. We’re visiting this weekend, so I’ll have to scope out what’s there as I, too, still have a ton of x-mas shopping to do.
Hooray for procrastination! It’s not laziness, it’s a lifestyle.
<3
I think you have the best luck at Goodwill! I really want a plate I can dress up with a ribbon! Our Goodwill is not to good here.
Great finds! I say ‘presy’ or “pressies’ too…haha.
When I go “treasure hunting” there is nothing like the thrill of the hunt. Somedays it’s a swing and a miss, other days you would think the heaven’s had opened and God’s light was shining on this bounty of amazing goodness. I think you are right in that sometimes you have to look at the “bones” of pieces. Would it look better a different color? Or is it missing an embellishment of some sort? Spray paint and hotglue are amazing tools! Happy Hunting…I mean Holidays!!!
Very cute ideas! You did a fab job working for every budget!
love the goodwill finds! i need to know which goodwill you frequent – i only find a treasure once every few times i go at the one near me!
I can’t believe you found that gorgeous punch bowl for $9! I want a punch bowl so bad but know I won’t use it that much so I don’t want to pay a lot. I went to some of the ‘antique’ shops around here and the cheapest one I found was $95 and it wasn’t as nice as your find. You have the best luck at Goodwill. I am so jealous ours is soooo nasty!
Oh, the goodwill smell. Jerry won’t go with me most days b/c it makes him uncomfortable. I just scored an antique record player that I hope to revamp in the Spring when I can open the garage door (blast these cold Western NY winters)!
Ok, so this is so NOT what your readers are probably looking for, but I thought I’d share anyway. One time I found a large jar with a cork on top (which would have been great to DIY a gift with), but INSIDE of it were 3 heads that were made out of nylon stockings. Stay with me. There was a tag hanging off the cork lid that said, “The Pickled Family”. I tried to google it so I could show you what it looked like, but alas. It must have been one of a kind. Anyway, when my husband and I were just newly dating, I bought it for him as a joke along with an “I Heart Ashton” pink ring that I found at the Goodwill checkout.
Turns out the joke was on me as it came to live with me when we got married. Somehow (I’m sure I don’t know how), it got “lost” during our last move. 😛
Love all your finds, btw.
hey lady friend….
looks like we just found out what we’re having 🙂
your little man should watch out…thats all I gotta say. Oh, and you should go to my blog and check out the gender-reveal video. For real.
xox
Seriously, your Goodwill is amazing! Hurricanes like that?!
100 points for your Goodwill store! Those finds seriously rock 🙂 I’m with everyone else, the thrill of the hunt is what suckers me in…this year everyone’s getting authentic Hawaiian coffee & Mauna Loa chocolate coconut macadamia nuts yummm! Hopefully they survive the trip across the ocean 🙂 We also did a video of our house & surrounding area for our family who hasn’t visited yet. Keep up the good work, I always look forward to what you’re up to next! 🙂
my own family has always given second-hand gifts, but as i’ve gotten old, i’ve had to get more creative with my in-laws and more “persnickety” friends who don’t shop used. this year, i was hit hard with requests from my children’s room-moms for monetary gifts for teachers. all told, i was looking at over $100 in “donations” for teachers’ Christmas gifts! ack! anyway, i decided to politely decline to participate, and the kids and i “made” thier gifts instead (OK, don’t get scared!) i saved my glass spaghetti and jam jars for several months. we cleaned them, removed labels, and spray painted the lids holiday colors. i ordered gourmet chocolate turltes from Sunnyland Farms in Georgia. then, we filled each jar with a few turltes, along with some of my favorite individually wrapped Bigelow teas. we printed a note for the inside that invited the recipient to sit down with their Bible and read the Nativity story in Luke chapters 1 & 2, over a cup of tea and a chocolate turtle. we embellished the outside of the jar with a gorgeous ribbon, jingle bell, and 2 christmas oraments, all bought in 10 packs from the Dollar Store. We finished them off with name tags that we made by cutting apart a Kirkland box with a shiny foil exterior! They look really, really cute. I tallied up the prices, and they come in under $2 a piece. I made about 15, and have enough for all the teachers, plus extras. they were some work, but worth it!
Your goodwill is so much better than mine. I am jealous every time I see your thrifty finds! The last time I went to Goodwill though, I spotted umpteen white ceramic animals that made me think of Sherry from YHL. All of your gift ideas are really cute!
Wow Heyruthie – It sounds like you really outdid yourself…and I am gonna have to check out that Sunnyland Farms place. Any southern turtle-makers are on my short list, if you know what I mean. I am sure that the teachers will love the gift-jars 🙂
XO – K to the B
These are all awesome ideas. Thanks for the inspiration!
Love this article. When I was teaching, my classes were of disadvantaged
children. One day I ruined a blouse with ink. One child said, “guess you
will throw that in the trash.” I said, “no, I’ll clean house in it.” That led
to kids asking where I shopped. I told them a few stores but that my favorite
place was Goodwill. After that, the kids were no longer ashamed to wear
their Goodwill clothes. I buy all kind of things there; love the fun of the
discoveries. Bet you do, too.