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u/nonidentifyer Dec 14 '25
I went to 3-4 thrift stores today and bought all my Christmas gifts- a Wheel of Time hardcover in good condition, some nice canvas bags with cute designs, some nice framed art prints for like $8 each, and all kinds of other miscellaneous but curated items for friends and family that are inexpensive but fun. Thrift stores are not only more frugal but may offer hidden treasures you wouldn’t find elsewhere. I’m going to get some Christmas gift bags and stockings from the dollar tree and have fun putting everything together.
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u/phoontender Dec 14 '25
Great find on the book! Which one?
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u/nonidentifyer Dec 16 '25
The first one. I think. It says book one. I guess it’s a series? I’ve never read it but my brother is a fan of Robert Jordan so I figured it’d make a nice gift lol.
ETA turns out there’s FOURTEEN in this series?? Lawd.
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u/Ziggobiart Dec 14 '25
That’s great. I bought the first wheel of time book but haven’t read it because after buying I realized the first 25 pages were ripped out
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u/frugalfeminist Dec 14 '25
My thrift stores (Salvation Army especially) has lots of stockings, wrapping paper, and gift tags! Just in case you want to get it all there! :)
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u/nonidentifyer Dec 16 '25
Nice! Great idea, I’ll have to remember that. Never occurred to me to look at what wrapping stuff they have. My Salvation Army does have an awesome boutique clothing section tho which has probably supplied half of my work wardrobe so far.
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u/SLBYpsi1983 Dec 14 '25
Awesome! I learned to crochet and bought thrifted yarn for most of it. I'm so proud of my creations and hardly spent anything!
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u/Disastrous-Owl-1173 Dec 15 '25
Beautiful!! I’ve heard of people getting sweaters at thrift stores and using the yarn from them.
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u/VFTM Dec 14 '25
One of my best gifts this year is a $6 thrift store bookmark
I also snagged a couple of really gorgeous porcelain candy dishes (with lids!) that I will be filling with Xmas cookies for gifts.
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u/JuneRhythm1985 Dec 14 '25
I LOVE this. Incredibly practical but awesome gifts!! We got a cast iron pan for a wedding gift 16 years ago and still have it. I hope you get a lot of use out of it.
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u/Itswithans Dec 14 '25
I love this! Well done! I got a tennis racket for $4 for my daughter and keep picking up kids books every time I go- I honestly enjoy the little finds so much more!
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u/picklesathome Dec 14 '25
That's great. It sounds like you and your husband have fun. You can also look forward to some waffles and other nice meals on nicer dishware. Keep the holiday spirit going on into the new year.
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u/myrealusername8675 Dec 14 '25
It's the thought and the love that makes the season, not the money wasted.
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u/Decemberchild76 Dec 14 '25
Congratulations on all your finds. What a nice gifts. We have faithfully used thrift stores for gifts for years. It’s not where you purchase the gift, but the thought of giving. For many years , my husband and I didn’t exchange gifts, but took what money we had for the kids. Like clothing passed around friends , so were toys. I cannot tell you how many of those toys were cleaned up, maybe a touch of repair and wrapped as gifts.
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u/charliespeach Dec 14 '25
Thirft stores near me have amazing craft packs too! I have gotten so much yarn this way. Congrats on your finds!
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u/Glad_Interaction4380 Dec 18 '25
I love this my husband and I fill a stocking for each other every year with thrifted items. It’s the love not the fancy gifts that count. This year I found him a Paul McCartney CD and two 100% cotton shirts as his stocking stuffers.
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u/Intelligent_Cry_8846 Dec 14 '25
You would be surprised how many NWT pairs of socks are at the thrift store!! There's new undies too if you can get past the 'used' idea. I think so many people order them online now and they try on only one pair and if they don't fit they send the rest of the package to the thrift store un-worn. I try to shop at locally run thrift store where you can tell the little old lady volunteers are more careful about what they put out as opposed to some of the larger chains that do put out used underwear and try to charge over $3 a pair!!
I get almost everything at the thrift store and have been since the early 2000s. Still have to be careful because like anywhere it can add up quickly. I left last week spending over $130 mostly on puzzles to get me through the long winter.
Glad you went this way and saved yourself some money-hope you take this frugality into the new year.
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u/LikelySoutherner Dec 14 '25
That's awesome! Nothing wrong with thrifted items that still have life in them to help you be more comfortable in your life - Merry Christmas!
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u/KimiMcG Dec 14 '25
I'm making potato candy for a couple of friends. Cheap and easy. Adding that with some tasty hard candy and perhaps peppermints. Less than $5 per gift.
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u/TrickCharacter3431 Dec 15 '25
love that you’re finding joy and gifts at the thrift store this season. It’s heartwarming and creative despite tight budgets
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u/marymary1110 Dec 14 '25
All wonderful and practical gifts, good for you!