Thrifting Holiday Gifts: Thoughtful, Budget-Friendly, and Sustainable
The holiday season is a wonderful time to share thoughtful gifts with loved ones, and there’s no better way to do it sustainably than through thrifting! With a bit of creativity and some DIY touches, you can create meaningful gifts that won’t break the bank. Here are six amazing thrifted gift ideas to inspire your holiday giving:
1. Thrifted Dish Filled with Tasty Treats
For a personal and delicious gift, find a beautiful thrifted dish and fill it with homemade goodies. I found a stunning dish for just $4, later discovering it was worth over $100! I baked chocolate-covered almond biscotti to fill it (recipe is linked here - https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/chocolate-dipped-almond-biscotti/) , then added a 99-cent vintage ornament tied to the lid for a festive touch. This simple yet elegant gift is sure to impress.
Recipient: Hostess, teacher, mailman, and anyone really!
2. Picnic Basket Gift Set
Create a cozy picnic experience with a thrifted picnic basket. Fill it with:
A thrifted blanket
A thrifted wine opener
Thrifted wine glasses
A bottle of wine
This thoughtful and practical gift is perfect for couples or wine enthusiasts and can be tailored to suit any recipient.
Recipient: Newly wed couple, recent college graduate
3. Tween Gift Basket
Shopping for a tween? Here’s a fun, affordable option:
A thrifted Vans shirt for $5
Cute thrifted flower bowls for jewelry or trinkets
Thrifted macaron bath bombs
A thrifted glass paired with new straws
Mix thrifted finds with small new additions to create a unique and stylish gift for the young trendsetter in your life.
Recipient: Teen! Teens are more into thrifting now more than ever so they will appreciate this gift the most!
4. For the Plant Lover
Delight the plant lover in your life with a curated gift set:
A thrifted planter filled with a rosemary tree from Trader Joe’s
A thrifted $2 frame featuring DIY artwork made on Canva
An antique brass plant mister ($35, slightly over budget but worth it!)
Quick Tutorial: Creating Artwork in Canva
Open Canva and search for “Art Print” templates.
Choose a template or start with a blank canvas.
Add your design elements (e.g., quotes, shapes, or botanical illustrations).
Customize colors and fonts to match your theme.
Download your design and print it out to fit the thrifted frame.
This personalized gift is beautiful and practical for any plant enthusiast.
Recipient: Hostess, plant lover, teacher
5. Refreshed Cutting Board Gift Set
A cutting board can make an excellent gift with a little TLC. I found a thrifted cutting board that needed a refresh:
Disinfected it thoroughly
Sanded it with 220-grit sandpaper
Oiled it with food-safe oil
I paired the refreshed cutting board with a thrifted book and some new cheese knives from Target (since I couldn’t find any thrifted ones). It’s a perfect gift for the foodie or entertainer in your life.
6. Christmas Potpourri
Bring holiday scents to life with homemade Christmas potpourri:
Ingredients: dried oranges, cranberries, rosemary, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks
Presentation: thrifted a cute pot and added a tag with instructions for simmering the potpourri over the stove.
This fragrant and festive gift is both decorative and functional, sure to bring joy to any home.
Here is where I got the free Christmas printable for the potpourri but you can easily make this in Canva too, if you want to customize it!
Thrifting for holiday gifts not only saves money but also gives each gift a unique and personal touch. By adding your own creative flair, you can transform secondhand finds into treasures that your loved ones will adore. Happy thrifting and gifting!
