Thrift Gifting 101: Giving Thoughtful Gifts that Won't Hurt Your Wallet

The holiday season is in full swing, and the charm of gift displays beckon and urge us to buy presents for loved ones and other people we hold dear. Thrift gifting is an option that works both ways: supporting sustainability while spending for less. 

However, gone are the days when gifting thrifted items are frowned upon. In fact, young people go thrift-shopping more than their older counterparts, with 34% of Gen Z consumers buying frequently at thrift stores. Thrift stores are treasure troves for different items; perfect for giving a unique gift for someone special.

This blog post covers the following:

• What is thrift gifting
• Dos and don'ts of thrift gifting
• Our recommended thrift gifting finds
• Keeping thrift gifting personal and meaningful

What is thrift gifting?

Thrift gifting, simply put, is giving gifts that are pre-loved, either from the gift-giver themselves (like precious heirloom items, or even good-quality hand-me-downs) or purchased at thrift stores. 

Thrift gifting is also known as thrift-a-gift, Thriftmas, or thrift giving. While typically done for the low price point, thrift gifting isn’t anything but cheap. It involves thoughtful treasure-hunting in thrift shops. Just like regular shopping, thrift gifting also involves comparing items and prices-thought the items may not always be similar, given the wide array of unique items available in thrift shops.

Some people do thrift giving not just to save, but to find stuff rarely sold as brand new, like vintage jewelry or a toy from their childhood. “Consumers are finding that the best gift does not have to be new, it just has to be special,” Kristen Brophy, senior vice president at ThredUp, confirms this in the ThredUp 2025 Holiday Report.

Is thrift gifting a new fad?

No. It’s quite common to think that gifts must always be brand new, but thrift gifting already existed long ago.  Parents used to pass on used items of value to their children or grandchildren, having zero gifting cost. In Canada during the inter-war and early post-war periods, second-hand toys were given as gifts. 

With the increasing popularity of thrift shopping, consumers are rediscovering the beauty of shopping for second-hand gifts. A 2021 ThredUp report mentions that 49% of consumers consider thrift gifting as an alternative to brand-new gifts.

Thrift gifting/Thriftmas is a trending movement, and looks like it will be in for the long haul (pun intended).

Do’s and Don’t of Thrift Gifting

Like any other practice, thrift gifting comes with dos and don'ts. Here are the tips we recommend to thrift givers.

Do:

• Research about the receiver’s preferences. Make sure they are okay receiving a gift that’s thrifted or vintage. Check what they like. It helps avoid disappointment for them, while you weed out poor-quality items that don’t fit their aesthetic. For example, will your sister-in-law fancy a candle warmer when she has constant rhinitis? A humidifier might be a better choice.
  Our tip: Use social media to your advantage by “stalking” their profile, if you have no idea what they like. You’ll be surprised how much you’ll find out about what they like and don’t like!
• Peel off price tags and stickers. You might be proud of how much of a steal you got your gifts for, but your receiver may not appreciate it. Keeping price tags and stickers on for the receiver to find out how cheap you bought the gift may focus their attention on the price instead of the thought behind giving and the quality of the material.
  Our tip: Use your hair dryer to gently melt off the glue of stubborn stickers. Still left with residue? Rubbing with a bit of alcohol or baking soda may help remove the glue stuck on the item.
• Gift items with good quality. Imagine receiving a collector’s board game, only to find out one important piece is missing. Annoying, right? The rule applies: never give items that are faded, damaged, or has missing parts. For clothing or accessories that have a missing button or clasp, but are too good to pass-take some time to fix it before wrapping and gifting the item. Quality should always be a priority for thrift-giving.
• Clean items before wrapping. This should be a non-negotiable. Items in thrift shops accumulate dirt and dust, especially when items are displayed for a long time. Accessories like shoes and bags must be wiped down gently with a soft cloth and a suitable cleaning solution. Clothes must be thrown in the wash or dry-cleaned based on label instructions. This step makes the receiver feel the extra effort you’ve made for the gift.
• Wrap the gift well. Sloppily-wrapped gifts may give a negative impression. Wrap your secondhand gifts nicely-or better yet, personalize it. Examples:
  • Wrap a history book with old maps, twine, and a wax seal (better if you have thrifted your wrapping materials, too!)
  • Gift items the furoshiki way by wrapping them in reusable cloth wrappers. A thrifted scarf doubles as a wrap and as an extra gift.
  • Use recycled paper bags from your receiver’s favorite stores.
  • Add hand-drawn gift tags, a gift card, or a handwritten note.

Other tips:

• For clothes, adding the person’s favorite fragrance sachet gives a touch of whimsy and thoughtfulness.
• Add extra little gifts that match the main gift. A candlestick holder would be nice with some candles; a bookmark complements a thick book.
• Old book pages or newspapers can also be used as wrapping paper, or used as crinkle filler paper for delicate gifts like china.

Don’t:

• Give random items: The phrase “It’s the thought that counts” holds true for gift-giving, whether new or thrifted. For example, a random picture frame feels impersonal and picked up last-minute.
• Gift items with little to no use. A band shirt riddled with holes won’t last the recipient for long; even if they choose to frame it, it’s ugly and not worth receiving. The same goes for items that catch dust in the house-little old figurines and tacky ashtrays when no one smokes.
• Give perfumes, makeup, or beauty products. These items should never make it to someone’s Thriftmas list for giving. Even if sealed and totally unused, these products degrade over time, increasing the chances of irritation for users. For example, a sealed blush from 2021 may not be as pigmented anymore as a new one, or a perfume produced in 2023 may have partially evaporated, changing the scent profile.
• Buy and gift intimate items. For hygiene purposes, never, ever purchase underwear for gifting and anything related to intimacy like lubricants and intimate toys. The same goes for razors, epilators, and electric toothbrushes.
  Give electronic products without testing. It’s great to thrift gift a Kindle for your niece, but if you haven’t tried it in the store if it works, there’s the chance it won’t work. Don’t take the risk-always test the item before giving it as a gift.
• Buy and gift something you want for yourself. It doesn’t mean that you loved it that your recipient will love it too!

Related reading: Six items you should never buy at the thrift store

Recommended Thrift Gift Finds

ThredUp’s 2025 Consumer Holiday Report lists these items as likely to be given for Thriftmas: 

Accessories

Tasteful thrifted accessories, like handbags, scarves and belts, add appeal to an outfit. Look for items that complement what the recipient already owns.

Coats and knits

The holidays are often chilly in most places; thrift gifting a coat or a cozy sweater keeps the cold away.

Related reading: Cozy season, but make it thrifted

Quality denim 

Classic denims are easy to mix and match for any wardrobe. Pick one that’s fit for the body type and the size of the recipient. 

Well-curated vintage items

More and more people are appreciating vintage items, be it kitchenware, clothing or home decor. Again, make sure it’s up to the receiver’s taste.

The Bottomline

Thrift giving makes it possible to give thoughtful gifts for less to important persons and loved ones. With the effort made through researching, choosing, cleaning, and wrapping gifts, it becomes an experience for the giver and shows extra love and care for the receiver.

Aside from stretching the budget, thrift gifting also allows items to have a second life rather than ending in landfills that harm the planet. It stretches the lifespan of clothes, furniture, and other common thrifted items.

When done right, thrift gifting can be more than just a penny-pinching trend; it becomes an expression of love and respect.