Thrifted but Fancy Holiday Gift Recommendations for the Family

Shower family with gifts that spread the love but don’t look and feel cheap.

The holiday season isn’t over yet, and gifts are still welcome to give (and receive). There’s no more shame in saving by buying gifts from thrift shops, provided the people you gift them don’t mind it at all.  You’re contributing to sustainability and stretching every penny. That’s already a win.

But we have to admit: going to a thrift store without any plan in mind or even an inkling on what to get Aunt Maggie this holiday is overwhelming. It’s so easy to get lost in shelves and shelves of stuff. You will either be:

• Left with too many choices (and unplanned purchases) or
• Not able to buy anything due to too many options

So we’ve curated thrifted gift recommendations for your thrift giving, minus the chaos and full of thoughtfulness.

Finding “Almost New” or “Good as New” Thrift Items

For most of us, finding almost new or good as new items is the ideal. Unless your receiver prefers vintage pieces (which may show considerable signs of use), it’s always good to pay attention to quality.

And yes, it is possible to find items that are in very good condition in thrift shops or consignment stores. An avid thrift enthusiast, Dana Ryan, on her YouTube channel Debt Free Dana, affirms what we at SellRaze always emphasize: secondhand does not mean second-best. Knowing when discount days happen, when new items are put out on the shelves, and setting a shopping goal (like this day you will shop for kitchenware, the next day for clothes) helps you score better items at a lower price, says Ryan.

Thrifted Holiday Gift Recommendations for the Family

Thrifted Gift ideas for Mom

• Cute kitchenware:  From serving and baking dishes to cast-iron pans, the thrift store rarely disappoints. Dana shows in her video how she was able to thrift a Rachael Ray baking dish for $3.99 (brand-new price was around $50).
• A next-season accessory: A warm but lightweight shawl which she can use by the time winter gives way to spring is a great gift idea.
• A DIY spa experience: Give Mom a luxe spa experience minus the hefty price tag by compiling a DIY spa kit consisting of soft towels, an equally soft robe, scented candles or a reed diffuser. Add in brand-new bath bombs or a body wash, and surely this will bring her to smile. Can’t give a set? Any of these thrifted suggestions will do.

Related reading: Items Never to Buy in a Thrift Store

Thrifted Gift Ideas for Dad

• Fishing gear: These fishing kits and accessories will help Dad feel the hunter in him come alive. 
• Hiking accessories: Outdoorsy dads will also love hiking boots and equipment (just double-check quality for these items, to ensure safety when hiking)
• A barbecue gift set: For the dad who loves to grill, a portable grill, a grill tool set, and a wacky apron sets the mood for some serious barbecuing.

Thrifted Gift Ideas for Sisters

• Fashion finds: A bag or a scarf that’s very slightly used may just be t the item she needs for a wardrobe refresh. Other items like a hat or gloves works, too. Of course, you can’t go wrong with clothing. Designer brands go for less in thrift shops, so it’s easy to score brand-name clothing for her that suits her style. 
• Craft materials: If she’s the artsy type who likes to DIY, kits for painting or beadwork may suit her. 
• Home decor: Is she redecorating her room? Even if she’s not, a painting, vases and knick-knacks that suits her style  (like Sonny Angels or Smiski) adds a touch of class (or whimsy) to her space.

Thrifted Gift Ideas for Brothers

• Vintage games and collectibles: If your brother is a collector, these items will delight him as he adds them to his priceless collection. We recommend making a DIY Game Kit which includes several game sets.
• Sports memorabilia: Similar to collectibles and with a wide range of items. Pick ones from his favorite sports and team.
• Electronic games: Slightly-used gaming consoles like Nintendo make brothers of all ages happy. Pair with gaming accessories like gloves, or a cushion with a merch logo to make long gaming hours comfortable.

Thrifted Gift Ideas for Sisters-in-Law

• Elegant, tasteful jewelry: Either go for minimalist pieces or embellished but still classy ones. You can score 14 to 18k gold even in thrift shops, when someone must have overlooked and donated a piece of considerable value. 
• Homeware: Be it kitchenware or home decor, consider getting pieces that already match her aesthetic.
• DIY Tea/ Coffee Set: A vintage tea set with loose-leaf tea or cute mugs with coffee beans lets her enjoy the gift with the product.

Thrifted Gift Ideas for Brothers-in-Law

• Books: Books from bestselling authors can easily be found in any thrift store. An avid reader would truly enjoy them. 
• Adventure gear: Much like our dads, our brothers-in-law also love adventure. A camping chair and a portable stove will help a lot during his trips
• Secondhand watches: Any man appreciates knowing the time. Get him one that’s good-as-new and will last him a few more years.

Thrifted Gift Ideas for Nieces

• Fashion items: Get her cute clothing, bags and shoes. Either give her a piece or a whole outfit.  Make sure it matches her style and needs.
• Creative craft kits: Get those DIY kits for a niece who loves to get her hands busy with crafting. Or better yet, make your own DIY kit-for example, she loves to paint - get her pigments in tubes, an easel, a paintbrush set, and a canvas for her to showcase her ideas.
• Electronics: A secondhand IPad or Kindle would bring her joy.

Making Thrifted Gifts Shine

You’ve bought gifts, now you wonder: how to make them fancy as if they were bought brand-new? We give you these hassle-free tips that’s surely worth the effort.

Clean and refresh

• Thrift store items are notoriously famous for dust and allergens. 
• Run clothing items in the wash and iron them before gifting. 
• Wipe off dust from kitchen and home ware. 
• Fix boxes of games and toys sold in their original packaging (or better yet, use another box if it’s way too torn, but the contents are intact).

Wrap gifts elegantly

You don’t need expensive wrapping paper to elevate your thrifted gifts. Even simple household items like twine, plain paper bags, old maps and even cloth, when tastefully wrapped, makes a simple gift look as if it were expensive.

Personalize

Your personal touch is as important as the gift itself-it shows that you have given thought before deciding to give gifts. Here’s how you can make a thrifted gift personalized:

• Handmade cards and tags with handwritten notes extends the holiday cheer better.
• Add your receiver’s favorite perfume sachet to the package when giving out clothes.
• Tuck in some extra gifts (like a cookie or a candy bar, wrapped securely) for a surprise.
• Gifting books? Slide in a gift card from their favorite café so they can sip warm drinks while reading.
• When gifting pots, baking dishes and related kitchen items, also include ingredients, or pair kitchen tools with a bottle of spices.

More tips for thrift gift shopping

• Check your local stores for discount days
• Ask employees when they usually bring out new stocks
• Categorize shopping days so you won’t get overwhelmed
• Make a list of possible gift choices for each family member

The Bottomline

Thrifting gifts and making them feel brand-new is definitely doable, and more personal. As you pour more effort in finding and preparing the gifts, family members will certainly feel the love from each gift you give. Mother Earth will thank you, too, as the lifespan of the thrifted items gets extended as you gift them.  

Celebrate the season with SellRaze. With its AI-powered listing capabilities, you’ll never have to worry about listing descriptions. Price your listings consistently by comparing prices for similar items from other reselling apps, and cross post to several platforms, all at once with a toggle of a button. Sell with ease, sell with SellRaze.