Thrift Stores Are the BEST Place for Last-Minute Gifts
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Does the phrase "last minute gift" conjure up a desperate trip to the drug store holiday aisle, where all you find is an off-brand candle to bring to Aunt Susie's? Or listlessly perusing a page of things that Amazon can overnight to you because you never did figure out what you were getting your sister-in-law? Perhaps it's time to consider that your local thrift store might be your very best source of down-to-the-wire presents. “Any thrift store you encounter can hold undiscovered, one-of-a-kind treasures that will be a more personal gift than anything you might find at a big-box retailer,” says Tracey Hilbert, owner of Eclectic Eccentric in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
If you find the prospect of spelunking in a thrift store overwhelming, start your hunt at a curated vintage shop. Prices might be higher, but you're still likely to find extremely affordable treasures. And you have the added benefit of training your eye to find quality pieces in the future. “Look closely and make sure to handle items so that you understand the hand feel and weight associated with quality,” advises San Francisco-based interior designer Palmer Weiss.
Whatever your preferred thrifting venue, it's important to browse with the recipients’ hobbies and passions in mind. It'll help you spot suitable gifts, and often it means you can pair your finds with something new or delicious. For example, antique glasses go well with a bottle of Prossecco; a ceramic planter and a new plant is a favorite combo; and a vintage pot paired with a gourmet soup mix is a fun surprise, says Hilbert.
Whatever you choose, you can take heart knowing that your thrifted purchase is a sustainable choice that has a positive impact on small and local business. “It is a great option for this time of year where consumption is in full swing and most of us are trying to stick to a budget and prevent waste where possible,” says Sarah Lyon, a writer and thrifting enthusiast.
Here are 11 holiday gift ideas that are sure to impress, according to expert thrifters and interior designers.
Anything Brass
Brass is one of the more common materials found in thrift and antique stores—bowls, vases, boxes, sculptures, and figurines. “Baldwin and English-made brass are highly desirable,” says Hilbert. Plus, vintage brass can cost a fraction of something new. “Look for it to be hefty and substantial—that can be polished up a touch and will make a beautiful gift,” adds Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design in Houston. (Barkeepers Friend can do wonders.)
Bar Accoutrements
For a friend who shows pride in her bar cart, Weiss looks no further than antique collectives for sterling spirits labels, crystal decanters, vintage cocktail napkins, and unique match strikers (a personal favorite). “The bar is typically in overdrive this time of year and every host appreciates a unique treasure to add to their station,” she says. To find true gems, you may have to pursue cluttered vitrines so your search may need laser focus to curb the visual overload so you don’t miss an unexpected gift.
Glassware and Crystal Trinket Bowls
For glasses, the goal is to spot a set of four, six or eight. If you're looking to supplement another gift, a crystal trinket bowl paired with a tin of nuts or candies makes a sweet addition. (Never pass up a small bowl by Orrefors or Mikasa says Lyon.)
If you can’t find a matched set, mixing-and-matching is a-okay. “It makes finding your drink a little easier when entertaining,” says Lauren Branch, principal of Kefi Home Interiors in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Decorative Boxes and Trinket Trays
For a friend on an organizing kick, look for objects that are as beautiful as they are functional. “Trinket trays or decorative boxes are endlessly versatile—great for corralling earrings on a nightstand, holding candles on a coffee table, or as a chic soap dish,” says Los Angeles interior designer and home stager Francesca Grace. “If you find one with an unusual shape or intricate design, even better!”
Pottery and Ceramics
Handmade items have a distinct quality to them, especially if you stumble on something made by a true craftsman. Bethany Adams of Bethany Adams Interiors in Louisville, Kentucky, is a fan of Rookwood pottery, handcrafted ceramics that go back 140 years, and come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. “It makes the perfect gift because you can buy a beautiful piece for under $50, but there is such inherent quality to each vase, or vessel that there is nothing about it that says, ‘I grabbed this from a crowded table of junk,’” she says.
Ice Buckets
You can sometimes find a vintage ice bucket from an iconic French brand like Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Perrier-Jouët, or Dom Pérignon. “These brands often produced promotional ice buckets that are highly collectible, especially rare editions made in France,” says Calabasas, California-based interior designer Lindsey Colhoun. “Look for bold logo branding.”
Cast Iron Cookware
A cast iron pan may not seem like a very hot gift (at first), but when paired properly, it can be a thoughtful (and very affordable) present. “Cast iron is made to last and honestly gets better with age,” says Stephanie Jones, co-owner and business manager of Blue Jay Interiors in Tomball, Texas. “Pair a skillet with a cookbook or subscription to a food magazine and you've given the cook in your life a gift that keeps on giving.
And if you’re lucky enough to find 1960s cast iron cookware, it can be valued at more than $400 dollars now. Enameled cast iron pieces by Dansk and Le Creuset are also lucky finds, Hilbert notes.
Vases
You can’t go wrong with flowers as a hostess gift, but a bouquet in a vintage vase takes it to the next level. “Look out for anything marked Murano, which means it was made in Murano, Italy, which has been making the finest glassware for hundreds of years,” Scott says. “Barovier&Toso, Lalique, Tiffany, and Baccarat are some names to look out for as well.”
Candlesticks
Candlesticks are a charming gift and come in a variety of styles, materials, and sizes at almost any thrift store. “If you can find column or tulip-style mid-century pieces, they’re particularly stunning and highly sought after,” says Jessica Davis, founder of interior design studio Atelier Davis and hardware brand Nest Studio. “Mix and match different styles to create an eclectic, one-of-a-kind set.”
Books
“Don’t underestimate the power of thrift store books, especially if they are old editions of classic stories,” says Chicago-based Dijana Savic-Jambert, co-founder of Maredi Design. “It could double as a thoughtful gift that can be beautifully displayed.” You can also find darling children’s books with gorgeous illustrations.
Lamps
For a true interior design fan, a lamp is an unexpected gift and you find quirky and cool designs—I once spotted a Palm Beach Regency-style pineapple lamp base in brass for $25. “Try pairing a funky, vintage base with a new shade to create a one-of-a-kind lamp that suits your recipient’s style,” says Kristin Keyes, an interior designer in Nashville. You’ll likely need a new lamp shade, but you can snag one at HomeGoods or a lamp store with a shade counter.
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