By: Broke Baddie...

If you’re an avid thrift store shopper, it’s worth considering your loved ones during each and every hunt. Why? Because I tried it for a year, and managed to score perfect gifts for everyone I love—all for under $200!

If a thrift find would appeal to somebody you care about, why not buy it as a gift and save it for a special occasion? You can save finds for birthdays, Christmas, or even rainy days when you just want to put a smile on somebody’s face.

All you need is a dedicated storage space that can effectively hide a handful of presents. I stored mine in a cabinet in plain sight, and told my family they weren’t allowed to peak!

Sometimes you find a very special item that simply doesn’t work for you. Perhaps you have something similar already, or it doesn’t quite match your style… but that vintage flower pot would look stunning in my sister’s garden!

One of the advantages of this method is the thoughtfulness and care that goes into the process. Everyone appreciates an authentic gift, and it’s easy to find one naturally when you keep it in the back of your mind.

This approach is also way more sustainable than buying a bunch of new items from a big box store. Sticking to secondhand shopping is the best way to avoid supporting things like chemical pollution & inhumane labor conditions.

Supporting small businesses & local artisans is also a more sustainable option for gifting, but thrifting is my favorite because of the value!

For instance, imagine receiving a magnificent art piece as a gift from a friend. An original painting that matches your taste perfectly, and reflects your personality. You might even assume they spent a fortune on it!

Yet, you can find incredible art pieces with that level of impact at most thrift stores for under $20. After all, there is an inherent value in things that are both handmade and one of a kind that speaks to creatives and sentimental souls.

Being a particularly sentimental soul myself, I spent 2024 collecting gifts all year round for the first time. Little by little, I harvested presents during my thrifty travels, and hid them in my little cabinet when I got home.

When Christmas rolled around, I hardly had to do any shopping! I was able to focus on family instead, gifting myself the freedom to relax. If you try this in 2025, you won’t regret it! Everybody loves a piece of secondhand heaven...

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