Thrifting for Gifts & Entertaining
How was your weekend? I took off a little early last Friday and kicked off mine with some thrift shopping. It had been awhile since I had ducked into my favorite stores. I especially love thrifting this time of year because it’s the season of giving, gathering, and entertaining! It’s a fun & inexpensive way to cross things off the list. Whether you’re hosting and need additional glassware or serveware, are setting a tablescape, or are looking for unique gift ideas, I wanted to share some of my go-to holiday thrifting items with you. Click through for some tips & tricks, and to see what I typically hunt for during the month of December, when it comes to thrift shopping!
I always keep my eyes peeled for very specific things this time of year. I’m typically looking for either entertaining items or unique gifts. If I’m hosting, I’ll jot down a list of quantities needed and what type of items I need to fill in any gaps I may have when entertaining or serving dinner. For example, a few years back- I decided to serve festive cocktails and was hosting quite a few friends for the holidays. Rather than buying cheap plastic cups, I really had my heart set on glassware I could use year-after-year. I wanted all of my glassware to match and stumbled across 20+ matching coupes that were perfect for our party. I snagged the entire set for under $15! I never would have had the budget to buy 20 nice cocktail glasses, had I not found them thrifting.
If you’re hosting, gathering, or gifting this season (and need a fun excuse to go thrift shopping), I hope these lists are fun and helpful in brainstorming practical & beautiful things that may come in handy and save you money!
HOSTING & ENTERTAINING ITEMS
- Glassware
- Place Settings (Dishes, Plates, Flatware, Chargers, etc)
- Serveware
- Vintage Silver
- Vases or Pedestals for Centerpieces
- Holiday or Seasonal Decor
- Cloth or Cocktail Napkins
- Vintage Ribbon
- Candleholders & Taper Candles
During one of my previous thrift trips, I stumbled upon an entire cabinet filled with vintage silver (pictured above). These are the types of heirloom items that would be perfect for a fancy holiday dinner or tablescape! They just need a little polish and love. Let’s move onto thrifted gift ideas…
THRIFTED GIFT IDEAS
- Vintage Artwork
- Marble Objects
- A Vintage Vase Filled with Florals
- Glassware Sets
- Copper Pots & Pans
- Vintage Rolling Pins or Baking Items
- Fashion Items- like Vintage Bags & Jewelry
- Unique Books
- A Vintage Frame with a Favorite Photo
- Interesting Decor Objects (Sculptural Busts, Magnifying Glass, Ginger Jar, etc)
When it comes to thrifting gifts, keep in mind what feels special or personal to the recipient. For example, the book above ticked all the boxes for me… it’s linen bound, has beautiful embossed gold leaf typography, is in great condition, and the subject matter is perfect for my friend, Laurie Anne, who is an artist that resides in Phoenix. It’s a book she would really appreciate it and I bought it with her mind.
Often times I’ll find something that sparks a pair or a set… something old and something new. One year I found a beautiful coffee mug set and paired it with a bag of local sipping chocolate. That turned out to be a really thoughtful & appreciated gift- and it cost me less than $20. Sometimes the creativity of thrifting for gifts helps to spark ideas in general. Just go into the store without an agenda and see what feels inspiring! Of course, striking out is bound to happen at times, but I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and it always seems like well-spent “me time”- even during the hustle & bustle of the holidays. It’s a fun challenge and a chance to escape my everyday routine.
Ready to see some holiday finds I spied during my thrifting trip a few days ago? Here are a few examples if you’re hosting! These hand-painted crimson bordered plates would be ideal for a holiday tablescape. There were a TON of them, too… so if I were hosting a large group, I definitely would’ve snagged these.
Glassware gets me every time. These martini glasses were heavy, had beautiful seasonal etchings on them, and there was a full set of eight. At seventy-five cents per glass, that is such a great deal! This was at my local DI (which is Utah’s equivalent to Goodwill).
I also look for place settings and serveware I can use for multiple occasions, holidays, or set at the table year round. I found some gold rimmed dishes that felt extra classic & special- in a variety of sizes.
I think it goes without saying, you have to look past the grime sometimes. In many situations, it can be a major turnoff, but after running these through the dishwasher- they’d look really gorgeous and bright.
Do you enjoy thrifting during the holiday season? I know it’s a busy (and sometimes stressful) time of year, so I feel like most people either love or hate it during the holiday season. For me, it has always been a good reminder to slow down, take a break, and do something I enjoy, despite the busy season. I always try to find a couple thrifted gifts or entertaining items each December. What is your most prized thrifted holiday decor, entertaining item, or gift you’ve given? I think mine is still my beautiful deer (see them in this post)! I’ve yet to top those. I found an EXACT matching pair over the weekend, and my sister snagged them! It’s kind of fun that we have matching sets now. Here’s to a lovely week ahead!