How to Thrift Your Entire Christmas, According to People Who Do It Every Year

With a new crop of trendy gifts debuting each year, it's easy to be convinced that the latest is always the greatest. But if you ask a growing number of thrifters, what’s old is new.

Megan Bannister, a Des Moines, Iowa-based writer and the owner of Olio Oddities (a home store with curated thrifted finds), has been thrifting "for as long as I can remember. I’ve made it a regular part of my gifting routine for the past 5 or 6 years."

She’s in good company with lifelong thrifter Grace Kraemer, a Chandler, Arizona-based content creator and social media strategist known as @thatgenzwife on TikTok, and Bre Eggert, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based content creator and thrifting expert behind Average But Inspired. All three are passionate Thriftmas shoppers. They swear that it’s the solution to save money, waste, and share personal, memorable presents with those they love.

Read on for a primer to all things Thriftmas, plus all of their best secrets if you’d like to follow suit.

Thriftmas promotes the idea that "secondhand gifts are completely appropriate and beautiful presents to both give and receive," Eggert explains.

"This movement is based on the idea that there is already plenty of 'stuff' in the world, whether that's giftable items or holiday decor," Bannister adds.

So instead of shopping for new holiday gifts at big box stores or online, with Thriftmas, you are consciously making investments in previously-loved gems that feel "intentional and special," according to Kraemer, but are markedly more sustainable, unique, and often more budget-friendly.

Vintage finds have long held appeal, so you might be wondering, 'why is Thriftmas having such a moment?' Kraemer believes it’s related to two major factors: "Budgets are tight for a lot of families, so buying the latest and greatest new thing this holiday season just isn’t an option for a lot of people," she says. "Plus, I think that many of us are also realizing how much overconsumption rears its ugly head this time of year."

Compared to the other 11 months of the year, sustainability experts estimate that Americans produce about 23% more waste in December, with a large portion of that related to the packaging required for online purchases.

”Thriftmas gives mindful shoppers an affordable alternative to the hustle and bustle of keeping up with the latest holiday shopping trends,” Kraemer says, while offering the opportunity to share a one-of-a-kind find that will warm the heart of the recipient.

Even if you’ve made your list and checked it twice, Thriftmas can still be part of the strategy this year — and it’s easy to implement if you follow these tips from the pros.

Before you step foot into any thrift stores, Kraemer recommends setting a rough budget for how much you plan to spend on each person. Consider tacking on a bonus fund to account for any discoveries that are perfect for a specific person but slightly over their allocated limit. (You might find something much less expensive than expected for another individual, too, offering natural balance.)

"The great thing about thrifting is that you're often able to stretch your budget further than you would through traditional gifting. Since you're more likely to be putting together a collection of items when thrifting, a budget range gives you some room to pair bigger items with smaller, more budget-friendly finds," Bannister says.

Even the most epic Thriftmas find will be a flop if it doesn’t speak to the individual who unwraps it. Above all else, keep in mind the person you’re buying a gift for and whether or not they will appreciate an item, Kraemer advises.

"There is something so special about combing through items in a thrift store and finding a piece that instantly reminds you of a specific person. Gifting that item shows the person that you pay attention to the things they like and that you specifically thought of them when you stumbled upon the piece," Kraemer adds.

This shows the thought that went into it, instead of just checking a name off a shopping list, Eggert agrees. Their passions might be able to help direct your shopping stops, too. For friends who love to hike, for instance, Bannister visits shops she knows stick vintage National Parks memorabilia, maps and postcards. For her pet-loving pals, Bannister searches for stores with ceramic pieces, vintage art or even dishware that feature animals similar to the beloved furry friend.

As important as it is to maintain focus on what might be the perfect fit for your sister or best friend, it’s extremely challenging to shop according to a fixed list.

"When it comes to thrifting for holiday gifts, I've found it's important to have an idea in mind, but be willing to pivot. Unless you've got lots and lots of time to spend searching, having something super specific in mind, is going to make your shopping experience more difficult," Bannister notes.

Have a general idea of what you'd like to give (think: sports memorabilia or a vintage cooking tool in a color that matches their kitchen). This way, you'll have a better shopping time — and end up with cooler gifts. For example, if you're shopping for a friend who loves to host, you could pair together some fun vintage glasses, a unique tray, and some retro coasters or a funky bottle opener. Keeping an eye out for things that fit into that theme rather than looking for one singular item will make it a lot easier to put together gifts that feel cohesive.

Sometimes, saving money requires a trade-off. If you’re investing less cash and want to have the same impact, you may need to devote more of your time instead, Kraemer admits: "With patience and repeat visits to the thrift store, however, I think you’ll find that your time investment will pay off."

Avoid waiting until the last possible moment to thrift your gifts, as you might fall victim to panic-buying something random or tacky, Kraemer warns. If it feels daunting initially, Eggert suggests adjusting your mental script from "ugh, I have to do this" to "I’m on a treasure hunt quest!"

"Thrifting is all about frequency," Bannister chimes in. "Not only does it take time to hone your eye for thrift shopping, but the more frequently you pop into a thrift store, the more likely you are to have shopping success. The earlier you can start your Thriftmas shopping, the better."

"Just because something is a great deal or could make for a killer DIY project doesn't mean that you're going to have the time — or, let's be honest, the desire — to upcycle it into the best gift it can be," Bannister says. "Instead, I recommend being realistic about both your skills and your bandwidth to transform thrifted items."

In addition to not requiring a full glow-up, Eggert seeks out items that are unique and unlike anything you might easily score from a major retailer.

"That uniqueness can come from the object itself or from the look or patina it has. For example, a set of vintage brass candlestick holders has a look totally different from a factory-finished brass set you find at a chain superstore. I think finding unique items takes gift-giving to another level," Eggert says.

Before adding anything to your cart, analyze it carefully because thrifted items usually cannot be returned, Eggert flags.

"Avoid thrifting objects that are broken, stained, or missing pieces. Nobody wants to receive a damaged gift," she says.

Everything you purchase should be in good condition or could be easily cleaned, and should be constructed well with quality materials—and only safe building blocks.

"Definitely steer clear of anything with lead in it. While you can purchase inexpensive lead test kits online and test items once you’ve purchased them, it’s a good rule of thumb to proceed with caution when it comes to vintage dishware, ceramics, and pottery made before 1971," Eggert explains.