This year our family is doing something different for Christmas! As a single mom, and like many families who have experienced either a cut in work hours, or even lost jobs, we’ve had to be extra careful during these 2020 challenges. So, I talked to my kids about many of their presents coming from the thrift store this year. They didn’t mine one bit. In fact, they cleverly coined the term “Thresents” and are as excited to have Thresants under the tree just as much as if they were new gifts. 🙂 We even bought two “new” rolls of wrapping paper at the thrift store just to commemorate the occasion.
I’ve had a blast combing through thrift stores for goodies and everything gets a good washing or scrub before being wrapped. All the tags get clipped but I’ll give you a hint that everything here for my 11-year-old daughter was $38 dollars which makes it possible to search for a few more treasures. My goal is to find items each person will love (without breaking the bank!) and have been stockpiling gifts for my boys the same way.
For anyone else who is needing to save money this year, you can make a few gifts under the tree from the thrift store with a fun twist of giving the 2nd hand gifts a special style of wrapping paper. A fun way to mark Thresants for what they are, and make the offerings extra smile-worthy. With the financial strain lifted and the fun embraced, we’re enjoying this year’s gift-giving experience more than ever. Just as importantly, I think my kiddos are learning even more about gratitude, working together, and the true meaning of the season.
If you give any thrift store presents this year, I’d love to hear in the comments—what you found and who it’s for!
We love this! Such a great way to engage the whole family – kind of a Family style treasure hunt for “thresents”…garage sales, thrift stores, etc!
It really has been a neat way to do Christmas this year! And it takes a little extra creativity which is half the fun. 😉
I have been shopping thrift stores since I was 10( that I can remember). My mother loved to comb them for treasures. She was an Antique Dealer.
Now that the pandemic is closing my favorite outlet store, I will probably go back to thrift shops and garage sales. The good thing about shopping second hand is…. the clothes will have already shrunk and sometimes you find good quality things. Newer things aren’t made as well.
Paula, I bet you have found some great treasures over the years. What a special memory to have with your mother.
I love thrift stores. We have seven children and a tight budget. This is such a precious story. Thank you so much for sharing. I so hope I get to meet you someday in person. Sending you Christmas hugs and blessings.
Paula, Thank YOU for visiting and for your sweet comment! I understand the tight budget and I bet you are great at finding those special treasures for everyone.
Love it. So many valuable lessons and memories being made. Last year my daughter got me a coffee table book of old houses and was very excited when I opened it. She said “I found THAT at the thrift store!”
❤️ She saw the book and thought of me! ❤️
I so agree, Shirley. The lessons we learn are going to be worth so much more than the presents some day. And yes! I love telling people when I find things at thrift stores — usually most of what I’m wearing. 😉
Two items of clothing I got lots of compliments on came from thrift stores. I love finding bargains. I got a denim jean jacket for $5 at Kohl’s recently. When I showed it to my husband he said that fashions have really changed–he used to wear Levi jackets out to milk the cows! LOL I didn’t take offense.
Haha! Levis are always great finds, and so in style too, that it’s fun to know that they’re also handy for milking the cows 😉 Hope you and your family had a great Christmas!