Thrifting for Gifts Can Save Cash

This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.

There’s no question inflation is causing a strain this holiday season as people hunt for cost effective gifts. If you are looking for that last minute gift that won’t break the bank for someone you love, you may want to consider thrifting.

Secondhand items can make great gifts because they often come with more meaning and are more unique.

Olivia Gerroll is the owner of Caring Transitions of Greater Omaha. Her company runs an estate sale website called CTBIDS.com. She says thrifting can be a great way to find hidden treasures someone else may love!

“You will find that vintage or “previously loved” items are often better made than today’s comparable goods and come with a history that is often made available through the online sale information or from someone at an estate sale,” Gerroll says.

If you are looking for ideas and don’t know where to start, Caring Transitions has provided a list to help:

• Tune Up – Basic instruments like drums, guitars wind instruments, and pianos have not changed much, if at all, through the years. You can score a great deal on used musical instruments in great condition.
• Picture This – Pictures frames are a universal gift for almost any occasion. You can find cool, unique vintage picture frames with character when you buy secondhand. Sometimes you can even find unused frames. Print out a photo of your family and place it inside to make it an even more personal and special present.
• Book It– This is always a great choice for the book lover, especially with most being good as new but with a used book price. Sometimes you can find a cool old book – a first edition in some cases – that your book lover might treasure.
• Home Décor Galore – No matter what the style, you are sure to find something in the home décor section to suit that special someone. Here is an idea – pick up a set of vintage cocktail glasses gifted with a bottle of your recipient’s favorite liquor.

“Vintage or “previously loved” does not have to mean “worn” or “damaged”, “out of date” or other negative terms that people often attach to these items,” Gerroll says.

These ideas can also be perfect for other holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and even Father’s Day as the new year approaches.

This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.