103 Best Secondhand Gift Ideas for Christmas and Birthdays

Is it ok to give secondhand gifts? What are some pre-owned gift ideas that don’t scream, “Cheap!”? Having started a journey down a more sustainable shopping path, I have enjoyed gifting thoughtful and awesome secondhand gifts that are well appreciated by the recipient. Here are 103 best secondhand gift ideas for Christmas and birthdays that will save you money while showing people that you care.

used foosball table as secondhand gift idea

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Before you rush out and start buying second-hand gifts for everyone on your Christmas list this holiday season, read my post on How to Buy Secondhand Gifts for Special Occasions. There’s a good way of doing it, and a not-so-good way.

Summary of How to Buy Secondhand Gifts

To summarize how to buy secondhand items that don’t come across as tacky, follow these guidelines:

  • Consider the recipient and don’t give to those who would cringe at a pre-owned item
  • Only give something in great condition
  • Download my free garage sale shopping list to keep track of all upcoming gifts
  • Make a shopping list well in advance
  • Shop according to people’s interests, not a specific item

Why To Buy Secondhand Gifts

  • Save loads of money!
  • Great way to buy a nicer gift than what you would have been able to afford on a tight budget
  • Find brand new items at thrift stores and yard sales
  • More sustainable, earth friendly gift giving by keeping items out of landfills and reducing manufacturing resources
  • Supports local businesses or individuals trying to earn extra money
  • Kids really don’t care if it’s barely used (and babies really don’t care)
  • It puts the fun back into gift giving and takes away lots of last minute stress!

Where to Buy Great Secondhand Gifts

I have shopped for a second hand gift successfully at all the following places. Just make sure if it’s an online source that you read the description carefully to find out the condition of the item.

  • Ebay
  • Etsy
  • Thriftbooks
  • Facebook Marketplace
  • Garage Sales
  • Estate Sales
  • Thrift Shops
  • Antique Store

103 Best Second-hand Gift Ideas for Christmas and Birthdays

Gifts for Women

Let’s face it, most women are easy to buy for anyway. So when you go secondhand shopping for your mom, sister or girlfriend, there are lots of items to choose from. Remember, the way to pull off good second hand presents is to put thought into something that uniquely interests her.

1. Vintage Locket

2. Mid Century Statement Bracelet

3. Unique Vintage Ring

4. Le Creuset Cookware

5. Quality Garden Tools

6. Antique Quilt

7. Crocheted Blanket

8. Potted Plant (Find a unique, vintage pot AND the plant at garage sales or estate sales!)

9. Vintage Tea Set

10. Vintage Artwork in a Vintage Frame

11. Vintage Book About Their Special Interest (ie vintage cookbook)

12. A Set of Unique Pots for Plants

Gifts for Babies

Babies are hands down the easiest people to buy second hand items for. They don’t have any expectations, and there are so many baby toys, clothing and essentials at garage sales. Before my third baby was born, I took my older two to a garage sale and let them pick out a special item to give to the baby as a welcome gift. They were also able to pick out Christmas gifts for the baby. For $4, my kids were able to gift a soft blanket, a Spider Man onesie, a cute Santa outfit and a small toy to their new brother. You would have thought they had just given him the moon; they were so excited to be able to buy something they found.

13. Soft Baby Blanket

14. Quality, Name Brand Clothing

15. Wooden Activity Cube

16. Sound Books 

17. Board Books

18. Baby Swing or Bouncer

19. Stroller of Any Kind

20. Outdoor Baby Swing

21. Any Kind of Baby Toy

22. Play Mat

Gifts for Toddlers

Like babies, toddlers are super easy to buy gifts for. And the nice thing is that garage sales are FULL of toddler toys that are in near perfect condition. The only problem you’ll have is not buying too many gifts! Have a clear idea going into garage sale shopping of what style and type of toys you’re looking for and limit yourself to items in really good condition. This will help you when you’re tempted to overbuy.

23. Sensory Box filled with Miscellaneous Items

24. Tricycle

25. Ride On Push Car

26. Water Table

27. Play Kitchen 

28. Play Tool Bench

29. Little People Play Sets

30. Camping Chair

31. Thomas Wooden Train Set

32. Sandbox Toy Kit:

Toy trucks, shovel, bucket of any kind (these don’t have to be your traditional plastic “sandbox” toys). You can buy real items that will last longer!

General Gifts for Kids

Don’t just think of secondhand toys when you look for kid gifts. Kid size tools, cooking utensils, gardening supplies and so much more can be found at garage sales.  And don’t forget to find small items for stocking stuffers and Easter baskets!

33. Bird Watching Kit:

Binoculars, bird book, notebook and colored pencils

34. Electric Ride on Vehicles

35. Bicycle

36. Legos 

37. Wooden Puzzles 

38. Gardening Kit:

Hand tools, flower pot, watering can and a packet of seeds (from the store)

39. Lincoln Logs

40. Marble Run

41. Magna Tiles

42. Cooking Kit:

Kid size kitchen tools, measuring cups and spoon, apron (you can even get a cool vintage apron!)

Gifts for Girls

Kids often receive too many new toys, so parents end up selling them without opening the packaging. I recently ran across four $45 – $110 Schleich horse and barn sets. The little girl’s grandma kept giving them to her for each special occasion. Since the girl had so many, the parents simply stopped opening the boxes. I bought them for a fraction of the price at $15 – $25 each.   

But not all secondhand kid gifts need to be new in the box. I often pick up gently used toys, craft supplies and children’s clothes that my little girl will love. 

43. Dollhouse

44. American Girl Doll, Clothing and Accessories 

45. Calico Critters Sets 

46. Doll Stroller

47. Doll Highchair 

48. Tool Set

49. Pretend Play Food and Dishes 

50. Working Toy Sewing Machine

51. Special Lamp for Nightstand

52. Critter Habitat Box

Gifts for Boys

I have given the most second-hand presents to my son. He has been thrilled with good quality gifts we would have never been able to afford otherwise. Ride on battery toys have been the biggest hit, however, there have also been so many brand new, in the box toys from garage sales. We’ve given him a “brand new” sandbox excavator digger, Lego sets and so much more. The cost savings of buying lightly used (and even new in the box) secondhand kid gifts over new is incredible!

53. Sports Equipment for Their Favorite Sport

54. PlayMobile Set

55. Fishing Pole and Tackle Box

56. Binoculars  

57. Hamster Cage and Supplies

58. Fish Tank and Supplies

59. Cowboy Boots, Rain Boots or Muck Boots

60. Dress Up Clothes (there are a ton of Halloween costumes sold that are great fun for dress up!)

61. Dinosaur Toys

62. Matchbox Cars and Race Tracks

used foosball table as secondhand gift idea

Gifts for Teens

Teens can often be difficult to buy the perfect gift for. But if you know their interests, then you can often find secondhand gifts that will make them happy. (Just stay away from most electronics…unless their supposed to be vintage…as these will probably not be the up-to-date items that older kids would appreciate.) 

63. New or Barely Used Games

64. Foosball Table 

65. Air Hockey Table

66. Ping Pong Table

67. Pool Table

68. Vintage Star Wars Items 

69. Vintage Comic Books

70. Vintage Nintendo Game System

71. Compound Hunting Bow and Target

72. Art Supplies

73. Inflatable or Regular Kayak

74. Paddle Board

vintage signs as secondhand gift ideas

Gifts for Men

While I don’t usually buy secondhand tools as gifts, there are plenty more go-to gifts for men that you can find at garage sales or estate sales especially. But Ebay has also been a great source of “new” items that are being sold at a discount. 

75. Hunting Gear

76. Fishing poles, Tackle and Lures

77. Camping Gear 

78. Vintage records of Favorite Artist or Band (ie ZZ Top)

79. Vintage Record Player

80. Telescope

81. Historical or Biography Book

82. Golf Clubs  

83. Vintage Shot Glass

84. Pressure Washer

Gifts for Girl Friends

It’s so satisfying to find a just because gift or Christmas presents that perfectly fit your friend. While you’re out and about, keep a list of special friends who would appreciate those unique preloved items that made you think of them.

85. Vintage Sunglasses

86. 1970’s Boho Coffee Mug 

87. Vintage Bowl to Use as Jewelry Dish

88. Throw Blanket

89. Quaint Figurine that Has Special Meaning

90. Vintage Silk Scarf

91. Vintage Frame with a Special Photo  

92. Set of Vintage Notecards

93. Unique Watering Can 

Gift Basket Ideas

You can find all these thrifted items fairly easily at garage sales. However, the best way to create a themed gift basket is to keep an eye open for an estate sale that is liquidating the household items for a person that had that specific interest. You can go to EstateSales.net to look for estate sales in your area. Many times there will be sales that have a vast collection of art supplies, crafting supplies, hunting or fishing gear, 

94. Vintage Tin Filled with Homemade Goodies

95. For the Tea Lover: 

Vintage tea cup and saucer, vintage tea tin, vintage spoon and (new) tea bags 

96. For the Coffee Lover: 

Two vintage mugs, vintage jar (filled with new coffee), vintage silver spoon 

97. For the Book Lover: 

Favorite book or genre in a vintage edition, a collection of vintage letters or postcards, a bookmark

98. For the Home Decorator: 

A piece of (small) vintage original artwork or home decor, a vase and a small dish for a catch-all (all in their decorating style)

99. For the Seamstress: 

A stack of vintage fabric, a vintage thimble and a vintage sewing box

100. For the Gardener: 

Plant mister (make sure it works), unique pot with plant, garden gloves and name brand hand tool (yes, these are all common secondhand, especially at estate sales)

101. For the Fisherman: 

Vintage fishing lures, nice needlenose pliers, a unique fishing knife

102. For the Young Artist: 

Coloring books in their style, markers, Crayons or pencils, stickers

(All of these items should be unused for a good gift. You can find LOTS of unused items, especially at “teacher garage sales” where retired teachers liquidate their supplies.

103. For the Young Crafter: 

Various stamps and stamp pads (make sure in great, working condition), glue, an assortment of (new but still secondhand) craft supplies like pompoms, wooden frames, popsicle sticks

(All of these items I have found still in the original packaging. Don’t give opened packages of craft supplies unless you want to be tacky!)

Now that you have 103 best secondhand gift ideas for Christmas and birthdays, go ahead and make your list and start keeping an eye open for great gifts people will love! The possibilities are endless, and the treasure hunt actually puts the fun back into gift giving! Download your free editable garage sale shopping list for your phone to keep everything straight and start with just one person at a time.

Read more Christmas gift guides and secondhand shopping tips

How to Buy Secondhand Gifts for Special Occasions

75 Kids’ Gifts to Make Helping Fun

100 Budget Friendly Vintage Gift Ideas from Etsy

25 Best Places to Shop Everything Second Hand

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Our Vintage Bungalow

Howdy! I’m Tammy, and I’ve lived most of my life stretching a low decorating budget through garage sales and DIY renovation.

I am going to give you quick and easy tips on the beauty of reusing older items instead of spending tons of money on new. I’ll show you how I add vintage style that makes a your house feel like a cozy home (even with young kids, a practical husband and a big dog in tow). 

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