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.
This post contains affiliate links including Amazon Associate links for your shopping convenience. This is at no additional cost to you. All recommendations are my own because I believe in each product. See my full Privacy Policy here.
In This Article
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.
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
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
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
