How to Buy Secondhand Gifts for Special Occasions

Do you cringe at the thought of giving or receiving a secondhand gift? Let me tell you, thrift store, garage sale or preloved gifts on Ebay or Etsy can be one of the most special finds you can give family or friends. It can also be a great way to save money while you do your Christmas shopping or go to birthday parties. You can find brand new items that people will love or vintage classics that have special meaning. I will show you how to buy secondhand gifts for special occasions for a successful and budget friendly gift giving season.

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When I was growing up, my family knew a lady who gave her kids garage sale gifts. Our response? Ewwwwwwwwww.

Now I’m that lady. 

Secondhand Gifts Has Put the Fun Back Into Gift Giving

I love giving gifts, but having a list of people to buy for in December and sitting down for some Amazon shopping has honestly taken the fun out of gift giving. It’s become more of a duty fulfilled by lots of token gifts.

Making a gift list throughout the year and shopping according to someone’s interests have actually put the fun back into gift giving. My sister loves bird watching, so finding an antique bird watching book at a secondhand bookstore is so much better than “Uh, here are gift cards because I couldn’t think of anything else.”

Why I buy secondhand gifts for special occasions

  • Save loads of money!
  • Able to buy a nicer gift than what I would have been able to afford buying new
  • Find brand new items at thrift stores and garage sales at a fraction of the price
  • Kids don’t care if it’s barely used (and babies really don’t care if they are pre-loved gifts)
  • It puts the fun back into gift giving and takes away lots of last minute stress!

Where to Buy Secondhand Gifts

I have shopped second hand gifts 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 thrifted item.

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

How to Buy Secondhand Gifts for Special Occasions

Start slowly

This is a whole new way of gift shopping, so give yourself time to rethink your strategy. I’ve been slowly switching over to secondhand gifts for several years, but I still buy A LOT of last minute gifts from Amazon with that good ol’ two day shipping! And for Caleb, well, I almost always buy his gifts new because they’re specific and more expensive. (Although I have found good deals on Ebay on some items.)

But for many of my immediate family and some extended family and close friends, I’m switching to a more sustainable way of gift giving with second hand items.

Know your recipient’s comfort with second hand gifts

Some people just might not appreciate the fact that they receive a secondhand gift. It’s better to spend a few extra dollars on new items if it’s going to offend someone. But if your friends and family are more open to nice gifts that you saved money on as secondhand purchases, then go for it!

Kids and babies are the easiest to buy a second hand gift for. First, they rarely care as long as the item works or is in good condition. And you can find SO MANY toys new, in the box or barely used that make great gifts.

Make a gift shopping list well in advance

First, you have to think way ahead. Before you say, “I’m just not a planner,” slow down and keep an open mind. You don’t have to buy every.single.gift secondhand. Start by keeping your eyes open when you’re shopping garage sales and local thrift shops. Look for new or like new items and think about who it could be a perfect gift for.

I keep a gift list for the year on my phone shopping list to remind myself whose birthdays and what holidays are coming. I usually just list the person’s name and a couple of interests they have. 

This type of shopping for pre-loved items is NOT easy to do last minute, and you’ll drive yourself nuts if you try. Make a list as soon as possible and keep an eye out all garage sale season.

Keep the list on your phone and review it often

I have a free editable garage sale shopping list for your phone to have your ideas close at hand whenever you’re out and about! Take a few minutes to look at your calendar and list out all the birthdays, holidays and people you need to buy gifts for. 

I usually try to buy as many secondhand gifts throughout the garage sale season for all year long. So, yes, I’m looking for Christmas gifts in July. Not all of them, but as many as I can.

It’s a good idea to make sure you quickly review the list weekly or monthly just to remind yourself who still needs a gift.

Look for brand new or great condition items

Buying secondhand doesn’t always mean buying used. So many times you will find new, in the box items that the seller just doesn’t need or want anymore. 

However, I also buy gift items that are used. I make sure it’s always in working condition and hardly any wear. 

Shop according to recipient’s interests, not a specific gift

With secondhand shopping, you can’t always find specific items when you want them, so keep the recipient’s interests in mind more than a particular item. If someone is interested in Star Wars, then look for vintage Star Wars memorabilia they would love to add to their collection. If they’re interested in camping, then look for cool camping gear. Into fishing? Browse a fisherman’s estate sale for awesome vintage lures or gear.

Keep an (opaque) gift tub

I keep all upcoming gifts I find in an opaque storage tote in the storage shed. Maybe it’s the garage or the basement where you have a spot to store extra gifts. I’m not into storing much stuff, but finding a great deal on upcoming gifts is worth the space.

Buy a few unused, in-the-box, inexpensive items for general gifts

Sometimes I buy general items that are “brand new” to have on hand for last minute gifts. This usually works best for birthday gifts for younger kids that like random toys, craft kits or books for their birthday.

I also buy general gifts for my kids just to have on hand. Then when I need something last minute for an Easter basket or a “just because” gift, I have a small stockpile to search.

Clean and check used items before giving

Always, always, always make sure the secondhand gift items are in working order, clean and dust free. Even if it’s in the original box, pull it out to test and clean it. And dust off the box and take off the garage sale stickers and price tags! 

Buy wrapping paper and gift bags at estate sales

As you buy gifts at garage and estate sales, don’t forget the wrapping paper, gift bags and even tape! So many people sell gift paper still in the plastic wrapping. Is it expensive in the store? Not really, but lately I’m appreciating the positive environmental impacts of keeping things out of the land fills and cutting down on first hand consumerism.

Tip: Estate sales are one of the best places to find gift wrapping supplies.

Brand new items I’ve bought at garage sales

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve purchased or seen something that’s new in the box. Sometimes I buy the item as a gift; sometimes I resell it on Ebay; sometimes I’ve purchased it just so I can return it to the original store for store credit. (Yes. Yes, I have.)

New on Amazon $43

My price $7

New on Amazon (similar) $65

Garage sale price $12

New on Amazon $45 – $110. 

Garage sale price $15 – $25 each.

(Apparently the little girl’s grandma bought her a new set every birthday and Christmas, so they had too many and literally stopped opening the boxes.)

  • Kiwi Crate Country Kits (never used) 

New $28

Garage sale price $5 each

New on Amazon $90 (on sale)

Garage sale price $20

New on Amazon (similar) $40

Garage Sale price $5

  • Coloring Books and Marker Sets

New $4 – $8

Garage sale price $1 – 2

And as an honorable mention for the brand new, never used item I missed by a literal 20 seconds…

New on Amazon (on sale) $404

Garage sale price $45

…that’s ok. I’m still enjoying my barely used Vitamix blender I found a couple years ago for $25. But the one I missed out on still haunts me.

Secondhand items you should NOT buy as gifts

  • Jigsaw puzzles – been there, gave one. Despite how nice it looked it was missing a piece. Thankfully my sister understood.
  • Well used games – unless it’s in the wrapper or looks pretty doggone new, pieces can often be missing from board games
  • Clothing – buying clothes for people (other than your kids) is tricky anyway. Buying used clothing that can’t be returned…well, not so great. I would buy clothing gifts for my kids, however.
  • Tools – I love buying used tools, just not as gifts. There’s no warranty, and if it’s used then that just does not transfer into good gift giving.
  • Electronics – this is a sometimes yes, sometimes no. You have to be very, VERY careful of used electronics in normal circumstances. But giving something that doesn’t work or breaks soon after giving is a no-go. The item should be close to new looking if you gift it. And make sure you test before buying.
  • Candles or beauty care items – even if you’re fine with it (and you may be), the recipient might gross out at a secondhand bottle of lotion. 
  • Anything broken – don’t be tacky to save a buck.

Download your free garage sale shopping list for your phone. Take ten minutes to list out the people you regularly buy gifts for. And next time you stop at a yard sale, keep your eyes open for great condition items that your daughter, sister, mom or friend would love. It makes it more fun to do a treasure hunt for that perfect item throughout the year, and when you find it for 90% off retail price…SCORE! You will thank yourself when the next Christmas holiday season comes around that you have some gifts already nailed down.

Read great practical yet fun gift guides for your kids, friends and family

75 Kids’ Gifts to Make Helping Fun (Renovation and Homestead)

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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2 Responses

  1. I grew up in a family that gave used books at every gift giving occasion. They were often discarded library books from the yearly library book sale and antique books sometimes in pretty disreputable condition! I think most of our other gifts were usually new or like new, but books were the centerpiece gifts. It was a bit of culture shock when I got married and most of the gifts were new except for a few collectors items (aprons, knick-knacks, and old tools).

    1. I love the idea of used books! I frequent online used book stores almost exclusively. It definitely is a different way of gift giving, but I love the fact that people can think of more thoughtful gifts as well as saving some money. No harm in that, in my opinion!

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