Monday 20 May 2013

How to find good gifts in charity shops


This vintage camera was a birthday present for my husband. It was made the same year that he was born. I bought the camera from the local Oxfam shop. 

Some people think it is a bit weird to buy secondhand presents, but I love finding gifts for people in charity shops, for the following reasons:
  • you can choose something really special, rather than a standard present
  • no wasteful packaging
  • your money goes further
  • a contribution to the charity


The trick is to buy presents when you spot them, and then stash them away until the next birthday or Christmas. 

 I have even managed to find gifts for the 'hard to shop for' men in my life. The chess books shown above were for Dad. He was delighted with them.

 The casserole dish shown below was a housewarming present for my youngest sister Hannah (who has recently started an excellent blog called Hannah and Her Thriftiness).


I also enjoy receiving gifts from charity shops. When I was about to go to university for the first time, my mum gathered up various pre-loved kitchenware items to get me started. The Pyrex dish shown below is still going strong 24 years later!




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25 comments:

  1. Liz Burton20 May 2013 at 04:30

    Charity shop gifts are not to be sniffed at!

    I love to receive something that someone has put a lot of thought into, so much more so than something grabbed off the shelf in a department store.

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    1. Unknown20 May 2013 at 14:04

      I agree entirely. The only downside to writing this blogpost was that I had to wait until everyone had received their presents or risk spoiling a surprise!

      Delete
  2. mummylish20 May 2013 at 06:40

    Fab idea! I think you are right the best tip is to buy something as and when you see it and save it till its time to give!

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  3. Heather@Tatter and Fray20 May 2013 at 10:50

    I totally agree about secondhand gifts! They're usually much more meaningful.

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    1. Unknown20 May 2013 at 14:08

      Yes - it's so hard to find something meaningful in a department store!

      Delete
  4. Chrissy20 May 2013 at 11:18

    i love this! some of my favorite gifts have been found in the thrifts.

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  5. Make do Mum20 May 2013 at 11:51

    What lovely thoughtful gifts, I'd be very happy to receive a casserole dish like that :)

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    1. Unknown20 May 2013 at 13:59

      I was really tempted to keep the casserole dish for myself :)

      Delete
  6. thismumrocks20 May 2013 at 15:53

    The thing is, if someone has taken the time to thrift a gift for you, I think it shows that they think of you fondly and consider your own likes and interests.

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    1. Unknown20 May 2013 at 23:23

      Yes. To be honest I only thrift gifts for people I really care about.

      Delete
  7. Caroline21 May 2013 at 00:44

    I love giving secondhand presents - particularly books. You can get so much more for your money, and as you say, the charity benefits as well - win/win!

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    1. Unknown21 May 2013 at 05:47

      Yes as you say it's win/win! Books in particular always make good presents.

      Delete
  8. Steve Morton21 May 2013 at 03:48

    Nice camera. I'm always looking out for things like that or old planners/Filofax organisers

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    1. Unknown21 May 2013 at 05:48

      I tend to buy pre-loved Filofax organisers on eBay. I really need to weed my collection before I buy any more though!

      Delete
  9. Eileen Teo22 May 2013 at 01:58

    love to support charity shop! What a great way of saving!

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    1. Unknown22 May 2013 at 13:30

      Yes it's a good way of making presents special yet cost-effective.

      Delete
  10. Max22 May 2013 at 02:38

    i couldn't agree with you more re op-shopping presents. it is a win in so many ways, price, charitable aspects etc, but also, more often than not you end up with something really unique which i love. my husband and i always op-shop our presents at birthdays and christmas, and most of our daughters reward chart rewards come from op-shops too!
    so great to have you linking up, looking forward to having a poke around your blog!

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    1. Unknown22 May 2013 at 13:33

      I've been having a poke around your blog too and enjoying it very much. You've inspired me to do more posts about my 'op-shop' finds.

      Delete
  11. Unknown24 May 2013 at 09:00

    I love finding gifts in charity shops and am always extra proud of finding something perfect this way - most of the christmas and birthday presents I give are from charity shops, particularly for my own children. I suspect they'll reach a point where they'd prefer new tat but hopefully it'll just be a phase ;-)

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    1. Unknown24 May 2013 at 22:16

      I'm just the same. Bought a lovely marble run for my little boy recently and it was only £2 but he loves it just as much as if it were brand new and so do I. Hopefully he'll get the idea that things don't have to be new to be nice.

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  12. anna31 December 2013 at 09:34

    Thanks for linking up! Have to admit I don't go in charity shops a lot but the camera looks great!

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    1. Unknown1 January 2014 at 03:22

      You can sometimes get some lovely toys in charity shops - check them out!

      Delete
  13. Jenny at The Brick Castle1 January 2014 at 05:22

    I got a Lego booklet from 1971 for Christmas this year - it's totally brilliant. Pre-loved gifts are awesome :)

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I love reading your comments and will reply to as many as I can

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