Shop secondhand for the holidays
- Alicia Gallant
- 15 Dec 2019
The holidays are a chance to show your loved ones that you care by spending time with them, or by giving them a gift that represents your relationship. With the holidays comes the potential for a lot of waste, and a lot of money goes to larger companies that don’t have the best practices. Not to mention the massive amounts of wrapping paper that contaminates recycling facilities — waste is at some of its highest rates during the holiday season.
As our community becomes more aware of the environmental impact of the holidays, more of us are looking for better ways to embrace the spirit of the holidays in a way that is ethically and environmentally sound. Secondhand shopping has evolved from a niche enjoyed by some to something more, with people choosing to recycle their goods rather than continue the cycle of fast, landfill-building.
Now is it possible to secondhand shop for the holidays? While some may feel like they’re being cheap giving someone something from a secondhand shore, all you need are a few tips to be able to find something truly special that will make your loved ones happy. Not only is there a potential for scoring a bargain on something, you’re reducing waste and could be supporting a local business in the meantime.
If you want to try searching for some secondhand items that will be special and meaningful during the holidays, here are some ways you can do so without compromising the quality of your gifts.
Know what items to search through
Not everything that you’ll find at a thrift store can be repurposed into a gift. Some of the most salvagable items that you could find at a secondhand store would be home decor, collectibles, accessories, and clothing.
A lot of secondhand stores have a home decor section, and when you consider how people from all walks of life often donate things, you can imagine what kind of a treasure trove the home decor section could be. From vintage and one-of-a-kind dishes, fine china and collectible items, hunting through the home decor section could offer so many unique gift options that you couldn’t find in most stores.
Some secondhand stores will also offer designer or vintage accessories if you look hard enough, with some stores like Style Encore or Kiki’s Closet specializing in designer goods. They search for good condition pieces with enviable price points, so you can blow your gift recipient away with something truly special without breaking the bank.
Some other thrifting wonders in Hamilton include Vintage Soul Geek, Out Of The Past, The Haberdashery. Larger stores include the Re-Source store, the new Missions Thrift Store, and Talize, for example.
Take your time
You’re not going to want to enter a secondhand store when you only have 20 minutes to spare. One of the best and worst things about a secondhand store is that it requires a lot of patience, time, and sifting through the clutter to find the gems.
You should bring some water, some reusable bags, some sanitizer, and set aside a good chunk of time to look through the shelves and racks. You could miss something amazing if you don’t give yourself time to really hunt.
Follow small secondhand shops on Instagram
Hamilton has this very extensive and bountiful community of small businesses that promote their secondhand businesses on Instagram, and they are worth a follow.
These community members have an eye for style and an expert ability to find incredibly unique secondhand items that they sell for good prices.
Some examples of businesses and accounts to follow are Fat Dachshund, Dollywood Plus Vintage, The Hamilton Vintage Community who promotes many businesses, Her Royal Rubbish, and there are tons of businesses (some aforementioned) that have booths at the Hamilton Antique Mall.
If going through racks and shelves at shops is not your thing, this is a great alternative to immerse yourself in the secondhand world with much of the searching being done for you. You can find something special, support a small and local business, sometimes save on shipping, and you’re helping the environment while crossing someone off your list.
Take pictures and do research
Part of the reason why secondhand shopping and thrift store hunting is so popular is that you have the opportunity to find some very special things, including rare pieces that are expensive and collectible, often times not selling for what they’re worth.
For example, fine china or copper decor pieces are quite pricey to buy new, but can be found for a few dollars at many thrift stores. If you see something that catches your eye, do some quick research on your phone or take some pictures and research it at home. It’s good to check the shop’s return policy before doing this in case you change your mind after researching.
Many secondhand stores have a special area where they showcase their higher priced items, and it’s always worth looking through them carefully. There might be designer pieces, collectible games, or limited edition comics and other once-in-a-lifetime items.
The stigma of secondhand shopping has evolved massively, becoming a favorite pastime and even a full-time business for some. It’s a kind thing to do for your environment and your community; taking advantage of this during the holidays is a strategic yet rewarding move.
Happy thrifting holidays!
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