5 TIPS FOR SHOPPING HOLIDAY THRIFT

Not all holiday decor needs to break the bank - Shopping thrift can save money and recycle these donated items - saving them from ending up in a landfill.  Each year, before, during and after Christmas people are cleaning out attics, garages, and closets - getting rid of tired, old decor or evening purging new items because they are wanting a new look - that's when you can scoop up the savings. When thrifting for holiday, also look for everyday items such as glass containers - great for candles, pinecones or ornament displays. Look beyond expected or traditional decorations: Even winter items such as fur, and my personal fave scarves, can be used to dress a form or a wreath. Here are a five other tips to keep in mind when thrifting for holiday finds:



1. Know before you go 
Have a vision of what it you're looking for.  Is what you've spotted going to work with your existing items, or can it be the foundation to start your own new look? Staying focused will help you save money - and clutter.



2. Shop Year Round
Thrifting for holiday need not only be at holiday time - Keep your eye out for those key pieces you'll want come next November & December. Several thrift shops will clear-out their warehouse with a book sale. Books are a great way to add color, texture and height to shelves as well as vignettes and tables. Join email lists for your neighborhood thrift + shop their special sale days for extra savings - even if thrift shops such as Goodwill has raised their prices, you're still saving vs shopping a big box retailer.



3. Splurge and Save
Mix thrift finds with specialty stores end of season clearance to be ready for next year. Maybe you pinned several cookie recipes, and next year you want to host a cookie exchange - Thrift stores have several stacks of dessert plates, perfect for entertaining, also fun to mix & collect, while specialty retailers will have plenty of ribbons and decorative boxes to pack your cookies in. Some finds that are great to thrift for are:


  • Tabletop & Barware - You need not buy an entire set: Look for metallic rimmed plates for your next holiday gathering or tablescape - especially plates with gold rims. Metal stemware can also be used off the table and on a mantel filled with mini trees.
  • Silver & Milk-glass -Start a collection of milk-glass or silver pieces - polish silver with toothpaste - and fill with fresh cut greens. Some of the most beautifully displayed Holiday decor are Christmas decoration at all. Creating a collection to display at holiday will help personalize you holiday style! The plus to collecting non-Christmas decor: you can display your collection any time of year.

  • Garlands, wreaths & trees - easy to make these into your own creations for indoor or outdoor decor. If they're faded: Paint them anything from a refreshed green to metallic or white & flock. After Christmas is a great time to pick up new decorations for these thrift finds to make something spectacular next year!
  • Textiles & Pillows - from plaid & knit throws to tablecloths, napkins, and window panels - Most all are easy to wash and make like new. Look for classic prints such as buffalo checks, plaids and ticking stripes.

Ralph Lauren - Kids Christmas - 2013

4. Give Purpose to your Pins
Of course, Pinterest is the 'go-to' place to collect looks you're swooning over this year, and you'll want to do next year. Keeping that look in mind can save you from over buying while thrifting. Your board may have hundreds of pins on it, but try to pick that one image that speaks to you to use as your target inspiration. 

 Donations loaded up!

5. Donate
If you recognize your style has changed, you may want to consider creating a few of your own donations as well - Some thrift shops will give stamp cards or $$ off coupons for your next purchase. If you have a significant amount of trim in good condition, consider bringing to a consignment shop, or donating to your local church.

Besides thrifting for Christmas, keep an eye out for items you can use to create your own Rockin' New Years Eve too...


St. Vincent de Paul Thrift here in AZ has some great deals to be found - This giant wall clock was only $35 - perfect for a holiday focal point over a mantel!

Faith Farm Thrift in Florida has some of the best chair finds - these gold cane chairs with black velvet seats were only $5 each (and they sold!)

Salvation Army has some fab furs - And has 50% off during their Wacky Wednesday Sale....

Consignment stores have even better finds - I spotted this set, serving for 12 and includes an eight piece serving set - clean modern design (MCM) in a case for only $79 at TurnStyle Consignment, Mesa AZ.

Goodwill, Hollywood, FL. always had festive displays.


Did you do any thrifting for your holiday trim, decor or tables?
Don't forget your wardrobe - For additional helpful hints for holiday thrifting, be sure to read: Holiday Wardrobe Style: Thrift & Tips



Happy Thrifting and thanks for stopping by!





OUTDOOR HOLIDAY ENTRYWAY FOR CHRISTMAS

Creating a festive entry for the holidays not only welcomes guests, but it can also spark inspiration for neighborhood holiday decor. When we first moved in to our rented home here in AZ, our block had very few decorations at Christmas - I think we were the only ones. Last year, a few more added lights, and this year, it's so nice to see so many stoops dressed for the season! Each year when I set our holiday entry, I reuse the same core pieces: One lit garland around the doorway, one wreath on the door, two large urns and two lanterns. When it comes to the entrance, I really like symmetry! Since I also have two ledges, I vary what goes on either side of the door or he ledge to change it up a bit. In Florida, I didn't have the space for anything extra, but I'm enjoying the versatility I get to display on our stoop here in AZ. Usually here, I've used black lanterns throughout the seasons, but this year I tried something different: I swapped the two black lanterns for two galvanized lanterns I had inside - and was also actually able to light them. Something else I also love using here in AZ are scarves en lieu of ribbon...





To get a longer drape on the urn with the scarf, I tie the scarf around a grapevine wreath at the neck of the urn. The urn is filled mostly with craft paper, and I stabilize the branches - large from Florida and smaller branches with greens from the area - with newspaper towards the neck, and cover with moss.


I had some oversized snowflakes, I had used on the stairs in our dining room in FL back in '08, and decided to use them outdoors this year...



Last year, I had used the large urns away from the door and out on the two ledges, but I found these two mini trees while thrifting to use instead. I just nested them into two painted black containers I had, and covered the container tops with white rock (to look like snow). To give the two trees a little decor, I reused some sparkle snowflakes I use to use on the (inside) tree. I also found two galvanized pails while thrifting last year, which work great to hold my white poinsettias (which really pop against the stone at the entry...




The light inside the lantern is a simple single candlestick light, just hot-glued inside the lantern. The lantern I had gotten at HomeGoods back in 2011, and I had used it inside, hanging with rope for my Summer entry. Now, with the candlestick inside, it casts a great shadow on the house...


It's snowing!!
(Don't I wish!)


To light the poinsettias, I just tucked some icicle lights I no longer use the window. Net lights (we had to replace this year) get wrapped around two small bushes - and just like the wreath, I used the large snowflakes on them...




I leave the bark mulch piles & pinecones from the Fall entry, and sprinkle faux snow on them for holiday...





The scarves I used on the urns are another thrift find here in AZ - One is  houndstooth and the other is check...





 Below is a peek behind the scenes creating my Christmas Entry - cutting the branches, cleaning the door & sweeping the stoop, running the electrical extensions & hiding them, fluffing the garland + wreath -- and this year, re-lighting the garland with new lights. I use the garage to set a mock-up of what the entry will be and tweak as I set...


Below is last years holiday entry...


Holiday Entry 2012

Holiday Entry 2012

Holiday Entry 2012



Holiday Entry 2013


 Hope you're enjoying your holiday season - and some of you will be enjoying a White Christmas! 


Let it snow and thanks for stopping by!



Linking post to:

The DIY Showoff - Holiday Project Parade








HomeGoods Holiday Highlights - First Blog Link Party!

With all the hustle and bustle happening this shortened holiday season this year, you still need to take a moment to just stop and take it all in. When you have the time (make the time!), grab a cup of eggnog, coffee, or glass of wine and enjoy some of the highlights from the FIRST blog link party by HomeGoods  - hosted by Courtney of French Country Cottage. I was grateful for the invite to participate, and I got to join in on a wonderful blog link event. There are REALLY some amazing home tours, decorated rooms, tablescapes, and holiday projects to pin - some tours are so incredibly perfect, you'd think it was a vintage boutique shop! Speaking of pinning - after visiting all the links (I think it's up to 299 now!) I pinned some of the best tours and tutorials to a board called HomeGoods Holiday Highlights. I still have a few more to pin, but you can click to view most of the highlights here: http://www.pinterest.com/nyclq/homegoods-holiday-highlights/ and take a peek at a few here...



 #51 Jennifer Rizzo - Holiday Home Tour 



#121 Music Sheet Decoration @ Confessions Of A Plate Addict



#170 2013 Holiday House-Walk {Welcome To Our Home} @ Jeanne Oliver



 #203  2013 Christmas Home Tour @ Hymns and Verses



#266  DIY Christmas Twig Wreath @ Confessions of a Serial DIYer



 #290  New Years Eve Tablestyling: Silver Black & Gold @ Focal Point Styling



 #299 Christmas Mantle Plaid Christmas Stockings @ The Styled Soul 


From the host - Courtney @ French Country Cottage


 Make Time For Joy, Give Love‬ and ‪‎Share‬ this holiday season... be sure to visit the Design Happy blog on the HomeGoods site for many more ideas, links and posts shared... BTW: Thank you HG for featuring my Christmas Bedroom, in a post about how to get a bedroom guest room ready in 3 easy steps!






Thanks for stopping by and happy decorating!





Note: This post is sponsored by HomeGoods and the Happy By Design project. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.




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