Don't Miss Out on These Overlooked Thrift Finds

Thrift stores are overflowing with clothes, shoes, and accessories, but when you look beyond the fashion finds, there's plenty more to uncover. There are plenty of thrift store picks to elevate your decor, level up your appliances, refresh your bookshelf, and even restock your craft supplies. When you know what to look for, you’re destined to find some gems — especially if you're patient.

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Holiday Decor

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Thrift stores are great places to find nearly-new holiday decor. People often donate seasonal decor after just one use! Look for holiday lights, wreaths, seasonal candle holders, wall decor, and more. To get more to choose from, go early in the season when the thrift stores first put out the seasonal stuff.

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Candles

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Yes, you can get candle holders at thrift stores, but don't sleep on the candles! Pillars, candlesticks, tea lights — you can usually find what you're looking for at the thrift.

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Luggage and Backpacks

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Suitcases can be really expensive, so you'll score some big savings when you buy them secondhand. Give it a roll to make sure it's still working properly, and do your due diligence to inspect the lining for stains or spills that could be hard to clean.

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Books and Music

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We love to browse the bookshelves at our local thrift stores. You can usually find kids’ books and cookbooks, but you can also find novels, reference books, and even cookbooks! With the resurgence of optical media, you may be on the hunt for DVDs, VHS tapes, or vinyl records. These are great thrift finds!

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Frames

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It can be tricky to find the perfect size on your first trip, but be patient! Thrift stores are always stocked with picture frames; you may just have to visit a few times before you find the style and size you're looking for.

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Appliances

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Don't forget the appliance section. It can be daunting looking at shelves of toaster ovens and rice makers, but it's worth the hunt to save some cash and keep these hard-to-recycle gadgets out of landfills. Look for a nearby power strip to test the appliance first to ensure it works. Before you check out, ask the cashier if you can return it if you get home and it doesn't work.

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Games

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Board games are great thrift store finds. You can save a lot on old classics and new games, too.

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The Latest Trendy Items

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If you really want a Stanley Cup or a popular pan, usually all you have to do is wait a couple of months, and then you'll start seeing them at thrift stores. The trouble with trends is that they move quickly, so if you really love an item and you're not bothered by the fleeting hype, rescue it from the thrift and give it a long, landfill-free life.