Thrift Store Christmas Gifts: 14 Clever Flips Nobody Will Guess Came Secondhand

Thrift Store Christmas Gifts are the best kept secret of every crafty person who wants to give something beautiful without spending a fortune. Walk past the shelves with fresh eyes and you will see it: a scratched tray that only needs paint, plain plates waiting for a pretty print, a tarnished brass candlestick that will shine like new. A few dollars and one cozy evening later, those forgotten finds become gifts that look like they came from a boutique. Thrift flip videos are racking up hundreds of thousands of likes right now for exactly this reason. These 14 ideas are simple, budget friendly and made for grown ups who love a good treasure hunt..

Thrift Store Christmas Gifts Table Ready to Wrap

This is what a table of Thrift Store Christmas Gifts can look like after one weekend of flipping. A painted tray, a pretty plate, a shiny brass vase and a teacup feeder, each one costing a few dollars before a little love and paint. One thrift flipper on Instagram earned 290,000 likes calling a $7.49 find the best use of money she could think of. Grab a cart, a coffee and a list of names before you go. Who is first on your list..

You will need: A few dollars per gift, sandpaper, chalk or acrylic paint, decoupage glue, metal polish, ribbon and kraft paper.

How to make it: 1. Shop with a list of people and the colors they love. 2. Clean every piece well with warm soapy water. 3. Pick one flip per item and work in batches over a weekend.

Painted Thrifted Tray Serving Set

A thrift store tray is one of the easiest flips around and it never fails to impress. Sand off the shine, paint it a soft sage, cream or deep green, and polish the handles. Then fill it with two mugs and a jar of cocoa so it is a complete gift. One Instagram flipper nearly put her tray back and later said she wanted one in every room, a post that earned 110,000 likes. Would you keep the tray or give it away?

You will need: A wooden or metal thrifted tray, fine sandpaper, chalk paint, a clear topcoat, metal polish, two mugs, cocoa mix.

How to make it: 1. Sand lightly and wipe clean. 2. Paint two thin coats and seal with topcoat. 3. Polish the handles and fill the tray with the mugs and cocoa.

Decoupage Plate Wall Set

Plain thrift store plates turn into a gallery wall with the help of pretty paper napkins. Separate the top printed layer, smooth it onto the plate with decoupage glue, and seal it for a hand painted look. One thrifted plate makeover video passed 900,000 likes on Instagram. Use these as wall decor only, not for food. A set of three in winter berries is a gift anyone will hang right away. Which print would you choose?

You will need: 3 thrifted plates, printed paper napkins, decoupage glue, a soft brush, plate hangers.

How to make it: 1. Peel the top layer from each napkin and cut out the design. 2. Brush glue on the plate front, lay the napkin down and smooth it. 3. Add two coats of glue on top, dry, and add hangers.

Brass Candlestick Vase Trio

Old brass candlesticks are everywhere at thrift stores, and with a quick polish they glow like antiques from a fancy shop. Instead of candles, slip a small glass vial into each top and add a sprig of eucalyptus or berries. Group three of different heights and you have an elegant, safe gift that looks pricey. These make Thrift Store Christmas Gifts feel truly special. Do you already have a brass piece hiding in a cupboard?

You will need: 3 brass candlesticks, metal polish or lemon and baking soda, soft cloths, small glass vials, fresh stems.

How to make it: 1. Rub on polish and buff until shiny. 2. Fit a small glass vial into each holder, adding putty if loose. 3. Add water and stems, then wrap the set together.

Thrift Store Christmas Gifts: Silver Plate Jewelry Dish

Little silver plated dishes are often priced at a dollar or two because they look dull on the shelf. Polish one up and it becomes a gleaming jewelry catch for rings, earrings and necklaces on a nightstand. It is one of those Thrift Store Christmas Gifts that feels like a family heirloom. Tuck it in a small box with tissue paper and a sprig of pine. Who on your list always loses their rings?

You will need: A small silver plated dish, silver polish, a soft cloth, a small gift box, tissue paper.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the dish. 2. Rub on silver polish, then buff with a clean cloth. 3. Nest it in tissue in a small box and add a ribbon.

Glass Bird Bath for the Garden Lover

A glass bird bath stacked from thrifted vases, candle holders and a wide bowl is a show stopper for the gardener in your life. One Instagram creator built hers for about 30 dollars and it reached tens of thousands of likes. Choose pieces in one color family, glue them with outdoor glass adhesive and let them cure fully. Birds love it, and it sparkles in the sun. Would you go clear, green or blue glass?

You will need: A wide glass bowl or platter, 2 or 3 sturdy glass vases or holders, clear outdoor glass adhesive.

How to make it: 1. Dry fit the pieces from widest base to the bowl on top. 2. With adult help, glue each joint and let it cure for 48 hours. 3. Set it on level ground and add water.

Thrift Store Christmas Gifts: Old Frame Photo Memo Board

An ornate frame from the thrift store becomes a memo board that holds photos, cards and notes. Paint it white or gold, staple linen or cork into the back, and add a few mini clothespins. It is one of the most useful Thrift Store Christmas Gifts you can make, and it looks beautiful on a desk or in a kitchen. Clip in a few family photos before you wrap it. Who would cry happy tears opening this one?

You will need: An ornate thrifted frame, spray or chalk paint, linen fabric or cork board, a staple gun, mini clothespins, ribbon or twine.

How to make it: 1. Remove the glass and paint the frame. 2. Staple fabric over cardboard or cork and fit it in the back. 3. Stretch twine across and add clothespins.

Sweater Pillow Cover

Thrift stores are full of chunky knit sweaters, and one of them can turn into the coziest pillow cover. Lay a pillow form on the sweater, cut around it with a little extra, and sew or glue the edges. Keep the ribbed hem along the top for a pretty finished edge. It is soft, warm and perfect for a winter couch. Pick cream, red or forest green for the holidays. Which sweater color would match your sofa?

You will need: A thrifted knit sweater, a pillow form, sharp scissors, a needle and thread or fabric glue.

How to make it: 1. Turn the sweater inside out and place the pillow form on top. 2. Cut around it leaving 1 inch extra, and sew three sides. 3. Turn right side out, insert the pillow and stitch closed.

Cozy Thrift Store Christmas Gifts: Mug Cocoa Kit

Mismatched vintage mugs cost less than a dollar at most thrift stores, and they make the sweetest little gifts. Wash one well, fill it with a bag of cocoa mix, mini marshmallows and a peppermint stick, and wrap it in cellophane with a bow. Teachers, neighbors and coworkers will all love it. Making a dozen at once costs less than one store bought gift set. How many mugs would you need?

You will need: Thrifted mugs, cocoa mix, mini marshmallows, peppermint sticks, small treat bags, cellophane, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry each mug. 2. Fill a treat bag with cocoa and tuck it in with marshmallows and a peppermint stick. 3. Wrap in cellophane and tie with ribbon.

Vintage Book Page Wreath

Old hardback books at the thrift store are often a quarter each, and their pages make a gorgeous wreath. Roll pages into cones or fold them into fans, then glue them around a foam or cardboard ring. The soft cream color looks lovely with a red velvet bow or a bit of greenery. Book lovers especially adore this one. Do you know someone who would hang this on their door?

You will need: An old book with damaged pages, a foam or cardboard wreath ring, a hot glue gun, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Roll pages into cones and glue the edges. 2. With adult help for the hot glue, attach the cones around the ring in layers. 3. Add a velvet bow and a ribbon loop.

Wooden Dough Bowl Centerpiece

Long wooden bowls show up at thrift shops all the time, and they are the base for the farmhouse dough bowl centerpiece everyone loves. Oil the wood until it glows, then fill it with greenery, pine cones, a few ornaments and battery fairy lights. It makes a table look styled in five minutes. Give it filled for the holidays and the bowl keeps working all year. Would you keep it simple or add some sparkle?

You will need: A long wooden bowl, food safe wood oil, a soft cloth, faux greenery, pine cones, ornaments, battery fairy lights.

How to make it: 1. Clean the bowl and rub in oil, letting it soak overnight. 2. Lay greenery along the bottom. 3. Add cones, ornaments and lights on top.

Glass Jar Spice Set With New Labels

Small glass jars are easy to find secondhand, and a matching set feels like a luxury kitchen gift. Wash them, fill them with favorite spices or homemade seasoning blends, and add simple labels in your best handwriting. Line them up in a thrifted wooden crate or on a little tray. Home cooks will use it every day. Which spice blend would you make?

You will need: 6 to 8 matching glass jars with lids, spices or seasoning blends, labels, a funnel, a small crate or tray.

How to make it: 1. Wash and fully dry each jar. 2. Fill with spices using a funnel. 3. Label each lid or front and arrange them in the crate.

Thrift Store Christmas Gifts Basket Hamper

A sturdy wicker basket from the thrift store is the perfect home for a gift hamper. Line it with a plaid scarf or tea towel and fill it with homemade treats, a small battery lantern, cozy socks and a good book. The basket itself becomes part of the gift. For more ideas, see our DIY gift baskets. What would you tuck inside?

You will need: A thrifted basket, a tea towel or scarf for lining, crinkle paper, treats and small gifts, cellophane, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Clean the basket and line it with the towel. 2. Add crinkle paper, then tall items at the back and small ones in front. 3. Wrap in cellophane and tie a big bow.

Teacup Bird Feeder

A pretty teacup and saucer that has lost its set becomes a charming bird feeder. Glue the cup on its side or upright onto the saucer, attach a ribbon or chain, and fill it with seed. Hang it where you can see it from the kitchen window and enjoy the visitors all winter. It is a sweet way to end your list of Thrift Store Christmas Gifts. Which bird would you love to see first?

You will need: A thrifted teacup and saucer, strong outdoor glue, a ribbon or small chain, birdseed.

How to make it: 1. Glue the cup to the saucer and let it cure overnight. 2. Tie a ribbon or chain around the handle for hanging. 3. Fill with birdseed and hang it from a sturdy branch.