8 Best Holiday Decor Items You Can Find When Shopping Secondhand

Look out for these preowned home wares at thrift stores, yard sales, and antique stores.

If you’ve set foot in any retail setting lately, one thing is certain: It’s time to decorate for the holidays. But before you get pulled in by all the lovely garlands and twinkling lights at big box stores, there’s another place you should be heading first—secondhand shops. Not only can you further stretch your dollar while shopping sustainably, but you may also find something unique or vintage.

And how do I know? As someone with spaces in four different antique malls and a home filled with preloved items, I’ve spent the last few weeks wandering charity shops, antique stores, and estate sales, searching for holiday finds. Trust me: Christmas is in full bloom at thrift shops. Whether you’re hunting for a specific item or just looking to build up your stash of decorations, here’s what to pick up next time you’re shopping for preowned finds. There’s no better time to do so than the holidays.

Christmas Trees

Secondhand shops seem to have at least one Christmas tree no matter the time of year, and their presence is even more pronounced when the holidays are in full swing. Of course, you won’t have the full selection of a big box store, but I’ve seen almost every size available. Many castoffs are prelit trees that no longer light, but depending on the style, you can remove spent strings and replace them with new strands. Also, look out for vintage styles such as ceramic tabletop trees and retro flocked or aluminum trees.

Wrapping Paper

Once you wrap presents, the covered packages under the tree contribute to your holiday decor. Of course, you’ll have to search for patterns that align with your decorating style, but your secondhand store should have plenty of options. And don’t lose heart if the roll has already been opened. This season, my favorite gift wrap find was a partially used vintage roll featuring adorable Santas, and there is plenty left for my holiday wrapping needs.

Greenery

Although my aesthetic side loves the look of fresh greens, the mess they create can be a burden, so my live greenery consists of a real Christmas tree each year. Case in point: I’m still finding wayward pine needles in strange places from last year’s tree. If you like the look of greenery without the debris, scour your local charity shop for greens. I’ve seen everything from plain faux evergreen strands to more decorative garlands laden with bows and pinecones.

Tableware

The dining room table centers your holiday entertaining, so seize the opportunity to make it as festive as possible. I’ve been stocking up on glassware—most of which features holly—but there’s also an abundance of dishes, mugs, and serving pieces just waiting at secondhand shops. If you’re looking for a coordinating set, you may have more luck at an antique store or estate sale, but if you don’t mind a mismatched selection, you can slowly pick up pieces as you come across them while thrifting.

Wreaths

Wreaths are also prevalent in secondhand stores. I’ve seen everything from grapevine rounds with simple sprays to the adorable faux evergreen wreath I purchased for my daughter’s apartment, complete with bows, pinecones, and a cute Santa. Also, don’t pass on a damaged piece. I recently bought a box of less-than-perfect greens from an estate store and deconstructed them to add small bits of faux-liage to vases and pitchers.

Fabric Items

Whether a set of kitchen napkins or a bathroom guest towel, fabrics are typically easy to wash while adding pattern and color to a space. Additionally, look for holiday pillows, tea towels, throw blankets, and small holiday-themed rugs to cozy up your space. Due to their size, printed tablecloths can also pack a festive punch, but don’t fret if you don’t find one that fits your table perfectly. I often layer tablecloths by placing a patterned one over a solid cloth to cover my table fully.

Ornaments

In a pinch for inexpensive ornaments? Most charity shops overflow with everything from solid-color balls to unique handmade baubles. Sometimes, folks donate entire collections of coordinating ornaments, so you can decorate your tree with a cohesive theme if you’re lucky enough to find a set. However, there are plenty of one-of-a-kind ornaments if you prefer a tree with a more eclectic vibe. Christmas ornaments also make lovely additions to packages and gift bags, so don’t overlook ones that don’t necessarily coordinate with your tree.

Tchotchkes

Whether you call them knick-knacks or tchotchkes, part of the fun of shopping secondhand is that you’ll never know what you’ll find. A lot of Christmas decor serves no purpose other than bringing cheer, and this is truly where someone’s castoffs or change of decor can be someone else’s delight. This past weekend, I purchased a set of metal tabletop deer simply because they put me in a festive mood, precisely the feeling I want from the holiday items I’m thrifting for my home.