We’ve all seen the must-have gift lists outlining the hottest electronics, newest toys, and latest trends that seemingly “everyone” wants under their trees. So, we put together a list of must-thrift gifts perfect for anyone looking to leave a few more unique gifts under their trees.
Sometimes, the perfect gift is the gift that your loved ones are never going to forget and cherish forever. Other times, it’s a piece of pop-culture or nostalgia that brings your loved ones back to the excitement of being a kid opening presents. And is there anything better than having your loved one say they love their gift and you being able to tell them, “Thanks! It's thrifted.”
These must-thrift gifts are perfect for all the awesome and eclectic people in your life.
CDs and Vinyl
Let’s be real — music fans, the people who really live and breathe music, can be a unique bunch. It’s not only the artists and songs that they can obsess over; sometimes they can also get hyper-focused on the music’s format. We see this with fans of vinyl, but would you believe CDs and even cassettes are receiving the same nostalgic reverence?!
Older music formats regularly get donated a lot to Bissell Thrift Shop and there are some real special gems. Records from old time favourites? Movie soundtracks that hit all the right nostalgic notes? Compilations from cult-favourite record labels? These are the gifts that help the music-lovers in your life have an unforgettable holiday season.
DVDs, Blu-Rays, and VHS
Wait, how expensive are some streaming services getting? And for some, you still have to watch ads? All that and there’s still no guarantee your loved ones’ favourite shows will be available. This is where DVDs, Blu-Rays, and even VHS can be priceless!
Whole seasons of favourite shows, classic movies, indie gems, and thought-provoking documentaries – the cinephile in your life is going to be exhilarated when they rip the wrapping papers to find a hard copy of their favourites. And if need be, you can easily thrift a DVD player too!
Books
No one ever gets mad at unwrapping a good book. Whether it’s a deep mystery, heartfelt romance, golden comedy, or terrifying horror, everyone loves a good story — and there’s nothing like unwrapping a compelling page turner.
Plus, ask any of the readers in your life and they’ll almost always say they prefer physical books. For the especially avid bibliophiles, even the smell of older books is something they adore. But it’s the dog ears on the pages, the notes in the margins, the underlined quotes, and (if you’re really lucky) the inscriptions on the front that can bring your gift from a solid read to an artifact with a story all its own.
Dishes and Glassware
Some of the coolest and most unique vintage finds are mugs and glasses. Bissell Thrift Shop has seen its share of cool retro Canadian mugs and glasses from the Vancouver Expo in ’86, early K-Days cups (back from when it was still called Klondike Days), even older Oilers merch from the team’s amazing Stanley Cup runs.
Mugs and glasses almost always make great gifts but finding a vintage mug showcasing a piece of Canadian history or a special interest near and dear to that special person’s heart elevates that gift to unforgettable heights. And if they really love their new vintage mug, they just might pour a cup of coffee right into it after they open it.
Games
Giving gifts to the gamers in your life can also be like a gift for you too – after all, games are always more fun when there are two players or more. Be it classic video games, tabletop board games, or card games, there’s something so magical about opening a game and getting everyone visiting for the holidays to join in on the fun.
Whether it's reliving a holiday memory from childhood or jump-starting a new tradition with our loved ones today, bringing a new game or a familiar classic along can make your holiday get-togethers even more memorable.
Accessories
There’s nothing more exhilarating than finding a stellar piece of vintage jewellery. There’s something so uniquely inexplicable when you find a retro accessory that you can almost be certain no one else will ever find new in-store.
These pieces can add flare and personality not just to single outfits but a person’s entire style. Giving a vintage accessory to a loved one can show how deeply you understand that person and how much you want to help enhance the awesome people they already are.