Holiday Thrifting Guide: Decor, Party Outfits and Gifts

Deck the Halls (Without Emptying Your Wallet)

You don’t need a “Christmas section” to decorate for the holidays. Some of the best decor at a thrift store doesn’t look festive until you give it a purpose. Look for:

• Glass vases and jars: Pop in a candle and they become glowing holiday candle holders.
• Baskets: Fill them with blankets, pinecones or ornaments, or use one as a tree skirt.
• Frames: Swap in old family photos or holiday cards for an instant gallery wall.
• Lanterns and candlesticks: Cluster a few at different heights on a mantel for a cozy, warm look.
• Ornaments and garlands: If you spot a box, grab it. Mismatched ornaments look charming together.

If a piece is almost right, a little paint, ribbon or greenery can finish the job. Keep in mind that holiday decor varies by location and depends on what’s been donated, so check back often.

Set a Party Table People Will Talk About

Here’s the secret to a gorgeous holiday table: it doesn’t have to match. Mismatched plates, odd glasses and cloth napkins in different patterns look intentional when you keep to one colour palette.

Pick two or three colours, like deep green and gold, or burgundy and cream. Then use the colour-sorted racks to pull everything in your palette. Serving trays, candle holders, platters, cutlery and stemware can all be found for a fraction of the price of buying new. Add a few small candles and some greenery, and you have a table that looks styled by a professional.

Find Your Holiday Party Dress

This is where thrifting really shines. The holiday season is full of sequins, satin, lace and velvet, and thrift stores are packed with all of it.

• Go for velvet. A velvet dress, blazer or skirt feels instantly festive, and it looks richer than it costs.
• Try a sparkle statement. A sequin top or skirt can be styled with jeans for a casual party or with trousers for something dressier.
• Don’t skip the accessories. Brooches, clutches, a pair of statement earrings or a satin scarf can turn a simple outfit into a party look.
• Go festive and fun. A cozy knit, a silly sweater or something bright and retro is perfect for a casual get-together.

Want more outfit ideas? See which looks are trending in our guide to Fall 2026 fashion trends you can thrift.

Fluffy Finds: The Cozy Holiday Look

This is our favourite tip. Winter is the season for texture, so go looking for anything soft and fluffy: faux fur hats, cozy scarves, shearling-style jackets, fuzzy knits and mittens.

At Talize, our racks are organized by colour and size, so it’s easy to find exactly what you want. Want a cream faux fur hat? Head to the whites and neutrals. Looking for a red coat or a deep green sweater? Go straight to those colour racks and skip the endless searching. It’s a quick way to build a full winter look in one visit.

Gifts That Feel Special (and Don’t Look Last-Minute)

Thrifted gifts are thoughtful because they’re one of a kind. A few ideas:

• Build a themed basket. A mug, a cozy blanket and a candle for the tea lover. A cookbook, a serving dish and a wooden spoon for the home chef.
• Give a vintage find. A unique piece of jewellery, a framed print or a beautiful scarf can feel more personal than anything off a store shelf.
• Wrap it creatively. A scarf or a piece of fabric makes a beautiful gift wrap, and the recipient gets a bonus gift. Add some twine and a sprig of greenery.
• Plan early. Keep a running list of people and ideas so you can grab the perfect item the moment you see it.

Holiday Treasure-Hunting Tips from Talize

A few tricks to help you find the good stuff:

1. Start with a colour. Pick your palette (red, green, gold, silver, cream) and shop those racks first.
2. Do the touch test. Velvet, faux fur and soft knits are easy to spot by feel, so run your hand along the rack.
3. Look beyond the holiday aisle. Vases, baskets, trays and glassware don’t look festive on the shelf, but they work beautifully once styled.
4. Check the details. Test lights, check for missing pieces, and look over zippers and sequins before heading to the till.
5. Make a mini wish list. Even a simple note on your phone, like “velvet top, gold candlesticks, cozy hat,” keeps you focused.
6. Go early and go often. Our selection changes with donations, and this is one of the busiest times of year for people clearing out closets, so new items arrive constantly.
7. Think “what could this become?” A plain vase, a scarf or a tray can turn into something special with a little creativity.