The “$20 Thrift Rule” Is My Favorite Way to Holiday Shop on a Budget
With the holiday season upon us, shopping is at an all-time high. But if your bank account is at an all-time low and you still want to find thoughtful gifts, I have a fun challenge I use to curb my shopping enthusiasm year-round.
I found all the props for my cookbook, Big Dip Energy, through thrifting, antiquing, estate sales, and vintage hunting — from kitschy accents (a lot of things that look like food but can’t actually be eaten) to retro colorful dishes. But because of that, I have a lot of stuff. So much so that I can’t go into a thrift store unless I use my $20 challenge. It’s exactly what it sounds like: I bring a single $20 bill in with me and see how far it can stretch.
The key is being open to finding anything but manifesting something specific — like a mug to hold utensils, some cool serving dish, or completing a collection of vintage-colored Pyrex — to give that $20 a purpose and vision. It’s a game I play very occasionally for my own shopping wish list (because $20 multiple times in a month defeats the purpose), but I really use it when I need to find a gift.
Gifts are my love language, so finding the perfect thing for friends and family is important. My money goes so much further at a thrift shop than buying something new. Plus, it’s more personal with a story behind it than the newest cool candle or a pair of slippers. So not only is the goal to spend $20 or less, but the challenge is also how much you can get for that 20 bucks. Sometimes that $20 can be gifts for 5 people or one to two “splurge” items for a single person — or myself.
Below is a haul from a recent $20 thrift challenge when I was visiting a new city, Denver. One of my favorite ways to play this game is while traveling because limited suitcase space adds another level of difficulty. Here, I was able to get a few 50% off deals by checking for stickers that were the sale color; if your thrift store color-codes, keep an eye out for those deals to stretch your dollars! This extraordinary thrift challenge gave me EIGHT items for $17.92 plus 8% sales tax, making it $19.35 — under budget and ready to wrap six gifts and display two new things in my home.
Vintage Nut Chopper, $1.99 (originally $3.99)
My mom has been wanting to replace an old nut chopper for holiday cookies, but all of the modern ones aren’t as sturdy or made of rustproof metal like this one. Plus, with a festive green color, I couldn’t resist.
“There’s No Such Thing As Too Much Garlic” Shaker, $2.99
The rule in my kitchen is the limit does not exist for garlic, and this garlic powder shaker with that very sentiment written on it stopped me in my tracks. I thought about putting it back so I could get more gifts, but it ended up squeaking in under the budget!
Space-Age Sputnik Design Atomic Coat Rack, $1.99 (originally $3.99)
I’ve been dreaming of sourcing a baller (heh) coatrack like this, but the one in my Etsy favorites was $64. This was a dream find, with the design inspired by the Sputnik satellite. I may give it to a friend who recently moved if I can’t find a space in my home for it.
Vintage Family Circus Mug, $0.99
My mom doesn’t drink coffee, but she LOVED reading the Family Circus comics with me. She would absolutely say “my favorite place is inside your hug” to me, and she can use this as a small utensil crock next to the stove so it feels like we’re closer together from across the country. Plus, the price was right!
Strawberry-Shaped Ceramic Sugar Bowl, $3.99 (originally $7.99)
I collect strawberry items, but I’ve reached the limit of what I truly need. So this is for one of my best friends, who would love a little kitschy accent that’s fun and functional. The most incredible part is when I opened it up, there was a note inside, “Given to mother by Jill in 1941,” and the friend I’m giving it to just happens to be pregnant with her first child.
Blue Depression Glass Creamer Pitcher, $1.99
For my friend’s husband, also a close friend, I found a pitcher for cream to go with the sugar bowl as an interesting mismatched set for future tea parties or coffee.
Matilda VHS, $0.99
This is for a friend who loves Matilda as much as me. I’m planning to make it into a clutch-style purse if I can figure out the best way to DIY!
Funky Glass Jell-O Mold, $2.99
I’m undecided on whether I’ll keep this for myself or gift it to a friend, but I think it would be fun to paint and hang as wall decor.
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture
