For many folks, the holiday season has become synonymous with shopping and gift-giving. It is routine for Christmas shoppers to immediately head to big retailers selling brand new products like Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy without a second thought.

There is, however, another option for your holiday shopping: thrift stores! Thrifting your gifts this holiday season has benefits across the board. Here are some reasons why you should consider stopping at shops like the Habitat ReStore for all of your gift-giving needs:

1) More bang for your buck

Not everyone has a limitless budget when shopping for gifts. At the Habitat ReStore, you’ll find new and used items for at least 50% less than retail cost, with the added non-profit benefit of paying NO TAX on your purchase. With these kinds of prices, you can get more for less!

2) Saving the planet, one thrifty gift at a time

When you buy something at the Habitat ReStore, you’re preventing that massive waste of energy and resources necessary for the production of new products, and the pollution these processes create. Everything donated to the Habitat ReStore (from businesses or community members) has also avoided ending up in the landfill. Thrifting is an easy way to make a difference in your own carbon footprint and take the small steps to lower the world’s.

3) Thrifted doesn’t necessarily mean second-hand

At the Habitat ReStore, we offer MANY brand-new products that simply couldn’t be sold by retailers for one reason or another (returns, old inventory, etc.). When shopping at the Habitat ReStore, you can still find brand new gifts for at least 50% less than retail cost. Some examples of new items we’ve recently received in a gift in kind shipment: drones with HD cameras, makeup mirrors, metal detectors, space heaters, furniture, décor, and more! You can find cool gifts with no compromise involved.

4) Unique finds

Shops like the Habitat ReStore offer gifts you can’t find anywhere else. We often receive donations of awesome antiques or vintage items that you simply can’t find in big retail stores.

5) The perfect opportunity for personalization

When you buy a gift from the Habitat ReStore, you can really make it your own. Many of our customers love making cheap purchases and using their DIY skills to create something incredible. What’s better than a gift made just for you?

6) Shopping you can feel good about

When you shop at the Habitat ReStore, you can feel good about every dollar you spend. Instead of lining the pockets of billionaires, every purchase you make at our non-profit helps support your own community. Every purchase helps local families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.

Some gift ideas from the Habitat ReStore

• Candy! (We have lots)
• Electronics, gadgets, and gizmos (we’re always receiving donations of cool items)
• Kitchen appliances
• Books for the avid reader
• Records for the vinyl lover (currently only $0.25 a piece!)
• Any DIY project (check out Pinterest!)
• Vintage home décor/antiques
• Collectibles
• A gift certificate

What do you think? When is it okay to purchase gifts from a thrift store?

Is it always okay? Never okay? Would you welcome a thrifted gift this holiday season? Let us know in the comments below.