6 Thriftworthy Gifts for a Happy Wallet this Holiday Season

The Holidays can really take a hit to your pocketbook. According to Star News Online, “The average person will spend $805 during the Holiday season.” The good news is, DIYing is in, and it can save you some serious cash. Plus, you get to play the sentimental card.

This month, we wanted to expand on our last blog – Holiday Craft Projects Made with Thrift Store Finds. We gathered 6 DIY gift ideas for everyone on your list. The best part is, they all feature something you are bound to find on the shelves of ThriftWorks!, making it even more affordable!

1. DIY Sweater Mittens

Do you buy new mittens every winter? This DIY solves that, and it’s perfect for those ugly Christmas sweaters in the back of the closet. Turns out they make really festive mittens!

All you need is a sweater, scissors, and light sewing skills. Trace your hand, or the hand of someone else, depending on size needs and cut. Flip the pieces inside out to sew them together, then reverse them again to wear. These sweater mittens are sure to keep the recipient super cozy. You may even want to make some for yourself.

2. No-Sew T-Shirt Tote Bag

The supply list for this DIY is not very long. Find a t-shirt with a nice pattern or image on it – thicker fabric is best– and turn it into this tote bag. Depending on the t-shirts you find, this could work for just about anyone on your list.

3. Thrift Store Beautiful Coordinated Decor

Random pieces at the thrift store can sometimes sit on the shelf for months because people don’t see the potential. Mismatched vases, bowls, and figurines can all become a coordinated decor set. Paint is the answer; pick out a color or 2 and get to work. This gift is sure to please someone who seems to have everything.

4. Hanging Jewelry Organizer

A large picture frame and a crocheted doily or piece of lace are all you need for this next DIY. We regularly have sales on frames, so make sure to shop for them during that time. Mount the doily or lace to the picture frame with staples – it’s as simple as that. This jewelry organizer is perfect to hang earrings on, you could even pick up a few pairs at ThriftWorks! to include.

5. Vintage Teacup Candles

Teacups, especially old vintage ones, are very pretty. Most of us don’t really use teacups like we used to, but they can be repurposed into beautiful teacup candles. Perfect for any hard to buy for person on your list, like teachers, co-workers, and neighbors!

6. Cable Knit Throw Pillows

We’ve saved our favorite for last. These sweater pillows look straight out of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Perfect for the mom or mother-in-law who likes to swap her throw pillows with the seasons. Grab a few sweaters with a similar color palette. See if you can, find throw pillows as well to keep it thrifty, otherwise, a regular pillow insert does the trick. Add buttons or tassels to jazz them up.


Before you go to the mall, check out Thriftworks! with an open and creative mind. Head over to our Pinterest page where you can find more DIY ideas. If you have the time, they’re sure to save your wallet this holiday season. What will you do with the extra savings?

Holiday Craft Projects Made with Thrift Store Finds

Thrift stores are the perfect places to gather fun items to get crafty for seasonal decorations in your home. Secondhand scores turned into craft projects are inexpensive and inspiring. Check out these ideas for the coming holidays.

Halloween Candy Basket

ThriftWorks! thrift store often has a lot of baskets in stock. Decorate these baskets with your kids to create something unique instead of using the standard plastic store-bought counterparts. If you stay home to pass out candy, create a larger basket of your own. Kids who ring your doorbell will be surprised and impressed to see your unique basket painted like a pumpkin, covered in cobwebs, or frightening as Frankenstein like this one.

Spell Books for Witch Costume

If you or someone you know is dressing up as a witch or wizard this Halloween, do not skip the spell book! It is easy to re-purpose a book you find at the thrift store into a spooky spell book, complete with a 3-D effect. Find out how to make your own spell book here!

Thanksgiving Candle Centerpiece

You can often find candles at ThriftWorks! to decorate your home; they’re especially useful to celebrate Thanksgiving. Find candlesticks and drill a hole in a mini pumpkin's center to act as a candlestick holder.

Wine Glass Thanksgiving Centerpiece

It is easy to come by wine glasses or water goblets at thrift stores. Buy three and some small pillar candles to create an elegant centerpiece look that can work for any season. Flip the wine glasses upside down and fill the cup area with seasonal items. For Thanksgiving, add leaves, pine cones, small twigs, or other fall-related items. Then place candles on the bottom area (which is now up in the air offering a platform) and light them for a classy look!

Mug Craft Project For Christmas Gifts

You can decorate plain mugs in any design you would like with a simple sharpie and baking technique described here. This is a great gift idea for handmade Christmas giving. Try designing a snowman or reindeer to make your mug seasonal. ThriftWorks! has many mugs to choose from; you will certainly find what you need.

Christmas Decor With Salt and Pepper Shakers

At the thrift store, there are sets of glass salt and pepper shakers sitting on the shelf you would never think could be anything else. But this adorable Christmas craft is here to change your mind. Make little snowy scenes in the shakers and display them anywhere in your home for a unique and fun idea!


When perusing ThriftWorks!, keep in mind these crafts and see past the everyday items that lay in wait. Our items vary from day to day, so you never know what you’ll find lurking on our shelves! Get inspired to create craft projects using secondhand scores this season!

4 Crafty Ways to Ring in Spring with Centerpieces

The weather is warming. The flowers are blooming. Spring has arrived. It’s time to spruce up your home with décor that complements the season’s bright, refreshing feeling.


The perfect way to bring in that feeling of spring is to create your own floral centerpieces, and spread them around your home. Not only are the centerpieces an attractive way to decorate or accessorize your kitchen or coffee table, they also bring that fresh, outdoor aroma and esthetic into your home.

Here are some ideas for crafty floral centerpieces that you can create on a budget this spring:

Rustic

Nothing warms up a home like rustic accent pieces for decor. Take that comfortable, inviting inspiration to create beautifully simple floral centerpieces. You can use distressed wooden boxes, old planters, garden pails, or a variety of other items to contain or replace traditional glass vases.

Fruity

If you want to try a less traditional decor craft, a great option is to use discs of sliced fruit to make the home feel sweeter. Slices of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit add a vibrant and punchy element to a traditional (or perhaps nontraditional) vase of flowers. Just line your vase or bowl with various discs of fruit to brighten up neutral white flowers and add a fun, fruity aroma to your home.

Romantic

If you’re going for decor that relaxes your energy and creates an inviting atmosphere, use candles in your floral centerpieces. Fire and flowers may not seem like they would go together, but when done correctly, they can create a unique addition to any table or counter. Arrange short-stem, trimmed flowers around the edges of a small vase or cup and add a taller candle to the center. Voila! You have a simple and beautiful centerpiece for your home.

Festive

What is one of the first things you think of when it comes to spring? Easter, or course! Easter is a wonderful opportunity to decorate your home with pastel colors that brighten up your rooms and make them feel more spacious. A small addition to your home can be just enough to make your space brighter and more welcoming. Try using pastel colored Easter candy, including Peeps, M&Ms, or jelly beans, to fill a vase of flowers. This will add more color and festivity to your centerpiece and your home.

You can create these spring centerpieces on a budget from items found at your local thrift store. If you don’t find the perfect item, break out the pastel colored paint and get crafty! Stop into ThriftWorks! to find everything you need!