Holiday Thrifting: It's A Secondhand Winter Wonderland

"Now bring us some figgy pudding."

There are seven days left until Christmas. And like many frantic holiday shoppers, I've hit malls, outlets, supermarkets and yes, wine and spirits shops. And I've hit them hard. There was just one place I hadn't been able to hit in anticipation of the big ho-ho-holiday bonanza. 

That's right. I'm hanging my head in shame that, I, the sole force behind Let's Go Thrifting, had yet to visit the thrift store for some holiday inspiration. And so, with a week to spare, I reached out to the kind folks of Impact Thrift, to ask if I could take a few holiday themed photos for this very blog post. And of course, they welcomed me back to take a gander at what festive wares they had in store. 

I was not disappointed. And this got me thinking. Could a well-stocked thrift store be a one-stop holiday shop for gift-givers, party goers, social hosts, and Christmas revelers alike? Well, let's see...

There are lovely dinner platters to bring that you wouldn't mind leaving for your host to keep. Of course, you might want to keep them too...especially that one on the left. But, hey! This is the season of giving! 

There is a bounty of holiday tins. And they'll make a perfect presentation for all of the candy and baked goods you'll be giving to friends and family, or as storage for delicate tree ornaments. 

Talk about some elegant serving options. If you'd like to host a holiday dinner party, why not keep it classy? You can bring your guests some figgy pudding---whatever that is---and  do so with a lovely silver serving bowl. 

And don't forget the decorative touches...

Oh. My. God. How cute are these ornate candle holder gift boxes? 

And carolers-- you can never have enough carolers, even if they demand figgy pudding. 

So, if you're looking for holiday decor, elegant dining inspiration, last minute gifts, or something festively appropriate to wear, thrift shopping can help you be merry, bright, and on budget. 

What holiday goods have you purchased secondhand? 

Season's Greetings and many thanks to the folks at the Feasterville Impact Thrift Store! 

A Winter Wonderland, It Isn't.

If there was but a single word that could capture my sentiments toward this cruel winter season, that word would be: STOP. I know this is the cycle that we need to endure before the buds of spring can sprout anew. But this cold, gray monotonous downpour of snow and ice is anything but poetic. 

As anyone with a chronic pain condition can testify, these cold and stormy days are more than just tedious. They're downright painful. And for everyone else at the very least, it's physically demanding and mentally taxing. Bundle up, shovel out and hope that your car can chug-a-lug it's way to your destination safely. In short, it's a wicked wintry mess. 

I tried. I really did. After digging out after the first major storm, I attempted to embrace the beauty of fresh fallen snow and frozen streams with my Canon Rebel grasped by raw gloveless fingers. And after about five minutes in a wind chill of -13 degrees, I trudged back home and got under the covers.

Let's face it. It's an ever-accumulating snowy prison. The few times I've been able to make the journey to the thrift store, I've returned empty-handed. I'm guessing when the roads are treacherous and the temperatures arctic, people aren't in a hurry to drop off donations. 

It's completely understandable. 

I guess I'm just in desperate need of spring. Spring! With its weekend flea markets, long and leisurely walks that find me stumbling upon an occasional yard sale and thrift stores bursting with freshly donated stock from the great seasonal purge nationally hailed as Spring Cleaning. 

But it's not here yet. And tomorrow has yet another wintry mix in the forecast. 

Grumble. Grumble. 

Stay warm, thrifters. And do share any news of thrifted loot with me on the comments, that I might live vicariously through your finds until I can borrow a sled dog team to get me out and about.