THRIFT
A THRIFTY CHRISTMAS, THE OP SHOP EDITION
December 02, 2016You won't have to hunt for very long, or very hard, to find gifts for every member of the family from your local op shops. Be creative, wrap them beautifully, add a personal note about why you chose the item and your gift will be well remembered.
CLASSIC TITLES
Book lovers will adore that you've picked out summer reading choices for them. Op shops are stashed to the rafters with great titles. Choose a handful with a theme, bundle them together with a ribbon and add a home made bookmark.
CARE FOR A CUPPA
Whether it's a sturdy, pottery mug or a delicate cup and saucer, make a selection from the many on offer. As an added bonus fill it with home made rum balls, shortbread or fancy store-bought teabags.
SUMMER ACCESSORIES
Op shops are a treasure trove of beads, bangles and other beautiful accessories. Red Cross stores, in particular, have a wide array of old-stock, new necklaces, earrings, bags, hats and sunglasses.
STYLISH SCARVES
I defy you to enter an op shop or two and not find a scarf for a scarf-loving friend. Do take a good look at the scarf before taking it to the counter. Some bear stains that may not easily wash out. Check too if the scarf is silk or nylon. I find natural fibres like silk, cotton and wool wash better. Polyester and nylon scarves tend to retain smoke or perfume smells from the original owner.
For the fellas, why not take a look at the tie rack. The same rules apply. Investigate the fabric for stains or rents in the fabric and check the fabric. Hand wash and iron your choice and gift it to your retro-loving friend.
VINTAGE PILLOW SLIPS
These are always fun and can be surprisingly hard to find. But, if you have a vintage-loving friend, pretty floral slips are a fun gift that will definitely be used. I always give thrifted pillow slips, tea towels, tablecloths or doilies a soak in Napisan, or similar, with a lid of bleach added to the bucket. Leave them to soak, followed with a wash on a regular cycle and good airing to dry.
YARN STASH
You may have to hunt for this, or log onto Ravelry, but a stash of yarn will be adored by any knitter or crochet fiend.
POTTERY BOWLS
This is, hands down, the most versatile Christmas gift you could give. Drop a gorgeous pair of earrings into a bowl or a selection of chai blend teabags. What about filling it with salted nuts or Smarties? Add a favourite dip and box of crackers. Fill it with tubers or bulbs from the garden. The options are endless.
VINTAGE CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Hunt op shops for a classic children's tale or nostalgic nod to your childhood favourite. I can always find a Little Golden Book, Beatrix Potter or classic like Heidi or Wind in the Willows.
TIMELESS TOYS
We have a number of baskets of second-hand toys - all of them hardy classics, like blocks, wooden diggers and trucks, Matchbox cars or rag dolls and bears. There's even a second-hand dolls house where scrounged Peppa Pigs and other such characters live. There's also the magic of giving a child $5 or $10 and letting them hunt the op shop themselves. What joy!
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