We asked 4 pro vintage shoppers for their thrifted holiday gift ideas
Tips for finding the real treasures in the trove
If the thought of tackling the rest of your holiday shopping list at an overcrowded mall brings about a stress-induced panic, we have a solution that does not involve turning to gift cards: shop vintage and thrift stores for unique and affordable pieces your giftees will cherish. Vintage items are the antithesis of cookie-cutter mall store finds, they allow you to gift something special — often one-of-a-kind, and they have become an increasingly popular way for environmentally-concerned buyers.
And while the benefits of thrifting for gifting are numerous — including being able to spend less for something of higher quality than your budget would allow if said item was brand new — it can be daunting to sift through piles of "treasure" to find a giftable needle in a haystack. So we turned to four vintage shopping pros who spilled their secrets for spotting the best of the best. And if you're concerned about buying for those who are weary of gifts that have been pre-owned, fear not. We also asked for tips to convert even the most suspicious of second-hand finds into vintage-loving giftees. Here are their go-to gift ideas and how to source them.
Nicole Manek, costume designer, stylist, and consultant
The gift: A vintage handbag makes a great gift for a number of reasons. From Kensington Market to The Cat's Meow [in Toronto], there's no shortage of stylish and well-made vintage bags to choose from.
The giftee: I find with a lot of people who aren't into wearing second-hand clothing will still be open to a second-hand or vintage accessory like a bag or scarf. They can be a gateway item into opening your mind to more sustainable style.
The insider scoop: The best place to find a well-made good vintage bag is a mid- to high- end vintage store. My go to's [in Toronto] are Nouveau Riche and the Cat's Meow. Sometimes you can get lucky at Value Village or Common Sort.
I like to look for something that's made with real leather or suede, and really feel the material to make sure it isn't dried out or cracked anywhere. Give the handle and strap a good once over to insure that it is still intact and won't fall apart on you once you get some weight in the purse.
Generally bags from the '50s to the '80s were made well and usually with high- quality materials. Fashion bonus: many large fashion houses like Chloe, Valentino and Miu Miu look to vintage bags for their inspiration.
Autumn Hachey, an interior decorator & stylist, and the owner of Make Moves Vintage
The gift: You can't really go wrong with a vintage bottle opener for the holidays!
The giftee: These brass beauties make a great gift for anyone who likes to entertain as they're affordable and unique and will complement virtually any bar cart.
The insider scoop: You can find a variety of different brass openers online via vintage Instagram accounts, like @makemovesvintage or @the_sweetest_vintage. If you want to try to find one "out in the wild" try checking your closest Value Village [or local thrift store]. You can often find these guys hiding out in the plastic bag section. If one looks tarnished, a quick shine with a little Brasso never hurts. Happy hunting!
Lesley Mackay, owner of Bloomfield Vintage, a vintage Instagram shop out of Halifax
The gift: A vintage copper ice bucket and copper mule set.
The giftee(s): If your parents are like mine and enjoy hosting holiday parties, a classy ice bucket and drink set is a great addition to their bar display. (Adding a bottle of their favourite gin to the set is also not a bad idea).
The insider scoop: One of the best ways to shop vintage is to find things that you didn't buy together, but somehow go together perfectly! Ice buckets and glassware can be found easily at flea markets, vintage markets, vintage shops, and thrift stores.
The gift: Vintage craft books.
The giftee: The hesitant/new-to-vintage-shopping friend on your list. Vintage books — and specifically craft books and cookbooks — are a great way to introduce people to the benefits of thrifting and vintage shopping because it is something they can directly benefit from using (versus just giving someone a decor item). They have the dual use of looking cute on a shelf, and they can also take them down and actually use them.
The insider scoop: Local used bookstores are often a haven for adorable and useful vintage books and you can typically trust they are in solid condition if they're found in a reputable store. You can also try your luck at flea markets and church basement sales, as they can be a gold mine.
Tara Williams, a Toronto-based wardrobe stylist who works in television and print
The gift: A vintage eel skin purse.
The giftee: I picked this eel skin purse up for my girlfriend. We were into the eel skin wallet craze in the late '80s and had them in a few colours but we could never afford a purse. This was a steal at $7.99 at the Salvation Army. I love the rich merlot colour and texture; it's perfect for a party!
The insider scoop: I am fortunate to have a couple of thrift stores close to home. I pop in often with nothing in mind but hopefully a good find! When shopping for vintage or second-hand items, keep in mind the condition and quality of the item; it doesn't have to look new, but it should have been well cared for. Also, think classic silhouettes that stand the test of time.
The gift: Travel hangers. As a wardrobe stylist I have thing for hangers. I found this pair of travel hangers at the VV Boutique (Value Village) for $2.99.
The giftee: I picked these hangers up as a stocking stuffer for my husband, who travels a lot and is always looking to hang his jacket. Voila.
The insider scoop: When you're in the bigger thrift stores, check out the wall of miscellaneous items; you never know what your going to find. I found these hangers with other random treasures.