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Things I ALWAYS see at Thrift Stores + Ideas for Use

post #1 of 27
9/9/10 at 10:12am
Thread Starter 

This week, my kids and I stopped by our local Salvation Army thrift store. They like it because their allowance money really goes a long way when they shop there. Their favorite things to look for are games, books, and DVDs.

While I was there, I entertained myself by taking photos of a few things that are always in ample supply there and most other thrift stores. Do you have some suggestions on how to use them? Here are my thoughts:



Books for expectant and new moms. These books have such a limited time span for use, they're rarely kept after baby becomes a toddler. If you're in the market for books on baby names, pregnancy, and child care - check your thrift store before hitting up the book store.


Picture frames. If you can look past the gaudy artwork inside, you may be able to find a treasure. Check out the cute collage frame I made for my kids' artwork using a large frame I found at a thrift store awhile back. The entire project was under $6, and we had fun creating it.



Kitchen utensils. You probably have enough of these and don't need any more, but wait. Your kids will have a blast picking out slotted spoons, measuring cups, and other odds-and-ends to use in the sandbox or bathtub. Just make sure you carefully inspect them first for sharp edges so little ones stay safe.



Baskets. I really don't use too many baskets in my decor anymore, but I do use them for organization. I use a tiny basket near the coffeemaker in our kitchen to hold loose change and car keys. I use a flat-bottomed basket on our bathroom vanity to hold hairspray, gel, toothpaste, and other items we use daily. I also have a little basket of hotel samples (shampoo, conditioner, soap) in the bathroom adjacent to our guest bedroom for anyone who stays at our house.  Plus, they look great with some spray paint.

 

 

Vases.  Glass vases are a dime a dozen (well, almost) at thrift stores.  I picked up a couple for $.25 each and make them look like a set with a coat of spray paint.

 

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post #2 of 27
9/10/10 at 9:04am
I have been picking up cookie cutters now and then for playdough.
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post #3 of 27
9/12/10 at 4:35pm
Good ideas!
I always buy cheap tshirts and nylon pants there to use for my gym clothes.
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post #4 of 27
9/12/10 at 6:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kim View Post

This week, my kids and I stopped by our local Salvation Army thrift store. They like it because their allowance money really goes a long way when they shop there. Their favorite things to look for are games, books, and DVDs.

While I was there, I entertained myself by taking photos of a few things that are always in ample supply there and most other thrift stores. Do you have some suggestions on how to use them? Here are my thoughts:



Books for expectant and new moms. These books have such a limited time span for use, they're rarely kept after baby becomes a toddler. If you're in the market for books on baby names, pregnancy, and child care - check your thrift store before hitting up the book store.


Picture frames. If you can look past the gaudy artwork inside, you may be able to find a treasure. Check out the cute collage frame I made for my kids' artwork using a large frame I found at a thrift store awhile back. The entire project was under $6, and we had fun creating it.



Kitchen utensils. You probably have enough of these and don't need any more, but wait. Your kids will have a blast picking out slotted spoons, measuring cups, and other odds-and-ends to use in the sandbox or bathtub. Just make sure you carefully inspect them first for sharp edges so little ones stay safe.



Baskets. I really don't use too many baskets in my decor anymore, but I do use them for organization. I use a tiny basket near the coffeemaker in our kitchen to hold loose change and car keys. I use a flat-bottomed basket on our bathroom vanity to hold hairspray, gel, toothpaste, and other items we use daily. I also have a little basket of hotel samples (shampoo, conditioner, soap) in the bathroom adjacent to our guest bedroom for anyone who stays at our house.

Kim, do you know if it's true, that if you keep your receipts to thrift stores/charity stores, they are a write off?
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post #5 of 27
9/12/10 at 7:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by justnkate View Post

Kim, do you know if it's true, that if you keep your receipts to thrift stores/charity stores, they are a write off?

I think that is just for donations, not for purchases. But I'm not 100%.
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post #6 of 27
9/12/10 at 8:36pm
The books would make great gifts for expectant mothers. You could get an "Expectant mothers" book to put in the basket and fill the basket with other items. Such as items for when the baby comes along or items specifically for the Expectant mother.

It's so easy to break the glass in picture frames. You could probably replace the whole picture frame here, instead of buying a new glass piece. Which would be a lot cheaper.

Baskets are good for organizing. I have a rectangular basket that I keep my magazines in. I have a basket on top of my bathroom vanity in which I keep my hairbrushes, pony tail holders and other hair accessories in. On top of our toilet stool, I have a basket in which I keep our roll of toilet paper and some neatly rolled wash cloths in.

The holidays are coming up, and purchasing baskets from thrift stores to use as a gifts could save you some money.
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post #7 of 27
9/12/10 at 9:25pm
Purchases at thrift stores are NOT tax deductible. The only tax deduction is if they charge you sales tax (yes, in my state we're charged sales tax on used items ), then you can deduct the sales tax if you itemize ALL your sales tax purchases.

Buy used books with interesting pictures to use for craft projects.

With baskets, think shape more than look. Even ugly baskets can be re-painted or covered with fabric. I use baskets for waste-baskets around the house.

Picture frames can be mounted on cabinet doors to make a funky look. An empty picture from can be hung over a large mirror - making an interesting look. A picture frame - or several - can be mounted over a piece of plywood (hardware stores will sell standard sizes or cut them for you) to make a serving tray. Mount an empty picture from over a section of cork board, covered in fabric, and make a bulletin board ... or over foam-core to make a ribbon board. Remember, if a picture frame is too big, you can cut it down to the size you need.

Other items that are in abundance in thrift stores is fake flowers and stuffed animals. With stuffed animals, include them in gifts to the elderly in nursing homes. When a young child visits, the nursing home resident has a fun toy to share. Fake flowers are used for decorating wrapped gifts - instead of buying expensive bows.

I also buy wreaths at thrift stores to make wreaths at home. It is much cheaper than buying a new wreath form.
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post #8 of 27
9/13/10 at 7:03am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by justnkate View Post

Kim, do you know if it's true, that if you keep your receipts to thrift stores/charity stores, they are a write off?

Your donations are, but not your purchases.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cookie2 View Post


Other items that are in abundance in thrift stores is fake flowers and stuffed animals. With stuffed animals, include them in gifts to the elderly in nursing homes. When a young child visits, the nursing home resident has a fun toy to share. Fake flowers are used for decorating wrapped gifts - instead of buying expensive bows.

Stuffed animals kind of gross me out, simply because I wonder what kind of germs and bacteria they may be harboring. Remember to run them through the washing machine first, or at the very least put them in the dryer for 30 minutes on a hot setting to kill anything that may be lurking.

Good idea for the flowers!
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post #9 of 27
9/13/10 at 9:22pm
With the holiday baking season approaching I like to buy the large single plates that I can give away along with the baked goods.

I find a lot of decorative tins in various sizes, primed and repainted in a child's favorite color with their name painted on and you have a great reusable gift container.

Large glass bowls filled with various items make great center peices. Fill with water and float candles, fill with nuts and leaves or apples for fall, replace with small pumpkins & squash as Thanksgiving approaches, then glass ornaments and bead strands for Christmas. Or perhaps a very large candle surrounded by pebbles at the base.
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post #10 of 27
9/14/10 at 6:16am
The mismatch glass goblets and wine glasses make great candle holders. BAskets are always a good find expecially if you do gift baskets for gifts. I love the idea of getting a baby book, put in a gift basket add some baby clothes, baby blankets from the kids section in the thrift store as a gift.

I also get alot of my jeans that I use for my purses that I sell from the thrift stores. And the left over leg materal from them gets used up in other projects. $1 and less a pair of jeans can be turned into $20 or more purse.
I have also been known to purchase an article of clothing for just the material for a project.
Last year I bought my Halloween Costume for $3.00 from the Thrift store. I was a Gypsy!
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