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A thrifter’s guide to holiday decor

Because all the best holiday decor already exists

old christmas ornaments and decorations in a box
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12 Days of Underconsumption is a special series from one5c laying out everything you need to know to celebrate more sustainably.

Check out all the tips here →

12 Days of Underconsumption is a special series from one5c laying out everything you need to know to celebrate more sustainably.

We’re going to make a bold statement: Just about every piece of holiday decor that needs to exist probably already exists. Even if you don’t have access to a closetful of granny’s old plates and garlands, the shelves of the local thrift can furnish all the seasonal coziness you require. 

Decking the halls with secondhand wares is gentler on the planet and our pocketbooks. And we’re not just talking about avoiding junky nutcrackers or scoring a preloved pine. Consider, for instance, the climate impact of making new dinnerware: Manufacturing a kilo of ceramics produces 3.64 kilos of greenhouse gas emissions—which means a set of eight new plates can have the same planet-warming potential as driving around 130 miles.   

Digging through the thrift-shop shelves, though, isn’t as easy as popping into Target, mainly because outfitting a home with secondhand cheer can take a bit of know-how, creative thinking, and inspiration. So we enlisted the help of Isaias Hernandez, a sustainability educator who posts as Queer Brown Vegan, and thrifting aficionado Elizabeth Rooney for tips on how to snag the best holiday decor, and what to do with it once you’re home.

Tableware & glassware

The thrift is as likely to be bursting with themed plates, cups, and mugs from the vintage fairy as it is castoffs from someone’s circa-2020 HomeGoods haul. That mishmash means it’s wise to let go of having a tablescape that’s matchy-matchy, as Rooney says it’s rare to find complete sets. A few plainer items like a solid red salad bowl or gold mug can pop alongside on-the-nose Christmasy motifs. 

Thrifter’s tip: Older ceramics and glass—particularly colorful or painted items—often contain lead, so Hernandez suggests taking a small lead testing kit with you to swab items. If your newfound treasure ends up not being safe to eat or drink from, it can still have a second life as a trinket dish or planter. 

Pillows & throws

Nothing drives home the seasonal warm and fuzzies like something warm and fuzzy. One of the quickest ways to revamp a room is to swap out pillowcases and throws for ones with traditional holiday imagery like trees or gifts. But you can also look for other textiles that conjure yuletide vibes via subtler cues like patterns (plaid, anyone?) or colors. If you’re comfortable with a little light sewing, also keep an eye out for unfinished fabrics, tablecloths, linens, or even scarves that can easily become pillowcases or tree skirts.

Thrifter’s tip: In a lot of cases, it’s anyone’s guess what a random swatch of fabric is made of (or where it’s been), so it’s crucial you give those new finds a long warm bath. All you need even for yellowed or stained rescues is some Woolite, dishwashing detergent, OxyClean, white vinegar, a bathtub, and time to spare for a good soak

Artwork

Want a subtler way to show that you’re getting into the spirit? Find some art that shows off winter themes that won’t look out of place come January, like snowcapped mountains. And don’t limit yourself to scanning the framed stuff: A few minutes spent digging through old books, postcards, and magazines can surface unique prints that might otherwise go unseen. 

Thrifter’s tip: Remember that artwork is not wed to the frame it’s in. You can replace an ugly image in a gorgeous frame as easily as you can salvage a picture-perfect scene from a so-so easel.

Candlestick holders

Nothing sells a dark academia or a Dickensian vibe quite as well as having an array of candles and vintage candlesticks. Thrifts often have tons of purpose-made holders, but almost any vessel can be a candle holder—teacups, saucers, ashtrays, and candy dishes are all excellent options. You can even take it a step further and melt down old candles (also usually in full force at secondhand stores) and DIY your own to repurpose the wax.

Thrifter’s tip: A lot of secondhand candlesticks are brass, which gets a dull greenish-brownish patina over time. Some folks dig that, but if you prefer things bright and shiny, Rooney suggests a rubdown with soap and water; tougher tarnish may call for a scrub with lemon and salt or baking soda and vinegar.  

Knickknacks and ornaments

Depending on which online calculator you use to suss out the number of doodads you’ll need to trim a tree, a standard 7.5-footer could demand 150 pieces of flair—or more. Ready-made ornaments may be thick on the ground in most thrift shops, but this is another opportunity to think outside the box. If you have a screwdriver, hot glue gun, some twine or string, and a few pins, it takes only a few minutes to turn any small decoration (think figurines and teeny picture frames) or forgotten toy into a one-of-a-kind ornament.

Thrifter’s tip: Found some great ornaments that are too heavy to hang? Prop them up to decorate a windowsill or shelf, or load up colorful baubles like balls into a basket or bowl to use as a centerpiece.