32 Of The Best White Elephant Gift Ideas Ever

Tips For Finding Thrifted Gift Ideas

I’d say keeping an open mind about your potential finds before venturing off to your local secondhand store is super important for executing these thrifted gift ideas.

If you’re shopping for a candle holder to gift with something too specific in mind, you may find yourself in an endless and unsuccessful search for the “perfect” piece. Instead, be open to combing through the knick-knack shelves and clothing racks – you never know what you may find!

Use the 10 thrifted gift ideas ahead to directly guide your gift-making journey, or let each one inspire you to find your own gift!

1. Use thrifted jars to put homemade jam, spice mixes, or snacks in.

Mason jars and other kitchen-y vessels are some of the most common items at the thrift. Pick up several this season, clean them off, then use them for holding homemade food goods to gift! You could even use some to put plant cuttings in.

2. Fill up thrifted vessels like mugs, vases, and bowls to pour candles in.

Making your own candles is actually super easy once you have the materials. Just melt some candle wax with some (or no) fragrance over a fixed wick that you've placed in a thrifted container. Everyone loves a cozy lil' candle!

3. Thrift and gift a pre-loved jewelry box alongside a new or handcrafted jewelry piece.

This thrifted gift idea will really impress, especially if you're able to find a unique jewelry box, or one in your giftee's personal style. As far as jewelry goes, you could make your own beaded necklace or earring set, or check out our favorite statement earringsfor inspiration.

4. Add matches and a striker to a small vessel for a unique match holder.

A box of 300 matches goes for about $10 online, and a dozen striker stickers are about $6. Get the most out of your dollar by thrifting a ton of small vessels (like a shot glass or shallow teacup dish), adding the matches and strikers to them, then gifting out multiple to friends and coworkers.

5. Thrift a velvet garment to cut into strips for handmade bows.

You can transform a $2 shirt into countless bows )for making hair clips and/or gift toppers) by following a simple bow-making tutorial. Sometimes you can even find unused gift bags and boxes in between the aisles to save on wrapping.

6. Thrift cookie tins for all the holiday treats you’ll make (and gift) this season.

Cookie tins and food storage containers are always hiding out at the thrift store. Snag a few and wash them thoroughly before stuffing them full of sweet treats (I always go with puppy chow/muddy buddies) to share! You can also use cookie tins and plastic containers as complete gift wrapping for anything small.

7. Find some candlestick holders or candelabras, clean them off, then gift them with a few candlesticks.

'Tis the era of candlesticks. Candelabras are hot right now, and you're bound to find some on the thrift store shelves. Add them to cart, clean them off, then gift them with a pair of candlesticks tied with a ribbon bow for a cute touch.

8. Thrift a picture frame and use it to hold a collage, a painting, or a photo that’s special to the recipient.

It's not hard to find old picture frames or prints that are still intact. Framing a photo you have of a favorite memory with your gift recipient or a place they love could really hit home and win their heart over! This example with pressed leaves and flowers is adorable, too.

9. If your giftee is a fashionista, scour the thrift store racks for some cool and unique pre-loved garments.

You could even package a few as a ‘style bundle.’ Bonus points if they’re winter-friendly! Just make sure you give everything a good wash before gifting them.

10. Use thrifted bottles to put homemade infused liquors in.

Just add any flavor combination you’d like (lemon + vodka, jalapeño + tequila, candy cane + vodka, coffee grounds + vodka) to some clean, thrifted, and airtight glass bottles – the more elegant the better – and let it steep for up to a month for a single-batch spirit.

1. Don’t Forget the Basket!

Before you think of anything you want to add to your boo basket, you have to get a crucial step out of the way – getting an actual basket to store all the gifts in, duh! Don’t worry, you don’t have to go too crazy with this part; even a simple container like this INough storage box from Amazon will do the trick. In addition to the variety of colors and patterns offered, there is also a built-in drawstring sack that helps to keep everything in place while adding to the holiday theme. Looks like Santa has some competition!

2. Something Cozy

It’s no surprise that most people like to bundle up and stay indoors as the weather gets colder (myself included), so why not use this gift-giving trend as an opportunity to give your special someone things to keep them warm? Personally, when winter rolls round, there are two clothing items that become essentials in my loungewear routine – fuzzy slippers and fuzzy socks.

If you’re on a budget but also searching for the perfect UGG slippers dupe, look no further than Land’s End Suede Furry Lined Slippers! Not only do these shoes have a fuzzy faux fur interior to keep your toes warm and toasty, they also have durable rubber soles, making them perfect to wear whether you’re on the go or staying at home. Plus, these slippers are currently on sale for $35 for the holidays. Compared to $100 and up for a pair of UGG slippers, it’s a deal you can’t refuse.

A comfy getup isn’t complete without a fresh pair of fuzzy socks! My favorite kind of fuzzy socks are ones that are super colorful and have cute animals on them, like kittens, llamas or (admittedly) even characters from Bluey. These “Holiday Movie Crew” crew socks from Target fit that description to a tee; who wouldn’t find a rabbit and a bear watching holiday movies together adorable? There’s also a gift card holder included in the socks, just in case you’re looking for a creative way to include an extra gift.

3. Something Comforting

Let’s face it – while the holidays are fun, it can also be extremely stressful. To me, one of the best ways to show someone you care about them is by giving them a care package filled with their favorite snacks, drinks, or even a stuffed animal that they can snuggle with when you can’t be there. If your burr basket recipient is in need of an impromptu spa day, one of the best care packages I would recommend is the Self Care Bundle from Send a Friend. This care package includes a pair of fuzzy socks, a wellness journal, a lavender bath soak, Bigelow lavender and chamomile tea and, of course, a fluffy friend! Not only can you choose from over 40 stuffed animals to include in your package, it will also contribute to a good cause; a portion of each purchase is donated to multiple nonprofits across the United States.

If you’re well-versed in all things beauty and wellness, then you already know that one of the biggest trends that is currently taking the industry by storm is achieving a “snatched” face – or in other words, a defined jawline and cheekbones. While there are cosmetic procedures that can help to get this look, “natural” alternatives, like the use of facial massagers, have also gained popularity in recent years. If you’re looking for an affordable tool for your skincare guru, Pacifica Beauty’s Gravity Rebound Facial Massage Roller is the perfect option. The dual zinc alloy rollers help to cool the skin while adapting to the contours of your face to depuff and sculpt your face through lymphatic drainage. You can even store it in your fridge or freezer for an extra cooling effect. Personally, I’ve incorporated this roller into my morning skincare routine and it’s made a huge difference in getting me awake, refreshed and ready for the day!

4. Something Yummy

Arguably one of the best aspects of the holiday season – besides spending quality time with your loved ones, of course – is the treats. As an avid baker, one of my favorite things to make are warm, gooey cookies. But if you’re baking for people who have dietary restrictions, sometimes it can be difficult to figure out how to bake treats that not only taste good, but that everyone can enjoy. Luckily, Sweet Loren’s premade cookie dough is here to help make holiday baking so much easier. These cookies are gluten-free, vegan and allergen-free, and also come in a variety of fun flavors including gingerbread and chocolate mint. Plus, if you’re a fan of eating raw cookie dough, you could eat these as is – no baking required!

5. Something Fun for Everyone

One of my favorite holiday traditions is game nights with my family. Whether it’s an intense round of Uno or a simple game of Charades, game nights are a fun way to bring people closer together. If your burr basket recipient is also a fan of card games, consider adding the holiday edition of “What Do You Meme?” to their rotation. Here, you can combine image and caption cards to create the best holiday meme, or combine it with other “What Do You Meme” expansion packs for even more laughs. After all, laughter is the best medicine, and what better way to get your fix than through creating fun memories with your loved ones?

Elle remembers "sobbing" during one particularly emotional Dakota Fanning movie.

“When Elle’s in anything, it makes me feel it deeper,” Dakota Fanning said at TheWrap’s Power Women Summit on December 3. “She never can fully disappear into a character totally for me as her sister. She obviously does an amazing job, but I’m always gonna see my little sister a little bit.”

And Elle is just as touched by Dakota's roles, and remembers "uncontrollably sobbing" after seeing Now Is Good, a movie where Dakota's character was dying of cancer. “Because it was my sister, I had a real traumatic reaction after that premiere and the screening,” Elle says. “Obviously the acting, but it was something felt on a deeper level.”

“I’m doing this job, I’m an actor because my sister started before me and I watched her,” Elle continues. “I wanted to do exactly what my big sister wanted to do.”

And their movies have also made an impact on everyone who watches them.

When Brit + Co caught up with Dakota Fanning at the world premiere of The Watchers, I had to ask about one of her most iconic movies: Uptown Girls. "I love it," she says of TikTok memes and edits giving the movie new life. "It's nostalgic for people who are kind of around my age, who grew up watching that movie, I think it's like a comfort movie for people. And so I love that people are still revisiting it and loving it. And maybe now that everyone's older [they're] understanding different things about it."

Dakota starred opposite Brittany Murphy, who also had roles in movies like Clueless, 8 Mile, and Girl, Interrupted. Brittany passed away in 2009 when Dakota was 15. "I loved Brittany so much and I still miss her," she says. "So anytime that she has, you know, a moment where people think about her is also nice."