| 'Thriftmas' Is Trending: Why More Shoppers Are Turning to Secondhand This Holiday Season |
|
December 9, 2025
'Thriftmas' Is Trending: Why More Shoppers Are Turning to Secondhand This Holiday Season
One viral creator, @jaeliz22_, shared her trip to a Salvation Army store in Meadville, Pennsylvania, where she set out with a $100 budget to shop for her four children and a family vacation. By the end, she had filled an entire cart with toys and stocking stuffers — spending just over $18 on most of it. She even noted that her local store is pricier than other locations, proving how far thrift shopping dollars can stretch. The Rise of Secondhand Gifting According to a November report from mobile marketplace OfferUp, secondhand shopping is no longer a last-resort strategy — it’s becoming mainstream. The data shows:
This shift isn’t limited to the holidays, either. OfferUp’s 2025 Recommerce Report found that 93% of Americans purchased secondhand items in the past year, and 70% say the stigma around thrifting has significantly faded. Shoppers are also leaning on secondhand buys to dodge the usual holiday headaches: 89% said they prefer buying from local sellers to avoid shipping delays and extra fees. And Gen Z is leading the charge — 95% say they’re open to thrifting if it means snagging better deals. Why Thrift Shopping Is Surging Right Now The economic backdrop is playing a major role. OfferUp found that 93% of shoppers are worried about rising holiday expenses, and 70% are actively hunting for discounts. Recent WalletHub data shows U.S. consumers added $16 billion in credit card debt in Q3 of 2025. Meanwhile, Gallup reports a sharp drop in consumer confidence, with 68% of Americans saying the economy is getting worse. Unsurprisingly, the CNBC | SurveyMonkey Small Business Saturday Survey found that:
Even USA Today has named “Thriftmas” as one of the year’s most notable holiday shopping trends. More Than Savings: The Feel-Good Factor For many shoppers, the appeal of thrifting goes beyond budget relief. It’s also about sustainability and giving new life to pre-loved items. “They’re getting a new life and they’re not ending up in a landfill,” thrift shopper Samantha Rose Brammer told USA Today after spending around $5. “Thriftmas is like repurposing items…and can save you a lot of money.” Plus, thrifting often includes donating or selling unwanted items, helping shoppers offset costs while decluttering before the new year. How to Join the Thriftmas Movement Whether you're a seasoned thrifter or dipping your toes in for the first time, there are plenty of ways to embrace secondhand shopping this season: Local Thrift Stores Start with your neighborhood shops. Helpful directories include:
Online Secondhand Platforms If you prefer browsing from home, try:
Thriftmas isn’t just a trend — it’s becoming a smart, sustainable, and community-driven way to celebrate the holidays. And for many families, it’s the key to keeping the season merry without breaking the bank.  Posted by Johnny Ice at 11:17 AM |
