Every holiday season we’re bombarded with messages telling us that a “good” gift must be shiny, expensive, new and preferably purchased during a sale frenzy. But here’s the truth many people don’t want to admit:
Thrifty gifting isn’t cheap. It’s thoughtful, creative, sustainable and often far more meaningful than anything bought last-minute at a mall.
This week on Refashionista Rants LIVE, we are diving into the stigma around secondhand, upcycled and handmade gifts, why regifting has been unfairly shamed for decades, and how marketing has conditioned us to believe more money equals more love.
Spoiler: it doesn’t.
Why Thrifty Gifting Matters
• It breaks the cycle of holiday overspending
• It encourages creativity instead of consumption
• It reduces waste (which spikes dramatically every December)
• It values meaning over marketing
• It’s often the only financially sane option in a cost of living crisis
I’ll be sharing personal stories, including a fun throwback to the entertainment newspaper I created, designed and published while living in Greece and why even then, I was writing about the value of thoughtful, sustainable gifting.
What We’ll Chat About in Today’s Live
• Why people judge secondhand or handmade gifts
• The truth behind holiday “deals”
• How regifting became a taboo even though it’s practical and green
• Simple DIY gifts anyone can make using what they already have
• Why preloved gifting has always been part of my life and work
• How to reduce holiday stress by simplifying gift expectations
Because gifting should never put you in debt. It should never feel like a competition. And it certainly shouldn’t require buying things you don’t need just because a retailer told you it’s a “deal.”
Use what you already have to create what you want. That’s the heart of thrifty gifting.
Want DIY Gift Ideas You Can Make Today?
My Nifty Thrifty DIY Gifts eCourse + eBook is packed with easy, meaningful, budget-friendly projects you can make using what you already own.
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