National Thrift Shop Day isn’t just about scoring great deals, though we love that part, too. It’s a chance to celebrate all the ways thrifting makes a difference for our wallets, the planet, and our communities.
If you want to mark the day with more than just a shopping trip, here are ten easy and impactful ways to join the celebration with Goodwill®.
Explore a New-To-You Goodwill
Most thrifters have their go-to Goodwill store on rotation. But National Thrift Shop Day is the perfect reason to expand your thrift route and try a new-to-you Goodwill store or revisit one you haven’t been to in a while. Sometimes seeing a thrift store with fresh eyes is all we need to refresh our wardrobe or find that item you’ve had on your list for months.
Make a Donation / Host a Group Donation Event
Thrifting and donating go hand-in-hand. By being responsible donors, we can increase the likelihood that our stuff will get a second life and keep items from going to waste. But beyond that, every donation to Goodwill helps fund free job training programs and community services for people in your area.
You could even host a group donation event where you team up to collect donations to take to Goodwill. I recently booked a free Goodwill Mobile Donation Center in my neighborhood and invited my neighbors to drop off their donations, and we filled it to the brim in just a few days. Check if your local Goodwill has something similar or set up your own way to collect donations.
Pro tip: If you’re looking for ways to ensure your secondhand items will get a second life, consider taking these small steps before donating your items:
- Secure shoes with rubber bands so they don’t get lost.
- Wash your clothes.
- Test electronics to make sure they still work.
- Do not leave your items outside of a donation center or retail store without speaking to a Goodwill team member.
- Place donations in a recyclable box or reusable tote/bin instead of a plastic bag. These can be recycled or resold in the stores.
- Check to see what your local Goodwill donation center accepts to ensure you’re not donating hazardous materials or other items that thrift stores have to dispose of.
- Ask yourself: “Would I buy this item in this condition?” If the answer is no, find an alternative option such as repurposing or repairing.
- Ask if the donation center accepts unwearable textiles. Some have their own in-house textile recycling or repurposing programs.
- Separate housewares from textiles so they don’t break.
Introduce a Friend to Thrifting
If you have a friend who says, “I never find anything,” this is your chance to change their mind. Take them thrifting with you, share your tips and help them discover just how fun and rewarding it can be. Alternatively, you could also check with your local Goodwill to see about purchasing a gift card for a new thrifter or your thrifting bestie.
Leave a Positive Review
There’s no gatekeeping treasures over here! Love your local Goodwill? Tell the world. Leaving a kind review online or sharing a post on social media can make a big impact, especially for smaller or newer store locations. Shout out great customer service, share a bit about the Goodwill mission or show off a recent find to help others get inspired to visit.
Follow A Secondhand / Thrifting Creator
One of my most treasured finds is not a thrifted gem, but rather the online thrifting community that I’ve found. Whether you thrift for sustainability, affordability, creativity — or all of the above — you can find creators in every thrifting niche online. Search for thrift-related hashtags and connect with secondhand content creators online for inspiration and camaraderie.
Volunteer at a Goodwill
Did you know that Goodwill is more than just retail stores? The real magic happens through their programs that support individuals in your community looking to find jobs, build skills and advance their careers. Find your local Goodwill and inquire about volunteer opportunities or ways you can support the Goodwill mission.
Teach a Child About Sustainability
National Thrift Shop Day is a great opportunity to teach a child or teen about sustainability and mindful consumption. Bring them along for a day of exploring at Goodwill, let them pick out a toy or outfit, or have them help you collect items to donate.
Learn How to Create a Fool-Proof Thrift Wish List
Don’t underestimate the power of a thrift wish list. Keeping a running list will help make thrifting a lifestyle and habit, rather than a random outing. I separate my wish lists into two categories: priority and forever. The priority items are things I need now, maybe a kid’s coat or boots, and I am very intentional when I go to Goodwill to try to find those items. My forever items are things that I will never buy retail and will stay on my list until I find them thrifting. I sort of let those items “find me”, if you will. Get ready to manifest those forever finds.
Try a Goodwill Boutique or Goodwill Outlet
Want to make the day even more special? Check your area to see if your Goodwill has a boutique or outlet store. A Goodwill boutique is a curated shopping experience with upscale, brand-name and high-quality items. The outlet is a good old-fashioned treasure hunting experience where you thrift items by the pound.
Host a Thrift Challenge With Friends or Family
Turn National Thrift Shop Day into a fun group activity by organizing a thrift challenge. Set a budget, head to your local Goodwill and see who can put together the most creative décor or fashion look. You could also do a speed-thrifting event to see who finds the best items in a timed challenge. The possibilities are endless.
However you choose to celebrate, National Thrift Shop Day is a reminder that small actions add up. Every secondhand purchase keeps usable items in circulation longer and every donation to Goodwill funds vital community programs for those facing barriers to employment and stability. Every shared story inspires someone else to give thrifting a try, so join the movement to keep good things going. Happy thrifting!
Dina Younis is a digital content creator, podcast host, and lifelong thrifter based in Akron, Ohio. Through her platform Dina’s Days, she inspires others to embrace personal style, creativity, and sustainability through secondhand fashion. When she’s not curating thrifted outfits or hunting for hidden gems, she’s encouraging others to thrift with purpose—and have fun doing it.
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