Your Quest for the Perfect Gift Begins at Goodwill

How’s your holiday shopping coming? I’ve tracked down a few of my most important gifts, but there is still much to be done on my end before Christmas arrives. In an effort to save money and give thoughtful, handmade gifts, I’ve turned to Goodwill. If you’re in the same boat as me, I thought I’d share a few of my plans for this holiday season in hopes of inspiring yours.

Image via incrediblethings.com

At the top of my shopping list is my very best friend. She’s a lover of words and an appreciator of things like good old-fashioned board games and cozy evenings in with a cup of tea. I was a little perplexed about what to send her way this year until I saw this scrabble tile coaster DIY on Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida’s (Fort Myers) Nifty Thrifty pinboard. With just a thrifted scrabble set and some glue I could really come up with some hilarious and heartwarming word combinations. Technically, this gift could really work for anyone (anyone to hydrates, anyway), since the coasters can be customized to fit any theme you can imagine.

Image via Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin

Next on my list is my sister. She’s a hostess at heart so she’s always welcoming people into her home. What better to give her, then, than a lovely front door wreath made from a revamped picture frame? Goodwill always has tons of frames available so with a little love and tasteful embellishment you could give one a new home. If there’s someone on your list who would appreciate this, you can find the tutorial shared by Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin (Menasha) Hey, maybe you should check out their post even if you can’t think of anyone who’d like this. After all, they do have 11 other brilliant ideas for DIY holiday gifts!

Image via highplainsthrifter.net

I’d say that’s a pretty good start for now (it’s early still), so maybe I’ll shift my focus to the wrapping portion of gift giving. Although it may be quicker and easier to have presents gift wrapped at stores or to just throw it in a gift bag, there’s a huge opportunity for creativity in the wrapping itself! Not sure what I mean? High Plains Thrifter took the time to decorate more than a dozen gifts with bright and festive thrifted packaging that will really wow their recipients. You can take your gifts to the next level by grabbing the necessary materials at your local Goodwill then following her instructions to bring your gifts to the next level.

Since this is the season of giving, we hope you’ve gotten a few good ideas for finding the perfect gifts. If you’re still in the giving mood after handing off every present, give your unwanted and gently used items to your local Goodwill! Your donation is the beginning of job creation, which, especially at this time of the year, is one of the greatest gifts of all for those struggling to find work. It’s just one simple way to give back! Enjoy your holidays!