21. Monogrammed Wall-hanging For Keys
This could be a great wedding gift, anniversary gift, or housewarming gift! The look is easy to create. Take a peice of burlap, canvas, or other neutral material and stretch it along the back of a frame. Chose a dark frame, or else paint it a dark color. Think espresso or dark chocolate brown. Stencil on the initials of the couple or single that you are celebrating. Last, screw in some simple hooks from a hardware store.
22. Mother’s or Father’s Day Photo Vases
Find your favorite photos of Mom or Dad, and make them look antique by using a simple photo editor to turn them either sepia toned or entirely black and white (I think black and white gives a cool finished look, with a single rose in it? Amazing!) Use an online editor like “Befunky.com” or “Picmonkey.com” for free, and print out your photos. Then apply them to the outside of a clean tall and narrow glass container with glue. Cover with a clear finishing coat.
23. Jewelry Box Photo Album
This one takes some work, but it’s worth it. I love taking photographs from the digital world into the material world. Those memories need to be printed out! Photographs are no fun when they are hidden away and forgotten on a phone. With this gift, you get to use an old jewelry box for something even more precious than rubies and pearls: Memories!
24. Bookmark Baubles
Do you know any serious readers? I mean the kind of people who always have a book near at hand. I certainly do! This bookmark is a great way to use those odds and ends pieces of thrift shop jewelry. Scour the shelves for little pieces that glitter and sparkle.
25. Vintage Jewelry
While you are looking through jewelry, you might find a vintage item that you want to keep just as is. Check out our Guide to Giving Stylish Vintage Gifts if you’re looking for more tips about gifting great vintage jewelry as-is.
26. Fancy Fun Key-chain [bonus]
Sometimes you start looking through the earrings and see that some are only single! This great tutorial taught me how to make a key-chain out of one earring, from start to finish. It was really easy! Make a lovely key-chain for that special person in your life who deserves some sparkle.
27. Leather Journal Writing Notebook [bonus]
Maybe your friends love to journal! A beautiful vintage leather journal would be perfect for them!
Giving gifts made with items that you find while thrift shopping is a wonderful way to save money, re-cycle, and be creative. You get to have fun looking through second hand stores for just the right treasures. A crafty touch here and there, and “Voila!” you have a gift that will make someone smile. Not everyone knows how to find the diamonds in the rough in thrift stores like you do. So share your talent! Your family and friends will be grateful.
Please leave a comment below if you have any ideas to add to the list!
Love all of these ideas! Thanks for sharing my apron collection!
Can you actually light a candle in a teacup? I would be afraid it would crack.