10 Must-Grab Holiday Items To Look For At Every Estate Sale
Table Linens
Tablecloths, placemats, cloth napkins, and table runners are some of my favourite things to look for at estate sales. Layering a table in beautiful linens for every holiday is the easiest way to make your tablescape look pulled together and purposeful.
My favourite ones to look for are vintage hand sewn pieces, such as quilted placemats, ruffled table runners, etc.
Blowmolds
It was worth waiting in the rain for two hours for this guy. Cat for scale.
Vintage blowmolds are a hot ticket item at every sale! I waited in line in the pouring rain for two hours to snag this snowman for $40 at an estate sale earlier this year. I also LOVE looking for jack-o-lantern buckets,and vintage plug-in jack-o-lanterns.
Blankets & Throw Pillows
If you’re iffy about thrifting blankets and throw pillows, you may change your mind after visiting an estate sale. When you buy something from a thrift store, you have no idea what its origins are. You can’t tell if the house was clean, if the item was stored properly, if the owners smoked, etc. At estate sales, you can get a really great idea of how the owners took care of their items, and if the item is coming from a clean home. You can easily wash blankets and throw pillows, so if the home I’m buying them from was clean and well cared for, I have absolutely no problem taking them home.
Vintage Ornaments
It’s my dream to have an entire Christmas tree made up of vintage ornaments. My favourites are the silk thread ornaments, and Shiny Brites. I scored all of these for $10!
Candle Holders
I always jump at the chance to grab candle holders and tapered candles at estate sales. I found a pair of Christmas candle holders that perfectly match the Christmas dishes I inherited from my grandmother, for only $4.
Wrapping paper
Estate sales are a great place to find wrapping paper, gift bags, etc for really low prices! I love looking stocking up on wrapping and gift giving supplies when I find them.
Cookie Cutters & Cake Pans
Vintage Wilton cake pans are one of my favourite things to thrift! I honestly feel like they don’t make them like they used to. They’re so nostalgic and fun to use. I’ve also found some really interesting vintage cookie cutters that I can’t wait to use this holiday season.
Ceramic Christmas Trees
These are a hot ticket item. If you can manage to find one at an estate sale, you better get in line early, because as soon as the doors open, it will be gone. I was honoured to inherit my grandmother’s ceramic Christmas trees recently. A few years ago, I bought a replica at Walmart (I’ve seen them at Costco too), and it doesn’t compare at all to the real thing.
Vintage Greeting Cards, Invitations, Etc
Vintage greeting cards, invitations, Valentines, etc are great for framing, using as placecards, or gift giving. I keep a little stash of thrifted greeting cards on hand for special occasions. They’re cheaper and more unique than anything you’ll find at the store.
Tableware
If I had a spare room, I’d fill it with shelves of different themed tableware for every holiday. I feel like the art of setting a good holiday table has been lost. I remember my grandmother setting every Christmas table with Christmas themed dishes, green wine glasses, beautiful tablecloths, placemats and napkins. Your Christmas dishes don’t even need to match. I have some from my grandmother, and some that I’ve thrifted. There is nothing cozier than a Christmas tablescape using mismatched pieces from different sets.
Check back to see how we use some of these pieces this holiday season!