Crazy4Me - The Modern Bombshell Lifestyle by: Yasmina Greco

Vintage Fashion, Mid-Century Modern, Collectibles, and Everything in Between

Best Tips to Score Big at Goodwill and Thrift Stores

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Shopping at thrift stores can be a great way to find unique, one-of-a-kind items and save money. But if you don’t know the tricks of the trade, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and miss out on incredible deals. So, if you want to make sure your next thrifting trip is a success, and you find items you love then read on for our top tips for thrifting at the Goodwill and other thrift shops!

Know What You’re Looking For

Before you even step foot in the store, try to have an idea of what kind of items you’d like to look for. Do you need some new clothes? Are you on the hunt for Pyrex and unique decorations? Knowing what type of things, you’re looking for will help you focus your search and quickly spot anything that catches your eye.

Bring Cash

Most Good Wills and thrift stores are cash only, so it’s important to bring enough with you to cover your purchases. Some places may accept credit cards, but cash is always the safest option. Furthermore, bringing cash will help ensure that you don’t overspend on impulse buys.

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Thrifting Vintage Christmas Decorations: NOEL Sets from the 1950s-1960s

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Thrifting Vintage Christmas Noel Sets
Thrifting Vintage Christmas Noel Sets

Forget about the new and what everyone else is doing. If you’re a true vintage lover then these old time Christmas decorations are just what you need to create that classic feel in your home this holiday season. Stock up now because most of these items will be gone by the end of November!

Hurry, don’t miss out on all the nostalgia!

Today’s post in our 2021 Vintage Christmas Collecting Series features some of my favorite vintage Noel sets that date to the 1950s-1960s and feature candle holders, bells, and figurines. Some of these sets were featured in last year’s Vintage Christmas Collecting Series of 2020 but have been updated with current pricing and colorways. When it comes to vintage Noel collectibles there are so many varieties and themes from Santa Claus, Elves, Poodles, Snowmen, Angels, Candy Canes, and even Pixies that there really is something for everyone and you can easily have a theme each year for your holiday decorating too!!

Note: Blog post has a lot of photos and pricing source is recent Ebay, Etsy, Worthpoint, and my own personal sales data.

One sure way to any collector’s heart is items that come with their original boxes. For me, the box can also be used as part of your vintage holiday decor as they usually have timeless graphics that add so much charm to your displays. Since these vintage items are usually 70 yrs old, if you do find an original box it will probably have some wear and tear or even water damage from being stored in basements and attics and that is completely okay and in my opinion, adds that much more to the story and history of the item. 

Here are some of my very favorite Noel sets from my personal collection and I think they are just dynamite. Each set is so unique and has loads and loads of vintage Christmas charm. I actually have them up year-round in my cabinet and they always make me smile when I stop and admire them. 

Stacked Santa’s NOEL Totem Pole Candle Holders

Vintage Christmas NOEL Santa Candleholders Napco Brinns
Vintage Christmas NOEL Santa Candleholders Napco Brinns

Near-and-dear to my heart are these vintage Santa Claus stacked NOEL totem pole candle holders.  These have such fun, witty, retro charm. Pictured are two matching pair made by Tilso in Japan in the 1950s. The Santa’s have  gold little curly-q’s in their beards, have expressive eyes, and each hold a letter to spell NOEL. Tilso sets (sometimes referred to as Brinns) tend to fetch $225-$300 each, having the original box really can impact the price.

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