Look, I know what you’re thinking: “Lexy, it’s November. Halloween just ended. Why are you already talking about Christmas?”
Because here’s the thing—even though I thrifted all my Halloween costumes this year and shopped my own closet, I know most families weren’t as lucky. And if you did spend money on store-bought costumes that got worn once? Please don’t let them go to the landfill. Donate them to Heal the Bay in LA or Clinical Associates in Maryland—check out my other blog for more details on how these costume drives work. Reuse, recycle, donate. Those costumes can be someone else’s treasure next year.
But whether you thrifted or splurged on Halloween, buckle up. The holiday season is about to hit your wallet like a freight train. And this year? It’s different.
Between tariffs driving up prices on literally everything, families stretched thinner than ever, and the planet screaming for help under mountains of holiday waste, we’re at a crossroads. But I’ve got good news: thrifting isn’t just the sustainable choice anymore. It’s the only choice that actually makes financial sense.
Let me break down why 2025 is the year we all need to embrace “Thriftmas.”
The Perfect Storm Hitting Your Bank Account
Recent analyses show that tariffs are adding between $1,200 to $1,600 to the average American household’s annual costs, and lower-income families are getting hit the hardest, with disposable income potentially falling by up to 5.5%. Translation? The same gifts that cost $100 last year might cost $120 this year, before you even factor in regular inflation.
Nearly 8.8 million Americans are now working multiple jobs just to make ends meet. Teachers are spending more on classroom snacks because kids are showing up hungry. Families are delaying car repairs because they can’t afford them.
This isn’t just economic data, this is real life for millions of families right now.
The Holiday Waste Crisis Nobody’s Talking About
Here’s where it gets wild. Every year, we create this massive spike in waste that would make even the Grinch uncomfortable:
Americans generate 25% more waste during the holiday season—that’s about 1 million extra tons of garbage per week between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. In the UK alone, over £42 million worth of Christmas gifts end up unwanted and eventually in landfills, with only 1% of holiday purchases still in use six months later.
The textile waste problem extends beyond Halloween. Every holiday season, we see the same pattern of single-use consumption that fills our landfills with billions of pounds of barely-worn clothing and accessories.
The Thrifting Boom Is Actually An Economic Revolution
Here’s the plot twist: while everything else is getting more expensive, thrifting is having its moment.
The resale market has grown 650% since 2018, and the average thrift shopper now saves $1,760 per year by buying secondhand. That’s not pocket change, that’s literally covering those tariff costs and then some.
62% of American consumers say tariffs are encouraging them to buy secondhand because new clothing is becoming too expensive. People aren’t thrifting just for the aesthetics anymore (though let’s be real, vintage finds are still superior). They’re thrifting to help make their budgets work.
58% of Americans shopped secondhand for apparel in 2024, and by 2029, the U.S. secondhand apparel market is projected to reach $74 billion. This isn’t a trend. This is a complete shift in how we think about consumption.
Why Lextober Was Just the Beginning
Our Halloween costume drive wasn’t just about October—it was a proof of concept for year-round community sharing. The model is simple: connect families who have with families who need, keep textiles out of landfills, and build systems where neighbors support each other through every season.
One person’s “worn once” is another family’s budget miracle.
Those costumes we collected? They’re going to kids whose families are choosing between holiday gifts and grocery bills. They’re extending the life of textiles that would otherwise join those 3 billion pounds in landfills. They’re creating a community system where we actually take care of each other.
And here’s what I’m proposing: What if we did this for every holiday?
My Family’s Already Doing Thriftmas (And Crushing It)
I’m not just talking about theory here. My cousins, Taylor, Char, and Courtney, we’re already deep into Thriftmas mode. And let me tell you, Courtney is absolutely killing it right now. She just made her first Thriftmas purchase. She recently scored 24 Marvel superhero figures, an entire bundle, for a fraction of what they’d cost retail.
If you’re not already following her on TikTok @nobodyaskedmom, do yourself a favor and check out her recent videos.
This is what Thriftmas looks like in action, and trust me—the kids don’t know (or care) that their gifts didn’t come from a big-box store. They just know they’re getting cool stuff, and meanwhile, parents aren’t drowning in credit card debt come January.
The Thriftmas Manifesto: How to Win This Holiday Season
Let’s get practical. Here’s how to have an amazing holiday season without destroying your budget or the planet:
1. Shop Your Closet First That “costume closet hacks” mentality from Halloween? Apply it to everything. That vintage sweater can be a gift. Those barely-worn boots your sister borrowed once? Wrapped and under the tree.
2. Hit the Thrift Stores Early The good stuff goes fast—luxury consignment stores are seeing 50-75% annual revenue growth. November is prime time, before the holiday rush hits.
3. Embrace Gift Experiences 87% of people believe holidays should be more about family and caring, not giving and receiving gifts. Concert tickets, museum memberships, cooking classes—these don’t end up in landfills and create actual memories.
4. Support Clothing Swaps & Drives Host a swap party or find local organizations accepting donations. Check out my clothing swap guide for step-by-step instructions.
5.Get Creative With Wrapping Americans throw away enough wrapping paper annually to circle the world nine times The Cool Down—2.3 million pounds ends up in landfills. Use fabric, newspaper, old maps, or reusable gift bags. Make it part of the gift.
Join the Thriftmas Revolution
This year, let’s prove that sustainable giving isn’t about sacrifice—it’s about creativity, community, and keeping more money in your pocket while keeping waste out of landfills.
This Thriftmas, I’m committing to making at least 75% of my holiday gifts secondhand, upcycled, or experiential. I’m organizing clothing swaps with friends. I’m shopping in my own closet like it’s a boutique.
Plus? Your gifts will actually be unique. Nobody else at the party will show up with the exact same mass-produced thing from Target.
Let’s make this the year we break the cycle. Let’s make Thriftmas a thing.
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You can email me at LexySilverstein@gmail.com
