5 Holiday Items You Should Buy at a Thrift Store

One of the rare times of the year that I actually go shopping at thrift stores is during the holidays. Of course, if I had the time and lived closer to some of the more popular ones, I would go more often. With thrift stores, you're bound to find something really interesting or needed and the prices you just can't beat.

Besides the prices, I go to the thrift stores during the holidays because more often than not I've found seasonal items that I wasn't able to find elsewhere. Of course, there is the option to buy seasonal goods at the Dollar Store, but by going to the thrift store, you can often find quality treasures that go beyond one-time use. If you have some time, patience and an open mind, thrift store shopping can be rewarding.

If you're a first time thrift store scourer, it can be a little intimidating because there's a lot of stuff everywhere. Another thing to remember is that not everything comes at a good deal. There have been times where I've come across things that I really liked and had to pass on it because the prices were ridiculously high. For those reasons, I'm here to offer you some tips on what to buy and what not to buy at the thrift stores during this holiday season to make the most out of your experience and money.

China: When it comes to your fancy cups, plates and dinnerware, thrift stores might be for you. If you have guests coming over for the holidays, you're probably going to need more dinnerware, silverware and the like. You'll find a lot at the thrift store for a good price, but you'll also see some goods overpriced. If you're paying more than $10 for a set of four to six plates at a thrift shop, then your best bet is to shop at discount stores like Marshalls, Ross or Home Goods instead.

Christmas or Hanukkah Decorations: This past weekend, I went to Santa Barbara and searched through all of their amazing thrift stores. I found tons of Christmas decorations, as well as fall decorations. Some of the decorations still had their original packaging and was over 80 percent off the retail price. The ornaments were 4 for $1, stockings were a few dollars and everything else was under $10. When I shopped for ornaments at department stores such as Macy's, I use to spend well over $150 with discounts. At the thrift store, I could spend $50 for the same amount of items that are probably better in quality. The bottom line is that thrift stores are a great place for holiday decorations.

Gifts: If you're looking for a gift for a person who has everything, thrift store shopping is a must. You can find old vinyls, comic books, vintage typewriters, phones, almost anything you can think of. But remember, you're probably going to get a better deal buying some old vinyls versus a vintage phone because the rarer they are, the more expensive they're going to be. I love going to thrift store to buy vintage jewelry and little knick-knacks you can't find anywhere else.

Clothing: Your go-to place for ugly holiday sweaters is your neighborhood thrift shop. You may need to buy one for a holiday party for work and you'll definitely find an ugly sweater there. I saw one for $5 which I think is a great price. If you're planning on going to a fancier holiday party, thrift stores carry everything from cocktail dresses to formal suits. Make sure you check to see if there are any noticeable stains or rips before purchasing. A deal is only good if what you are getting is in reasonable condition.

Furniture: If you have guests coming into town, you may need to find a futon or extra chairs for your dining room table. While thrift store shopping for furniture is a must, it can get a little tricky. First, you have to decide if you want furniture that you want to keep for a long time or that you use a couple times and then discard. If you want to get furniture that lasts, you can find some amazing vintage pieces at the thrift store but the price can either be really great or really expensive. If you're in a bind and you need something immediately, but you don't care about the quality, it might be easier to snatch something up at IKEA or Target.

Susan Yoo-Lee is the editor of Savings.com personal finance blog and founder of Mommas in the House blog.