Instead of scrolling through Amazon’s Big Deal Days, I decided to try something different this year: thrifting my kids’ Christmas gifts. With toy prices predicted to climb because of tariffs, holiday shopping can add unwanted stress to this already expensive season.
The secondhand market offers an alternative — one that’s kinder to my budget and to the planet. By starting early and scouring thrift stores, kids’ resale chains, and online marketplaces, I’m slowly finding gifts my kids will love at a fraction of regular retail prices.
Why thrifting makes sense in this economy
Shopping secondhand for kids items might feel like an obvious way to save, but it could lead to bigger savings than you may expect. If you’re looking for brand-new baby gear and other essentials, the Trump administration’s tariffs have created a pricier downside: Because the majority of baby gear is produced in China — a country hit heavily by these policies — these items are likely to cost parents more.
A congressional analysis from June 2025 reported that new parents in the U.S. are paying 24% more for the total cost of Amazon’s most popular stroller, car seat, crib, high chair and baby monitor since the tariffs went into effect.
But it’s not just the baby essentials that have gone up in price — toys are also likely to be more expensive this holiday season.
“The vast majority of toys imported into the U.S. come from countries heavily hit by tariffs,” says Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet’s senior economist. “Some price increases due to tariffs are inevitable, and we’re likely to see these impacts in the months ahead.”
“Toy shoppers this holiday season will need to be discerning to find the best deals,” Renter says.
Find secondhand shops in store and online
To find the best deals, you have to know where to look and consider how you prefer to shop. For example, if you live in an area with lots of secondhand stores and kids’ resale chains, such as Once Upon a Child, you might want to take multiple trips over the course of weeks or months to sort through items in person.
If online shopping is a better fit, try searching for specific items on Facebook Marketplace and neighborhood buy nothing groups from the comfort of your home — although you do eventually have to pick them up in person. You can enter your exact search terms and filter by the distance from your home.
Other options like eBay and Mercari offer the same online convenience but allow you to ship items directly to you. Include search terms like “new in box” or “lightly used” to find great quality items at a significant discount.
Set your intentions for gifting
Once you’ve mapped out your secondhand shopping spots, it’s time to think about your holiday gift strategy.
Last year, I went overboard. My kids would’ve been happy with half the gifts they unwrapped, so this year I wanted a clearer plan. Thrifting is a marathon, not a sprint, and it’s easy to get carried away when everything feels like a bargain.
I landed on a simple rule: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. I also tried to choose gifts that build on toys they already enjoy and encourage my kids to play together.
Here’s my list: A train table, train set and Little People farm set for my son; dress-up clothes and a STEM learning game for my daughter; and a stack of books tailored to both their interests.
Hunt for tariff-proof toys
My first stop was at a local church’s annual kids’ consignment sale, where I scored a Frozen dress-up gown for $6 (regularly $54.99 on Disney’s website) and an Osmo learning game for $10 ($93 on Amazon). I even grabbed a winter coat for my son for $11 ($24.99 at H&M).
Not everything was a win. Train tables were priced at $100 each — about the same as new — and a Paw Patrol tower I knew my kids would love was missing a piece so I passed.
A few days later, I checked out nearby kids’ consignment shops with a bag of old clothes and toys to consign. I found one of my big-ticket items — a giant Thomas the Train play set with accessories — for $49.99 ($118.99 on Amazon). I got 20% off for making a purchase on the same day I consigned, knocking an additional $10 off the price.
Books were harder to come by in-store, so I turned to Book Outlet, a discounted online shop. After narrowing my search by age and genre, I picked up a three-book series for my daughter for $20.47 ($28.53 on Amazon) and five Daniel Tiger paperback books for my son for $11.68 ($30.38 on Amazon).
All told, I’ve spent about $100 on $350 worth of toys and books. I haven’t checked everything off my list yet, but with months to go before the holidays, there’s still time.
Secondhand safety tips
Thrifting can save you money, but some items are safer to buy new.
“At Consumer Reports, we recommend buying new safety gear like car seats and strollers and cribs whenever possible,” says Jessica Waller, baby and health writer at Consumer Reports.
“Car seats, in particular, are pretty high risk to buy secondhand because you can’t confirm if they’ve been involved in a crash,” Waller explains.
“Sometimes you can’t confirm the expiration date or how long ago it was purchased,” she says. That’s important because most car seats have a six- to 10-year life cycle.
If you shop secondhand, you can use the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website to look up product names, model numbers and recall information. Waller suggests focusing on clothes, toys and books. She cautions against vintage toys, which may contain lead paint, heavy metals or other toxins.
Tips for thrifting holiday gifts
Thrifting is practical, budget-friendly and meaningful. Here are some tips to get started:
Start early: The best secondhand finds go fast, and you never know what will be in stock. Visit stores and check online reseller groups often so you have more chances to snag what you need.
Shop with a plan: Thrift stores can feel like everything’s a bargain, but overspending defeats the point. Write down what you need and stick to it. Common secondhand finds include ride-on toys, play kitchens, dollhouses, wagons, sports gear and even electronics.
Inspect before buying: Make sure used toys or gear work and have all their parts. Check the safety recall list on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website, and if you’re unsure, skip it.
Broaden your search: Try shops outside your local area — thrift stores can vary from one neighborhood to the next.