Estate sales are the world’s best kept secret when it comes to gift shopping – and we’ll tell you why. First off, estate sales are different from garage sales or yard sales because the things on sale aren’t someone’s old and worn-out cast-offs. The items on sale at estate sales are often things people just couldn’t keep, due to circumstances or downsizing.

Go Green!

Estate sales provide opportunities to breathe new life into old items – which cuts down on waste and makes the world a better place! Some estate sale finds need to be fixed up or refurbished, so if you’re into DIY, getting your hands dirty is half the fun! (Not into DIY? That’s okay, too! Many items at estate sales have rarely or never been used, or else they’ve been treated with love). Either way you’re helping to reuse and recycle!

You Want It? You’ll Find It

Another reason to shop estate sales is that you can find just about anything if you look hard enough: power tools, decorative glass, books, Pyrex, every kind of collectible, vintage fashion, retro appliances, toys, post cards, photographs, video games, perfume bottles, lamps, furniture, fine art – you name it, the list goes on. Just about everything can be sold at an estate sale – including planes, cars, farm equipment, and even land!

The Price is Right

Of course a huge reason to shop estate sales is for the bargains alone. Since you’re not getting items brand new, you’re often able to find pretty good deals (Pro-tip: hit up the estate sales on a Sunday when prices are likely to be lowered). This way, you’ll have more money to spend on more people. If you’re from a big family or have lots of friends, this is important!

Something for Everyone

Probably what we love most about shopping estate sales is being able to find something special and personalized for every single person on your list – as opposed to something that’s mass manufactured at a big box store (although you can find that stuff at estate sales, too!)

We’ve put together this list of estate sales gift ideas for every special someone in your life. All photos are from actual previous estate sales on EstateSales.org! Happy gifting!

For Mom

Jewelry

Porcelain

Fenton glass

For Dad

Antique appliances

Power tools

Vintage beer taps

For your hard-to-read father-in-law

Coca Cola collectibles

Antique apothecary bottles

Vintage World War II posters

For your hard-to please mother in law:

Designer purse

Vintage perfume

For Grandma:

Vintage Christmas decor

Handmade quilt

For Grandpa:

Political keepsakes

Bald Eagle statue

For your nerdy brother:

Coins for his coin collection

Baseball cards for his baseball card collection

Trekkibilia for his Trekkie collection

Star Trek Collectibles

For your stylish sister:

Vintage clothing

Midcentury modern furniture

Silk scarf by Chanel

Chanel Scarf

For the black sheep:

Ouija board

Ouija Board

For your quirky aunt:

A statement hat

Pet carrier

Spiritual garden statue

Garden Buddha Statue

For your even quirkier aunt:

Collectible dolls

Energy pack of healing crystals

Anything shaped like a cat

Healing Crystals

For your uncle’s man cave:

Neon beer ad

Taxidermy

2 life-sized cardboard cutouts of John Wayne

For the cousin who’s a little too excited about The Force Awakens:

Star Wars collectibles

Vintage Star Wars Dolls

For the career college student:

Artsy coffee table book

Vintage Parisian poster

Olympia typewriter

Vintage Olympia Typewriter

For the hipster:

Nothing (Explain the gift’s ironic)

Warhol’s Mao

Warhol's Mao

For the corporate climber:

How to Win Friends & Influence People

The Art of War

Vintage Monopoly board game

Vintage Monopoly Board Games

For your kids:

Bicycle

Video game console and/or video games

Retro Barbie bus

Vintage Barbie Bus

For their kids:

Musical instrument (better theirs than yours!)

Accordian

For the jet-setter:

Framable vintage maps

Anything French

Vintage Maps

For the musician:

Crosley turntable

Something classic on vinyl

Crosley Record Player

For the foodie:

Vintage cookbooks

Wooden dough bowl

Antique pie safe

Primitive Pie Safe

For the entertainer:

Vintage tea set

Pyrex

Chinaware

Pink Porcelain Dishes with Green Flowers 

For the arts & crafter:

Old Scrabble board games

Wine bottle cork collection (a great excuse to start collecting!)

Vintage greeting cards

Vintage Greeting Cards

For the conspiracy theorist:

Stealth cam

Stealth Cam

For the teacher:

Decorative globe

Vintage signs for classroom decor

Early book edition

Classic Books

 What estate sale finds will you be gifting people? Share with us your best estate sale gift ideas – past or present – in the comments below!