What is Thrifting for Gifting?
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us to dig deeply into questions not just about our lifestyle, but how we live our lives. What matters most? What can we afford? How can we make our homes feel safe, nurturing, and personal? We want to support local, small businesses trying to survive the economic devastation. We’re on a budget, but we still want to give gifts and remembrances, small acts of kindness, and connectedness. We’re still eager to celebrate special occasions, big and small.
We may have had to rely on Amazon to deliver any and all necessities and indulgences, yet worry about the impact this has on our environment…and our souls. When everything becomes a fast “click and deliver” interaction, are we longing for the simple act of browsing the shelves of a favorite shop? Slowly walking the aisles, picking something up to experience texture and shape with our own hands, to see color with our own eyes? I think we are. And as populations are vaccinated and our lives begin to open up, as we can allow ourselves to almost imagine the freedom and possibilities we used to enjoy, Thrifting for Gifting will provide tools and inspiration for giving on a budget, personalizing what we give, and being mindful of waste and the false promise of “brand new.”
Meet Coleen
Coleen Hubbard is the owner of Plank and Pearl Vintage, selling her treasures at antique booths and markets throughout the Denver, Colorado area and online. Coleen is an expert at sourcing and curating unique vintage items for every occasion. Her Etsy store is rated a “top shop for gifts” with a 5-star average review. As the owner of a vintage wedding and event rental and styling business from 2015-2020, Coleen’s work was featured in major wedding blogs and publications including Rocky Mountain Bride, The Knot, The Styled Soiree, Green Wedding Shoes, Couture Colorado, Ruffled, and Wedding Chicks. When she’s not thrifting or running her business, Coleen enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with her three daughters and four young grandsons!
“When I was a young mother with three daughters, I thrifted for toys, games, books, and clothing for them, mostly to save money as they quickly outgrew everything. I also bought buttons and vintage costume jewelry to use as embellishments on vintage mirrors. The love of vintage and thrifting never left me. Having dedicated decades to developing an eye for beautiful things hiding in plain sight at estate sales and on the shelves of thrift stores, I can tell immediately if a set of pink glass champagne coupes are from Target, or from an American maker in the 1950s. Years and years of research allow me to quickly evaluate the origin, quality, and value of the things I buy. So if I give my daughter a set of embroidered linen napkins from a thrift store, I know they’re made of fine linen and that the tiny stitching was all done by hand.”
