A woman has spent just $100 on "thriftmas" by gifting second hand presents to family and friends - and says "it's more special" than buying new.<br /><br />Rebecca Bingham, 34, has always had a passion for thrifting and loves to find unique gifts in charity shops.<br /><br />This year, due to being laid off from her job in November, she is thrifting 70 per cent of the presents for her family.<br /><br />Rebecca has put together 15 gift bundles for her family and friends – spending just $100 on all the thrifted items and an extra $100 on a few new items such as bottles of fizz.<br /><br />She themed each bundle finding presents such as cookbooks, glassware, and blankets for a few dollars each.<br /><br />Rebecca believes thrifting is “more special” and “better” than buying new.<br /><br />Rebecca, who works in reality TV casting and development, from Atlanta, Georgia, US, said: “The things I’ve purchased are really unique.<br /><br />“I think it’s better than going to Amazon, and getting mass produced things that end up back in the thrift store.<br /><br />“It’s more special.<br /><br />“You never know what you are going to find in a thrift store – it’s exciting.”<br /><br />Rebecca has been thrifting since she was little – and loves to find gifts with a “vintage element” for her friends and family.<br /><br />Over the years, she has increased how many of her Christmas gifts are thrifted.<br /><br />She said: “I always combine thrifted elements with new elements.<br /><br />“70 per cent is thrifted.”<br /><br />Rebecca said one of her favourite finds is a brass butterfly decoration – which she found in a thrift store for $12.<br /><br />She’s found lots of cookbooks, an olive dish, and other interior décor.<br /><br />Rebecca finished her bundles off with bottles of wine and food – and has spend an additional $100 on the new items.<br /><br />Rebecca said: “I love starting a bundle with a book. I love a cookbook.<br /><br />“I got my step mum a book signed by the author.<br /><br />“Thrifting is the crème de la crème.<br /><br />"It’s an outlet for my shopping addiction.”<br /><br />Rebecca loves the “thrill” of thrifting and not knowing what she will find and says her friends and family always love their gifts.<br /><br />She said: “All my best friends eagerly await my thrifted gifts.”<br /><br />Rebecca also thrifts a lot of her Christmas decorations – searching for her nostalgic ornaments in charity shops.<br /><br />She said: “I have been on the mission to re-thrift a bunch of things.<br /><br />“I found a German Christmas tree and a vintage ceramic one.”<br /><br />Rebecca believes the feeling of Christmas has been lost – and too much is spent on gifts.<br /><br />She said: “It’s wild to see the amount of money spent on presents these days.<br /><br />“If you have the money – go for it.<br /><br />“What’s important about Christmas has been lost.<br /><br />“It’s kind of sad.<br /><br />“I love nostalgia. That’s what is important for Christmas.<br /><br />“If you want it, you can thrift it.”
