Thrift shopping for the holidays on Long Island

Darlene and Jessica Johnson haven't wasted any time getting started with their holiday shopping. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the mother and daughter were browsing the racks of their favorite store, Nostalgia Vintage and Thrift Shop in their neighborhood of East Meadow, in search of the perfect gifts. Not to mention the perfect bargains.

"One of things I love about this place is I buy pieces I would normally never buy in a department store, but they're here and they're less money," Darlene said. "I bought at thrift stores for both of my daughters last Christmas, and I'll be doing the same. There's such a variety of things here, and they're always so helpful. You can find that nice niche gift that you might not be able to find in a department store or big box store."

Thrifting while gifting, or gifting while thrifting ... either way, there are plenty of reasons Long Islanders are shopping vintage and secondhand this season. A mid-November survey from The Conference Board suggested that Americans plan to spend 6.9% less during the holidays this year. One way to stretch a budget while finding unique gifts is shopping at a thrift store. It lets you find upcycled goods that help the environment and items that nobody else will give, and support a small business or a good cause. Whether you’re interested in saving money or saving the planet, and whether your tastes lean more sweet or street, there’s a store for that.

Attention, shoppers

East Northport’s Liz DeFazio estimated that 75% of the things she buys are purchased at thrift stores — from her furniture to the art on the walls. She said about 20% of her holiday budget will be spent at thrifts. "A lot of the thrift stores have new items that still have tags on them," she said, suggesting mixing things up. "You can thrift a basket and get some hand towels, or you could take a beautiful candelabra and spray paint it."

DeFazio said she’s thrifted all over Long Island, including Island Thrift in Centereach. "My favorites are the less known places, the individual thrift stores, the church thrift stores. That’s where you find really cool stuff."

"We’re definitely seeing a lot of people shop for other people and themselves, trying to get ready for the holiday season," said April Senra, who opened Nostalgia Vintage and Thrift with her daughter, Lily, in March.

They’ve got a selection of $5 tops and shoes and designer resales for up to $200 with most items priced at $30-$40. For mother-daughter customers Michelle Jones and Ameera Azeem, of Hempstead, the sense of curation is what drew them in. "They give you personal service," said Jones, "and they have a great selection."

Azeem, who’s on a college student’s budget, found a Ralph Lauren skirt for $40. "It would have been over $200 new," Jones noted.

Giving back to the environment

Shopping at thrift stores for the holidays isn't just about giving to others, it's also about giving back to the environment. When singer Billie Eilish recommended Nostalgia Vintage and Thrift on her website, sustainability was the reason. The fashion industry is considered one of the biggest contributors to pollution worldwide, with one study from the United Nations Environmental Program noting it produces 92 million tons of landfill waste annually. That’s one of the motivations the Senras opened their the shop, along with their love of unique clothes.

Thrifting checks all the important boxes for Susan Scheck, of Hauppauge. "I practice a sustainable lifestyle. I try to reuse and recycle as much as I can, so it fits into that. And also, it’s like a little treasure hunt."

One of her favorite shops is run by Smithtown’s Society for Lending Comforts to the Sick. When a member of her family needed to borrow post-surgical medical equipment years ago, they were there to help. Now she likes to return the favor. "They have wonderful things that you can buy very inexpensively," she said. "I’m a knitter, so I thrift a lot of yarn. Then I make gifts like hats or gloves." Her greatest find was a haul of specialty wool that would have sold for close to $500. She paid $25. Scheck’s advice to those thinking about thrift shopping is to look things over carefully, check to see if there are discount days, bring your own bags, and most importantly, "Go with an open mind."

Huntington’s Back of the Closet offers a mix of vintage and new clothes. "People are getting tired of fast fashion and they want to look a little bit different," said owner, Andres Munoz. His store specializes in vintage sports and band jerseys and tees. "We do the vintage and we do all the newer modern street wear brands, and sneakers."

The shop is also a buy/sell/trade store. With a $5 rack, lots of items that run around $30 to $40, and a few rare pieces that can reach to the thousands, there’s something for every budget. You might even discover a treasure. Munoz’s best find, he said, was a vintage Run-D.M.C. shirt "signed by all three members of the band."

It's another example of gifts that keep on giving. Jones and Azeem plan to gift shop again at Nostalgia Vintage and Thrift, this holiday season and beyond, for each other and for friends. Nazeem said, "I introduced my friends to Nostalgia, so now they like to go with me," adding, "Every time I go in there, I feel like I’m in 'Gilmore Girls.' It’s very ... ”

"Nostalgic!" finished her mom.