Thrift Shop Christmas: Celebrating the Holidays with Joy, Savings and Less Waste

Mar 02, 2026
5 min read

Cathy Erdle, Victoria, British Columbia (2nd Prize Winner: How We Celebrate & Play)

Cathy Erdle lives with her husband in an apartment in downtown Victoria. Now retired and focused on family and friends, Cathy has reimagined one of the most joyful – yet consumption-heavy – times of year. What began as frustration with the stress and excess of the holiday season has evolved into a fun, low-waste family tradition she calls “Thrift Shop Christmas.”

Cathy won 2nd Prize in the “How We Celebrate & Play” category of the 2025 Live Net Zero Household Challenge for showing how holidays and gift-giving can be rethought in ways that reduce waste, save money and support local charities. By sourcing gifts year-round from local church thrift shops, she demonstrates that celebration doesn’t require new purchases – only thoughtfulness and creativity.

Cathy’s goal in entering the Challenge was straightforward: to encourage others to see that reducing waste can also reduce costs and add enjoyment. In addition to the environmental and financial benefits of thrifting, she highlights the community impact. “There are several thrift shops in my community, which are open year-round, so it’s easy and fun to check them out frequently.”

At home, Cathy also focuses on reducing food waste, and she walks or cycles just about everywhere. She encourages others to take practical steps to live more sustainably in daily life: “Buy great quality used household items and clothing at thrift shops, walk and cycle wherever you can to get in shape, post items you don’t need on buy nothing Facebook groups, don’t buy more food than you need – the list really is endless.”

Cathy hopes the Live Net Zero recognition will spark more conversations with family and friends about why she shops the way she does and reinforce that thoughtful, second-hand gifts are something to be proud of, not apologetic about. She also emphasizes the value of conversation: “Most importantly, talk to people about actions you are taking, to inspire them to do the same.”

Cathy’s story shows how holidays can be celebrated with less waste, lower cost and greater intention. By choosing reused gifts, walking and cycling in daily life, and supporting local charities through thrift shops, she demonstrates that meaningful climate action can begin with simple, joyful shifts.

Cathy’s entry:

I live in Victoria, which has two wonderful church thrift shops. Last year, I decided to start a new family tradition: Thrift Shop Christmas. Rather than buy new things for everyone, as I’ve done in the past, I look throughout the year for the perfect thrift shop gifts for my friends and family.

Previously, I was exhausted by the hyper-consumerism of Christmas. Rush rush rush! Spend, spend, spend! So much plastic, so much garbage, so much junk!

Now, it is so much fun hunting all year long at the thrift shops for the perfect gifts for everyone on my list. When I give them their presents, I tell them I won’t be offended if they don’t like them – I’ll happily re-donate whatever they can’t use.

The interesting thing that happened after last year’s Thrift Shop Christmas is that, throughout the year, I get asked to look out for various things people would like. (Still hunting for mini hockey sticks for my young grandson, and an ice cream maker for one of my daughters!)

So far this year I’ve found:
a cashmere sweater for daughter #1 ($3!)
a giant bag of Duplo blocks for my two-year-old grandson ($2)
a vintage green vase ($10) and vintage Blue Mountain pottery ($15) for daughter #2, who lives in a midcentury modern house
lots of books for my husband, who loves to read ($2 each)
bike-patterned socks and a bike-patterned mug for my mountain biking son-in-law ($5 for both)
a meat thermometer for my other son-in-law ($3)
a designer dress for daughter #3 ($15)

As you can see from this list, in addition to the environmental benefits of reusing goods, there is a huge cost savings as well. And no tax! Also, it feels great knowing that all the money I spend at the thrift shops goes to support many charities throughout Victoria. So win-win all around!

The photo above was taken at the Oak Bay United Church Thrift Shop. You can see some of my purchases – including the Mrs. Claus apron ($2! Perfect for daughter #2 who loves to bake!).

And Happy Thrift Shop Christmas to all! I hope my story inspires others to consume less, and enjoy the holidays more, without the stress, expense and waste.

Reflections from Cathy

Below, Cathy shares why she entered, what motivated her decision and how sustainable living shows up in her daily life.

Why did you enter the Live Net Zero Household Challenge?

I wanted to inspire others to save money, reuse items and have fun at the same time!

What led you to start Thrift Shop Christmas?

I was not enjoying the hyper-consumerism and stress of Christmas shopping, so I decided instead to find special gifts for my family at church thrift shops throughout the year. I love buying items that aren’t new, and I love saving money, too. It’s good for the environment and good for my pocketbook – and it’s so rewarding to find the perfect Christmas or birthday gifts for my family. They now ask me to look out for certain items, which makes the hunt lots of fun when I find exactly what they need. And a huge bonus is that all the money the thrift shops make goes to support local charities. So it’s a win-win-win all around!

What other sustainable actions are part of your life?

I live downtown, so walk or cycle just about everywhere. As for food, we always make a point to eat up whatever is in our fridge, to reduce food waste. And we save vegetable scraps in our freezer to make veggie stock.

How has sharing your story made a difference?

Maybe winning a prize in the Household Challenge will make my family appreciate my carefully curated gifts even more!