Thrifting For The Holidays

As the holidays approach, most people are rushing around looking for the perfect gift at an affordable price. The thought of exploring a new and unfamiliar store can seem daunting. But rather than suffering through rush hour traffic and lines at the malls, why not stick to the unique stores right by home? Step outside the gift-giving box this holiday season and check out one of these three local thrift stores in or near Annandale.

First stop is the Treasure Trove. The thrift and consignment shop is nestled between other local businesses and shops in the Annandale Shopping Center. The bustling shop is full of costume jewelry and one-of-a-kind shabby chic items. An orange painted bowl ($15) with silver trim offers a modern, funky look perfect for a friend or family member with a style all his or her own. A vintage jewelry/music box with a hand-painted peacock ($24) would make a great gift for any woman in your life who wears a lot of jewelry or who collects vintage items.

A tall green Grecian pottery vase ($18) is a great statement piece for an innovative couple that likes to try new things. Add a bouquet of flowers, some decorative peacock feathers or eucalyptus leaves to really tie the gift together. Hit the gift-giving bull's-eye with a red Tasco® telescope ($18) for your younger brother, the man in your life or anyone who loves looking at the stars. An Anthropologie-esque antique birdcage ($6) would make a fantastic gift for any woman with a flair for the romantic.

The next stop is the Salvation Army on Little River Turnpike. This clean and well-organized branch of the national store has an Alexandria zip code but is only a mile from Annandale. The shop is chock full of clothing and furniture, but take a closer look to find walls of beautiful paintings and mirrors and a few stand-out decorative pieces. When shopping for wall art, it's always helpful to be familiar with the person's office or home to know where they might need or want the perfect piece. An acrylic painting of an intimate table set for two somewhere in the Mediterranean on a tall piece of canvas ($8.99) would fit well in a kitchen, breakfast nook or dining room.

A more conventional landscape painting with a blonde wood frame ($5.99) could work in a family or living room. A complimentary set of geometric modern art in heavy, silver frames ($29.99 each) would be most appreciated by a man in your life who needs a little help decorating his bare office walls. Treat your grandparents, parents or older friends to a traditional still life featuring a bouquet of red, blue and white flowers in a blue vase on an outside table overlooking the water in a dark wood frame ($52.99). Win points for being hip and original with a framed print of a 1920s Art Deco painting of a woman channeling Daisy Buchanan behind the wheel of a car ($35.99) perfect for art lovers or avant-garde collectors.

Stroll over to the furniture for a gorgeous glass vase with three shades of blue ($6.99) for someone in your life who loves the ocean or cool colors. Pair two white mosaic glass sconces ($5.99 each) with candles in bold colors to compliment someone's dining room table, coffee table or fireplace mantle.

The last stop is the Clock Tower Thrift Shop on Annandale Road in Falls Church. Just a few minutes from Annandale, this store is a holiday shopping necessity for the music lovers and bookworms in your life. An impressive collection of records ($0.50 each) lines part of one wall in the store, with an eclectic mix of options including Chopin, Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, Chicago, Barbara Streisand and Peter, Paul & Mary. The entire back wall is home to thousands of books (small paperbacks three for $1, large hardcover books $2 each and small hardcover books $1 each) in great condition with titles from popular authors like Jodi Picoult and Tom Clancy to classics by Fitzgerald and Hemingway.

From knickknacks to wall art to the perfect record, the holiday gift options are endless at these thrift shops.