As the holiday season begins to sparkle across Silicon Valley, many of us are thinking about how to make our gifting more meaningful, more affordable, and more aligned with our values. At Goodwill of Silicon Valley, we believe the best gifts don’t just bring joy to the people who receive them – they also uplift our community and care for our planet.
This year, we invite you to ccelebrate Thriftmas: a a joyful twist on giving that embraces creativity, sustainability, affordability and purpose. It’s a festive way to make the season shine even brighter.
A More Sustainable Way to Celebrate
New holiday merchandise is often overproduced, over-packaged, and short-lived. Thrifting flips that narrative.
By choosing pre-loved gifts, you help:
- Reduce Waste
Thrifting keeps high-quality items in circulation and out of landfills. From cozy sweaters to home décor, toys, books, and kitchenware, shopping secondhand reduces the demand for new manufacturing and lowers your carbon footprint with every gift you choose. And when donated items can’t be sold, Goodwill responsibly recycles textiles and materials to further reduce environmental waste.
- Extend the Life of Great Products
Many items donated to Goodwill of Silicon Valley are new or like-new, some with the tags still on. When we give these items a second life, we’re honoring their value and letting their story continue.
- Support a Circular Economy
Every time you thrift, you participate in a more sustainable system, one that values reuse, reduces resource consumption, and helps our community move toward a greener future.
- Give Thoughtful Gifts Without Breaking the Budget
With holiday prices rising this year, thrifting offers a meaningful way to give without the financial stress. From vintage ornaments to unique books and one-of-a-kind treasures, secondhand shopping makes it easy to find gifts that feel personal and memorable, without overspending.
Gifts That Tell a Story
Whether you’re curating a vintage-inspired outfit, crafting a DIY gift basket, or hunting for the perfect stocking stuffer, secondhand treasures offer something special that big-box stores simply can’t replicate.
Shopping at Goodwill encourages creativity and intention. It transforms gifting from a quick purchase into an experience that feels good for you, your wallet, and your community.
Empowering Individuals to Thrive in Silicon Valley
Your holiday shopping does more than check off your gift list; it powers our mission to help individuals overcome barriers, build confidence, and achieve independence. Your support sustains our no-cost programs, including job training, reentry services, veteran support, housing assistance, and other wraparound resources.
These programs help individuals achieve self-sufficiency, reduce reliance on public assistance, and strengthen families and neighborhoods across Silicon Valley, creating lasting positive change. Each year, thousands of residents benefit from these opportunities.
Every donation and purchase stays local, directly supporting our life-changing programs for:
- Veterans and military families
- Unhoused residents
- People with disabilities
- Justice-involved individuals
- At-risk youth
- And others often excluded from the job market
Since 1928, we’ve been committed to empowering individuals to thrive in Silicon Valley. When you shop sustainably this season, you’re also be keeping that tradition alive.
That’s the magic of Thriftmas.
Make Thriftmas Part of Your Tradition
This holiday season, have yourself a Merry little Thriftmas by visiting any of our Goodwill of Silicon Valley locations. With 16 thrift stores and two specialty shops – a boutique and an outlet – stretching from Palo Alto to Hollister, there are plenty of unique treasures waiting to be discovered.
Whether you’re decking the halls, wrapping presents, or searching for something special, we invite you to celebrate the joy of giving good.