I'm a Professional Thrift Shopper—These Are the 8 Things I'm Buying in May

May is finally bringing the warm weather, and it has everyone buzzing for à la carte dining, Saturdays lakeside, and yard sales. And as we know, the best part of yard sale season is all the leftover inventory that ends up in thrift stores. Shelves will be packed, and stores will be trying to turn over as much merchandise as possible to make room for the uptick in inventory. With this abundance, you should see items priced more reasonably. It's a really great time to grab anything and everything. Here's what I'm looking for this month as someone who shops secondhand for a living.

Backyard Décor

Warmer weather means gardening season is in full swing, and the thrift store is a great place to buy the essentials you may otherwise purchase from big-box stores. Flower pots and planters are good to look for year-round, but in spring, the selection should be larger because people are refreshing their gardens. But don't stop there—give your backyard a budget-friendly makeover by thrifting lanterns with battery-operated candles, place settings for outdoor dining, and beautiful baskets and hampers for picnics.

Outdoor Furniture

As spring cleaning moves outdoors and people start decluttering their garages and sheds, thrift stores will fill up with camping gear, beach chairs, and patio furniture. It's a fantastic time to score these items at a fraction of their cost new. However, I recommend taking the time to open any chairs and check any camping essentials before you check out to ensure they're in working condition.

Pitchers and Vases

Pitchers and vases are great to have on hand all summer long, and thrift stores are the perfect place to stock up. Use them for serving beverages during outdoor entertaining, or fill them with fresh-cut flowers and give them away to friends to keep. I especially love looking for fruit- and vegetable-themed hand-painted pitchers from Italy because they make such beautiful, summer-themed gifts.

Father's Day Gifting

If you're having a hard time shopping for your dad for Father's Day, go to the thrift store for inspiration. On a recent trip, I found a box of unused grilling tools and an unopened box of Scotch glasses and marble rocks. Pop everything out of the boxes, arrange it in a nice basket, then add a few high-quality steaks and a bottle of his favorite Scotch, and you've got an amazing gift.

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Fall Wreaths

Off-season is a great time to find exactly what you're looking for for the seasons ahead. People aren't thinking about fall or winter right now, so you'll have your pick of all the grapevine and faux foliage your heart desires. Start planning now and make a list of all the items you'll need for your next trip. 

Winter Gear

May is typically the last time you'll see winter gear in thrift stores until fall, and if you see it at all, it will likely be heavily discounted. It's worth glancing over the inventory to see if there are any mittens or winter jackets you can stock up on. Also, keep your eyes peeled for winter sports gear, such as ski boots or snowboards.

Christmas Décor

I've been seeing a lot of larger holiday décor, such as trees and lawn décor, priced well below normal right now because stores need the floor space. If you can put yourself in the headspace to start thinking about Christmas, now is the time to scoop up some deals.