Shopping at secondhand stores instead of retail stores can save you money and allow you to find more unique items. After visiting some of the most popular thrift stores in Ames, I have compiled a list of five items that are in high demand this season and are easily found at local thrift stores. 

1. Halloween costumes

With two weeks until Halloween, it’s time to get your costume ready. Instead of buying from Amazon or an overpriced Halloween store, consider thrifting a costume and getting a little creative this season. Multiple Ames thrift stores have curated costume sections, like Overflow Thrift and Goodwill. If you will be participating in the annual zombie bar crawl on Welch Avenue on Oct. 31, consider thrifting to make sure you have an outfit that you’re okay with staining with fake blood. A thrift store is the perfect place to find fairly priced clothes you plan to wear only a handful of times. 

2. Entertainment

As we head into the colder months, what is better than a night spent indoors with friends? If you are looking for board games, puzzles or crafts to add to your collection, look no further. Overflow Thrift Store has two locations in Ames and has a large selection of puzzles and board games at both locations. 

There are also good options if you are tired of paying $15.49 for Netflix and other streaming services every month. Every thrift store in the Ames area has a DVD collection, and most of them only charge $2 for each movie or television series. For example, I happened to spot the whole series of “Glee” available on DVD at the Overflow on Lincoln Way. Maybe it’s time to steal the old DVD player from your parent’s basement and bring it to Ames for your entertainment this winter.

3. Winter gear 

Speaking of parents’ basements, did you forget your winter coat or boots at home again? Well, you are in luck. The Goodwill on Lincoln Way has winter coats for $8-$12, and the Overflow on Duff Avenue has a very large shoe/boot collection that is perfect for students. 

“The Overflow on Duff is my favorite thrift store to shop for clothes and shoes because they have such a wide variety,” Molly Schlotfeldt, a senior in architecture, said. 

4. Holiday decorations and gifts

In my opinion, no one should ever pay full price for holiday decorations. There is a full display of festive decor, including Halloween and Christmas, at multiple thrift stores in town. Thrift stores can also be a good place to find gifts for friends and family. Goodwill, Salvation Army and Overflow all have a large selection of picture frames for sale. One gift idea for this holiday season is thrifting a unique picture frame and framing your favorite photo of yourself and a loved one.

5. Furniture

If you are like me, you start doing your homework at home instead of on campus when it gets cold. If that’s the case, then you might want a desk or desk chair to add to your place. Both Salvation Army and Overflow on Lincoln Way have a lot of furniture to choose from. You can find mirrors, rugs, dressers and much more at both locations. 

Ames’ Thrift Store Hours:

• Goodwill on Lincoln Way: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
• Overflow Thrift Store: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday
• Salvation Army on Lincoln Way: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday