Dumpster diver saves $20,000 by retrieving Christmas gifts and decorations from the trash
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A dumpster diver has revealed how she saved around $20,000 by finding Christmas gifts and decorations in the trash. For Melanie Diaz, the magic of Christmas doesn't come from shiny store shelves or online shopping - it's found in dumpsters. She has avoided buying presents for her loved ones and festive decorations for her house by instead finding them in trash bins.
![[For Melanie Diaz, the magic of Christmas doesn't come from shiny store shelves or online shopping - it's found in dumpsters]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/19/93205989-14198563-For_Melanie_Diaz_the_magic_of_Christmas_doesn_t_come_from_shiny_-a-58_1734376325704.jpg)
And she has saved tens of thousands of dollars along the way. Over the past two years, the 22-year-old, from Tampa, Florida, has discovered a slew of discarded holiday treasures which would otherwise go to waste - including wreaths from Michaels and toys from TJ Maxx.
![[Over the past two years, the 22-year-old, from Tampa, Florida, has discovered a slew of discarded holiday treasures which would otherwise go to waste]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/19/93206007-14198563-Over_the_past_two_years_the_22_year_old_Tampa_Florida_resident_h-a-56_1734376325547.jpg)
'It is my favorite time going dumpster diving on Christmas because they start throwing out a lot of Christmas stuff,' Melanie said. 'I love saving everything so I can put it in my house and decorate it for the next year.'. Frequenting the dumpsters behind popular retailers like TJ Maxx, Burlington, Michaels, Jo-Ann Stores, Pop Shelf, and Home Goods, she has uncovered a jackpot of holiday items.
![[Frequenting the dumpsters behind popular retailers like TJ Maxx, Burlington, Michaels, Jo-Ann Stores, Pop Shelf, and Home Goods, she has uncovered a jackpot of holiday items]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/19/93206003-14198563-Frequenting_the_dumpsters_behind_popular_retailers_like_TJ_Maxx_-a-59_1734376325797.jpg)
A dumpster diver has revealed how she saved roughly $20,000 by finding Christmas gifts and décor in the trash. For Melanie Diaz, the magic of Christmas doesn't come from shiny store shelves or online shopping - it's found in dumpsters. Some of her biggest discoveries happen in January, when stores begin clearing out their leftover holiday inventory.
![[From 10 wreaths salvaged from Michael's - worth approximately $400 - to $500 Christmas trees, Melanie has curated a festive collection]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/19/93205987-14198563-From_10_wreaths_salvaged_from_Michael_s_worth_approximately_400_-a-60_1734376325881.jpg)
