Every year on the second Saturday in August, tens of thousands Americans eagerly drag their unwanted junk onto their lawns, pretending it’s treasure. It’s the perfect occasion for neighbors to haggle over rusty tools and vintage Tupperware while pretending they’ve unearthed priceless heirlooms.
Just kidding! National Garage Sale Day is actually a wonderful chance for communities to come together, find great deals, and give new life to old items. In this article you will find every National Garage Sale Day date, learn garage sale lingo, learn about the day’s origins and get many good tips on how to have a successful garage sale day.
History and Origin of National Garage Sale Day
National Garage Sale Day was founded by C. Daniel Rhodes of Alabama in 2001. Rhodes, an avid garage sale enthusiast, aimed to create a day that would bring together buyers and sellers in a fun and community-driven event. Since its inception, the day has grown in popularity, encouraging people to recycle and reuse household items, reducing waste and promoting sustainable living.
When Is National Garage Sale Day Celebrated?
National Garage Sale Day is celebrated annually on the second Saturday in August, meaning that the date always changes. To help you never miss out on this day for fans of garage sales, here are the dates (incl. weekdays) for National Garage Sale Day up to the year 2030:
| Year | Date, Weekday |
|---|---|
| 2024 | August 10, Saturday |
| 2025 | August 9, Saturday |
| 2026 | August 8, Saturday |
| 2027 | August 14, Saturday |
| 2028 | August 12, Saturday |
| 2029 | August 11, Saturday |
| 2030 | August 10, Saturday |
Garage Sale Lingo
If you plan to celebrate National Garage Sale Day, you need to know some garage sale lingo. We hope these twenty commonly-used terms and their definitions will help you sell and buy like a garage sale pro.
Garage Sale Lingo
- Upscale Sale: A sale featuring higher-end or luxury items.
- Early Birds: Shoppers who arrive before the advertised start time to get the best items.
- Haggling/Bargaining: Negotiating the price of an item.
- Firm Price: A non-negotiable price set by the seller.
- Make an Offer: Seller invites the buyer to propose a price.
- Estate Sale: A sale that typically involves selling the contents of a home, often due to a major life event.
- Yard Sale: Another term for a garage sale, usually held in the yard.
- Tag Sale: Yet another term for a garage sale, often used in the Northeast US.
- Multi-Family Sale: A sale involving items from multiple households.
- Moving Sale: A sale held when someone is relocating, often featuring a large variety of items.
- Curb Alert: Items left on the curb for free, usually listed online.
- Bundle Deal: A discount offered when multiple items are purchased together.
- Gently Used: Items that are second-hand but in good condition.
- Vintage: Older items that are often considered collectible or unique.
- Clearance: Items marked down significantly to clear out remaining stock.
- No Holds: Items that cannot be reserved; it’s first come, first served.
- Cash Only: The seller only accepts cash payments.
- Rain or Shine: The sale will proceed regardless of the weather.
- Must Go: Items that the seller is very motivated to sell quickly.
- Pickers: People who hunt for valuable items to resell.
How to Celebrate National Garage Sale Day
Looking to celebrate National Garage Sale Day but need some inspiration? Here are seven easy and fun ideas to get you started:
- Host Your Own Sale: Gather your unused items and organize a garage sale. It’s a great way to declutter and make some extra cash.
- Neighborhood Event: Coordinate with your neighbors to host a multi-family sale. Bigger sales attract more buyers.
- Treasure Hunt: Spend the day visiting local garage sales. You never know what unique finds you might discover.
- Advertise Creatively: Use social media, local bulletin boards, and signs to promote your sale and attract more visitors.
- Set Up a Kids’ Corner: If you have children, involve them by setting up a kids’ corner where they can sell toys, books, and lemonade.
- Donate Unsold Items: At the end of the day, donate any unsold items to local charities or thrift stores.
- Learn and Enjoy: Embrace the experience by learning about the history of items, negotiating prices, and enjoying the social interactions.
National Garage Sale Day is a fantastic occasion to declutter, meet new people, and enjoy the thrill of finding unexpected treasures. Happy selling and shopping!
