For Melanie Diaz, the magic of Christmas doesn’t come from shiny store shelves or online shopping……it’s found in dumpsters. The 22-year-old from Tampa, Fla., has avoided buying presents for her loved ones and festive decorations for her house by instead finding them in trash bins, and she has saved tens of thousands of dollars along the way. Over the past two years, Diaz has discovered a slew of discarded holiday treasures which would otherwise go to waste, including wreaths from Michaels and toys from TJ Maxx. She says her favorite dumpster diving time of the year is during the Christmas season. From 10 wreaths salvaged from Michael’s — worth $400 — to $500 Christmas trees, Diaz has curated a festive collection. She has also retrieved puzzles and dog toys, saving around $200 each, along with holiday staples like ornaments, stockings, festive shirts and kitchenware. Diaz said it’s not just about saving money, as she also enjoys sharing her finds with others.
