For most global superstars, the holiday season involves private jets, designer labels, and luxury jewelry. But for Macklemore (Ben Haggerty), the man who turned secondhand shopping into a global anthem with the 2012 hit “Thrift Shop,” Christmas is a much more “budget-friendly” affair. His wife and longtime manager, Tricia Davis, has shared that despite a net worth in the millions, her husband remains fiercely loyal to the “anti-flex” philosophy that launched his career.
Tricia reveals that Macklemore’s “weird” holiday habit consistently leaves the family stunned: he refuses to shop at high-end boutiques, opting instead for the dusty aisles of local Goodwill and Value Village stores. For the Grammy winner, the true passion lies in the hunt for the unique. “He has an endless passion for scouring secondhand stores for Christmas gifts,” Tricia shared. Instead of diamonds, family members might receive a quirky embroidered sweater or a vintage toy from the 1980s that costs only a few dollars—sometimes literally ninety-nine cents.
The Macklemore Gift Philosophy
For the rapper, the value of a gift isn’t found on a price tag, but in its history and “one-of-a-kind” nature. He often seeks out relics that mirror his own upbringing in Seattle:
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Environmental Impact: He views secondhand shopping as a way to support a circular economy and fight the waste of fast fashion.
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The Thrill of the Hunt: As he famously noted in his “Thrifting Tips,” you have to be open to whatever the universe tells you that you need.
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Sentimental Value: He values items with “soul,” like the 1980s teal-blue scooter he once found at Value Village for $7, which he claims “completely changed his life.”
Walking the Talk: From the Charts to the Tree
Macklemore’s commitment to “popping tags” is a core part of his identity. This philosophy has been woven into his biggest career milestones:
| Project | Connection to the “Thrift” Lifestyle |
| “Thrift Shop” (2012) | Filmed at a Seattle Value Village; it sparked a global conversation on anti-consumerism. |
| “It’s Christmas Time” (2019) | His holiday single emphasizes the magic of giving and family over the cost of goods. |
| Sesame Street Appearance | He even taught Oscar the Grouch how to shop for “rubbish” in a “Grouch Thrift Shop” parody. |
By choosing 99-cent trinkets and vintage treasures, Macklemore is teaching his three daughters—Sloane, Colette, and Hugo—about the beauty of authenticity over branding. While his family might initially be surprised by a thrifted find under the tree, Macklemore remains firm: in a world of mass production, there is nothing more valuable than a gift with a story.