We have never made much money, so when shopping for the holidays, I check out thrift stores! I used to think that was a terrible thing to do, but you can find so many brand new things with the tags still on them. You can also find lots of gently used items that are still gift-worthy as well. Christmas isn't about spending a lot of money anyway and I think sometimes we are foolish in the amount we spend. No one should have to go in debt for to have a nice Christmas.
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I shop all year long for my Christmas presents. This year my youngest son will be getting a Hot Wheels Laptop that normally costs $50 at Walmart. I purchased one this summer at Walmart for $10 on clearance sale. This is something that he really wanted last year and still sees in the store and asks for now. By keeping my eye out at all times I can give things that they really want that are normally way out of my reach.
I make a lot of my gifts (both for Christmas, birthdays and other occasions) and do it all during the year also. I also check out sales and pick up other things that go in the appropriate boxes I keep in the basement (one is labelled Christmas Box, the other All Occasion Box). This way I can save a little money and yet give a really nice gift.
LI Roe
In 1990 my husband had open heart surgery over the Christmas and New Years and when we came home from the hospital which was like 60 miles from our home all the families gifts had been picked up and nothing was left under the tree but ours and trash very uncaring I thought. So I made up my mind that year no more going into debt now we are on a fixed income and it is almost impossible to buy for an entire family so we just send our greetings. has worked so far I think they were relieved also when we told them not to buy us gifts.
You are right about Thrift stores! Most stores, including Goodwill offer new items Donated from companies such as Penneys, Target, Walmart and Sears. It's a tax deduction for the store and overstock is no longer their problem.
I AGREE!!! I have been a gift thrift store shopper for years, sometimes out of necessity sometimes just cuz it's a fun challenge.....plus you can also find many crafts to make a nice homemade gift for that special touch.....simply put....it just makes sense....as you said, no one should have to go in debt for a nice christmas, I have in the past and things are not appreciated more as a matter of fact I was still paying long after it was all forgotten, out grown worn out or lost......my youngest daughter actually doesn't like to "break in" clothes and would rather get more used things compared to less brand new, my boys aren't picky either as long as it fits and isn't strange.and we are talking teenagers here.......although my daughter and I like what they call strange....to each his own.....they learn what they live, so if we show frugality even during the holidays as well as other times of the year they learn the importance of it..........and the thrift stores carry something for everyone......new and used......
this year i just bought gifts for my 3 children , we sent cards to everyone else,
even my husband and i decided not to swap presents but instead we are cooking a fancy dinner at home using all our best cutlery silverware crystal linen etc and will enjoy that by candlelight instead
as for the tree i had enormous fun decorating it with thrift shop vintage glass baubles picked up for 10p each (im in the UK) home made gingerbread men tied on with ribbons, candy canes and pretzels dipped in chocolate and paper cones filled with marshmallows, and hand knitted mini xmas stockings the biggest problem has been stopping the kids from eating everything .
my decorations have been thrift shop xmas stockings pinned up round the room which i paid no more than 20p each for and paper chains made from sturdy rolls of plain colored wallpaper in shades or red and green picked up from yard sales in the summer they are much stronger than shop bought i stapled them together.
finally i decorated with paper chains of hearts and stars cut out of white paper folded concertina style , cut th epattern then then open out into one long chain/garland and my husband brought home some holly and ivy he cut outdoors which we have tucked into various picture frames, vases etc completely free
carol
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