Holiday Gift Giving?
2 months ago
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Holiday gift giving as children grow up
Comments (17)Would you believe-- my kids are still young (9, 6, 4, 2 and one more coming soon), and I have this problem, too? How many things do we actually want or need? Most people I know have enough, or more than enough . . .we are middle class people, too. Not wealthy compared to the 1% in the US, but wealthy if you think about the rest of the world. I wrote about this on another thread, but I am keeping in mind what my friend does: something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. Something you need could be something like some socks or gloves. I made a spreadsheet with each category for the kids so I could keep track of this. I also included some items like each of their dolls getting something, and a small family gift. Anyway, my friend uses this for her DH, too. IMO, there is always a let-down after the presents are unwrapped (even when I was a kid) so I want to make Christmas like a party. We had a Hallow e'en party this year w/others this year, and it was a lot of fun. While I won't be inviting others over for Christmas, I am going to plan activities as a party for US. Once the presents are done, there will still be cooking decorating, crafts, karaoke, etc. Whenever anyone would rather go play with their new x, of course, they can! My friend is having an open house, so that will help as well. My mom gives us $, but she always gives a physical gift, too, so that we have something to unwrap. I think it's fun to buy for my mom-- one of those people who does not have or want excess but has the means for it . . .this year we got her a Keurig coffee maker. Something she would NEVER buy for herself, but she likes to use ours when she comes over....See MoreBuy Nothing Day
Comments (16)The one I went to was one of the Salvation Army Stores in my area. I am a thrift store shopper. Nearly all my clothing I get at the second hand stores. About the only thing I buy brand new is; shoes, underwear, loungewear and special occasion clothing. Jeans, shorts, sweaters, winter boots, winter coats, things like that I get them all at the second hand stores. A lot of it is expensive name brands. Most of it looks hardly worn and I've even scored items that still had the store tags on. (Xmas gift that did not fit someone maybe??) When I do venture into a regular store I am floored by the prices that people are paying for clothing. I just bought a real cashmire coat in perfect condition for $6.50 and a wool reefer style coat for $4.00. Then splurged on a brand new looking, butter soft, leather jacket for $12.00 - It didn't even look like it was ever worn! Got a pair of new looking winter boots for $1.00 and a really nice expensive brand name pair for $15.00. (I thought I had overpaid until I saw the price in the retail store.) Here is my IMHO ranking of second hand stores: Goodwill Industries : Goodwill has rebranded itself in recent years. Stores are in convenient locations near other shopping. All the Goodwill stores in my area are in newly built or in newly remodeled buildings. Stores are bright, clean and well lit. They have their own parking lot. Things are organized by catagory and sub-catagory. Stores offer large sized, well lit dressing rooms. Lots of furniture and it GOES FAST - Like in a day. Staff is fairly pleasant and helpful. Prices tend to be a tiny bit higher compared to other second hand stores but still waaaaay cheaper than going to the mall. BTW Goodwill has an online auction site similar to eBay. Check it out. I find the majority of my shopping needs at Goodwill - kitchen items, furniture and clothing. Salvation Army Thrift: Stores vary. Some have parking, some don't and finding street parking is a hassle and a long walk. Stores are neat and fairly organized in general. Some are dusty and creepy. They still have some very nice items hidden around the store and in the racks. If you want to try on something you have to use their public restroom. Yuk. The only thing that is consistant with all the SA stores is the RUDE and lazy staff and I am not the only one who feels this way about the SA staffing. They have a nice selction of furniture but this seems to vary and comes in waves. Occassionaly I have seen nice looking appliances there and larger items like bicycles and lawnmowers. St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store: Most of their stores smell like BO. Don't shop there for clothes. :) I won't even paw through the racks. Furniture and houseware items in abundance and has the cheapest prices that thrift shops charge. The stuff is pretty beat up looking but if you are into 'refinishing and restoring' as a hobby there are some good finds. Ocassionally there is a "gem" hidden in the mess. Items do not rotate in and out of stock as frequently as the other stores and you see the same dishes sitting there for months. They also tend to price their *vintage* items higher than they go for on eBay - wishful thinking on their part, I guess. I do not go out of my way to visit SVDP stores anymore. Humane Society: Clothing and some housewares. No furniture. Great prices. Great selections. Everthing is clean and organized by style and color. Well lit and clean. Friendly staff. No parking at the one I go to. I get my best clothing finds here. American Council Of The Blind Thrift Store: So-so. Well lit and clean but a bit disorganized and chaotic. For some reason the staff can't seem to ever be able to converse with each other without shouting across the entire store. Parking lot. Prices are competative with other thrift shops. Lots of housewares. Furniture is pretty crappy looking and unsavageable. They also sell computers and appliances but good luck if any of them are in working order. There are also lots of local organizations that have thrift stores in my area and I won't list them since they are not located across the US and won't do any good reading about them for most on this board....See MoreGive the Gift of Light this Holiday Season
Comments (2)On our bill there is a spot to add a donation to go to a fund to help others. It's offered year around...See Morenursery gift certificate sales
Comments (1)Graceful Gardens is having a 15% of two flats or more sale, but it doesn't seem to apply to gift certificates. Not a huge selection but very nicely grown small plants if my order from the spring is typical....See MoreRelated Professionals
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