This year I am getting a little more creative in the idea of Christmas gifts, it's often said it's the thought that counts well I'm gonna put that to the test. We have been in debt since we bought our house, an unexpected home repair started it all. Since then we've been trying sometimes in vain to get out well we've finally gotten serious about it. We will be out of debt ASAP, one of the things we now know is we can't let Christmas spiral us backwards.
My kids are still very young they don't know the difference between a dollar store toy and the hottest toy of the year. They don't care either. So I was standing in a goodwill store with my best friend Amy and I found the perfect gift for my daughter, a scooby doo mystery machine "tent". They had only the cover but I am a handy woman I know I can make the frame out of PVC piping, It might not be perfect but she'll love it because it's Scooby. Not three isles down was a new (without tags) track suit with scooby on it, wouldn't you know it, just her size. Six feet to the right two beanie babies, one scooby one shaggy. It was then that fate (or God) laid out my Christmas for the kids in "used" fashion.
Seeing I was on a roll we continued to other thift stores, consignment shops ect and you wouldn't believe the deals we found. Amy and I have pretty much finished Christmas shopping for our kids. Most of it you'd never know wasn't new.
I started to look at the rest of my list, almost half of my list wouldn't care if they received something previously own, so why am I spending all this money for a tag? Now there are people and things that i would never shop for used but looking back it seems sort of crazy. Last year i spent $1000 on Christmas, this year I have bought almost the same amount of stuff and haven't even hit $400.
I'll still do Black Friday cause it's tradition now but I think I am onto something here. Finally me being picky is paying off, and that's money I can put in the bank.
Are you willing to shop previously owned? With the advent of Ebay and the raising popularity of Consignments it's easier than ever. Are there people on your list that wouldn't mind? Do you even know if the people on your list would mind?
*Things I've picked up "used"*
Wooden train set for my son - $9 (these are extremely expensive in stores)
Scooby Doo tent for my daughter - $3
Jump suit Scooby Doo - $5
Two beanie babies - $1
3 pcs like new outfit - $5
Entertaining Dish - $9
Old navy hoodie - (from old navy so new but on sale) $7
and much much more.
I think my point here was maybe we are limiting ourselves too much and missing out on some great gifts just because of tags.
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Comments: 20
-- that worked pretty well for adults
-- for the kids, a card with a dollar in it worked pretty well
-- although nowadays, a dollar doesn't buy as much
~~~
When we give friends gifts, we try to make it something "disposable". Nice soaps, cookie mixes, already baked treats, etc.
Remember that Black Friday is called that because that's when the big stores "go into the black" for the year: make the big profit from consumer spending. The focus is on companies making a profit, not consumers getting a good deal. (I avoid going anywhere on Black Friday if I can.)
PS I am also wrapping less this year - looking for pretty boxes instead.
For my extended family, I am only making Christmas gifts this year, no buying.
I'm almost done Christmas shopping, and just have a few small things left to pick up. What I've bought so far has all been at least 25% off, and most of it has been 50% or more off. I bought Elliott the tag reader for $15 (normally priced $50) and have picked up 4 books for it, with the most expensive one being $10 (they normally run about $14-15 each), and the other three all about half price. Santa is bringing him Geotrax that were on sale at Kohl's for half price, so with a 20% off coupon and free shipping, they were really a good deal. Even better still, I get cash back. ;)