Pretty much everything in our house was used when we got it – even our dog and cat. But I haven’t ever taken the time to photograph and catalog most of the great deals we’ve gotten over the years. So I’m quite impressed with the Thrifty Chicks for their latest project – an album of 201 photos of awesome thrifted stuff. It’s like a Christmas catalog of unique stuff. You can’t order from the pages, but you can be inspired to go out an find your own awesome stuff, for far less than you’d spend at the mall.
I’ve already mentioned that we’re planning a super low-key Christmas around here. Our son is only a year and half old, and could care less whether it’s Christmas or the 4th of July or November 20th. As long as we spend our evenings playing with him, and take him to the playground during the day, he’s a happy camper. But there are a few people for whom I enjoy getting presents. I’ve been pondering various homemade options this year, and I’m also going to go to the thrift stores a little more often for the next few weeks and see if I spot anything that reminds me of those people. I’m making a commitment that all of the gifts my family gives this year will be either homemade, secondhand, or donations to a charity that is close to the recipient’s heart. No mall stuff, no online shopping, nothing mass-produced unless I’m giving it a second life.
What about you? Anyone else out there who is willing to get off of the crazy retail train that somehow manages to take over a good chunk of the country for the last month of the year? If you have Black Friday off work, perhaps you can spend it thrifting for wonderful unique gifts, or sorting through things you already have on hand that can be turned into homemade gifts. I’m thinking about making wooden blocks for a friend’s toddler by cutting up a 2×4. Or I might felt an old wool sweater and use it to make a her a little purse. Lots of possibilities, all more fun than spending the day at the mall racking up credit card debt.
So head over to the Thrifty Chicks site for some inspiration, and then challenge yourself to see how much of your Christmas shopping you can do without buying new stuff. And whatever you do, promise yourself that you won’t go into debt for Christmas, since that takes all the fun out of it.
Lissa says
I have no intention of going out on Black Friday – well except to go home after Turkey day with the in-laws. I never go out actually. I relish the time off work to spend with my family. And get some holiday knitting done. This year will be some serious knitting. I have sock due to a friend by that Saturday. i will also be cooking and cleaning for my DS’s birthday party.
I have no intention of buying mindlessly this year. I have totes of yarn I plan to spin into lovely and lovingly made gifts for friend and family. :)
Jane says
I got off that merry go round a few years ago and won’t look back. I can not tell you what a difference it has made in the way I feel about what I have when I don’t have sophisticated window dressers pushing stuff that I don’t need with the message, “You don’t have enough!”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mycrayonbox/sets/72157603561632112/
This is a flickr set of last years Handmade Christmas. There are so many great tutorials out there making it so much fun!
cindy brick says
Ironically, some of the best deals around here come at the outlet mall…but late on Thanksgiving evening! (Like after 10 p.m.) I might go to those, but otherwise, will stay home.
I am a firm believer in the thrift shop approach, though. Went there today — found a wooden box for one daughter ($5), a terrific sweater for Husband ($6) and a cashmere, unworn sweater ($7) for me! Take the 25% discount off these prices for volunteering. (Have you thought about doing this, Babe? It’s rewarding, and you get an extra discount, too.) The result: nice gifts, great prices.
Abigail says
I love the idea, but sadly it won’t fly at my house. My husband’s pretty materialistic. Okay, I am too at times. And I know for a fact that whatever he got me he got brand new at the mall.
That said, most of his presents are quasi-secondhand. I say quasi because I got a bunch of Star Wars stuff from Craigslist but it’s still in box. But that counts, right? No extra boxes or anything like that?
And this year, like last year, one of his other gifts will be something I found at a yard sale. Last year, it was Marvel Scene It ($10, still in packaging). This year, I found a Star Wars Trivial Pursuit edition for $10. Not in packaging but it was still a great deal!
That said, we will probably venture out this Black Friday. There are some good deals on Christmas trees. We had to leave ours back in Seattle. And there are a few small purchases that we can save money on. Things like an extra slow cooker and a couple other household items.
So I guess I am sending mixed messages here, eh?
Shopping Golightly says
I hate to add this but am so proud of my latest post. You wouldn’t believe the complete place settings I created from thrift for -hee hee- $4.61 per setting! Aside from all the china, this includes seven pieces of vintage silver plate flatware and individual salt and pepper shakers! For the first time EVER I feel like I’ve finally learned the art of a meal’s presentation! I have arrived.
Jen says
Ah, yes, me. This is the first time ever that we won’t be purchasing any gifts for Christmas. We are giving consumables, though, and I’m actually really looking forward to putting everything together. I think we can get everything we need from the grocery store for around $50, and that plus one day in the kitchen will cover to cover gifts for ten people.
I was in Goodwill the other day and was blown away by the sheer amount of Christmas decorations they have available. Not that we do a ton of decorating, but for the things we do put out, I wish I’d known about that a few years ago!
mc says
Abigail — I bet you can get a nearly new slow cooker and other household items on craigslist, for very cheap — much less even than sale prices new. I got a great crockpot for free on craigslist. Also check things like free cycle. You can post that you want one and I bet you will get more than one reply.
Often I find that even “sales” don’t save money.
spagiftbaskets says
This year we opt for only homemade gifts. Not only we safe money but the most important they are unique and special. I have some some bath frizz, bath salts and cookies. All are stored in pretty jars. We are also not buying any wrapping papers. i have sewn some gift bags. At least the gift bags would be thrown away. It can be recycled too
Sarah says
My family doesn’t really go all out on gifts anymore. My MIL sends us money and my mom will buy us a present only if it’s great.
My favorite homemade gift idea (that I have never done) is homemade soup in a jar. You put a bunch of dry ingredients in a big jar with a pretty bow and some instructions. The soup can look very pretty, too.
FrugalBabe says
Sarah,
A few years ago I made cookies in a jar for Christmas presents. I used mason jars, and filled them with layers of cookie ingredients, then put a cute piece of fabric in the top to make it look festive. They looked really neat with all the different layers of ingredients, and the recipients all said that they ended up with really tasty cookies. And it cost very little to make a whole bunch of jars. Have fun with your soup jars!