Have you ever said "I wish we didn't have to spend so much money on Christmas?" or "I wish we could have Christmas without going into debt!" Well here is your answer - tell your family that next Christmas no one is allowed to buy a new, expensive gift for anyone! Yes, I really said that. Tell them that all presents must be from garage sales, tag sales, yard sales, auctions, handmade or made over.
You really need to start now, or start next spring/summer, hit all the garages sales and auctions that you can. Find items that your family collects, things from sports teams that they like, such as T-shirts with silly sayings, posters, glasses, etc. Pick up craft items that will look cute around someone's home. You can find games for the kids by the carload and puzzles abound for that person who lives to do puzzles. You won't believe how many golf clubs you can find, bicycles, tricycles, baby toys and clothes. You can find records, cassettes and videos (old classics make great gifts). Did you know that a 45 record of Elvis in the cardboard cover was found for a quarter recently and a collector offered the person $150.00 for it. Think how many gifts you can collect over the summer for a quarter to a dollar. The person who collects cats or bears can double their collection just from items you find. You will be amazed at the silly things you can find at garage sales for that special brother, sister or best friend.
Look at items as they will look cleaned up or painted. Pieces of furniture like cabinets, bookcases, dressers can look terrific if sanded and restained or painted the color of someone's room theme. You can make them match by adding wood cutouts, decals, or ornaments. Cute 2 and 3 drawer end tables for playrooms, a home office or kids room can be painted with each drawer a different color or painting stripes. Knobs can be painted or replaced. Old trunks, foot lockers, old part metal suitcases can be made into neat storage or toy boxes. Be sure to fix lids so they won't fall on children when they are open. Decoupage the inside lids and bottoms with wallpaper, newspaper or wrapping paper.
When buying clothes out of season, buy them a little larger for next year. Also if you find a really good buy but it is a little large get it anyway. If it will save you money when the child gets a little larger, it is worth the storage. Bed spreads; comforters and sheets are always found at sales. This is a good buy if you find your color or design. Used sheets, etc., are also great to send off to college, camp or in kids rooms.
Educational toys abound at garage sales. Be sure and ask if they work, even better carry a couple of batteries with you and try them out. Dead batteries are usually the reason toys don't work. If you need to find baby things, go to neighborhoods that tend to have younger families. Older neighborhoods with older homes will have more things since they have had longer to collect. Older or middle aged families will also have good children's furniture such as playpens, high chairs, etc., since they usually have grandchildren who have outgrown these items.
My family did this several years ago and the floor was covered with gifts, hundreds of them. What fun you can have opening something silly or watching the face of a family member as they unwrap a collectible. The people in your family who are crafty can present everyone with a beautiful handmade item that they will treasure for many years. The year we did this we had absolutely NO BILLS, NO CREDIT CARD DEBT or empty bank accounts. Try it one year and you will probably be hooked plus you will be amazed how nice it is to not have to worry about paying for it the rest of the year.
About the Author:
Elizabeth Ann Scaling Tucker is a retired grandmother of 5. She retired after 35 1/2 years with the Department of Defense. In her retirement years, she is a grandchild sitter and an assistant webmaster for family websites.
You can see one of the websites at http://www.zoinkies.com/free-stuff/
Have you always dreamed of a Norman Rockwell Christmas -... Read More
You don't have to spend a fortune this Valentine's Day... Read More
Mother's Day is, in many countries, a day for celebrating... Read More
When we think of Holiday shopping, we think of all... Read More
Maybe your significant other is overseas in the military. Maybe... Read More
'Tis the season to celebrate -- and a time to... Read More
Need help with gifts? Not everyone is good at choosing... Read More
This holiday season don't be trendy ? avoid the Seasonal... Read More
"Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell... Read More
How many times have you heard a friend say about... Read More
Ok, the end of October is approaching, and you desperately... Read More
I casually glanced down at my hand, but instead of... Read More
Teddy bears have been around since 1902. The teddy bear... Read More
Costumes are a great way to escape reality, and wearing... Read More
Whether you know him by Eros or Cupid, this son... Read More
What does your holiday season usually look like -- a... Read More
Instead of scouring the mall for gifts this holiday season... Read More
The stores are decorated in candy hearts, flowers and bears.... Read More
Ever since my girls were little, I've tried to teach... Read More
If you are like me and are a very lousy... Read More
Valentine's Day is just around the corner which of course... Read More
When it comes to Halloween there's no lack of variety... Read More
The 4th of July is a time for celebrating Freedom!... Read More
Fathers Day is another reason to celebrate another responsible adult... Read More
Ah, the start of another year! In a groggy haze... Read More
If you're looking for ways to decorate your home in... Read More
Halloween is the day of the year that has the... Read More
1. Keep a stack of directions TO your place for... Read More
Christmas dinner probably the most elaborate and complex dinners you... Read More
Have you ever said "I wish we didn't have to... Read More
Monday, May 30th is Memorial Day. Your local florist can... Read More
Ah, the beginning of a New Year. A time to... Read More
Is there really a Santa Claus? Any parent who hasn't... Read More
Happy New Year! Around the world, this is a time... Read More
If you're looking for ways to decorate your home in... Read More
Who doesn't love being a clown? It's a great costume... Read More
Instead of scouring the mall for gifts this holiday season... Read More
Now that the biggest shopping season of the year is... Read More
Sometimes gifts that you purchase are not as personalized as... Read More
If you are like me and are a very lousy... Read More
Christmas is a wonderful time! Everyone is full of good... Read More
Traditionally Christmas ornaments were bulbs of all the same color... Read More
For most people that don't enjoy wearing messy makeup, Halloween... Read More
A Creative Dream Come TrueA hush falls over the room... Read More
Why is it that whenever you go to a holiday... Read More
Halloween is "fright night" for humans not dogs. Screaming, running,... Read More
Christmas is always the time of year we consider to... Read More
Patty Lovelace Country MusicVerse #1 Through the back window of... Read More
Fun, though they are intended to be, The Holidays can... Read More
Are you ready for Mother's Day? Yes I realize it's... Read More
As the holidays approach, I find myself wondering how I'm... Read More
Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking... Read More
The exact origin of April Fool's Day is uncertain, but... Read More
Mother's Day is, in many countries, a day for celebrating... Read More
No matter what the season, packages make a statement even... Read More
Christmas is a magical time of year, both for kids... Read More
John Grisham wrote a book called SKIPPING CHRISTMAS. Amazon.com reports:... Read More
Father's Day is approaching fast. In the USA it falls... Read More
Is there really a Santa Claus? Any parent who hasn't... Read More
Mistletoe. Holiday parties. New Years kiss at midnight. This time... Read More
A birthday gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More
"Mother: the most beautiful word on the lips of mankind."... Read More
Have you ever thought what you would have done without... Read More
On July 4th 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration... Read More
What do you get for the man who has always... Read More
Have you ever thought what you would do without your... Read More
Holiday |