This year more than ever, we've got a very tight budget for Christmas shopping. I'm always on the hunt for ways to save money and at that only amps up during the holidays when I have to make our money stretch even farther than usual. I'm not much of a shopper, in the stereotypical "women love shopping" sense. That said, I have to admit that I love shopping at second-hand stores. I love poking through all the stuff and finding treasures passed along by unknown strangers. Besides being better for the environment and our local economy, and often partnering with local charities, second-hand stores are a great way to find great deals and selection without breaking the bank.
I truly believe that it's the thought behind the gift that counts, not the price tag, but it took me a while to get over the feeling that other people would view me as a cheap-garbage-can-raiding-skinflint when the gifts I give don't come in fancy big store packaging. I've come to realize, that for me at least, the exact opposite is true. I spend more time pouring over the racks and shelves of goodies at Value Village, trying to find something that's just right for the people I love, than I do at mainstream stores, where I find everything so generic.
Regardless of where I buy it or how much it costs, when I give someone a gift that I've put a lot of thought into and that I think they will appreciate, it makes me feel good. I can only hope that the gift reciever feels the same way.
Cheers!
I'm a vintage and antique junkie. Raised in it. Buy from those places often. I'd much rather get a vintage actual drop forged set of wrenches found in a junk store than some crappy new twenty dollar brand new set of space age wrenches.
ReplyDeleteIf you're finding buying baby clothes is expensive I suggest checking out thrift stores. My sister did that with her daughter and saved tons of money. With parents now a days having one kid only...they just hand off to a thrift store all the baby clothes. Good quality stuff.