Start your Christmas shopping NOW

[Horse with no Name]

Start hitting the Goodwills, Salvation Armys, and thrift stores for your items before things get picked over.
Last year, I didn't shop anywhere but these venues as well as Ebay and Amazon.
Everyone got really nice gifts.
I also recycled stuff and listed it on Ebay. The only money that I spent was money that I garnered from doing this.
So last Christmas cost me absolutely nothing.
My finds so far:
For my Granddaughter I have found vintage Crissy doll in EXCELLENT condition. I found it at the Salvation Army today for $10. She is worth anywhere from $20-40.
A few weeks ago I found another Crissy doll--Mia--and paid $3. She is valued about the same.
I am going to look around and find some vintage clothes for them on ebay.
I think it will make an excellent gift as she LOVES Barbies.
I found my mother a book in new condition on Scrabble. I paid $1.
I found an aunt a book on herbal and homeopathic herbs and aromatherapy in new condition for $1.
What is even more fun, I have got people to join my quest that I call "Goodwill Hunting" and have turned it into a fun game with my friends.
Now is the time to start...tis the season...falalalala...lalala.

[NMDemDist2]

1. true dat! and look for gifts to "rework"

frames with awful pics you can re-use. special items that need some TLC before they can be given

last year we did a carousel horse for my step mother's new sun room

total cost of the project was less than $50 but it did take a couple weeks to get it done. and don't be afraid to try crafts, this was the first one I ever did!

here's the thrift store find ($22)



after some reworking here's the final gift

[Horse with no Name]

4. That is a beautiful piece of art that you created

:thumbsup:

[NMDemDist2]

5. it sat in my living room painted white for days and days as I held up

different beads and thought and thought about what it should look like.

much cruising of the internets for pics of horses for ideas

it was a true gift of love and she LOVED getting it

:bounce:

course I haven't done another "crafty" project since......

edit to add PS, the eyes are the hardest

[demgurl]

6. AZ, you are truly gifted. Great work. nt

[WolverineDG]

2. I'm really scaling back for this year

The adults (4) get one present & some sort of gift card. The kids (2, teens) are getting a themed present. One is into art, so I'm digging up art supplies, & the other is going to London on a school trip next summer, so she's getting a couple of travel guides & some other trip-related swag. :)

dg

[Horse with no Name]

3. I have a friend who has top notch art supplies

All the good brands of pencils, etc.
Drop me a line if you are interested.

[demgurl]

7. I have 95% of my shopping done already.

I do shopping throughout the year. I just get things when I can get a good deal. The boys are basically taken care of for next Christmas as well.

At the height of the dot com craze companies were giving out amazing coupons. Toy stores would have coupons for $15 off any purchase and free shipping. These coupons could be used and reused. After six years, I still have toys from those days. Thank goodness we have a TON of space downstairs.

I also stock up twice a year when Bath and Body have their 75% off sale. I make gift baskets with those items and I also give them as teacher gifts.

A few months ago Yankee Candle had an online sale where you could buy some of their HUGE three wick candles for $5 each. There was a coupon and free shipping making them a little over $4 each. I bought a bunch and can combine those with the Bath and Body items and look like I spent a lot when I didn't really spend anything.