Have Yourself a Merry Little 2nd Hand Christmas

**forHISglory** · 12-23-2008, 01:27 PM

Did you do any of your shopping at second hand stores, resale shops or thrift stores?

I did. One of our thrift stores has a book basement. Hardbacks are 50c and paperbacks are 25c. I bought a lot of books for my reading-hungry family, and I am positive that they will love them.

I also bought children's clothes at a resale shop (although their inventory was low ; owner said the recession had been very good for her business) and got good warm jackets for all the grandkids for $3 each.

I looked for a chair for hubby at a thrift store, but couldn't find one. I did buy picture frames there and will be putting in special photos to give as gifts. And I found some brand new Tupperware for a pittance.

I noticed that the parking lots at these places are really crowded, much more than at other stores.

So....... did you do any of your shopping there? What bargains did you get?

**imagine** · 12-23-2008, 01:39 PM

It was second had but not thrift store.

I bought my mom some books she would like ( that looked new in fact) at the library book sale.

**POOTERSMOMMY** · 12-23-2008, 02:02 PM

Way to go. I recently read an article that said thrift sstores and Dollar stores ar booming this year.
I have bought books, baskets, clothes, antiques, picture frames, ect. for gifts at thrift stores and yard sales. I look and shop all year long.
I think more and more people will be doing this in the coming year. Cause it's going to get worse before it gets better!!!

**sueh** · 12-23-2008, 02:11 PM

I did get quite a few things 2nd hand for my girls for Christmas. I bought a few things from Ebay and also bought some books from this site.

We don't have many thrift stores around here but they will be opening one right down the street from me in February. I am excited.

**homesteadmamma** · 12-23-2008, 02:43 PM

I have other years, however I didn't this year. We didn't spend much and what the kids did ask for I couldn't buy at a thrift store.

You did a great job.

**i.m.cheap** · 12-23-2008, 05:54 PM

I buy at least one second-hand game for our Xbox each year. People buy them, play them until they beat them, and then trade them in or sell them on ebay. You can save half or more the price of a new game.

I also give gift that I acquire for free or just pennies on the dollar by using coupons. For instance, one gift is a Christmas mug purchased on sale at Walgreen's when they were 2/$1, filled with a 1.75 oz. bag of Archer Farm's gourmet coffee purchased for 14¢ with a $1/1 SuperTarget printable coupon, and a two-pack of Starbuck's Mocha Truffles purchased for 29¢ with a $1/1 coupon. The total cost for this "Coffee Lover's" gift? 93¢

**Cricketlegs** · 12-23-2008, 06:27 PM

I love the Goodwill but my new favorite place is called Hopes Closet and all proceeds go to battered/ sexual assaulted woman and children, Win win in my book.

**lotsadebt** · 12-24-2008, 10:30 AM

I have bought "new" clothes at second-hand stores that still have tags on them!
I had a "recycled" christmas challenge with my cousin. We had to transform an object that had another life. We could purchase things to help transform the main item.
My choice was a crocheted rag rug from old shirts. I bought the shirts at the thrift store. On mondays all items are 1/2 off! cut them up and crocheted the rug.
It was fun, next year I want to extend the challenge to other friends. But I want to bulk buy the shirts from yard sales. You know like " I'll give you xx$ for this entire armload"

**MyMelody** · 12-26-2008, 11:27 PM

Back in July, I got 6 small Christmas themed baskets from Goodwill for 0.50 each and filled each one with a hand lotion ($1/1), chapstick ($1/2), hand sanitizer ($1/2), gum ($1/4), nail file ($1/4), holiday candle ($1/2) and peppermints ($2/enough for 6 baskets) from the Dollar Tree, for a total cost of about $4.83 each. With a little recycled tissue paper and ribbon, these made great gifts for my mom, grandmother, mil, sil's, and aunt. For our moms and grandmother, I also added a calendar and puzzle book (sudoku, word find, or crosswords) for another $2/each. My granny was also thrilled to receive a random assortment of the freebies I receive online (coffee, lotion, Benefiber,etc)! Frugalness runs in the family ... LOL

**redhead68** · 12-27-2008, 12:22 AM

I have a friend who runs a children's consignment shop, and I've both sold and bought there. Last year I found an absolutely gorgeous Biscotti dress for $10. Casual clothes are usually a little worn, but it is THE place to go for special occasion outfits. I've also had good luck selling my children's out-grown toys. I could probably make more money by selling directly via eBay, but I'm willing to take the hit for the convenience of having her market the items.

**MommyBliss** · 12-27-2008, 02:10 AM

I went a few days ago and found 2 very nice snowmen decorations. My bff collects snowmen, so one will be for her for next Christmas. I look for baskets to hold gifts.

**sunshine** · 12-27-2008, 10:00 AM

A big portion of our gifts this Christmas, were second hand.

MIL - basket from thrift shop, coffee mugs from garage sale, homemade soup mixes

My mom - hand knitted head scarf, made from yarn I purchased at a yard sale for .10

Other items I got at yard sales and used as gifts:

loads of books - paid .10- .25 each

jigsaw puzzles - paid .25-.50 each (most were unopened)

baby toys - rattles, teething rings, etc. Most were either free or less than .25 each

huge box of baby clothes for my granddaughter - all free from a yard sale. When I mentioned in passing that my son was a Marine she got all excited, told me her dad was a Marine and just kept throwing things in the box and then gave it all to me for free

boxed soap/body wash/lotion sets - new in boxes from a yard sale, paid .10 each for them in the summer, they were snowflake themed

huge decorative pillow for dd's room, paid .10 for it, still had tags on it

microbead pillow in shape of a penguin - still had tags on it, paid .25

shirts for dh - from thrift store, paid $1 each

several DVD movies for various people - paid $1 or less for them

**peanut** · 12-27-2008, 11:34 AM

No, but I did recycle old blue jeans and fabric that was given to me into aprons and potholders. They went over really well.

Jean

**known2him5** · 12-27-2008, 04:42 PM

Sure. . .we always try to do second hand first.

Christmas gifts this year that were 2nd hand:

several DVD's and VHS movies from yard sales

lots of clothing items - sweaters, gloves, hats, scarves

lots of books - some like new, some well loved but given because they are out of print and requested by the recipient.

**rudypoo98** · 12-27-2008, 06:28 PM

My daughter got all her gifts this year at our local .20 cent store. Everything there is .20 cents and is all donated ,everyone here takes their left over yard sale items there plus closet cleanouts.She can't find a job and is living on $400 a month child support.It sure didn't bother me that the gifts came from there I go there myself alot and find nice clothes.I also donate my closet cleanouts, my daughter takes the kids too small clothes there some that came from there she returns when the kids outgrow them.