Do you Christmas shop at ???????

**captclearance** · 09-27-2002, 11:08 AM

I was just wondering if any of you gift shop at yard sales, thrift stores or use freebies for gifts ?????? I know I do and this is a source of some controversy with a friend of mine... She says that it just isn't right.... Last Christmas she got an OBSESSION gift pack that I bought brand new at a yard sale $3.00, this is her favorite perfume..... She didn't ask if it was from a yard sale that time...I am sure she didn't think it could have been..... My friends and family get things they otherwise wouldn't be getting if it were not that I got it at a yard sale or thrift store...... What do you think.......... BTW ( I am writing cuz this is the place I think I will finally find support for this from all of you other cheapskates like me)

**debbiepete** · 09-27-2002, 11:14 AM

If I had the time I would ya never know what treasure you will find!!!

**homesteadmamma** · 09-27-2002, 11:17 AM

Me too, I do it all the time. Its funny you ask this because my aunt who lives in a very swanky area in BC and makes thousands of dollars every year does this and when I was visiting her last year, she found some perfume that had never been used too. She said, "these make great Christmas gifts", so your in good company.

Toys are another favorite I like to get at yard sales, they often aren't even out of the box. I see absolutely nothing wrong in doing this.

**mommy2three** · 09-27-2002, 11:25 AM

we love to get stuff at flea markets too!!

our family likes the antique stuff....so, that makes it easier. my sister got my dd a big kitchen (like little tykes) at a thrift store for $7 for christmas!!

**heaven** · 09-27-2002, 11:39 AM

i haven't until this year and i just can't afford to go all out. so i not only do yard sales and home made but i bought game boy color for 20$ at a pawn shop. it works and looks good, and my children are going to get it. Pawn shops i am finding have excellent prices expecally this one near us, they always knock some off for me. So that and clearance too why not. I don't think of it as used but gently loved LOL.

**~Sherry~** · 09-27-2002, 11:53 AM

I'm with you girls.
In fact while I was at the used childrens store yesterday I was looking at the toys there and thinking I could Christmas shop here for my neices and nephews. Things are either in boxes or shrink wrapped very neatly.

**QuilterMom** · 09-27-2002, 01:02 PM

I started looking for gifts at yard sales and Goodwill this year. I found ds some brand new books at both that he'll be receiving for Christmas. I don't see anything wrong with it (though one of my friends would absolutely have a meltdown if I shared this with her).

**heaven** · 09-27-2002, 01:05 PM

you know you can also, if they are not wrapped, get shrink wrap, (we do it at the newspaper office(the printing part of it.) , or get celliphane bags to put them in just to dress them up alittle.

**blueknitter** · 09-27-2002, 01:10 PM

I do this, and I also go out of my way to not let my extended family know about it. They are of the "You get what you pay for" vein of thought, and they would absolutely have kittens if they knew that the stuff they're raving about came from a yard sale, thrift store, or flea market. This year, they're also getting a ton of online freebies, as well.

**heaven** · 09-27-2002, 01:20 PM

yes i need to get on the freebe band wagon. i love to get mail other than bills. And bartering too. i want to start doing more of that. okay i will stop now.

**bamamomto4** · 09-27-2002, 01:44 PM

I don't see anything wrong with it either.One year I wanted a gold bracelet and told dh I wouldn't care if he found one at a pawn shop.It's still gold,just someone else wore it before me and it cost half as much!!!

**MJsLady** · 09-27-2002, 04:10 PM

The first year I was online, I did all the rewards programs and every cheap/ free deal online.
When dh tallied it up in Dec. I have received over $600 in free stuff.
This included groceries gotten with my web certificate from points I had earned.
Everyone got free gifts. I had gcs to Bath and body works, Tavolo, several other great places, all cashed in from points. I was able to get several gifts from each gc.
The only gifts we spent money on were my sons, and that was just because my rewards money mostly went for groceries that year.
I still do the programs but am too chicken to do the car test drives.
This year ladies gifts are going to be hand made. Not sure about the guys yet.

**Patchworkgirl** · 09-27-2002, 04:56 PM

OH, how well I remember those internet deals! We had an awesome Christmas that year! Frankly, I see nothing wrong with garage sale shopping- if I didn't work every day that is exactly what I would be doing. I think the key is whether the item looks used. If it looks used, then probably not a good idea for a gift. But if it looks brand new, and probably is, go for it!

**Jerseygirl** · 09-27-2002, 07:54 PM

I still generally buy new for others, garage sales and such is for me, dh, dss and baby things. I have called a friend who recently had a baby and told her (after I had sent a box of new outfits, diapers, bath products etc as her shower gift) that I found some great deals at a garage sale and I wanted to send them up to her. She was really happy to have it, and I included lots of diaper samples I get. I have bought my mom a piece of estate jewelry at a top drawer jeweler, and depression glass, but she loves antiques so it works for her.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 09-28-2002, 01:15 AM

Funny you should mention this. I gave my favorite five yr old his birthday stuff today (he's one of my best friend's younger son). He got a puzzle (new on clearance for a DIME!), a Puzzle Place sticker book (.25 new at a yard sale) and a preschool workbook (.25 new at a yard sale). For .60 the lid was thrilled because he got THREE things! He trotted upstairs to show his big brother and my two sons, saying, "I am the luckiest boy". Isn't that cool?