Comments on: Garage Sale Gift Shopping

By: Joy

Joy — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 02:58:03 +0000

Jillian: I feel the same way about garage sales when I think of going to several. During Roscoe’s birthday present garage sale haul, I looked up two sales in Craigslist that had lots of kids stuff and were in the same up-scale neighborhood. This seems to be the best way to score lots of stuff in a short period of time without a lot of effort. It is a bit of work beforehand, but it’s much easier than driving from sale to sale all morning and pulling kids in and out of carseats.

By: Jillian

Jillian — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:11:05 +0000

I’d love to get into the garage sale circuit, but its so hard much work: finding them, mapquesting them, getting up early on the weekend. I wish there were community flee-markets to check out around here but i haven’t found any yet.

By: Alana @ Gray Matters

Alana @ Gray Matters — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:42:43 +0000

That’s awesome. I can’t believe you got all that loot! I love the idea of buying “recently loved” items for Christmas. Especially children’s toys – might have to make that suggestion to our family.

By: Donna @ The Frugal Mom Blog

Donna @ The Frugal Mom Blog — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:02:22 +0000

What a terrific find! I have started to look at used items for the kids. I have learned from the older two, that Ethan does not need brand new baby toys as they outgrow them so fast. Thanks for sharing your tip!

By: Bring on the Lloyds...

Bring on the Lloyds... — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:47:50 +0000

What a great idea for a holiday with only “used” (or “pre-owned”?) gifts!

By: Sara

Sara — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:49:26 +0000

Wow! What a great deal. I scored our first tricycle on craigslist recently. It’s in great shape just a little rust on the bell. I’m interested to see what you do and maybe we’ll follow suit.

By: Joy

Joy — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:37:57 +0000

Cathy: Good for you for even considering getting used gifts. My sister, who’s an amazing thrift store shopper, once gave me a few boxes of clothes for the holidays. She bought them in the goodwill “bins”–which means they were sold by the pound and ultra-cheap. I ended up with several quality pieces of name brand clothing that I loved–and the gift cost my sister a little over $7.00. I’m sure it took plenty of time though!

Condo Blues: I just might have to share the rhinestone glasses story with my hubby as a subtle hint for holiday gifts.

Greeen Sheeep: What a great idea about delving into people’s childhood favorites to come up with thoughtful ideas for vintage gifts. I would be so excited to get an antique Wonder Woman comic book. (More hints for my husband!)

Thanks for your input and for commenting on our contributing blogs this week. It’s an honor to be working with such creative, frugal bloggers!

By: greeen sheeep

greeen sheeep — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:41:19 +0000

What a great idea! I often find that used gifts require much more thought and are ultimately more personal, reflecting the person intended for. We love to search out items from people’s pasts. Something they mentioned once in conversation, like a comic book they loved as a kid, etc. They are floored when receiving it. How did you know?! Just listen and you will pick up little cues.

By: CanCan (Mom Most Traveled)

CanCan (Mom Most Traveled) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:30:29 +0000

Awesome haul! I have a rusty wagon that needs a makeover! I can’t wait to see the tutorial!

By: Condo Blues

Condo Blues — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:43:48 +0000

Nice haul!!

I wasn’t fond of buying used stuff to give as gifts until my husband gave me a pair of fun kitschy 50′s rinestone sunglasses for my birthday. I totally love them and complimented him on finding a gift that was so “me”. Then he tells me that I actually picked out my own gift. Apparently we were in a vinetage shop a week before and I commented on liking the glasses (I don’t remember saying this but whatever) and he went back and bought them. So I guess I’m reformed at the second-hand stuff as gifts thing.