On Monday my best friend from high school drove three hours--all the way to my house-- with her four adorable (well, the three girls are adorable... her son is cool) children and she and I got to spend the entire day thrifting! Yes, all day. No children. Every single thrift store in Lexington. Noteworthy!
I didn't really find much until --- the last stop. And then I scored BIG TIME! And the thing that I bought was so stinkin' big that I couldn't fit it in my ginormous van. So, I had to come back the next day without the seats in my van and with a big, strong teenager to help me. And while I was waiting for the goodwill guys to find some tools for us to take the huge thing apart with, I ended up buying more big stuff! And then I had to call Captain, who was just getting off work, to come and help us. So he bought us a tool and came and saved the day. We also got some amazing Firehouse subs. And I got a new (new for me) kitchen table that seats ALL of us comfortably, for only $30. That's a major score!
And since it's Tuesday, which I just now realized, I'll leave you with a tip. If you go to a thrift store and everything seems like junk... it probably is. Just move on. Every store is different and each has its own ebb and flow of treasures. When you walk into a good one, you'll know because the prices will be really great on furniture and there will be lots of brand name clothes. Since I spent roughly three hours at that last store, I got to talk to the employees quite a bit. They told me that December is the best month for donations... and good, nice, BIG donations... because wealthier people want the tax deductions. They also told me that the most donations come in on Sunday evenings after yard sales are over, but that's only during nicer weather. So, there ya go!
Check out your thrift stores this coming month-- you might just hit the jackpot!
Oh, and I have a question for you guys... what do you think about thrifted gifts? Would you be offended? Or do you not really care where something came from as long as you know the giver really tried hard to get you something you would like? It's been a big conversation topic around here and I'd really like your opinion!
I don't mind a thrifted gift as long as it's special. I HATE re-gifted dumb junk, though!!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind a re-gift as long as it's something that the giver actually liked but wanted me to have it....that seems really generous. --Shaniqua
ReplyDeleteYeah, me too!
DeleteI looooove thrifted things like adorable tea cups--really old ones.
ReplyDeleteOK, I wanna see a picture of the table!
ReplyDeleteAs for the gift of thrift stuff - It totally depends on what the item is. I will gift any thrift to my children and husband - No problem with that. But for someone else, if it's a cool vintage thing that you can't get elsewhere, yes. If it's not, then no. Just makes you look cheap. I know people who have complained to me about other people getting them used stuff from garage sales or whatever. They were very offended. But then again, those people tend to be very easily offended anyway.
OK, well, that sums it up perfectly!
Delete*Thrift is fine for the fam (as long as there's some "new from the store with tags on it" stuff, too.)
*No thrift finds for anybody else... unless it's some amazing thing that they really wanted. In that case, just give it to them (not as a gift) and they'll think you're wonderful.
*If you give a thrift gift to somebody who is easily offended, they'll talk about you behind your back for years.
*The best way to give a thrifty gift to those people is to find a killer deal, scratch off all the clearance stickers, and just leave the highest price tag on (on accident).
*And, be sure that your kids don't overhear you saying what a great deal it was... or they'll spill the beans and you'll be in the doghouse anyways.