In these "tough economic times" I am doing everything I can to get more bang for my buck. We have always set a budget for Christmas; this year I have just worked a little harder to be sure that the money we spend gets stretched a little further.
Every day I pick the boys up from school. Every day I sit at the same table I have sat at for the past 4 years (god forbid I change the routine). Every day I sit with the same women (the majority of which I like). A couple of weeks ago, however, a comment was made that irritated me...
A woman was talking about having already finished up her daughter's Christmas shopping, how she was so proud that the list was so short and the items on it were so inexpensive. I'm not sure how she got on the subject of her mother-in-law (MIL) but she started talking about how her MIL buys her daughter things from the thrift store for Christmas. I commented on how I thought that was great, that my father's wife does the same thing. She said that it was fine to give her things from the thrift store but "to wrap them up for Christmas, ugh" - like she wanted her to just give her gifts randomly throughout the year.
The next day I walked my butt down to our local consignment shop and looked for some good deals. I walked out of there with a pair of pajama bottoms and 4 shirts for Kirby and a shirt for Z. All for $24. They were in perfect condition. They barely look worn. I was psyched!
I called Kirby to rave about my finds. I tell him I am going to wrap them up and put them under the tree. He says "yeah, that's fine, it's not like they would even know". I promptly informed him that "I don't give a rat's ass if they know, oh and BTW (yeah, that's what I said), the things I got for you are getting wrapped up too". Of course, he changed his tune, "I didn't mean anything, I mean, yeah, that's okay".
So I wonder, what IS wrong with this? I am not giving my kids things that are ripped or torn or even look worn. These are NAME BRAND clothes that MAY have been worn a few times but LOOK brand new. Even if they DID notice, my kids are not going to care (in fact, one of Z's favorite things to do is to go through the tables upon tables of clothes at our local "street fair" on the last night when everything goes for free - he also loves to get bags of "hand-me-downs" from my cousin's son). So why do people make such a big deal about it?
I truly don't understand...
10 comments:
People make a big deal out of it because they are shallow, superficial and don't realize the impact we are making on our world by being a throwaway society. If we teach our children the value of a dollar, the value of REUSING, and RECYCLING then maybe, just maybe our world has a chance. I bought xander several video games that were *gasp* used for christmas, they will get wrapped up and put under the tree the same as everything else. There is not a thing wrong with previously owned things as a gift, I bet you $100 bucks that if these people got a previously owned car as a gift they wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth now would they?
There is nothing wrong with it! Period. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, right?
Also, in our house, Santa only brings one gift and it's unwrapped because hello Santa does not have time for wrapping!
i've found that most people cannot learn to appreciate "things" until they have gone without. and i don't mean wanting a sweater from the gap, but not having enough money for it this week, i mean not having that new sweater, or an old sweater to keep you warm at night.
i guess in some strange way, i am lucky that i hit rock bottom before the rest of the world, because for me, i can still appreciate the fact that my bank account may be damn near empty, but i have a roof over my head, and clothes on my back, and i don't care where they came from.
if 2008 brought me nothing else, it brought me to the realization that there is a HUGE differents between 'wants' and 'needs,' and for that i am thankful.
I think buying used items is an excellent option. Clothes, furniture, housewares... it's great to reuse and reduce consumption. And if you can teach your children the value of recycling - not just trash - but everything in their lives, so much the better. Often you can find something that isn't available anywhere else or vintage stuff that is really fun. And it's simply crazy, now, to pay top dollar. It just doesn't make ¢ense.
Good for you! And there's NOTHING wrong with it! So many people are in financial straits because they've bought into our throw away society. It's ridiculous! You are doing your family and your kids a service by sticking to that budget. You should feel proud.
Years ago, I too would of had an issue with it. But not anymore, but it really took me 40 years to get where I am with it.
But your right, nothing is wrong with it.
Good for you!!!! We're getting into that same habit as well... and always looking at least for sales or great deals. I think more people will come around to that conclusion as time goes on... keep up the good frugal work!!!!!
:)
~Tabitha~
freshmommyblog.com
I'm with you! It shouldn't matter! And if you can get more for less and it's just as nice then it shouldn't matter!
Hey, Erika, where are you?? Hope your Christmas was happy.
I don't see what the deal is. You can find great things at consignment & used clothing stores...and hello? What do you think "vintage" is?! I shop for some of my kids clothes and even some toys at consignment stores, and they don't have a single hang-up about it (now that may change if anyone ever made fun of them about it) and they love to go to them and find something.
No worries--you're not only saving yourself some money, you're teaching your kids to be responsible and take care of the planet too, b/c after all, it is a form of recycling. :)
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