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a frugal xmas


guadarrama

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I think that it depends on the person you are buying for. Some people may not like the fact that their gift came from a thrift or consignment shop. However, it wouldn't bother me. It's the fact that someone thought of me, and took the time to buy me a gift that makes it special.
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In reality, how do you know where your gift was purchased. I assume the only way to know where it came from is if you want the receipt to return it.

 

My family is a little odd, we love a bargain (mom DAD and all 4 daughters) so no, I wouldn't be surprised (or upset) to discover something came from a consignment shop or thrift store (might ask them to take me to look for more bargains!). In fact, if it comes from dad, I can pretty much guess that it came from a garage sale or thrift store (and he is usually a great gift giver)

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My hubby does this all the time. One year he gave me some books from the Goodwill with some $1 bills inside of the books. I really wouldn't have minded the gift that much, if he had bought me some books that I would have actually read. :lmao:

 

2 years ago he made my mom a money tree and she loved it. He used pennies as the soil and got a stick out of the back yard and put it in a little flower pot. He taped some $1 on the stick and even gave her a roll of pennies for extra food. lol. My mom loved it and said it was the best present she had received in years.

 

When he was around 17, he gave a friend of his a load of stuff. Included in it was a tampon, disposable razor, notebook, pencils and other stuff that he found around the house. He also put an electric razor in with the rest of the stuff. The funniest part about it was the friend tried to shave with the razor and it got stuck to his face. :lmao: My hubby laughs about it to this day. :sidesplit

 

All of his friends are used to his thriftiness now and they never know what they will receive this year. He found a dvd player for $5 on Craigslist that he's going to give a friend who doesn't have one this year. Lord only knows what he has in store for me this year. :lmao::sidesplit

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If you are not sure why not try some of those "recipes in a jar"

or maybe just baking something or making an ornament or gift.

 

I personally wouldn't be offended, hey if someone is nice enough to

remember me I would be happy just for the thought.

 

Remember in Xmas Vacation when the old aunt wraps up the cat

and jello salad for gifts:sidesplit I love that movie and still laugh

whenever I watch it

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My hubby does this all the time. One year he gave me some books from the Goodwill with some $1 bills inside of the books. I really wouldn't have minded the gift that much, if he had bought me some books that I would have actually read. :lmao:

 

2 years ago he made my mom a money tree and she loved it. He used pennies as the soil and got a stick out of the back yard and put it in a little flower pot. He taped some $1 on the stick and even gave her a roll of pennies for extra food. lol. My mom loved it and said it was the best present she had received in years.

 

When he was around 17, he gave a friend of his a load of stuff. Included in it was a tampon, disposable razor, notebook, pencils and other stuff that he found around the house. He also put an electric razor in with the rest of the stuff. The funniest part about it was the friend tried to shave with the razor and it got stuck to his face. :lmao: My hubby laughs about it to this day. :sidesplit

 

All of his friends are used to his thriftiness now and they never know what they will receive this year. He found a dvd player for $5 on Craigslist that he's going to give a friend who doesn't have one this year. Lord only knows what he has in store for me this year. :lmao::sidesplit

 

:lmao::sidesplit OMG your husband sounds like a hoot. Oh thats 2 funny, I love it. He even gave her extra pennies for food. lol.

 

For me nothing beats a gift that is homemade!! I would take that anyday over anythingn else. Ooh and last year I found for my daughter at the thrift store a pasta maker still new and in the box. She had been dying (teen u know lol) for one to use with her palamer clay. Out of everything she got last year that was her fav gift and she knew where it came from but she didnt care. I think it was even more special since I got a kick a$$ deal on it. :yup:

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I woulnd't mind adn neietrh does any of my family

 

In fact a lot gf gifts they get from me are eiterh garage sale, thrift store/dolalre store or homemade.'

 

I also give my chidlren those kinds of gifts and they love them

 

 

last eyar my husbdna took our boys to the Store and they each had a blast picking out and filling a bag with gifts they knew I would love.

 

Chritsmas morning they were so thrilled to have me open each of their bags that were filled and oh & ah over them

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:

 

2 years ago he made my mom a money tree and she loved it. He used pennies as the soil and got a stick out of the back yard and put it in a little flower pot. He taped some $1 on the stick and even gave her a roll of pennies for extra food. lol. My mom loved it and said it was the best present she had received in years.

my brother gave my parents a little house he made of cardboardand made a roof on it using money(he folded each bill to be a shingle..) and folded some to be windows...he know how much the roofing materials would cost,and windows.and did that and was more then willign to do the roof for her..(he knows what hes doing). well the bad part was she LOVED the gift ..thought it was so wonderful that she refused to take it apart..!!!!!and never did the windows...and only did the roof when it eventally leaked bad,

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my mom and dad frequently get my gifts at antique stores, garage sales, etc. I am the only one who gets them from those places but thats ok because I like that kind of stuff. I think it is a personal thing of what you think the person would expect. Happy Shopping.
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I bought my daughter a brand new, girls RL Polo cable knit sweater at the thrift store the other day for $2.50. My family thinks that I am the smartest shopper ever and would be surprized if I paid full price for anything! The trick is to find the "deal" - something that shouldn't be there ! I have gotten things from resale stores that were passed off as new, but were mismatched and obviously something purchased because they had to.. that is what makes it a bad gift - new or otherwise!
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depends on what it is, and who it is for. DS found a glass with the old patriots logo on it for 50 cents at a salvation army and gave it to dad for hannukah last year, it was a favorite presesnt.

 

I'd pick up collectables for someone at a thrift shop, but I prolly wouldn't give used clothes at Xmas...

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I agree with the homemade gifts! I do alittle something every year..Im not sure how my family feels about it but hey, its the thought that counts! :D

Heres a link to a butt load of gifts Ive given over the last few years..all hand made or altered to suit someones tastes. Most of them were loved (or at least I think they were :) ) PM me if anyone wants instructions on anything.

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I wouldnt mind a bit those places have great stuff. If someone dumped some old furniture on me I would be in heaven, I love refinishing and fixing that stuff up! Another option might be home made gifts. I am making a wreath each for my sisters in law cuz they are newly married and speciel on for my MIL that she can hang her grandkids names on.
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It wouldn't bother me at all because if someone gives me something I am thankful and blessed to have that person in my life knowing they cared and thought I was special enough to want to give me a little something.

 

Those types of gifts given are from the heart and have so much meaning that words just can't express. I also don't consider it being frugal it's simply called love and wanting to show people what they mean to them in the only way they can.

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It wouldn't bother me at all because if someone gives me something I am thankful and blessed to have that person in my life knowing they cared and thought I was special enough to want to give me a little something.

 

Those types of gifts given are from the heart and have so much meaning that words just can't express. I also don't consider it being frugal it's simply called love and wanting to show people what they mean to them in the only way they can.

I agree with this 200%! My b-day is in December, and I was thrilled last year with a pair of pants my mom gave me. I noticed the brand was Fashion Bug, so later when no one else was around, I asked where she got them. I didn't want to complain because I knew they were used-- I was so touched that she bought them knowing how much I'd love them, instead of spending the same amount on cheaper-made stuff I wouldn't like as well!:)

 

But oddly enough, my mom and I are the only ones in our family that feel this way... Dad, brother, sister, bil, sil, and nieces still turn up their noses at the idea of anything without original store tags on it!:( But usually I can get away with some little things if I give one "nicer" item with several littler, more frugal items!;) Shhh-- don't tell my family! LOL

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I agree with the homemade gifts! I do alittle something every year..Im not sure how my family feels about it but hey, its the thought that counts! :D

Heres a link to a butt load of gifts Ive given over the last few years..all hand made or altered to suit someones tastes. Most of them were loved (or at least I think they were :) ) PM me if anyone wants instructions on anything.

Jamy! I went to your site.....you are so talented! I know they :hearthrobLOVE:hearthrob getting these for gifts!

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Received baked Christmas cookies and cinnamon rolls from a friend and I thought that was just fine! It's the thought that counts!

 

 

I did this one year when my husband and I didnt have enough money and I got nothing but grief for a few years later from my family. I spent days making cookie baskets to be made to feel like a heel.

 

Now on the flip side my boss can not wait till this time of year to get his christmas cookie basket,

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I did this one year when my husband and I didnt have enough money and I got nothing but grief for a few years later from my family. I spent days making cookie baskets to be made to feel like a heel.

 

Now on the flip side my boss can not wait till this time of year to get his christmas cookie basket,

 

I would love to receive cookie baskets. There's alot more time and effort put into something like that than going to Walmart and spending 5 minutes picking me out a shirt that will probably be too small and ugly on top of it. :lmao:

 

I would do something like the basket but I can't cook or I should say I hate cooking..lol. But I love receiving them.... hint hint. ;):D

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