Our Newest Family Tradition

[madamesilverspurs]

To be honest, I don't recall if I've mentioned this before. But I'll claim advancing age and take a chance that I might be repeating myself. Anyway.

It started a few years ago, when the youngest of the kids started college. As an extended family of more-or-less adults we decided to make a change to our holiday shopping practices. Our new "rules" limit the cost of gifts to under $5, and all must be purchased from thrift shops. Although Salvation Army, ARC and Goodwill stores also get our business, we try to shop those stores that benefit local efforts. We usually find items that will give the recipients a smile, some bring raucous laughter. Who knew that a 92 year old in-law would be thrilled with a sweatshirt captioned "Wild thing, you make my heart sing"...or that a somewhat staid businesswoman would prize a chicken-shaped cookie jar? And we've found a few that have evoked memories that got us talking for hours, remembering other people, other years, other places.

Since we began this practice some tiny new people have come into the family, and we all have permission to spoil them rotten. But we alleged adults have come to anticipate with some measure of glee the prospect of unwrapping our thrift-shop gifts. And after the laughter and smiles, we often re-donate the items so the shops can again benefit.

For me, personally, the greatest thing is watching Mom once again enjoy shopping for her "babies." She just loves calling me in July to tell me, "You won't believe what you're getting for Christmas! Hahahahahaha...."

Priceless.

[NanceGreggs]

1. WOW, what a great "tradition"!!!

Fantastic idea - means not spending money unnecessarily, and it makes shopping for family members FUN again!

Thanks for sharing!

[Joe Chi Minh]

2. Sounds a terrific idea! And great fun. More fun than normal presents!

[Mabus]

3. I got my husband a Homer Chia Head at a local thrift store for his birthday

He still thinks it is one of the best gifts he ever got. It was less than $5 and was still sealed in plastic. He has yet to take it out of the package and says he's going to re-gift it to a friend of ours whose ex-wife broke his (by accident). I love thrift stores.

[Warpy]

4. I've done that for years

and done things like gotten a serious restaurant chef, ultimate foodie friend a copy of "Cooking with Heinz Ketchup."

Friends have given me joke gifts over the years, and those are the ones I really treasure, cheap stuff that gave me a huge laugh when I got it.

Of course, I still shop at craft shows and give homemade items. However, there's always a joke in there someplace.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

5. How nice.............

After hearing so much about the impending Black Friday, your story is so reassuring. Sounds like you've mastered the art of gift-giving.

Way to go.................

:toast:

[tech3149]

6. Great idea! Our family has gone for the "non-consumer" Christmas

We don't give any gifts that aren't made by our own hands. I think the idea of giving gifts from sources that support social benefit or local economies could work well with that concept.