My husband and I got so sick of the commercialism of Christmas last year that we set ourselves a challenge - we had £10 each to spend on presents for each other and we had to spend it in a charityshop and see who got the best deal.
I ended up with a brand new suede jacket from Maine at Debenhams (still with price tag on!!) and he got a pair of Versace jeans and Ben Sherman shirt.
Not only that, the kids ended up with more toys than they know what to do with!! We had loads of fun playing some of the older games like Battling Tops and Perfection.
We wanted to get back to what Christmas is all about - spending time with friends, family and people you love not spending loads of money that you don't always have.
2006-11-21 10:37:25 · 26 answers · asked by Rakibear 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
A lovely idea!! I often buy books and filler presents there.
2006-11-21 10:40:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes definitely I would and actually do shop there all year round. Why not? I get so fed up with the commercial greed we experience nowadays and, as others have said, it starts in August or thereabouts! I don't understand how folk are not sick of it by the time Christmas actually arrives. I am going back to it's origins and will be going to Church and making a donation to the poor instead of going to Tesco etc., and bumping up their profits.
Just for a change, I am going to have an 'alternative' Christmas by ignoring it altogether apart from presents for my granddaughter which I bought from Cancer Research shop in Fort William. The so-called 'festive' season really isn't so festive when it goes on and on and on and on! Boring!!!!!!!
2006-11-21 19:19:52 · answer #2 · answered by Ladyfromdrum 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes i would.It's surprising what bargains you get.
Although i am biased towards some shops.
The fun isn't there anymore in the run-up to Christmas.With everything being on the shelves so early,and nearly every advert on t.v is to with Christmas and most are aimed at the kids.
Each year the price of toys gets more and more expensive,and there's too many ranges of toys.
You can't seem to get a `basic` anything these days.
2006-11-24 11:18:07 · answer #3 · answered by nicky dakiamadnat600bugmunchsqig 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband and I have six children. Wanting to teach them the importance of giving, we often headed to Goodwill with them at Christmas. On our salaries, it was the one place we could afford to shop as a family. Everone received a certain amount of money. We all had to find at least one thing for each member of the family. It always amazed me how much thought each child put into the gifts they chose for their brothers and sisters. We discovered it's not the amount of money you spend, but the love and joy we shared during these times. The children are older now. Our oldest two daughters are now married with one of them expecting their first child. Our oldest son is a senior in High School, with his three younger brothers in Junior High and High School. We have a little more money to spend now than we did then, but it's those hard times I now cherish. I almost wish I could turn back the clock and go back to those times.
2006-11-21 11:48:54 · answer #4 · answered by Cyndi R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had never been in a charity shop 12 months ago cos i thought they were just full of other peoples junk and old womens clothes but after getting 380 hours community service in Jan I spent most of this year in the british heart foundation.
There is actually a lot of cool stuff in there dirt cheap. All the rubbish gets binned and half the clothes are ex-lines direct from shops.
I am doing all my xmas shopping there this year. Got my missus, mum, sis and sis already and only spent£15!
just dont tell them!
2006-11-21 10:43:50 · answer #5 · answered by england til i die 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do shop in charity shops, but not generally for Christmas presents. When I go Christmas shopping, I usually have a very specific list of items, most of which you couldn't find in places like that. But it's still a good idea, if it works for you.
2006-11-21 10:48:01 · answer #6 · answered by birdbrained22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buying things from charity shops and customizing them make great presents (such as handbagsand whatnot)
Not only are they cheap but it also shows you've made the effort.
However, saying this, I'll likely buy most of my Christmas presents on the internet...
2006-11-21 10:50:20 · answer #7 · answered by Tights Face 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that is wonderful and I admire you for it! I use to do a lot of my shopping at charity shops when my children were younger,unfortunatly I find that as they get older the peer pressure and societys veiws make "second hand" an embarrassment to them and a disappointment.
2006-11-21 11:39:01 · answer #8 · answered by buffybot67 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not only did you have a great Christmas, but you also made someone else's Christmas by donating to charity, so they could help make a person or family happy.
Good on you.
2006-11-21 10:53:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I would. And Yes I have..We are rich by no means and if I can get a good thing for a bargain thats what I intend to do..It works well for our family and we don't mind it a bit.....By the way Yard sales are bargain places too..you get name brand stuff for alot cheaper prices...and just think its already broken in.
2006-11-21 10:56:07 · answer #10 · answered by curious_59 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did! I bought a beautiful parlor chair and brought it home. Under layers of old stain and wax I found the most beautiful mahogany wood. I am restoring it and reupholstering the seat and giving it away as a gift. It cost me $18.00. It's going to be beautiful!
2006-11-21 10:54:30 · answer #11 · answered by Olivia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋