Gift Baskets On a Budget

'Tis the season to go broke. Falalala la la la. 

Well, hopefully that won't happen which is why I try and think of thoughtful yet frugal things to give as gifts.  This was the case when we discovered we were getting new neighbors!  They closed a week before Christmas when my gift giving budget is at its lowest.  I wanted to give the new neighbors something to make them feel welcome to the neighborhood all while on a budget.

So, I made a trip to Goodwill.  Not necessarily my go to when shopping for gifts but I hoped for some inspiration.

Goodwill generally has a large selection of baskets.  Though I initially worried Goodwill would let me down, I spotted this basket for .99 cents!  It was the perfect size, big enough to fit a few thoughtful things inside but not too big that I'd go broke trying to fill it up.

Having lucked out with the basket, I decided to see what else they might have. It just so happened, the day I went to Goodwill was the same day they marked down all Christmas items 50% off.  Our new neighbors just so happened to be closing the week before Christmas so why not fill their gift basket with some festive finds.

If you're keeping track, the basket was .99 cents, the bough of holly was .99 cents marked down to .50 cents, the believe vase was .99 cents marked down to .50 cents, the gold sleigh was .99 cents marked down to .50 cents, the red ornament was .50 cents marked down to .25 cents and the package of chalkboard tags were .25 cents. I also bought myself a shirt (I couldn't resist browsing for something for me as well!) but that doesn't factor into the $2.99 I invested in the welcome to the neighborhood gift basket I was making.

I also bought a package of cocoa for a few dollars, wrapped some ribbon around a few packets and tucked them into the gold sleigh.

I had some plaid fabric in my 'never seems to dwindle fabric stash' so I quickly sewed up a basket liner and then filled the basket with all my frugal finds.

 

I might be wrong but I'd like to believe my new neighbors will enjoy their welcome to the neighborhood basket.

With the basket loaded...

*We proudly delivered our gift basket.

All for less than $5.

During this gift giving season, even frugal gifts can have a big impact and be heartfelt.



*In my mind, I had imagined passing the basket along to our new neighbors instantly bonding. In reality, the new neighbors must have decided not to move in prior to Christmas.  Grace got sick and I sat by her bedside tending to her every need.  This pretty basket sat on my counter being admired by me.  I began to worry my festive gift wouldn't get delivered until after Christmas. SO with strict instructions, I told my husband if he had any neighbor spotting to bring them the basket.  Such a spotting was made, while my husband was in tattered working in the garage clothes, wearing what he describes as his 'thug' hat.  The basket was brought over, while in those same tattered clothes and thug hat and the neighbors ignored his knocking.  I suspect they worried he was a random homeless person :)  The basket was left just outside their door and eventually retrieved after the "homeless man" left their front porch...but I'm sure we'll be best of friends as soon as they realize the "homeless man" is harmless.  Then, as soon as Riley starts incessantly barking at them, I'm sure they'll start to avoid us again :)

Goodwill Hunting Roundup

It's that time of month where I show off my thrifted finds from the past month. 

I've done a lot of shopping this month BUT wait until you see the deals I got.

One of my favorite sections to check out, when shopping Goodwill, is the children's clothes.  Occasionally, I'll stumble across a nearly new sparkly dress for Grace.  For $3.99, there was no passing up this beauty.

Again this month, Goodwill offered a promotion that if you brought in a bag of donations they'd give you a 30% off coupon.  I happily donated a bag and took advantage of the additional 30% off.   *If you haven't already, sign up for emails from Goodwill so you don't miss promotions like this.

I recently began a hunt for mismatched vintage plates.  Image a stack of beautiful mismatched vintage plates laid out for a party.  They'd add charm to any event and I suspect make the food taste better too.  The plates were .49 cents each.  With my additional 30% discount, each plate cost me .32 cents. 

I found 5 stencil brushes.  The brushes were .49 cents each.  These were purchased with my additional 30% off coupon so these brushes cost a grand total of $1.62. 

The woodaholic is using the dark handled brushes to paint his barn wood bunnies and the other brushes found their way into Grace's craft station.

Though I have no immediate need for this vintage beaded trim, I couldn't put it back on the shelf. 

This summer, we are attempting to get our girlie girl exposed to some sports.  She'll start soccer in April.  I'm hoping she enjoys it but would hate to invest in new equipment if it turns out she doesn't.  I found an extra small pair of shin guards for $1.99.  I also found a catcher's mitt for .99 cents...though, I realize she won't need this for soccer, at least I don't think :)

I've enticed the mister to join me in my Goodwill shopping.  He came across an English made police whistle for $2.99.  With the 30% off coupon it ended up being $1.98. 

Again, this past month, I found some great books for Grace.  Not only does she enjoy being read chapter books but she is also getting really good at reading books on her own.  All the books below were .59 cents each, with the exception of the brand new Jingle and Bell's Christmas book which was .99 cents.

After Goodwill, I headed to Hallmark, where all the Christmas stock was marked down to 75% off.  There, I found a brand new Bell for $8!  Bell is one of those interactive story buddies.  She'll be tucked away, along with the .99 Jingle and Bell book, until Christmas when she'll be wrapped for Grace. 

Over Christmas, I had bought a few gifts from The Gap and in return, I was given $25 Gap cash.  Like any good thrifter, I waited until I could combine my Gap cash with an additional discount.  The day that I went, there was an additional 30% off all sale items. 

I bought a package of undies (7 pairs) and some new socks for Grace along with the following...

All for $25! 

Sometimes shopping in conventional stores is even better than shopping at thrift stores.

What were your best finds this past month?

Goodwill Hunting Roundup

It's that time of month, again, when I show off my most recent thrifted finds.

So, without further ado...

This past month, my trips to Goodwill were minimal.  My only memorable trip coincidence with a promotion that Goodwill was running...bring in a bag of donations and receive a 30% off coupon.  *See if the thrift stores you shop, have email alerts.  Goodwill sends out emails with exclusive promotions, sales or giveaways. 

With my 30% off coupon in hand, I found some fun and incredibly reasonably priced things. 

First up, a brand new Clinique bag for $1.99. 

The best part, inside included a smaller bag.  The bright colors and flowers reminded me that despite the brutal winter we are having, spring will eventually arrive.  For $1.40, I couldn't pass these up.

Recently, Grace was introduced to chapter books and it was, as they say, love at first sight.  We devoured nearly every Junie B. Jones books.  As a result, we have been scouring Goodwill's collection of books.  Children's books are .59 cents.  We ended up finding 6 books for $3.54, a good deal but made even better with our 30% off coupon.  These books came home with us for $2.48. 

No trip to Goodwill is complete without perusing the children's clothing.  This time, I stumbled upon an Old Navy pea coat for $4.99 ($3.50 with the 30% off coupon).  It's way too big for petite little girl now. I figured, pea coats don't go out of style so it's the perfect thing to buy and save for her.

I spotted these brand new cowboy boots.  If Grace read my blog, she would certainly correct me and say that these were cowgirl boots.  Regardless, I wasn't sure if they would come home with us or not.  When Grace spotted not only the pink stars but the glittery stars, she was determined these boots had to come home with us.  The boots were $4.99, $3.50 using our 30% off coupon.

After any holiday, Goodwill is usually well stocked with donations of unused or unwanted decorations.  They are often marked down additionally, just to get them off of the shelves.  All Christmas decorations were 50% off.  When I saw these colorful glass bird ornaments, I couldn't resist...even though it meant I would have to dig out our recently stored Christmas decorations to store them along with.  With my 30% off coupon, this set of bird ornaments were .45 cents.

This midcentury modern styled cocktail shaker by Threshold, would not leave my cart, even though I really had no purpose or need for it.  No matter how much I tried to reason myself out of buying it, it still came home with me.  With my coupon, it was $1.05.

Thees party hats reminded me that before long, I'll have to start thinking of Grace's 6th (!) birthday.  Though I have been busy pinning ideas, I can't seem to decide on a theme.  Suggestions are welcomed!

What thrifty store finds have made their way home with you recently?

Goodwill Hunting Roundup

It's that time of month where I show off my most recent thrifted finds.

So, without further ado...

While looking through the children's clothes, I saw someone pick up this heart embellished long sleeve tee.  I held my breath, hoping they would decide against it.  And, when they did, indeed decide against it, I swooped in.  This Mini Boden tee shirt was only $2.99.

Though a bit big, this sweet Gap Kids dress was only $2.99.  My motto, when you find a good deal buy it.  I will buy up to 2-3 sizes bigger than Grace's current size, if I think it's a style that isn't too trendy risking going out of style before she is able to fit into it.

Next up, a raincoat, lined with fleece.  Cute strawberry embellishments can be found on the lining of the coat, the lapel and are the pockets.  For $3.99, we can splish and splash in puddles on they way to and from school all through fall and spring.

Have you heard of Buddha Boards?  They are really cool.  You just draw on the surface with water. The water evaporates, within a few minutes (about 5-10 depending on how much water you use), leaving you with a clean slate, ready to create all over again.  The concept is to encourage you to create without worrying about it being perfect since it isn't permanent.

I found a large Buddha Board Laptop for $2.99 with the original bamboo brush included.  These surprisingly retail for between $30-$40.  I'm not sure who is enjoying this more, me or Grace.

Recently, my Goodwill has added a 4 items for $1 section.  This section is typically stocked with the dollar items you find at Target.  These are fun and frugal finds for stocking stuffers or to add to a basket for a teacher's gift.

And, speaking of baskets..,

I love looking through the baskets at Goodwill.  They typically range from .99 cents to $3.99.  This particular trip, I bought 2 for $3 total.  I filled one with gourds and gave it to a a mom that had invited Grace and I over for a play date. 

The brown basket, I filled and gave to Grace's teacher just before Halloween.

My favorite basket find from last year, my get cozy basket...

Today, we got our first snow...tis the season for getting cozy.

Thank goodness for frugal thrift store finds.

Goodwill Hunting Hunting Roundup

It's that time of month again, when I show off my most recent thrifted finds.

So, without further ado...

This past month, my trips to Goodwill were minimal.  My only memorable trip was on the 15th.  Depending on your area, Goodwills will offer special discount days or half off days.  On the 15th, bonus scratch off tickets are handed out to customers with a Goodwill card (a preferred card for Goodwill).  The scratch off ticket gives you the opportunity to save an extra 10, 15 or 20 percent off your purchase.

This month, I bought the following.

For just over $18.

First up, a brand new, still with tags, Pairs in Pears.  This retails for $14.95 and I paid $1.99 (minus 10%).

I can't seem to resist vintage tins.  This one, at .99 cents (minus 10%), was no exception.

Goodwill is also a great place to shop craft materials.  I've found new yarn, ribbons, threads and craft kits before.  This time, I found a wooden embroidery hoop for .49 cents (minus 10%). 

I love having a stash of wooden embroidery hoops on hand to make things like my make a wish embroidery or...

an arrangement of custom felt bunnies.

But back to my thrifting finds.

This Estee Lauder toiletry bag, was a bit of an impulse buy but for $3.99 (minus 10%) I decided to indulge. 

I got Grace some chalk a-doos for .99 cents (minus 10%).  I love chalk holders and Grace loves princesses, so it was a win win.

 

I found a cute dress for 3.99.  A good tip, when buying clothes, look them over for any rips, tears or missing buttons.  Most thrift stores will offer a discount if you find a flaw.  This dress was missing a button and I was given $1 discount, plus I got an extra 10% off with my scratch off card.

I also found 2 work shirts for my husband.  Kenneth Cole and Tailorbyrd for $4.99 a piece ($10 total, minus 10%).

The Tailorbyrd shirt had this cute lime green pelican embroidered below the last button.

My total $21.42.  I spent over $20 (which Goodwill gives10% discount everyday for spending) and I I had a scratch off for an additional 10% off.  With my discounts my total was $17.36.  With tax, I was just over $18.

Now it's your turn. What thrifted finds have you splurged on this past month?  Or what thrifted finds did you pass up?

Until next time, happy thrifting. Linked up to: