I had a post earlier in the month about buying things from charity shops that would make good presents. So through December I looked to see what was in the charity shops and in the Home Start shop in Eye that I popped into on my way back from Diss, I found two things for next year.
First was this box that is holding a very lovely ceramic olive oil jug/pourer (£4.50). I know one of the local farm shops has unusual flavoured olive oils that I could add and then I spotted all sorts of flavoured olives in the Co-op. That's one present planned.
And this box has a mini potting tray, trowel, gloves, twine etc and was also £4.50. Other gardening things could be added to this to make a gift.
And then another from Stowmarket RSPCA charity shop - a Robin nesting-box shaped like a tea pot. The outer box is faded and dis-coloured but I can wrap the inner box, this was £4.
And then another............a tin of 10 lovely notelet cards by Whistlefish for £4. Coincidently in the cupboard I have another but different tin of cards that I found in a charity shop last year and thought would be a draw prize when it's my turn to take one to Over 60's group but then I took something else instead.
Add the hot water bottle found at the one-off Christmas car-boot sale and I'm doing well for next year already.
Then, when I was in Stowmarket for the Christmas trees in the Church, I found the new East Anglian Children's Hospice charity shop had reduced their Christmas cards already - a whole week before Christmas. 10 cards for £1.87 - half price.
I've put these into next years accounts in my accounts book. So I can remember what I've spent when it gets round to Christmas shopping next year.
Back tomorrow with the annual photo Review of the Year
Wouldn’t one just give the children’s hospice the full price for the cards? We’re talking about a few quid for a charity that helps kids who are never going to see adulthood.
ReplyDeleteSue: ignore the last comment. You support every charity shop you buy from, whether they’ve reduced their price or not. Also, you know who you regularly donate to and need not explain yourself to anyone. Carry on blogging in 2026 ! Anne in Lancs
ReplyDeleteI've also stocked up on Christmas cards in the charity shops, both before and after Christmas in the sales. I also found just yesterday a gorgeous Holly & Ivy Portmeirion tea pot, just £6 and it's come up like new after a bit of bleach inside. I might just keep that one as like you I have a few matching bits - definitely not a collection!!
ReplyDeleteMost charity shops price their goods very carefully, so they have a good turnover and don't carry a lot of old stock. Hence the reduction of the Christmas cards. Many bloggers are regular CS customers, and may sometimes give more than the marked price, rounding up to the nearest £ etc. But that extra generosity is a private, personal decision. I would feel uncomfortable blogging that "this cost £4 but I paid £10". I might post what the marked price was - but not necessarily announce what I actually paid.
ReplyDeleteI think CS are brilliant for many reasons. They save stuff from landfill, they raise funds for good causes, they help people on limited budgets, they give opportunities for volunteering, they brighten up the high street.
Pay more if you feel you can, do n9t worry if you can't, just don't try and haggle their prices down!
What great buys for next Christmas or birthdays already!
ReplyDeletePlease take no notice of the first acidic comment, those of us who shop consistently in charity shops are doing our bit and charitable giving is a private matter , we don't have to broadcast the ways we make a contribution, monetary or otherwise.
Penny
You're doing well for next Christmas! I would have to have a specific place to stash my finds, otherwise I would somehow lose them all before the end of the year!
ReplyDeleteyou don't have to be clairvoyant to know who will be ahead of the game on gifting and thrifting! I once shopped Christmas in the January sales and forgot where I put it!
ReplyDeleteI have my cards and gift bags for next year, all less than half price. I do look at other bits, I already have things for the children, not necessarily for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWell done on spotting nice things for gifting as well as supporting charities. Like Ang, I also try to save items from landfill rather than buy new. The book I bought yesterday for £1 would be pulped if not sold but will instead be read by me, my daughter and then a member of my craft group. After that it will find its way into the book swap at the Sheltered Housing where we meet. Catriona
ReplyDelete