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.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment - whoever you are. Too shy to leave a name?
DeleteAs an ex-charity shop manager for most of my 'proper' career, I can assure you 'Anonymous' that there is a built in profit margin that allowed us to reduce the price of Christmas cards and still do a lot of good for our charities. The only thing that spoils that is having leftover cards at the end of the season.
DeleteSue: 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
ReplyDeleteAs I took all the decorations off the tree I counted 6 new small things that all came from charity shops or charity stalls this year. Nothing new. My favourite way of buying.
DeleteI'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!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely amazing bargain for your Not a Collection!
DeleteMost 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!
When I helped in a charity shop for a few months people would sometimes try to haggle prices down - like at a boot sale - but we couldn't reduce prices which were usually not much anyway
DeleteWhat 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
I know people who wouldn't dream of even going into a Charity shop!
DeleteYou'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!
ReplyDeleteI have a high cupboard that needs my step to reach and everything goes in a box in there and every now and again I look to see whats in it.
Deleteyou 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 never seem to find much in January Sales - probably because I never get to any big shops anywhere!
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI'm always a bit worried about getting games etc for the grandchildren now they are older, in case there are bits missing.
DeleteWell 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
ReplyDeleteThere used to be a blogger - long time ago who bought books new but then put them in the recycling dustbin. - I used to think 'what a waste they could have been given to a charity shop'
DeleteWow what a good start to next year's shopping. I love that nesting box! What a bargain and would make a lovely gift. Well done. I've been watching a mother and daughter on Youtube who did a lot of made and thrifted gifts for Christmas. They found some absolutely wonderful things at the charity shops to give to one another, well thought out gifts, chosen with love and care.
ReplyDeleteI had a nesting box teapot like that given me at Clay Cottage, but left it there. There's no where to put one here - sadly.
DeleteWhat good deals you found. I also shop early for Christmas as I find things throughout the year. Cali
ReplyDeleteIt was really good to already find some nice things that I know will make gifts for next year.
DeleteYou are doing amazingly well already for next years presents. I hope you have started a list so that you know who you have already bought for. I'm buying absolutely nothing in the sales towards next Christmas this time, as we will either be moving this year or just into 2027, so I am actually busy getting rid of things again at the moment ... which I am really enjoying!
ReplyDelete