Home >> a thrifty “green” Christmas
December 19, 2007
(Looking for an environmentally correct Christmas shopping tip?)
I’d really like to know how much the average American family spends on Christmas. Way back—a buzzillion years ago, before children—when we were both working full time plus I was building my freelance business at night, I bet we spent around $1200 every year. I would not have dreamed of buying something used for a gift. Well, times have changed, the budget has been squeezed and the list of recipients has shortened. This year, with a shopping list of about 22 people and a budget of 1/3 of the above, I’ve had to really get creative! Here’s one secret: Unique! This is a chain of thrift shops around Chicago. There are about 10 of them and the newest one is a mile up the road. I was able to find 17 gifts for under $80!!! Among these treasures were four Hanna Andersson items. One of these pieces new is around $40! Imagine the thrill of finding a $48 dress for $2.99! I absolutely love to give presents, but the only way it’s happening this year is to find the ultimate deals. Wash ‘em, dry ‘em and they’re as good as new. Then with all my savings I splurged a bit at Geppetto’s Toy Box in Oak Park which has to be the best toy store in Chicagoland. You can be sure the toys are safe and of high quality as well as innovative and fun. They also carry many of the old standards like Silly Putty, Slinkies, and jacks which are hard to find in your average Toys R us. To top it off, the shop is full of wonderful treasures appropriate and stimulating for kids with special needs. The owner’s children can be found trotting around the shop “testing” out the merchandise….what a great place to grow up!
So, there’s my Christmas shopping survival tip for the day…go thrifting. Think of it as the ultimate form of recycling…can’t get any greener than that!