| Have you ever said "I wish we didn't have to spend so | | | | children when they are open. Decoupage the inside |
| much money on Christmas?" or "I wish we could have | | | | lids and bottoms with wallpaper, newspaper or |
| Christmas without going into debt!" Well here is your | | | | wrapping paper.When buying clothes out of season, |
| answer - tell your family that next Christmas no one is | | | | buy them a little larger for next year. Also if you find a |
| allowed to buy a new, expensive gift for anyone! Yes, | | | | really good buy but it is a |
| I really said that. Tell them that all presents must be | | | | little large get it anyway. If it will save you money |
| from garage sales, tag sales, yard sales, auctions, | | | | when the child gets a little larger, it is worth the storage. |
| handmade or made over.You really need to start now, | | | | Bed |
| or start next spring/summer, hit all the garages sales | | | | spreads; comforters and sheets are always found at |
| and auctions that you can. Find items that your family | | | | sales. This is a good buy if you find your color or |
| collects, things from sports teams that they like, such | | | | design. Used |
| as T-shirts with silly sayings, posters, glasses, etc. Pick | | | | sheets, etc., are also great to send off to college, |
| up craft items that will look cute around someone's | | | | camp or in kids rooms.Educational toys abound at |
| home. You can find games for the kids by the carload | | | | garage sales. Be sure and ask if they work, even |
| and puzzles abound for that person who lives to do | | | | better carry a couple of batteries with you |
| puzzles. You won't believe how many golf clubs you | | | | and try them out. Dead batteries are usually the |
| can find, bicycles, tricycles, baby toys and clothes. You | | | | reason toys don't work. If you need to find baby things, |
| can find records, cassettes and videos (old classics | | | | go to |
| make great gifts). Did you know that a 45 record of | | | | neighborhoods that tend to have younger families. |
| Elvis in the cardboard cover was found for a quarter | | | | Older neighborhoods with older homes will have more |
| recently and a collector offered the person $150.00 for | | | | things since |
| it. Think how many gifts you can collect over the | | | | they have had longer to collect. Older or middle aged |
| summer for a quarter to a dollar. The person who | | | | families will also have good children's furniture such as |
| collects cats or bears can double their collection just | | | | playpens, |
| from items you find. You will be amazed at the silly | | | | high chairs, etc., since they usually have grandchildren |
| things you can find at garage sales for that special | | | | who have outgrown these items.My family did this |
| brother, sister or best friend.Look at items as they will | | | | several years ago and the floor was covered with |
| look cleaned up or painted. Pieces of furniture like | | | | gifts, hundreds of them. What fun you can have |
| cabinets, bookcases, dressers can look terrific if | | | | opening something silly or watching the face of a |
| sanded and restained or painted the color of | | | | family member as they unwrap a collectible. The |
| someone's room theme. You can make them match | | | | people in your family |
| by adding | | | | who are crafty can present everyone with a beautiful |
| wood cutouts, decals, or ornaments. Cute 2 and 3 | | | | handmade item that they will treasure for many years. |
| drawer end tables for playrooms, a home office or | | | | The year |
| kids room can be | | | | we did this we had absolutely NO BILLS, NO CREDIT |
| painted with each drawer a different color or painting | | | | CARD DEBT or empty bank accounts. Try it one year |
| stripes. Knobs can be painted or replaced. Old trunks, | | | | and you will |
| foot | | | | probably be hooked plus you will be amazed how |
| lockers, old part metal suitcases can be made into | | | | nice it is to not have to worry about paying for it the |
| neat storage or toy boxes. Be sure to fix lids so they | | | | rest of the year. |
| won't fall on | | | | |