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