GENERAL: GOODWILL and THRIFT STORES. What to buy where

I have recently been to a bunch of local thrift stores and Goodwill (currently in Seneca SC) and have a few things to note that maybe of help to other shoppers.

1.  Goodwill seem to be cheaper on stuffed animals and beanie babies.  This one has them all for 50 cents.  I was able to find quite a few NWT.

2.  DO NOT buy pillow cases at Goodwill (for pillow case dresses, drawstring bags, and small doll baby quilts).  They charge way too much, generally $1.  At the Salvation Army, I got for 12.5 cents each and at another local store, 50 cents each).

3.  This local Goodwill has the color of the week tag for 50 cents each on Sunday.  I bought men's shirts to make aprons.

4.  If you are lucky enough to live in locations that have the clearance stores (Columbia and Charleston SC, not Atlanta area), you can get great items by the pound.  I look for tote bags etc, many are new and no one else seems to go for them.  It can be a 'scary' place to the uninitiated.  Warning:  get out of the way when handbag and shoe bins get brought to the floor!  Women are vicious.  You can't beat the bargains at $1 or so a pound.

I don't get to them often.  If you have a teacher in your life, you can get great deals on kids books for their classroom.

5.  Tote bags. Except for above, don't buy at Goodwill as they are too expensive.  I found a brand new oilcloth tote in a cute print this week for 25 cents at a local thrift store. They had tons of the non woven grocery store type bags for 25 cents too.  At this price, it is certainly a time saver instead of sewing.

6.  Sewing Notions and Trim.  I can usually find little baggies of trims, ric rac, lace etc at the Thrift Stores.  In Seneca, the Habitat for Humanity Resale Shop always have baggies for 10 cents.  It maybe that it is an older demographic here.  I also found new zippers at another store for 15 cents.

I use the trims etc to go in my clothes pin doll kits.  I will be posting on this soon.

7.  Clothing.  I only buy new with tags at Thrift Stores.  I spend a little more but it is so nice to include.  I got a pile of Russell Athletics 2 button boys Henley shirts this week for $3 each, retail is usually $13.99.

8.  Ball Caps can always be found at Thrift Store, maybe not with tags but clearly new.  Love to include in older boys' boxes.

I am sure there is more to add here.  I would love to know what you find and use at Thrift Stores and Goodwill in your boxes.

 

OTHER: THOUGHTS FROM SOMEONE IN THE FIELD ON SHOEBOX CONTENTS

I was googling last night before bed and came across a blog post  (click here to read) from a Missionary in Senegal and her thoughts and recommendations for shoe box contents.  It was thoughtfully written and some ideas are important but some of the things she mentioned, I am not sure I agree with.

• ANY thing soccer is good.  She suggested a deflated soccer ball and pump.  Not budget friendly but a good idea.  Soccer is so big the world over so I don't think you could go wrong with soccer themed items.  Skip American Football items, kids might not get.
• She said not to send screen printed shirts, but rather send solids and stripes. In another portion, she said most kids are wearing rags.  i think i disagree with this.  Wouldn't a new shirt be better than no shirt?
• She said to make sure the sizes are right (ie not XL adult shirt in teen boxes). Again, I am not sure how I feel about this.  If the rest of the box is thoughtfully packed, the shirt is a bonus.  I can remember when my children were small, they LOVED to give us presents.  I imagine this is an universal experience and I think a child would love to be able to share something from their shoebox with an older sibling (who is too old to get a shoebox) or a parent.
• I haven't usually packed a tooth brush case and soap case.  Her post makes a good case why these are important.  I will be putting this on my must have list.
• She also suggests a high quality Melamine (PLASTIC) plate, bowl and/or cup.  Again, this is something I haven't thought of.  Target carries this kind of thing and I have often seen in the clearance end caps.
• She doesn't like stickers as there is no place for them to stick them.  I am not sure I agree with this either although I think it depends what else is in the boxes.  I always include a notebook, stickers allow some personalization of a boring notebook.  Again when my children were small, they loved to stick them on each other.  They don't take up any room, just something fun and colorful to add.
• Stuffed Animals?  On her no list.  I think it is important to include something soft and lovey to add.  In fact, I also read that Australian OCC insists on this.  Your thoughts?

in general, I think all shoe box "fillers" should read her post and take away from it what you think is important.

I would love to hear back from you on your thoughts.

Also, look at when this was written (May).  Did you know shoeboxes are passed out year round?  I would suggest that you don't include Christmasy items since it will be months and months later till "your" child will receive their box.