Put away my decorations away today. And I have 3 donation boxes ready to go the the Salvation Army, will take with a bunch of other stuff that I am getting rid of as well.

A few years ago I started packing things away accorrording to rooms. Makes decorating really easy. I also purged big time. That helped a bunched. The boes are also lighter to get out of the attic.

My Sunday school started having a holiday garage sale in Novemember. The only things we sell are holiday decorations. Man it was a hit. People are thrilled to toss things that are good and get new things. We make around $1500 every year. I've already started a box for next year.

I decided also I want to get a smaller tree next year. I'll have to set it on a table but that's ok. Mine 7 foot one is just more than I can handle by myself. I onlt used the top two sections but the way it set up I couldn't get decorations on it and I ened up missing that. I would have gotten one after Christmas but they had sold them out.

Cindy

I did my major purge several years ago but every year I take another look and pull anything I'm tired of or we don't use.
I have red totes with green lids for Christmas decorations so I know them at a glance.

MD calls for donations regularly and I always say YES. They give us a couple of weeks notice when they will be in our area so I just keep a bag in the closet and add to it as I come across anything I'm ready to part with. There is always at least on clear leaf garbage bag full by the time they get here.

When I got divorced a few years ago, I made sure the ex got all the stuff we had been given and inherited from his family, and also all the funky stuff he had wanted over the years.

I also gave away my 4ft tree complete with lights decorations, topper and mini nativity set to an acquaintance who was separated and just starting out on her own and has 2 small girls.

I was able to eliminate about half the decorations. Funny that the ex wanted the new/never used icicle lites but was willing to let me keep the tangled mess he threw in a box.....NOT!! Then during the fall, I had a yard sale and sold a bunch of things on the cheap, but still managed to recoup my original investment in them, using the money for extra gifts this year.

Also, like Bless, watching the sales and the markdowns happened very quickly this year. This week, I purchased well over $250 worth of gifts for about $20. Except for SO and brother, I have gifts for everyone else I will need to buy for.

this weekend is putting away all decorations(tree already down), so doing more sorting and maybe donating a few more things as well.

BL: As I mentioned on your other post, WOW! on the purchase of the gifts for next Christmas and at that price! I am totally impressed!

Bless;
You may have some competition with Beaglelady on the costs~!

Dianaro, my friends continually tease me about the "deals" I find. I just tell them to keep an open mind about what they want to buy and know when the stores they like to frequent have the sales. Rarely do I go to the mall anymore either. 2 weeks ago I was able to get 2 pair of work shoes that sold for $100 each. Since they only had a few left they were marked down to $19 a pair. I needed new ones and couldn't justify the cost til I saw these. I bought both pair and now alternate them daily, which will ultimately result in a longer life for them too!

BL, so smart to buy both pairs of shoes. It really pays off to do this when something is right for you, as the same things never show up later, or if they do they are at the original price.

Diana, that's what I'm afraid of! With 40+ people on my list, I'll have to impose a $.50 spending limit per person to spend only $20 for gifts!

i was supposed to take down xmas decorations fri, but was so tired b/c of a series of earlier than usual phone calls that i didn't get much done. maybe sun

mary