Ah... New Year's. The time we take stock of the past 365 days, and take heart for a brighter future. And The Thrift Shop Romantic is no exception.
As a result of this past holiday season, and the year in general, I've got some lessons learned. And I thought I'd share just a few of them with you today as a part of my 2009 New Year's Resolutions.
- To thrift Christmas gifts earlier this year. It's never too soon to start pulling together great gift baskets for Christmas and birthdays. Crazy as it seems with Santa only just jingling off earlier this week-- thinking now makes for better gifting, and a thriftier bottom line, too. It's never too soon to think what other folks might enjoy.
- To better organize my thrifted purchases. Keeping lists, lists, and more detailed lists, will help me know what I've found, and what I still need to get. Targeting a special area to store these gifts should help make finding my purchases less like archaeology and more like a happy holiday.
- To wrap as I go. I believe I've mentioned before, I really hate wrapping gifts. The wrapping paper fights me every step of the way, and I have even less patience with it when I'm in the Christmas rush. So with good lists, nametags and a little initiative, if I could wrap as I thrift, I could eliminate a heckuva lot of holiday stress.
- To look now for Christmas wrap for tomorrow. It's going to be on sale, so now is the time to get it. Inexpensively-- the way we like it!
- To weed out little used clothes for donations. Those of us who love thrift stores know how easy it is to bring goodies home. But a little resolution to clean out the clothes that no longer fit, that just never quite worked, and to donate them back to the thrift stores? Well, someone else will have a great new outfit that works for them... the thrift stores get what they need to thrive... and I get a much tidier house! Win, win, win!
- To donate unnecessary household items. Yes, planning to clean out means getting rid of some extra items I'm not currently using. I have some things I plan to sell on Etsy, but to be honest, there are many things I just won't be gathering together into gift baskets. So why not let others have fun making their own through thrifted treasures? And again-- there's that great extra space to look forward to!
- To stop buying thrifted vintage lamps. Okay, anyone who's a regular reader of this blog knows this one might be a toughy for me. In fact, I'd like to make this not be so much a "resolution," as sort of a "suggestion" because I don't see me getting very far with this. Nonetheless, I'm putting it out there. How many vintage lamps does a girl need really? (Answer: a lot.)
But, you know, the more things change, the more things stay the same. So as far as The Thrift Shop Romantic blog itself goes-- for 2009, I resolve:
- To continue to share with you slivers of our past as found through thrifted goodies...
- We'll snicker together over surprising vintage recipes...
- We'll examine the best and funniest in decorating ideas
- We'll craft together when time permits...
- And we'll hit the road when antiquing adventures call...
- We'll tour local attractions...
- And sometimes we'll just stay home with a nice cup of tea.
- From 50s frills or Victorian velvet, together we'll make 2009 a beautiful, warm and inviting year.
- If you missed Sunday's "Post-Christmas Thrifting Post," click here.
And otherwise-- HAPPY (and Thrifty!) NEW YEAR!!
18 comments:
Looks like a wonderful list of very doable goals for 2009. I look forward to seeing more of your crafting as you had several great projects this year. Wishing you the very best and happy New Years!
Cindy- All except not buying lamps. :) For me, that might be a rough one! I'm addicted.
Have a wonderful New Year's, Cindy!
Your list of resolutions are great. I look forward to visiting your blog during 2009. Let me congratulate you on your interesting, informative and humorous posts in 2008.
I wish you and your loved ones a Happy and prosperous New Year!
Carrie
Those are resolutions we should all adopt! This is the first year that I gave thrifted presents...Everybody loved them!
Stumbling onto your site this morning could undo a lot of my personal resolutions and send DH to the crazy bin, cost me tons of gas money (good thing that it is going down) and generally fill my house with projects. The shops that you visit are way too close to me and there are many that I didn't know about...oh no, what to do...add it to the favorites, don't add it to the favorites....ADD IT TO MY FAVORITES!!!! I live north of PGH (way north in the sticks) but love to venture anywhere for thrift stores, who knows we may have crossed paths..or fought over something! I need a map, can't wait to see where you take me!
Cathy
Carrie- Thank you so much, it's always a pleasure to chat with you here, as well as see the interesting things you present on your blog!!
Vonlipi- I'm so glad you had success with thrifted gifts-- great to hear. I think thrifted gifting is getting a little bit more popular, because of the economy. But it's nice to see people doing well with it.
Tolentreasures- Heh, I don't know whether I should apologize for enabling you in dangerous directions, or be really excited for you for all the adventures ahead of you. I think I'll be excited! :) I don't know a whole lot about what lies far North of the Burgh, so if you have any places you'd like to share with us, that would be terrific, too.
May you have the happiest and thriftiest year ever.
The one really good thing about being disorganized is that when we refind our "finds," we get to experience the joy again.
And your lamp obsession makes our faces light up.
Happy New Year, Jenn!!! I love your list of resolutions! I'm a little skeptical about the lamp one, ya know~but anything is possible, LOL!
Have a great day,
R~Mary
I loved your lists and agree with you wholeheartedly, especially the part about rethrifting, wrapping ahead(I dread the wrapping of gifts more than anything) and keeping organized about what I've bought. I don't have a problem with decluttering once in awhile and making more room for great new finds. I bought my Mom some really terrific thrifted foreign dolls this year and she called to ask me to find her as many more as I could and she would reimburse me for them. Success!
May 2009 be your best year of thrifting ever! As the next 12 months go by, I'll be so looking forward to hearing about and seeing pictures of what you buy and how wonderfully you incorporate it into your cozy nest.
Happy New Year, great list.. :) I did start getting my stuff together a bit earlier last eyar but I was getting way past it when it came to wrapping. I love your postcards in the last posting, they are gorgeous
Love your ideas. But I'm the same way about lamps! I always want to buy more, and despite good intentions, I haven't sold one yet! I have SUCH a hard time parting with them!
I love this post! My family thinks I'm crazy but I have already started tagging things for next years gifts (yes I so plan on re-gifting a few items). I figure if I'm not going to use it and i think someone else will like why not...it's just thrifting from my own stash instead of buying from a thrift store..right.
I have even been making my tags from Christmas cards, napkins and adds in the holiday magazines. I may even sell some on etsy next year!
Have a great 2009!
Peggy
Da Old Man- Reading the comments here, I'm noticing that everyone seems to be ENABLING the lamps and no one is staging a lamp intervention-- hm... Good!! (grin)
Rose Mary- Heh, and be rightfully skeptical on that one. I expect it not to last very long. :) Happy New Year to you, too!!!
Andrea-- Thanks so much and good luck with that doll collection!
Chrissy- Hey, thanks! And hope you have a lovely 2009.
Heidi Ann- I completely understand-- they're all so unique, how do you part with them?
Peggy- Hey, you have a system that works for you-- that's what's important. I found some books for someone for NEXT Christmas, and I'm going to try to force myself to wrap them now and put them away. We'll see how this works.
What a great goal list. you got me thinking and I might just have to create my own blogging goals for the new year.
*LOL @ the vintage lamp "suggestion!"* Best of luck with that. The way I see it, if you're not hooked on heroin, what the hell. Like my husband--he has more books than he can possibly read in a lifetime & still buys more, but at least it's not crack. ;)
BTW, sorry for my long, recent absence. Been busy with offline life. Best to you & yours in 2009!
So glad I found you! I love your list for 2009. I'll have to dig back in your posts to learn what your deal is with old lamps. I have a "thing" for old typewriters. To each her own! :)
Happy New Year!
Wow i love your list. It is so useful for me who is trying to organize my things.
I gave up on resolutions! I will continue to buy vintage Christmas, whenever I love it! And continue to purchase old Shenango dinnerware whenever I find a good deal!!! Yep, tried resolutions. Just does not work for me. I am awash in dinnerware, and yes, vintage Christmas.... but hey! It is my cheapo, fun, fun time. I should have everyone I know over for a dinner. And finally drag out and use the half ton of fabulous Shenango!!!!
Sometimes you just have to pamper your collecting bug.
Love, and Happy New Year to you!
Linda
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