Thank God it’s Monday, again. I always look forward to every Monday. They’re my 52 Chances a year, in which I get to share Memories of My Mom with you. Therefore, have a happy Monday.
Last week’s blog post, “Waste Not, Want Not”, was about recycling. As I wrote then: “we’re running out of room to put all the waste that we go through – which has grown exponentially since the wide-spread use of plastic began in the 20th century.”
Christmas giving and decorating is no exception to the waste-not-want-not recycling way of life. Trending these days is the idea of having a “Thriftmas” holiday to help save some money this season. I know, from my own personal experience, that a lot of new and almost new items can be found in thrift stores and flea markets for a small fraction of their full retail costs.
I’m so glad that the old, snub-nosed stigma attached to “used” goods is becoming a thing of the past (especially thanks to Gen-Z people). Secondhand goods and thrift stores are rising in popularity driven, in part, by affordability; as well as the desire to find unique or retro items. Plus, it also helps to keep those things out of our already overflowing landfills.
There are several wins that come from thrifting besides saving money, finding exclusive items, and the conservation benefits. Another win is that you’re supporting charities, as many thrift stores are run by non-profit organizations. The proceeds raised from the sales of their secondhand goods are used to fund community programs, job training, and more.
I just went to a “pop-up” thrift sale last weekend that was hosted by my local area Humane Society. I look forward to this annual sale every December. I always find good books and office supplies cheap, as well as unique, inexpensive and beautiful Christmas decorations, cards, wrapping paper, and bows. And all of the proceeds benefit local shelters.
My husband and I enjoy going thrifting and antiquing because it’s kind of like going on a treasure hunt. The old adage that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is so true. But I honestly think we enjoy the actual “hunts” just a little more than the “treasures” we find. By the way, estate sales are another great place to find unique treasures.
FROM MOM’S MEMORIES…
YES, CAROL! I WANNA MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF IT!
By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her syndicated1 column… “No Laughing Matter” (Circa 1970s).
I JUST FINISHED READING a brand-new book called Crafts For Everyone – For Your Family And Friends, by Carol Duvall, and believe me, my life will never be the same again.
I was so impressed by Carol’s book on turning useless household junk into beautiful household junk that I immediately organized my friends into a locally chartered group known now as THE KNIT WITS!
All of you have had the urge to become creative at some time or another, and even if you haven’t you will once you read Carol’s book. If you’re the kind of person who always wanted to stuff felt aardvarks with shredded wheat and decoupage your teenager to the refrigerator door with 20 coats of Hi-C fruit drink then Carol’s book is for you!
I’ve spent so much time making pill bottles into jewelry and covering paperclips with contact paper, I’ve had a load of laundry sitting in pre-soak for three months. Nobody would have minded except that I should have put it into the washing machine first, but that was full of brown paper bags!
What sold me on Carol’s book was her dedication. It reads: ‘To Frannie, who makes birds from washing machine lint…’ Now there’s a person I can identify with – strange. Frannie! That’s what you are!
I’ve heard of spraying cobwebs silver and trying to pass them off as drapery valances to company who wouldn’t understand that you hate to dust, but who has ever thought of putting a ruffle on an oil can and putting bath oil in it? Genius! That’s what it is! Pure genius!
Unless you already know how to turn an old tea strainer into a sachet holder, then Carol’s book is for you, too. But first, a few words of warning because the urge to become increasingly creative has a way of enveloping some of us beyond reasonable limits.
You must know when you have gone too far and here are a few guidelines to alert you to over doing creative involvement. You have gone too far when you find yourself sowing sequins on your husband’s bowling shirts.
You have overdone it when you have created ‘free-form’ doorstops out of your mother-in-law and spray-painted your preschooler and turned him into a festive wall hanging! You have gone too far when you begin to crochet Crispy Critters into an Afghan for the sofa and weaving argyle slipcovers for your washing machine.
You have gone too far when you have a mad urge to convert a moldy gym shoe into a hearth planter and you can’t look at Silly Putty without wanting to create dashboard figurines. You’re, furthermore, beyond all help when you can dab Elmer’s Glue-All behind your earlobes instead of vanilla and want to weave Wonder Bread wrappers into ‘shrinks’ for Barbie dolls.
Take it from one who knows! Being terribly creative can be intoxicating to the spirit, but fortunately I can handle it! In fact, I’ve just called an emergency session of our Knit Wits Club for 3 o’clock this afternoon because one of our members, poor Mary Ann, has been without a car for two months.
We’ve decided to knit her one out of steel wool. (I’ll send you the directions, Carol. You may wish to include this novel idea in your next book! It sure beats birds out of washing machine lint, anyhow!)
4 TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL THRIFTING
Have a plan, make a list, and know your budget. Take it from me, it’s so easy to go into a thrift store, intending to just browse, but then find a treasure-trove of inexpensive goodies and overbuy. Lists help to keep me focused and to avoid buying/spending too much.
Be a repeat shopper. Frequent the same thrift stores often because their inventories change daily due to new donations arriving all the time. My husband and I have our favorite spots that we like to go to often, precisely because of their high overturn of inventory AND great prices.
Check everything carefully for stains, tears, cracks, missing parts – also, if it’s electric or battery operated, make sure it works. Thrift stores generally sell their goods as is, with a no returns or refunds policy. In addition, always wash or dry clean your thrift store purchases before using or gifting them.
Keep an open mind and think outside the box about those imperfect items, especially if they’re at the right price, because they can always be fixed or upcycled into something else. Pinterest and YouTube are great resources for learning how to do or create just about anything.
Incidentally, be thoughtful regarding your own donations to thrift stores. If you wouldn’t buy it at a thrift store, yourself, please don’t donate it to them, either. Keep in mind, some crafters are willing to take those unwanted, unsalable items off of your hands to scrap for “parts”, turning them into re-born artistic pieces.
LAST THOUGHTS…
Some people are very crafty and make a good living at thrifting for cheap goods and upcycling them before re-selling them at a profit. By the way, December is National Write A Business Plan Month. if you’d like to do something like that, too, check out “Top 20 Most Profitable Craft Ideas To Sell In 2025…”, as seen on Elementor.com’s blog (Oct. 10, 2025).
It’s a great read and includes small business ideas and advice. Its list of top profitable crafts include custom jewelry and apparel, artisan soaps and bath products, and hand-poured scented candles, just to name a few.
What a great New Year’s resolution that would be – to start a small business. Thrift stores are booming, especially those that upcycle, creatively transforming unwanted items – giving them a new look, new life, and new purpose; plus, new value, in more ways than one.
Thanks for visiting! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my memories of my mom, her memories, and other related things. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at therecipedetective@outlook.com. You can also find me on Facebook: @TheRecipeDetective.
IN CLOSING…
In honor of TODAY, being National Cupcake Day, here’s Mom’s copycat recipe for “Yellow Cupcakes” [Like Sanders’], as seen in her self-published cookbook… The Copycat Cookbook (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; April 1988, p. 56). As always, I’m asking only for proper credit if you care to re-share it.
P.S. Food-for-thought until next Monday…
The month of December observes… National Pear Month, Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruits Month, Safe Toys and Gifts Month, Worldwide Food Service Safety Month, National Human Rights Month, Universal Human Rights Month, and more.
This week continues to celebrate… Operation Santa Paws (which runs through the 24th). Plus, as the week before Winter Solstice (Dec. 21st, for 2025), it’s the start of… Halcyon Days, which begins 7 days before the Solstice and ends 7 days after it. Moreover, it’s when… Hanukkah/Chanukah Begins (for 2025) and runs through Dec. 22nd.
Today is also… National Bill of Rights Day and National Wear Your Pearls Day.
Tomorrow is… National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day. Plus, it’s the start of… Las Posadas (Spanish for “The Inns”; a 9-day celebration of Mary’s 9-month pregnancy & her and Joseph’s journey from Bethlehem to Nazareth; always celebrated Dec. 16th-24th).
Wednesday, December 17th, is… National Maple Syrup Day.
December 18th is… National Roast Suckling Pig Day. Plus, as the Thursday before Christmas (for 2025), it’s also… National Re-Gifting Day.
December 19th is… National Hard Candy Day and National Oatmeal Muffin Day. Plus, as the third Friday in December (for 2025), it’s also… National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day and Underdog Day.
December 20th is… National Sangria Day. Plus, as the third Saturday in December (for 2025), it’s also… National Wreaths Across America Day.
Sunday, December 21st, is… National Crossword Puzzle Day, National Humbug Day, National Maine Day, National French Fried Shrimp Day, Winter Solstice (which is usually on the 21st but changes occasionally, always between December 20th and 23rd) and Yule (which is always on Winter Solstice).
Have a great week!
…50 down and only 2 more to go.
