The Dress Recycler Gift Guide to the Rescue

Dec 02, 2010 by Dress Recycler

After Thanksgiving the energy for shoppers in America takes on a life of its own. With people scrambling for toys and electronics we try to head where the crowds are not. All it takes is just a little time and planning on your part.

For everyone on your list, it’s important to evaluate what your budget is for each person. If your budget is minimal, then the stars have aligned for you. To avoid stressful situations or going over budget, take note to these money saving sites that will turn you into the mighty gift giver that you are this holiday season.

Clothes and Accessories:

If you don’t have time to hit the sales and scour the racks for deals, then bring the stores to you. A lot of companies offer free shipping and major discounts if you spend a certain amount this time of year. Hit some of these discount websites up for some great deals on clothing and accessories:

www.theoutnet.com
www.shopbop.com
www.JTandco.com

Food and fun stuff:

In today’s cyber induced world, everyone is scrambling to get the best online deals for cool stuff to do. Since the competition is fierce for “daily deals”, if you’re in the market for classes, spa deals and restaurants, hit up these sites:

www.dealfind.com
www.shopittome.com
www.scoopst.com

Toys and Books:

Seriously, if you pay full price for a kid’s book or toy, you’re missing out on some better deals. There are SO MANY discounted items for children on the websites below that you could seriously buy enough toys for this year and the next. If your kids are only into video games, take note that electronics are rarely discounted unless they are used.

www.ebay.com
www.bookcloseouts.com
www.bookowl.net
www.etoys.com

If shopping is a fun activity for you, and you’re looking for that “fabulous” find, great items like the ones below can be your next score at our local thrift and consignment stores. Check these out:

•Monk: 496 Driggs Ave.
•Buffalo Exchange: 504 Driggs Ave.
•Amaracord: 223 Bedford Ave.
•Vice Versa: 241 Bedford Avenue
•File De Joie: 197 Grand Street
•Peach Frog at 136 North 10th St. where you can find the best deals on the block!

Here’s two items that I scored below:

Jones New York Sport Faux Alligator loafers with tassels. Practically BRAND NEW—$20 bucks.

BRAND NEW Betsey Johnson: Betseyville Polka dot Tote. Retails for at least $50 dollars- Mine for $25. Original tags still attached.

How fab is that? Note to self when shopping at 2nd hand or thrift stores:

•When buying used or second hand shoes: inspect inside and outside of soles. Very important.

•When buying used or second hand bags/purses: inspect inside for stains and endurance or weakness of straps at binding of seams. Even more important.

If you’re on a budget like most of America just making ends meet, then the following suggestions below will take the pressure off of finding and giving that perfect gift and will escalate you to “favorite” status in the family. Let’s face it, as our parents are aging it’s important to be an ‘extra’ set of hands around the house when duty calls. If you’re broke this holiday season, never fear. You can:

-paint

-clean out

-fix up

-hang and/or repair

-rearrange

-bake/cook

Honestly, it’s better than ANYTHING you could ever buy for someone in your family and it’s the gift that just keeps on giving. Have your family member buy the supplies and you do the labor. Its one day of hell that will make you the shining star of your family and erase all of the wrong doings you have ever done as a child. It’s a full proof plan that’s been proven. For Hanukkah one year I had NO money. I repainted and created a really unique wall treatment to the walls of my mother’s bathroom. It’s still the talk of the dinner table to this day when I go home.

For more fashion education, shopping inspiration and gift giving information, please visit www.thedressrecycler.com. Your bargain fashion superhero!

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