Around our house, December 31 is the day we pack away the decorations for next Christmas.

When we take down the tree and pack away the stockings, we do something that preserves the memories of Christmas Past for Christmas Future.

We secretly write a little dated love note/ memory missive and tuck it into the toe of each person’s stocking to be discovered next Christmas.

It’s a little something, nothing grand, just something like
“You should have seen your face when you thought Terry had given you gym socks… until you discovered the necklace underneath!” or

“Sammie’s Christmas cookies were pretty burnt, but you gamely ate them anyway, which Sammie will love you forever for!” or

“It wasn’t your favorite Christmas, I don’t think… but it was mine, because you managed to make it home through 300 miles of traffic.”

Next year, you’ll remember not just what the note says, but the whole holiday. And if you save those notes over the years like I do…

you’ll have a lifetime’s worth of memories to relive again and again every Christmas.

What do you get the friend who seems to have everything?

Something totally unexpected, useful, and unique.

The holidays would be blissful… if only you could think of the perfect gift for THAT friend.

Click the pic to find a Professional Resaler near you!

How about a whole basketful of surprises? At resale prices, you can find great ideas well within your budget. Start with a basket from your favorite resale store, then cruise the aisles to pick up a load of small treats that add up to a big, fun gift. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

❄ For the frazzled executive: A Midwinter’s Night basket, with several paperbacks, a big mug to warm his or her hands on, and maybe a cozy throw or pillow. Nestle it all in midnight-blue tissue paper and trim with star garland. Include several envelopes of gourmet cocoa mix.

❅ For the too-old-for-toys kid: An Invention Kit. Fill a deep basket with old toy parts, broken watch innards and costume jewelry, bits and pieces that could be “invented” into something fantastic. Look through the housewares section for old sieves, knobs, handles, even an egg-beater. Finish off with several types of glue, poster board, and paints from the discount store and you’ll have a gift to keep a child happy and away from those screens.

❆ For the grade-school teacher: An Amuse-the-Pupils selection of whimsical animal pins she can use to teach with. Resalers have a vast selection of tiny treasures for tiny prices. Nestle them all in a bright scarf and tuck into a (what else?) apple-red carrier you create with a resale basket or a box sprayed with red enamel.

❇ For the little ones: A Dress-Up Trunk. Fill an old suitcase or small trunk with an inexpensive satin “ball-gown”, netting, a feather boa and satin high heels. Fancy old hankies, a “gold” purse, sparkly costume jewelry, even a fruit-trimmed old hat. The gaudier the better! For her “date,” a vest, tie, beat-up fedora and wingtips. A broken wrist watch and an old briefcase will bring hours of fun. Look for the shop’s “as-is” rack for slightly-damaged items at a great discount.

❈ For your best friend: A No Woman Ever Has Enough Accessories selection of her favorites. If she’s proud of her small waist, select half-a-dozen unusual belts (and use the fanciest one as a ribbon on the package!) Is she flamboyant? An armload of bracelets lined up on an elbow-length black glove (stuff with cleaner bags) is an amusing gift. Is she the dress-for-success type? Grab a variety of scarves and tuck them into a designer tote she’ll use every day.

❉ For the house-proud: A Home is Where the Heart Is gift: dozens of assorted napkins or one perfect unique vase. A basket full of small frames so those family photos can finally be printed out for display. A gift certificate to the best resale furniture shop in town will let her choose just the right item for her style (tuck it in a Mason jar, an antique dresser box, or a hand-thrown kitchen canister, whatever reflects her decorating favorite.)

Resale is a treasure-trove of items you won’t find at the mall, from tongue-in-cheek statuettes to chic designer accessories. Once you get started gift-shopping resale-style, you’ll find it hard to stop!