Christmas Decorating Thrift Style

Almost all my Christmas decorations have come from Goodwill or secondhand stores. A few things I bought off Ebay. I found a really nice honey hole last week in all places down town. I wish I would have brought my camera. There was so much stuff but I only got this animated Santa.

I had to move my other decorations to the bookshelf to make room for the Santa above.

My aluminum Christmas tree with not one, but two color wheels. Yes, it's ok to be jealous. I'm still hoping to find a pom pom tree or even a pink one.

ornaments

I thought this was a tree skirt when I bought it but it is a round table cloth.

If you have been following my blog for awhile, you will know I got my green tree at a consignment shop. I love the little fireplace. When we moved 2 years ago, one of the bulbs got broken for the fire. We have not replaced it yet.

It does have lights but every time I tried to take a photo with them on, it ended up blurry. Here is the angel topper.

I also found a few things to resell on Ebay. It maybe a little too late but I'm hoping there are still some people buying Christmas decorations. I know I buy all year long.

some vintage blow molds

This one is Tiny Tim. His cane tip is broken off.

This snowman blow mold is double sided. There is only one other like it listed on Ebay and that buyer is asking over $100 for theirs. I wasn't sure what to price mine at so I added Best Offer.

mini nutcrackers

unbreakable ornaments

Hallmark peek thru ornament. I thought about keeping this but most have been selling for over $15

Do Not Hesitate

Anyone who buys second hand knows if you see something you want, get it right away because it may not be there when you come back for it. The same is true buying on Facebook garage sale pages. I'm still kicking myself over this.

The post was up for 7 hours when I first saw it. No one commented and at $100, I was really thinking no one would. I turned on the notifications and bookmarked it to come back later. Big mistake. 10 minutes after, there was a question asked. On this page, asking a question gives you first dibs. I had to act fast. I commented I was interested if the lady above passed. I sent the seller a message letting her know I had cash on hand and could get it anytime. She said she would let me know as the first lady hadn't message her yet.

I was feeling hopeful. There was no response when the seller asked if the first person was still interested after giving her the answer to her question. I'm not sure on this page how long an interested person has to respond but I think it is at least 12 hours. Right at the 12 hour mark, the lady responded she wanted it. I was so disappointed. If only I had commented first instead of bookmarking it, this would be mine.

Yes. This beautiful tree and the color wheel could have been sitting in my living room this afternoon if  I had not hesitated. I bet I will never find a bargain like this again. I hope the buyer enjoys it as much as I would have.

Top 5 Finds of 2012

Here are my top 5 finds of 2012. It was hard to pick 5 because I have found a lot of good things this year and have sold quite a bit on Ebay.

#5 Vintage mannequin bought for $25 sold for $125?

#4 VTG Sunburst Clock Paid $2 at an estate sale Kept this

Two sets of owl lights bought at Goodwill for $12.99 I think I sold each set for $50 a piece

VTG Pom Pom Christmas tree Bought at Goodwill for $5.99

and my #1 favorite find of 2012 Two pair of VTG Converse sneakers bought at a garage sale for $7 and sold for $300

Hey Jealousy

Often times when I read Sir Thrift A Lot's blog, I feel a twinge of jealousy over all the great items he has scored over the past year at thrift stores. Now it's your turn to be jealous, Mr. Thrift. For today I found the ultimate thrifting treasure just in time for Christmas. and it only cost....

So what exactly did I find? A vintage aluminum pom pom Christmas tree in the box. In the box? Yes, you read that correctly.

It even had all it's paper sleeves. Now I need to find one of those elusive color wheels.

linking to Sir Thrift A Lot

$20 Thrift Store Finds

I found all this at two different thrift stores for less than $20

I already sold the Dora books on Facebook for $8

Tomorrow, I am selling the Dr Seuss books for $15, The Toy Story Books for $6, and the Dora, Toy Story and Princess sound books for $9 All from Facebook.

I have listed the Avon Christmas tree, the Skelanimal Cat, the Sandra Boynton mug, and the Manhattan Toy Co Feltopia on Ebay.

I can not find any pencil prints like these on Ebay. They say on the bottom Copyright 1953 Eberhard Faber Pencil Co. I had no clue what to price them at and thought about doing an auction but since I got free fixed listings for 3 days (special email invite) I listed them in a variation listing at $19.99 It would be so sweet it someone bought them all. Maybe I underpriced them and someone will.

The static electricity light I gave to Robbie.

VTG Christmas Pom Pom Tree

I have been searching the thrifts and Goodwill for a vintage pom pom tree with no luck. I read how Sir Thrift A Lot scored a cheap one on Ebay so I decided to try my luck. The first one I bid on started at .99 cents. The seller had a crappy title so his item wasn't appearing in search results for Christmas tree. I believed it read Sparkler Pom Pom Tree. With one day left to go, he cancelled my bid and ended his listing. He relisted it at auction with a reserve price. Two days into that auction, he ended the listing and relisted it as a BIN of $125 plus $12.70 shipping. He now has changed his price to $150 with free shipping. I hope karma pays him a visit for cancelling my bid and his tree never sells.

Disappointed, I kept searching Ebay and came across another cheap auction. This was her picture and here is her title and description:

Pom Pom Brand new in all original packaging 25 branch 3 ft tall tree

Brand new in the original box with the branches still in the original paper tubes

Her photo

Is it any wonder she only got my bid of $24.99? With shipping, I paid a total of $36.16. It arrived today in the mail. Here are my pictures.

Some More Christmasy Finds

The Tuesday before Christmas, my sister took me over to the thrift store where I found this vintage ceramic tree. It was missing some bulbs and the star at the top. The light also did not sit right because the clip was broken. It was marked $8 I offered $5 and they accepted. When I got home I looked up the prices of these on Ebay and alot were selling for over $100. I wll keep mine for now.

I found the star and bulbs on Ebay for $11 Since I did not need all the bulbs, I put the rest for sale in my store. Hopefully, I get back back some of my money. Here is how it looks on top of my t.v stand.

While I was there I also found some other things.

I gave the Gnome to my hubby for Christmas (inside joke) I did remove the flowers so he could use it for change or something. I love the Santa and the owl is for sale on Ebay.

Top 10 Finds of 2011

I have found alot of good stuff this year. Most of it, I have sold on Ebay for a nice profit. Other stuff I have kept for myself. Here are my top 10 finds this year.

10.  VINTAGE SUITCASES

These are usually good sellers on Ebay. I found them for a dollar a piece and listed them. They sold for $75 and then I got a message from the buyer stating her boss had changed their colors for their party and she no longer needed them. I still have them listed and right now they are in my living room holding some books. They are flat and stack nicely.

9. PYREX CINDERELLA BOWLS

This is not my favorite pattern, spring blossom, but for $11 I had to purchase them. They are also for sale.

8. VINTAGE KITCHEN STOOL

My dad had one of these when we were growing up. I found it for $3. It is the perfect chair for Ryker at the table.

7.  VINTAGE FLOOR LAMP

I found this at the consignment shop. It was on sale for $12. Ryker broke the shade and replacing that set me back another $18

6. OUR CHRISTMAS TREE

I found this at the consignment shop as well. It cost $50. I love the homemade fireplace base.

5. ADVENT CALENDAR

This came from Goodwill. It was more than I usually spend at $15 but I really wanted a countdown to Christmas and new ones cost $30

4. VINTAGE OWL LAMPS

I originally bought these to keep for myself. I paid $3 each. The dark brown one I sold on Ebay for $100. Unfortunately, it broke on its way to California. The other one is in my store for local pick up only.

3.  ACTIVITY CUBE TOY BOX

I found this at Goodwill for only $5. I had store credit so I paid $2.10 I like that it is also a toy box.

2. VINTAGE KITCHEN TABLE

This came from my favorite thrift store before it moved. I paid $15 for it. Now to just find the matching chairs.

1. FIRE TRUCK BED

My most expensive purchase this year at $125. These are around $300 new and this is only missing the light. I got this at the consignment shop.

linking to The Thrifty Groove and Her Library Adventures