An Unconventional Christmas

When Lisa and I moved to San Antonio, we discovered a Goodwill Store near our house. They are resale shops for things that people no longer want. Instead of tossing these unwanted items into landfills, they are dropped off at several sites around town for repurchase at bargain prices. The money from the resale of clothes, electronics, kitchenware, and even furniture goes to support Goodwill Industries.

Goodwill Industries started in 1941. Today they are the leading nonprofit provider of education, training and career services for people with disadvantages such as welfare dependency, homelessness and lack of education or work experience. Their reach extends to people with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. Last year, local Goodwills collectively provided employment and training services for more than 930,775 individuals.

Lisa and I decided to do most of our Christmas shopping at Goodwill and to limit our holiday gift buying for each other to $20- $30. You would be surprised what you can find for a small amount of cash at one of these stores. We have discovered vintage videos, books, CD’s, antiques, kitchen appliances and a host of other treasures waiting to be found. One year, Lisa found a set of silver bowls that had been discontinued years ago. You cannot find them anywhere. They were very expensive when they were new and whoever donated them probably had no idea of their value. She bought them for our dining room table for only a few dollars. Yes, there is a lot of junk amid the treasures, but that is part of the fun. Some of the items have seen better days, but they can be cleaned up and look great once we get them home.

As a society, we have come to value the new, the shiny, the latest, hot, new “whatever” and often overlook the wonderful treasure right under our noses. As Americans, we consume so much stuff and then toss it in the trash when the next new thing comes along. What is wrong with saving money on quality items that others no longer want? It becomes a double blessing when you realize that the money we spend at Goodwill goes to give a second chance to people who could use a hand.

Now, I do not expect everyone to abandon their Wal-Mart and Targets for Goodwill stores, but next year you might consider going on a treasure hunt there for a few small things to go under your Christmas tree. You might even find yourself doing what Lisa and I do on a regular basis now. We walk through the store looking for bargains and future gifts. Who knows, it might even become trendy! Oh, we bought these beautiful, antique silver salt and pepper shakers at...Goodwill! Oh my!

FOOD for THOUGHT...