You’ve heard of a regift? Well, last week, I did a megift.
As most of you know, I’m a frugal person. I get 90% of my clothes at thrift/consignment stores and I have been known to break out into hives at the very thought of having to think about even considering the possibility of maybe having to possibly walk into an actual mall.
However. On my recent birthday, I got a few cash gifts which gave me an unaccustomed stash of Me Money. As I sat and pondered my unexpected windfall, I had an unexpected idea. “Why don’t I go to a non thrift store and buy something for myself to commemorate my 50th birthday?”
You just don’t know scary and radical that idea was for me, the Great Thrift Store Patronizer.
But I finally decided that I would actually do it, by George! I would actually do something new and exciting to start off the second half century of my life.
But I had a problem. Which store should I go to?
Since I am abysmally ignorant of regular stores out here in Beach World where we live, my great plan just about met its demise before it even had a chance to be carried out. I just couldn’t figure out a place to go that didn’t have Goodwill in its name.
But then inspiration struck.
I remembered that I had wandered into The French Door last summer when I was waiting on an appointment and I had fallen in love with its unique and charming merchandise.
And so I made my decision. The French Door it was. I was going to intentionally walk into a real store with genuine, unused merchandise and actually purchase something from it. How wild and wacky was that?
The day after my birthday, as I set out on The Mission, I knew that my main criterion for selecting something was that I wanted it to be an item I could use for a long time; something that would give my spirits a little boost whenever I saw it. And after an hour of happy French Door wandering, I finally made my selections.
Selection One:A Purse Mirror
Like most women, I keep a small mirror in my purse to check on the state of my lipstick and/or the state of my hair. I also use my mirror a whole lot in thrift store dressing rooms since they don’t usually come equipped with 3-way mirrors like the fancier department stores. I always hold my mirror up and turn around so I can see what the backside of myself looks like before I purchase something. (I guess I should call it a rear view mirror.)
Anyway, the little purse mirror (on the left) that I’ve been using is one I picked up at Wal-Mart for a couple of dollars. Although it’s done its job in a fairly adequate manner, it’s not overly inspiring to use. So the new purse mirror was the perfect purchase.
After I had made my mirror decision, I happened across the most darling little pill case. I knew I would get lots of use out of it since I always keep some allergy pills in my purse, in addition to Tylenol and Advil. I had been keeping my pills in an old Altoids tin which didn’t do much to bring joy to the beauty-loving part of my soul.
This pill case called my name as soon as I saw it.
I cheerily took my purchases to the counter and even though the bill came to sixteen dollars, it was so worth it. Now every time I use one of those items , I will relive that contented, rainy afternoon that I spent puttering around a unique, lovely store shopping for 50th Birthday megifts.
I got a new wallet. But it wasn’t from the New Wallet Store. Nope, I actually bought the aqua wallet you see below at a thrift store for a dollar. It was brand new from Wilson’s Leather and still had all the tags on it. I figured a dollar was a justifiable price for such a cheery and high quality item.
And frankly, after my wanton spree of spending at the “new store,” it felt vaguely reassuring to purchase a megift at one of my usual haunts; in fact, it felt a whole lot like coming home again.
What about you?
Have you ever bought “a little something” especially for yourself?
If so, what was it, and what is the story behind it?
I love your gift to yourself!! That store seems like something right up my alley, so hopefully if we get there, I will be able to check it out!! The pill box is so cute… I actually have one that my grandmother gave me, a little different shape, but same style. I know it is at least 50 years old… maybe more, but I love it most because it came from my grandma!! So, who knows… one day you could be giving your “me-gift” to a sweet grandaughter as well!! You have many years to enjoy it, first though!! My grandma did not give me the pill box until she was about 87!! 🙂
Tiffany,
I can just imagine how special that little pill box is to you. And what a nice thought that I can pass mine down to Sarah and her children!
Last August I treated myself to a gift for my 25th & 26th wedding anniversary. I purchased a Chamilia bracelet and some beads at The Farmers Daughter in Nags Head. Each one of my “beads” really represent a part of my life and were not bought just to get something. I have birthdays, wedding month, grandchildren, animals, holidays, and the autisim puzzle piece representing special needs and Pilot Internation. I don’t usually do purchases for myself but this time I did and I am thoroughly enjoying wearing it. New grandson born this morning makes the baby carriage even more special.
Ann,
I have never been in the Farmer’s Daughter store; I really need to stop in and look around!
What a meaningful gift you bought for yourself; absolutely perfect.
And congrats again on that new grandson!!
Last year i bought my 50mm lens. My first prime lens. Way back when i was a junior in high school (1976), I bought my fancy dancy minolta 35 mm camera. A little later on i bought a telephoto lens to go with it. It was my constant companion until it died a respectable death in 1998. I got the best pictures of all my children with that awesome camera. And then finances were very tight as a single mama of 3. I was very wrapped up in the lives of the growing kiddos, getting the boys through high school and college, not to mention the high needs of my special girl. My own self was on the back burner, and so was my photography, which I missed very much.
Eventually, I was able to purchase a new Canon, but the kit lens did not give me the splendor of my old minolta. As my favorite subject is faces, and I hate to use the flash, I knew which lens I was waiting for. And I did wait and wait and wait. Finally, I was able to make the purchase and photography and I have been reunited again.
Everything I look at, I picture as a photograph. How it would look, how I would frame it. All the time. It’s like my eyes are inside a camera and I am looking through the lens. I am so disgruntled when I do not have my camera with me to record what I see. Especially when the light is soft.
I think I have issues 🙂 Ha!
Lesley,
As a fellow photographer, your comment really hit home with me. I so well understand your feelings about the joy of having a camera in your hands and the feeling of being disgruntled when your camera isn’t close by and the light is perfect or a scene is just waiting to be captured.
Good for you in getting the 50 mm! I’m so glad you were able to do that for yourself; it sounds like it’s bringing you a lot of joy. I haven’t bought a prime yet and am vacillating between a 35 and a 50.
Thanks so much for sharing your story.
The best ‘me’ gift I’ve ever purchased was a ring. It’s a white gold band intertwined with yellow gold nugget. I purchased it a couple of years ago and I LOVE it; it rarely comes off. I bought it to remind myself that I am strong on my own… after hearing several variations of “you’re running out of time” from well-meaning but less-than-tactful relatives!
Kristina,
Good for you for turning less-than-tactful comments into a meaningful purchase for yourself. I love the fact that it reminds you that you are strong on your own.
I was originally gonna go visit a certain lanyard maker in Bryan, TX for my “me gift” to myself after I, God willing, graduate, but I changed my mind. After looking at prices of flights I decided, instead, to treat myself to a trip to Jordan, which will include time in Palestine / Israel. I’ll be staying with my friend Mai and her family, so now I’m treating myself to all sorts of BEAUTIFUL embroidered muslim clothing. Of course I’ll get to Bryan, because I’ve been told that when I do make it there that I could sleep in a certain amazing young lanyard maker’s bedroom. Of course, I’d rather not be able to sleep in that amazing young lanyard maker’s bedroom, because I’d prefer HER to be in it, but I consider it an honor to be given that option of places to sleep. 🙂
Brooke,
Yes, I can see that a trip to Bryan and seeing Erin’s family would be a major treat; I hope that works out for you. And getting to go to Palestine/Israel? Wow! A truly wonderful megift.
I think it is important to celebrate ourselves on occasion, and even though I, too, am crazy about a bargain, I am worth the occasional splurge. Great fitting jeans and quality shoes are worth the price and the way they make me feel each time I enjoy them. Bless yourself in some increment of the way you bless others…makes a cheerful giver!
Kristy,
I agree; good jeans and good shoes are wonderful! And finding a pair of jeans to fit me is one step shy of miraculous so I’m always quite thrilled when that happens.
And yes, it IS important to celebrate ourselves on occasion. So very true.