Preloved and Second-Hand Favourites!

Second-hand clothes shops are popular again.  Charity shops sell so much more than clothes: books, Cd's and DVD's  and even furniture and items for the home.  There are bargains to be had out there and not all are old, smelly and dirty!

Craft Fairs, School Fairs and Vintage Fairs offer other opportunities for bargain hunters. You can also find adverts in local newspapers (or online on Community Facebook Pages and Twitter sites).  There are dedicated vintage websites now that make searching easier.

Jewellery Gifts
I am buying sparkly gifts from second-hand shops and vintage shops online. Vintage items are more acceptable now and you get the bonus of giving a unique gift.  I am giving brooches this year and look what I've found: a reindeer and a star!  They are beautiful and in superb condition, bought from Blithe Spirit who sell Vintage jewellery and accessories.

Books
You can find fantastic books in charity and second-hand shops.  I buy fiction, read them and give them back to the charity shop to recycle again. Charity shops are great places for popular fiction, murder mysteries and gritty bestsellers.  Look what I picked up below...

Children's books are usually cheap and cheerful.  Authors such as J.K. Rowling,  Jacqueline Wilson and Cathy Cassidy regularly turn up. I also buy Beano and Dandy Annuals for my girls, just as my Nan bought them for us when we were little.

Don't forget Libraries regularly update stock and sell off books, Cd's and DVD's.  Here are our latest buys!

Clothes
Clothes can be hit and miss, but keep looking and you can find amazing bargains in charity shops. Kids grow so fast that some clothes are hardly worn.  T-shirts and jeans are always popular and Next and M&S are reliable labels.

On our family holiday with cousins, we go shopping and compete to see who can find the best second-hand shop bargains.  It is so popular that we do it every year!

My daughter's bargains...

Favourite Buys: 
Walking trousers (new and waterproof)
Long Mantaray dress (new)
M&S adjustable children's jeans - perfect for skinny kids!
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, DVD
Bags of stamps for crafting

Accessories
Shoes, handbags, hats, belts and scarves can make an outfit.  Scarves can also be used as belts or tied round your hair or head!

Other Items
Charity shops are great places for finding sewing and knitting paraphernalia, patterns and books: I bought knitting needles this year at a fraction of the price of new ones.

New knitted blankets and baby cardigans are often made just for charity shops!

Toys
Toys and games are popular.  They are usually cheap,too. Toys such as Lego and Barbie never go out of fashion and children love them!

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope you feel inspired to go off and do a bit of your own bargain hunting :)

Hot Links!
Oxfam Home Page
Blithe Spirit sell Vintage jewellery and accessories