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Creative Doll Gift – Thrift To Your Gift

  • April 28, 2011 at 1:08 pm

No matter how difficult the economy is these days, and for most of us it is indeed a challenge, there are certain parts of our lives that can be painfully touched by the lack of available funds, and gift giving is one of them. It is easy enough to ignore our desire to indulge our own birthdays or special holidays, but when it comes to our children and grandchildren? We always want to make their occasions as special as possible, no matter how limited our income.

Previously, many of us would not have entertained the idea of used toys – we would pass the Salvation Army or a tag sale or second-hand shop without any desire to stop. The time has come to reassess our shopping philosophy because these types of sales could make all the difference as we deal with this frustrating economy.

An excellent opportunity to scale back on the finances of gift giving is through sit down second hand dolls. Much like used cars (and far cheaper!) a second hand doll (unless it is antique or of rare vintage) decreases in value tremendously once it loses its first owner and finds itself on a thrift shop shelf. Often these dolls have ridiculously low prices, sometimes for as little as fifty cents or a dollar!

Look past the pitiful appearance of the doll in its sad state and use a little energy and optimistic attitude to recreate a unique gift for that special little one in your life.

Search for a doll that is in reasonably good condition – no parts missing, hair basically intact if it has any. Take the doll home and roll up your shirt sleeves to give it a good scrubbing which might include a dab of disinfectant on the wash cloth. If the doll has hair, wash it and use your own conditioner to either comb through or muss up the hair for a trendy style. You might even consider trimming the hair to freshen it up further.

Once the ‘new old’ doll is clean and rejuvenated to a far better condition, it’s time for a smart shopping spree. Luckily you have paid very little for this doll and the clothing and accessories are not going to be costly either, if you shop online and compare prices. For little money you should find plenty of terrific outfits and accessories to match. Spend a little time to create a wardrobe that you know will inspire and thrill the child in your life.

What next? The packaging. Look for a nice box you already have in the house or head to the dollar store and purchase one to wrap in a cute paper. This doll is ‘special’ simply by the fact it is missing the usual glitzy commercial wrapping. Now it’s time to use your handwriting skills to truly personalize this very precious gift you have created for your child. On a tiny blank note card you will choose (or write you own) a message of love from this redeemed doll to your lucky little one:

Dear _____, I thought I was never going to find a good home until your (mom/grandma/friend) found me. I had been waiting and waiting and was losing hope. Now I have come to live with you and we can always be happy together! Thank you! Love,

Dear _____, A long time ago I lost my home and I have been waiting for a sweet little girl like you to find me. Your (mom/grandma/friend) saw me in the shop and knew you would take good care of me and love me forever! Thank you! Love,

Dear _____, I was so happy when your (mom/grandma/friend) found me sitting all alone on a dusty shelf because I knew she would bring me to you and we would be best friends forever! Thank you for being my best friend! Love,

This sentimental little note can be attached to the doll with a pretty ribbon or placed on top of the doll in the gift box (or bag) so that your child will know instantly recognize the fact that her ‘new’ doll is very unique.

For your work of love with this doll you will have created a thoughtful gift minus the marked up expense and disposable plastic wrappings of a new one. You will show how much you care in a very unique way. Aside from the economical value of this gift, you are also helping to save the environment through reusing toys that are still salvageable.

A Thrifty Approach to Toy Gifts … ’tis the season more than ever!

Before buying a gift for the young girl in your life, visit Ms. Walsh’s e commerce site selling doll clothes, doll accessories, and jewelry for girls.

Related Reading:

Broadway Basketeers Valentines Day Ultimate Gourmet Gift TowerBroadway Basketeers Valentines Day Ultimate Gourmet Gift TowerThe Ultimate Gift Tower is just that: the ultimate gifting experience. With an abundance of gourmet foods, this six-box tower is impressive enough to send to the office. Tower includes: chocolate covered cherries, salted pistachios, honey mustard gourmet pretzels, chocolate chip cookies, yogurt covered pretzels, fruity trail mix, chocolate-drizzled caramel popcorn, chocolate covered nuts, hot cocoa, biscotti and more! This gift tower is hand arranged to maintain optimum design and tied with a bow on top.

8 Comments on Creative Doll Gift – Thrift To Your Gift

Showing You Care on Valentine’s Day

  • April 25, 2011 at 10:34 am

It can seem a little tacky from all the commercials on TV and the hype that surrounds it, but, for every couple, Valentine’s Day is an important day in the year. You may make fun of how silly it can be, but a day to appreciate and celebrate romance, love and one another is welcomed by everybody. Whatever your feelings about the day, if your partner didn’t get you a gift you would feel a little bit let down.

It can be difficult, especially with gifts, to show somebody what they mean to you. Valentine’s Day means something different to every couple, so there are a lot of different ways to go about expressing yourself. Flowers and chocolates are a staple, commonly given Valentine’s Day gift; a favourite for anybody. Finding something more personal to go with a gift of flowers and chocolates can really show you care. A romantic night out for two could be the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for you.

A man has never gone wrong buying a bouquet of roses for Valentine’s Day. This February, why not try and take your gift of flowers to the next level and find a way to make them a bit personal? Try and remember what the last flowers you saw in her house were, or if she ever mentioned a favourite to you. Remembering small details can really set your gift apart.

The Valentine’s Day gift that is better than all others is the gift of time. Anything you do for Valentine’s Day that lets you and your partner spend more time together will be the best present they get. Whether it is taking them out to dinner or spending the evening at home with a movie and some candles, the best Valentine’s Day is spent as a couple.

Valentine’s Day is a day to show affection for your partner. Whether you do something small to show that you care or you go all out and make a day out of it, doing something for your loved one whatever you think of the day is important not because of the day, but because of what they mean to you.

Make this Valentine’s Day a special one, show her what she means to you.

categories: roses,valentine’s day,flowers,romantic gift,gift,love,gift ideas,dating,relationships

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Valentine's DayValentine's DayThe starriest cast you may ever see sparkles in a hilarious and heartwarming romcom from the director of Pretty Woman and The Princess Diaries. Stories crisscross, collide and boomerang in this look at a day in the life of love. There's a proposal. Flowers that didn't get sent. A big fat secret that's finally told. The "I'll show up and surprise him" that ended up surprising her. Fights, kisses, wrong turns, right moves and more. Whether new to or through with love, you'll fall in love with this 19-star, funny-side-up celebration of romance.

2 Comments on Showing You Care on Valentine’s Day

Why Should You Come On A Singles Dance Cruise?

  • April 13, 2011 at 5:49 pm

Singles Dance Cruises: Sun, Sea, Fun and Find Love!

Since there is a great need for cruise lines, there is also a big demand for single travelers who would want to spend some of there valuable time on a cruise. Usually there is a bigger increase in single holiday makers during Valentines season.

You can enjoy the lower prices cruises have to offer to there single travelers and especially around the Valentines day season, where they put on all sorts of events for singles. A singles cruise is a great way to start an adventure alone.

When you are alone, you are a stranger to everyone else on the single cruise, so usually other people that understand what the single cruise is for, will tend to be more comfortable and easy going even when being surrounded by other strangers. This means, you are allowing yourself to get to know other people and become more relaxed and be yourself around them.

Single cruising has already become very famous and an inexpensive way to meet new people, and many single people do vacations on there own since it gives them the choice, privacy and provides them special and thrilling adventures with other people who could possibly be mates or at least great pals.

Some top tips that can help you decide which single cruise to choose:

1. Customers who are alone will be billed a single rate. This is because most cabins are made for double occupancy, so what most cruises do is offer to add an extra charge to one person in a room. Obviously, you are not paying for a 150 – 200% additional charge, but expect it to be a bit more pricey.

2. There are cruises that wont charge you the additional fee during certain seasons but instead will give you a shared room with another traveler. If you prefer your privacy not to be invaded or if you don’t want to share a room with a stranger, then it would make sense for you to simply pay the additional price for a single room.

However, if you are a person that doesnt mind to be with someone else in the same room, then you can always grab the promotional offer.

3. Try to look at the broadsheet or on the internet to know if there are still available single cruises in which you could join. There are instances that a cruise is pre-booked by a Singles Organization that allows only their members to join the cruise. However, most of these organizations are also allowing non-member singles to join with them, but with a pricier tag than those who are members of the organization.

Though you may be able to join these groups, you will still be a single traveller. The best thing about joining them is that you would be able to meet other single people. You don’t have to be worried when joining such group, since they are just like you – single cruisers, who are in deep search for others like them.

Want to find out more about Single Cruise #1, then visit our site on how to choose the best singles dance sruise #2 for your needs.

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Be Mine (A Valentine for Kids Ages 2-102)Be Mine (A Valentine for Kids Ages 2-102)Whooo Loves You?
Hey Foxy!
You need a Bear Hug!


Love is in the air and these cheerful creations by Brenda Ponnay are the perfect way to share a little Valentine's Day love with someone you care about.

BE MINE is a perfect bedtime story for the child in your life or give a copy to your favorite Kindle owner or Kindle app user.

Instead of printing valentines this year, save a tree and give this colorful little book, optimized for the Kindle and Kindle Fire. Share the love this Valentine's Day and BE MINE!

8 Comments on Why Should You Come On A Singles Dance Cruise?