Ahhhhhhh my first "No Brand New" Christmas is fast approaching!! There has been a severe lack of blog action from me, well no real action from me at all over the past couple of months. Mornings snuggled on the couch with Charlie with very frequent head over the toilet bowl moments means I haven't had the slightest urge to buy anything brand new, or buy anything at all for the matter. Mike and I however have made something brand new, our second baby due next May (Whoop Whoop). Now that the first trimester is done & dusted and my energy levels have returned, I'm full steam ahead in prep for December 25th as I need to be very organized this Christmas or at least have a very detailed chat with Santa Clause.
My work room in the garage is in action as I have decided to make quite a few handmade gifts this year, some out of family heirlooms which are so much fun to make which I will write a separate post about. I'm collecting jars to fill with baking & sweets, plastic bags to fill up homemade beanbags, bright summery & children's fabric, and recycled canvas for artwork. Call me a mean mother but I still have a few unopened gifts that Charlie received for his 1st birthday & Christmas. Since the two dates fall only five days apart he just didn't need the share volume of gifts & some were probably more suited to an older age group so I saved them. Mike has been wonderful snooping out freebies and great deals on our local community Facebook pages such as vintage toy airports. I have been actively visiting my favourite second hand stores and op shops and have been finding some gems. So many gems in fact that I came up with a brillant idea....
My brilliant idea is to help you have some element of a "No Brand New" Christmas and at the same time help a kiwi child or family in need. I have decided to share my "No brand new" children's finds (they are in excellent condition or are un-opened) with you because sharing is caring. Extra special toys, books, clothing and linen so you can participate in a "No Brand New" Christmas. You can be really kind to your wallet as these gifts are a steal and I just want back what I paid for them, plus postage and small contribution to wrapping. You can reuse, reinvent, recycle and share these values with your children also. Here is where I think my idea becomes brilliant for every gift you purchase I will donate a second gift to the Salvation Army Children's gift appeal (Kmart Wishing Tree) or Warming Hearts Foundation. Since becoming a mum my world and heart has deepened, I feel more intensely, I love more intensely, my compassion is a bottomless pit where it used to be a deep puddle. Injustice, poverty, abuse, and death really make my spirit ache and especially when they involve innocent children. Charlie is so fortunate to be in our family, he is loved more than life itself, he is happy, he is warm, he has a full tummy, he is healthy, basic things so many New Zealand Children are not so fortunate to have. Hopefully this Christmas we can make a small difference to these families, and children, and teach our own fortunate children that having everything is having nothing at all if you don't share it with those who need it the most.
I will post details of the gifts on My "No Brand New NZ" Facebook page (link below) along with price details. There will be two gifts pictured please chose the one you would like and the one you would like to donate. Please comment SOLD in the comments and send me a private message and I will arrange the postage of your item. Please note that the gifts are secondhand (but in excellent condition or unopened) or they are handmade. Salvation Army released a statement in 2015 stating that all gifts placed under the Kmart Wishing Tree needed to be new, hence why gifts donated to this appeal will be in Brand New condition. If there is another children's charity you think is worthwhile or you would like to donate your gift too please let me know.
https://www.facebook.com/nobrandnewnz
My work room in the garage is in action as I have decided to make quite a few handmade gifts this year, some out of family heirlooms which are so much fun to make which I will write a separate post about. I'm collecting jars to fill with baking & sweets, plastic bags to fill up homemade beanbags, bright summery & children's fabric, and recycled canvas for artwork. Call me a mean mother but I still have a few unopened gifts that Charlie received for his 1st birthday & Christmas. Since the two dates fall only five days apart he just didn't need the share volume of gifts & some were probably more suited to an older age group so I saved them. Mike has been wonderful snooping out freebies and great deals on our local community Facebook pages such as vintage toy airports. I have been actively visiting my favourite second hand stores and op shops and have been finding some gems. So many gems in fact that I came up with a brillant idea....
My brilliant idea is to help you have some element of a "No Brand New" Christmas and at the same time help a kiwi child or family in need. I have decided to share my "No brand new" children's finds (they are in excellent condition or are un-opened) with you because sharing is caring. Extra special toys, books, clothing and linen so you can participate in a "No Brand New" Christmas. You can be really kind to your wallet as these gifts are a steal and I just want back what I paid for them, plus postage and small contribution to wrapping. You can reuse, reinvent, recycle and share these values with your children also. Here is where I think my idea becomes brilliant for every gift you purchase I will donate a second gift to the Salvation Army Children's gift appeal (Kmart Wishing Tree) or Warming Hearts Foundation. Since becoming a mum my world and heart has deepened, I feel more intensely, I love more intensely, my compassion is a bottomless pit where it used to be a deep puddle. Injustice, poverty, abuse, and death really make my spirit ache and especially when they involve innocent children. Charlie is so fortunate to be in our family, he is loved more than life itself, he is happy, he is warm, he has a full tummy, he is healthy, basic things so many New Zealand Children are not so fortunate to have. Hopefully this Christmas we can make a small difference to these families, and children, and teach our own fortunate children that having everything is having nothing at all if you don't share it with those who need it the most.
I will post details of the gifts on My "No Brand New NZ" Facebook page (link below) along with price details. There will be two gifts pictured please chose the one you would like and the one you would like to donate. Please comment SOLD in the comments and send me a private message and I will arrange the postage of your item. Please note that the gifts are secondhand (but in excellent condition or unopened) or they are handmade. Salvation Army released a statement in 2015 stating that all gifts placed under the Kmart Wishing Tree needed to be new, hence why gifts donated to this appeal will be in Brand New condition. If there is another children's charity you think is worthwhile or you would like to donate your gift too please let me know.
https://www.facebook.com/nobrandnewnz