chintz·y
ˈCHin(t)sē/
adjective
- 1.BRITISHof, like, or decorated with chintz."brighten the room with fresh paint and chintzy fabrics"
- 2.informalcheap and of poor quality.
Recently, it came to my attention that, some people feel that my husband and I give, well, chintzy gifts. I'm going to be completely honest with you. This hurts.
I want to say, "It's the thought that counts." I guess it doesn't count with everyone.
I'm going to be straight with you. I have 37 nieces and nephews, two parents, two inlaws, 7 siblings with 6 spouses, and 3 siblings siblings with two spouses on my hubby's side. And with 6 kids of my own, we get a lot of birthday party invites! We live on one income and our kids currently qualify for Chip and reduced lunch. We've had two very modest vacations in the last 7 years. They weren't glitzy, that's for sure. We don't go to first run movies(EVER), we don't eat out at tipping restaurants, we don't buy our own children expensive gifts. We do choose to spend money on things that matter to us, such as soccer, voice, and dance lessons. Our kids have enough to eat and clothes to wear. They are warm and loved, but we don't have an abundance of money floating around. I can pinch a penny with the best of them. And gift giving is one area, of many, where I am often able to use my skills.
Maybe sometimes it doesn't work out. Maybe people can tell. Sometimes I buy a less expensive gift at full price just because I think it is something that will be appreciated, like a $5 hand crank Ikea flashlight for a little kid or bathtub color tabs. Yep. These are cheap gifts. I don't think they qualify as chintzy, but maybe I'm just plain wrong.
I don't know. I've tried really hard to give gifts that are worth more than what I can afford. I accomplish this by shopping great sales, giving things that are inexpensive but heart felt, and making homemade presents.
When I spend my time making something, I feel like that adds value to a gift. I'm not going to defend myself with details of all of the great gifts I've ever given. No, I have a much better plan, more entertaining for you too.
So, what can I say? It hurts a great deal to find out through the grapevine that we have this reputation. But, if that's how people feel, I thought I'd better focus on my talents. In honor of chintzy gift giving, I have created a list to help me and you with future holiday gift giving.
TRULY CHINTZY GIFTS
Dear Beloved Friend or Relative,
Instead of agonizing for months over what to get you for Christmas this year, knowing that you will think me chintzy ANYWAY, I've created a list of everything I plan to give you for the next 20 years. Please feel free to give me your input about the order in which you would like to receive these amazing presents.
1. A Box of checks from my checking account, all voided. Use them however you can.
2. Empty shampoo bottles from the last 5 years. You can use them for water storage.
3. A do it yourself Compost Kit, aka, a bag of rotten kitchen scraps.
4. A scrapbooked page of me! I know, right? The best part is in the picture I will be doing an activity that YOU have always wanted to do.
5.A tshirt( from DI of course) good for a discount at a Mexican restaurant, in another State.
6. A new chapstick made from the dregs of all of my old chapsticks. You know those parts you can't get out? I have my ways.
7. 1/2 of a twix bar. I wouldn't want you to get fat.
8. A year's supply of all of the coupons that I got in the mail last year.
9. A special selection of my favorite girl scout badges, carefully mounted on the back of a cereal box.
10. 25 year old bubblegum. It's got to be a collector's item by now. You're welcome!
11. Your least favorite movie( a VHS from DI again, where else?). I just know if you watch it over and over again you are going to learn to love it!
12. A 2 liter of opened orange soda. I changed my mind about drinking it when I read about what they put in that stuff, but I'm sure you'll be fine.
13. A coupon for the FALL FRUIT OF THE MONTH CLUB. In other words, you are granted access to my apple trees. Make sure to pick them all.
14.Movie tickets I won over the radio. They are only good for tomorrow. I hope you're available!
15. Water that a dolphin swam in.
16. A rock collection starter kit. I got a few rocks from my neighbor's
yard to get you started.
yard to get you started.
17. A sand collection start kit. Collecting is so much fun. This recycled baggie has your first specimen from the Great Salt Lake.
18. A newspaper hat, custom fit just for you.
19. A bag of peach pits, apricot pits, and plum pits. If you plant them now, in 10 years you'll never go hungry.
20. All of my notes from college. It's going to hard to part with these, but I love you enough to give them to you.
To my beloved readers,
I could surely use more good chintzy ideas if I am going to keep my reputation strong. Please take a minute and leave your ideas in my comments, section. Thanks!
And,oh, I can't resist
21. A "free" subscription to my blog. I know, this one is pretty special.
