Step into your neighbor’s fur-trimmed Santa boots. What is it that keeps them from absolutely loving every tiny nuance and experience of the holidays?
By now, it’s the time and frustration factor. They want/ need/ are obligated to find the “perfect gift” and they simply can’t. They think. But maybe they have overlooked your resale or consignment or thrift shop. A subject line in your broadcast email, your Facebook or Twitter, could open a few eyes.
Can’t find the perfect gift at the mall? Don’t settle: See what MyShop has!
Don’t get Mauled at the Mall/ Come share a cup of cheer and some terrific gift ideas with Santa’s Helpers at MyShop.
This is how we can gently (but firmly, natch!) open the whole universe of choices available to folks seeking “the perfect gift.”
I noticed on my last visit to my sister-in-law’s kitchen that she couldn’t find the right bowl to beat eggs in. They were all too large or too small, and I know just the size she needs, and I know she loves red… found it. In a church thrift store. (The volunteers were delighted…the money will go to help families make their rent.)
Kenny loves old Western novels, the traditional kind. He’s read everything that is currently being published. Found some oldies-but-goodies in a Goodwill used book shop. (And helped the charity.)
Tyfanie (her mother’s eccentric, what can I say) is still, at 17, finding her own style. What better than a jumbo gift bag filled with accessories of all sorts from a feather boa to high-tops, hair clips to nail-studded belts? She’ll play dress-up for months on the $45 that wouldn’t have bought her a single sweater…which would, invariably, be the wrong style. Every gift in that bag came from 3 consignment shops. (And circulated my local dollars to local shopkeepers and local consignors.)
And of course little ones don’t care if their gift happened to spend a few weeks in a resale shop because some other kid didn’t like Astronaut Barbie or outgrew his fascination with dinosaurs.
Ease your clientele’s time crunch, help rescue their budgets, provide a needed service in your community.
A swing shop of gift ideas in your shop would be the perfect last-minute nudge to current fans of your shop. (I like to stick colorful bows on these to reinforce the it’s OKAY to buy this for a gift idea.)
And of course, your sales counter is piled high with inexpensive but bright and cheerful stocking stuffer possibilities that will delight … and help… your customers enjoy both their gift-giving and their gift-shopping a little more.
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
[…] Are they frustrated enough to gift-shop in your shop yet? […]
Thank you for the ideas, Kate.
Kenny has always given me used stuff for Christmas, even before it was cool and we had our own store. I’d much rather receive an old bowl, quilt, santa, platter, pitcher, etc. etc. than a new one.
Aren’t people smart to be figuring out how much more fun it is to receive a gift with a bit of history? Hm. I think I just thought of a subject line.
Great ideas Kate! I love stretching my gift dollar by shopping at resale and thrift shops. And the recipient gets a fabulous gift that’s worth 2 – 4 times your budgeted gift amount.
Linda