A week ago, my daughter-in-law stopped by on her way to donate some clothing to a local thrift store. She had one item in particular that made her think of me, this Columbia Sportswear fleece jacket. I've seen her wear it a couple of times. However, she said she never felt that it fit her very well.
In late December, I thought I really should have asked for a new fleece jacket for Christmas, as my current one is quite worn. It was truly serendipitous that my daughter-in-law offered me this very thing I needed and about which I had been thinking.
A lot of my husband's and my successful financial management and the quality of our day to day life is due to our openness in accepting other people's cast-offs, be it clothing, furniture, food, and even a car. If someone has offered us something that they no longer wanted or needed, we accepted and found a way to use the item or pass it on to someone else.
About 75% of our furniture came from other family members. The car we recently sold to a salvage company was my late in-law's former car. You may remember the trays of food that we were often given following volunteer work at our church's fund-raising luncheons. I've happily accepted hand-me-down clothing from my sister, my sister-in-law, my mother-in-law, my grandmother, and my stepmom. Accepting other folks' no-longer-wanteds has meant that we could live a higher quality of life on a smaller income.
This time, the needed clothing item came from the generation beneath me, my lovely daughter-in-law. It's a hand-me-up. It's the very thing I needed right now. Despite expressing my gratitude at the time, I'm not sure my daughter-in-law understands how much I appreciate this.
There's a bonus to cheerfully accepting other's cast-offs. These family members think of you first when giving something away the next time. And you never know what great stuff they'll be wanting to unload in the future.
How do you feel about offers of hand-me-downs or hand-me-ups as an adult? Do you feel obligated to accept or keep items long-term? Have you ever regretted accepting or turning down a hand-me-down offer?
Great post. On any given day, I have a whole outfit on that I got from my sister. At least twice a year she goes through her closets...yes closets and purges. I pick up the clothes, go through them and keep what I want and offer some to friends, any leftovers go on to the thrift store. At time I have receives everything except bras from her. Yes, new underwear and socks, and shoes have come my way.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy,
DeleteThat's awesome! How very fortunate for you!
I am happy with hand me ups or downs. Not only for the cost saving, but anytime I don't have to go clothes shopping is a good day. Unfortunately, my sister's aren't my size, but people at work occasionally bring in something they think I would like. That's where I got my favorite raincoat.
ReplyDeleteHi Live and Learn,
DeleteHow lovely that some of your co-workers will offer items to you. A good raincoat is a blessing.
With clothing, not so much for hand-me-downs (or ups), with the exception of maternity clothing. That was a special blessing--when I was pregnant for my daughter, the popular trend in maternity clothing was to have a bared tummy (to "show off" the bump--nope, not my thing). I was ecstatic to receive tops which appropriately covered my midriff. Ain't no one wanting to see THAT.
ReplyDeleteMuch of our furniture is hand-me-downs. I was just thinking the other day about our kitchen table. I'd love an updated table (we purchased our table and 4 chairs for $50 from friends in a Bible study--I think they charged us a minimal amount to help us out while maintaining our dignity). However .... this table, with a leaf, seats 8-10 people and has allowed us to host group events, have a place for homework, crafts, and puzzles, as well as meals together. We have many other furniture items which have been gifted to us from family and friends, and as you say, it has saved us a lot of money over the years.
Hi Kris,
DeleteUgh, the showing the baby bump only looks good on a select few women. My maternity hand-me-downs came from my husband and brother. I wore mens' shirts when I was around the house.
I've had similar thoughts about some of our given-to-us furniture, how I'd love to have chosen my own style, or how I've wanted to replace items. In the end, I've either just accepted something is just what it is, and appreciated the sentimentality of a piece, or I've refinished/reupholstered a gifted piece to make it my own. I do love that our dining room set was my parents. I wouldn't have chosen what they did (1960s styling), but I love that these pieces prompt me to think of them often and the life they had back when I was little, long before my mom got sick.
Yes! I enjoy hand me ups from my daughter and hand me downs from my mother, both of whom buy quality clothing. Also, most of my home is from either family or thrift stores. I love an eclectic look. In fact, several years ago we were at a New Year's Eve party and the host had a vintage green vinyl easy chair with ottoman. I commented that if that chair went missing, please don't look at my house (I love green). Well, about a year later they refurnished their home and called to ask me if I wanted it. No one in their family did, so they offered it to me. I love it.
ReplyDeleteHi Ruthie,
DeleteHow wonderful! and I love your humor, too. I'm so glad that your friend remembered that you liked the chair and ottoman.
I tend to like an eclectic look too. It's an interesting look and full of so many stories.
Oh that is a beautiful Columbia jacket; I love the color! I wear a Columbia fleece jacket over my clothes nearly every day except summer. I have 3, all thrifted or from yard sales that I rotate constantly. Last week I found a brand new with tags Columbia fleece in my size small at the thrift store for $3!!!! So now I qon 4 but probably spent less then half the price of one new one on all 4.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it was fun to read the story of your hand me up!
Hi Amanda,
DeleteThank you.
Oooh, what a great find at the thrift store! I'll have to check more closely for Columbia fleece jackets at my local thrift stores. That's quite a savings in total for all 4 of yours. Thanks for sharing.