| Author | |
sewcrazy
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2006
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 735
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 8:57am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
How can I tastefully package used items to gives as gifts. For example, my brother asked for Duplos for their toddler, I have buckets of Duplos that are no longer being used that I would love to be able to gift to them. But how to do it without looking cheap?
Another nephew is getting to the Thomas the Tank engine stage, and again we have so many. I would love to gift him with track and trains from our stash.
Am I being cheap? My dh was appalled, but we are cash strapped and we have so much that we don't use.
__________________
LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CrunchyMom
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 03 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6385
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 9:04am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I am doing a similar thing with Duplo, and I was thinking of sewing up a simple cloth bag and tying a ribbon around the top. You could also do that with a pillow case if you don't sew.
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
teachingmyown
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5128
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 9:14am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Can you get a cute bucket from the dollar store?
You aren't being cheap.
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 9:26am | IP Logged
|
|
|
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. The kids certainly won't care that they're used 
And my first thought was a cloth bag as well. Make it bigger than needed for what you're gifting and they can use it to hold all they get/have.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SusanJ
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 25 2007
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1347
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 9:55am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'm one who would love a regifted item for my kids and I would love it even more if it came in its own storage container. I'm always meaning to make simple cloth bags for my kids' toys and I never get around to it.
__________________
Mom to Joseph-8, Margaret-6, William-4, Gregory-2, and new little one due 11/1
Life Together
[URL=http://thejohnstonkids.blogspot.com]The Kids' Blog[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
sewcrazy
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2006
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 735
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 10:32am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you so much for the ideas. A bag was my thought also. I actually have Lego printed fabric! (The things I find when I start hunting in the basement  )
I have the Duplos soaking in some soapy water so I can be sure they are squeaky clean.
__________________
LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MicheleQ
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2193
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 10:32am | IP Logged
|
|
|
LeeAnn,
I think this is a great idea and really a show of good stewardship. How about one of those low containers that can go under a bed? I love those!
__________________
Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 3:05pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Just wanted to add that this is not a cheap idea- it is a very thoughtful idea that will bless another child. You could have taken the old toys and sold them. There is such happiness that comes from toys that are passed on.
I always look at it this way.... if someone wanted to give me nice toys for my kids for free, would I be offended? NO! I would be very grateful. 
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Becky Parker
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 23 2005
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2582
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 3:09pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We're repackaging our Thomas the Tank Engine track and train cars. I thought I would use an under the bed box as Michele suggests. I'm going to try to find an image of Thomas to put on the top. I haven't decided how to secure it. Maybe clear contact paper. The only thing I wanted to do, but can't thing of how, is box the train cars seperately, but contained in the larger bin with the track. Maybe just a smaller box with another Thomas picture on top.
Duplos are being repackaged here too. I was going to use a box for those as well, but I really like the bag idea!
__________________
Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
TracyFD
Forum Pro
Joined: July 22 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 313
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 3:39pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I just want to say that I totally agree that re-gifting is thoughtful and good stewardship but I feel that some people have been offended when I have passed things on. I still do it, just not at Christmastime. I've never been offended when friends have given us gently or even not-so-gently used items!
Good luck - the repackaging ideas sound great!
__________________
Tracy
Mom to 3 girly girls,
1 absent-minded professor, and one adorable toddling terrorist.
Pinewood Castle
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kathryn
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 24 2009
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1520
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 3:49pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I think the presentation of the gift will diminish anyone's perception that it's "used". Making the wrapping as nice and fancy as possible would be the way I would go. Wrapping in fabric can look really nice and with a big bow or ribbons dangling down w/ some shimmery and sparkly will certainly catch the little one's eyes. If you wanted you could add one new, very inexpensive item to the outside of the package like may be just a sheet of stickers or candy.
My 2 yo daughter was regifted a Loving Family playhouse w/ allll the pieces from our neighbor for her recent birthday. Actually I was shocked because it was sooo valuable and worth so much more $$ than she would have ever spent had she just gone to the store. I thought it was an extremely generous and loving gesture. Hopefully that's how it works for you. You can regift something of far greater value than if you just went and bought him one new Thomas car so hopefully the parents will realize that.
__________________
Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
sewcrazy
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2006
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 735
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 3:57pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
For the Thomas I found a great navy blue wood box with a hinged lid, at Target in the clearance section for $4 that will work perfectly. I made 2 bags to go in the box, one for track and one for trains.
__________________
LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Becky Parker
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 23 2005
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2582
|
| Posted: Dec 16 2009 at 7:21am | IP Logged
|
|
|
That sounds really neat LeeAnn.  I wonder if all the Targets have them? I'm heading there this afternoon to check it out!
__________________
Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
guitarnan
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10883
|
| Posted: Dec 16 2009 at 8:01am | IP Logged
|
|
|
We still have the bag for the wooden blocks my brother and I played with as a child. It's made of heavy-duty canvas with grommets for a drawstring.
My grandfather made some of the blocks for us in his garage - he actually sanded off all the corners so we wouldn't hurt ourselves with the blocks.
Later we added a set of colored blocks...
Duplos are a lovely gift - they last forever! And they encourage creativity!
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Fe2h2o
Forum Pro
Joined: Sept 09 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 150
|
| Posted: Dec 17 2009 at 1:38am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Have you seen this Grab Bag pattern? It's really rocking my world at the moment:-)
It goes together really easily, and I've made quite a number half-sized, which is just right for a set of juggling balls/special treats, and the full size takes a set of treeblocks (I've been making my own).
I've doubled the pattern, and I mean to use that for storing some toys (I'm thinking they'll be great for some of those 'collections'—animals in animal print bags:-) ), and it might take a little bit of drafting, but I'm sure you could get it to a size that would take a pile of duplos.
For Puggle this last year, I made a playmat for his lego... basically a circle of material (well, two layers) with button holes regularly spaced around it and rope threaded through. He can play, then pull up the rope and it's a bag:-)
__________________
Mama to Puggle (ds 05/04), Bilby (dd 10/06) and Cygnet (ds 09/08)
The Genial Hearth
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CrunchyMom
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 03 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6385
|
| Posted: Dec 17 2009 at 7:37am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Fe2h2o wrote:
Have you seen this Grab Bag pattern? It's really rocking my world at the moment:-)
|
|
|
Very cute! Have you seen this wall pocket pattern? I saw it a couple of years ago, was determined to make it, and spent a few hours trying to find it again only to forget where it came from. Then, last month, when I was cleaning out my bookmarks, I found it! Joy! I think that a row of these on shaker pegs would be awesome in a playroom!
I'm planning to add extra flaps (?) with an optional drawstring, kind of like the llbean totes that have a zipper that can extend a bit higher than the bag or the bag can just be used as an open tote.
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: Dec 17 2009 at 7:55am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I just love the patterns and links you gals are sharing here...storage organizers are my FAVORITE thing to sew!!! But did you doubt that??? 
Can I start a new thread????
I agree with everyone's assessment on the repackaging of gifts. I would absolutely welcome a gift like this!! And, everyone's suggestion to offer it in a bit of a personal "container" whether you sew it or find something unique (pillowcase) from around the house to use is exactly what I would do!
Off to add some links to special fabric storage in a new thread!! 
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: Dec 17 2009 at 8:00am | IP Logged
|
|
|
New thread for ideas on handcrafted unique storage ideas - here. Please do share!
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stellamaris
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 26 2009
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2732
|
| Posted: Dec 17 2009 at 8:21am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I don't know about anyone else's children, but my kids LOVE hand-me-downs. It is just so fun for them to think that cousin X or friend Y (usually an older and oh-so-cool person) played with these VERY SAME blocks or trains, or even wore the VERY SAME clothes. I think it brings a sense of connectedness, history, and warmth to the items that "new" just can't have. Each thing is not only itself, but also the story of the person who previously owned it; it is somewhat the way we feel about a cherished family heirloom. So, it's great stewardship and it's also very special for the children, too. Re-packaging the items with a special touch will make it lovely, too!
__________________
In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Repackaging gifts
