You know these kids would be shocked at the gifts I received for Christmas when I was a kid… I had Christmases when I would get only two gifts from my parents. I still remembered one of them… I got a Barbie Corvette convertible (I loved how this white car looked and always wanted one) and a pink plush of those purring cats that disguised as another animal (I had the pink cat who dressed up as a Toucan). It was one of my favorite Christmas days, second to the one when I was 5 yrs old and finally got a dinosaur plush (I still have it, that thing is over 25 yrs old).

It’s this simplicity of Christmases and in gift receiving overall is the reason why that I’m more ecstatic and joyful when my man adds to my Transformers Shockwave collection over having jewelery or expensive gifts that most women of my age group expect from their men (you know who you are… gold diggers). Also finding joy in simple things and the simple life is why I think my man had stuck around with me for over 8yrs now.

Don’t get me wrong I love buying new things now and then. However, only when I’m forced to find replacements of those items, such as old shoes I had for over ten yrs. I have about 15 shoes and they all get worn… shoot 7 of those 15 pairs are over 12 yrs old. I’m not the type to throw things out until they are completely worn out to the point of being not fixable… forget whether they are fashionable or not…or that they are the latest models. I could careless. If they fit and still function, I’m going to wear them. I got a pair of high heels in the color of burgundy (Bakers brand) that are over 16yrs old and I just don’t have the heart to throw them out. They’re brand new still even though I’ve used them a lot (I care for my things very well). I even fixed that burgundy sandal one time because one of the straps undid itself and needed repairs. I just glued that baby right back to its place with automotive glue and it still intact. People these days are so wasteful and greedy. They need to visit countries like Cuba to see what having nothing is really like so they can be more appreciative for what they have and are given. >_> I sometimes feel like a freak because I see such uncreative, wasteful, greedy people all around me who just throw things out without considering the possibilities of repairing it or updating it. *sighs* I’m currently going to a tailor because I have a lovely blouse and a pair of palazzo pants I need to have altered so that they fit on me. It would cost me more to have them altered than the price I paid for them, but alterations are still millions times cheaper than these items ending up in a landfill.

I am very interested in this kind of investment, but am just at the collecting old jewellery phase (I haven’t ventured into serious investment yet) – any advice?

You are not alone (I am not looking to hook-up, lol, I have an aversion to dating) but there are many people who want this simple life and are either trying to attain it or don’t really know the best way to attain it (me!).

Best of luck in your new life.
Cheers

THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR THE HOLIDAYS BESIDES SHOP
~ Go look at Christmas lights
~ Go ice skating, or play in the snow
~ Sing carols together or other seasonal songs
~ Go to a cut-your-own Christmas tree farm together
~ Make Christmas ornaments with recycled stuff, give some as gifts
~ Make cookies together and give some away
~ Go to see the Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol at a local amateur theater
~ Don’t watch commercial TV, rent and watch some great holiday movies (I recommend White Christmas), and vow to get away from obnoxious ads, especially if you have kids
~ Volunteer as a family at a homeless shelter, nursing home, or animal shelter
~ Make home made gift tags with recycled papers and old cards – try pinking shears for the edges, and don’t forget the glitter, ribbons, buttons, googly eyes, rick rack…get busy with it and have fun
~ Take a cooking class, a knitting class, a candle making class, a woodworking class – something creative and productive
~ Look to nature for gift trims and decorations – acorns and small pine cones and greenery to deck your halls, walls, and gifts
~ Pop loads of popcorn and string it with cranberries on dental floss, while listening to Christmas music, then decorate the tree with your garlands :)
~ Make a Christmas scrap book – either a real one, or you can make some really cute ones online with pics you upload. Those are easy to share with faraway friends and family, too
~ Play charades, board games, or card games – games like Pictionary will have you laughing your heads off
~ Make silhouettes – put a lamp behind a family member so they cast a shadow on the wall. Hang a piece of paper at the right height and have the person stand so their shadow is in profile on it. Trace their outline, then cut it out and glue it to a contrasting piece of paper. Hang on the wall or add to scrapbook. it’s fun to have a whole family gallery of these :)
~ Make hand made recipe books, candles, soap, cookies, muffins, sock puppets, ANYTHING handmade as gifts instead of buying, wherever possible
~ Knit quick and easy winter scarves out of yarn bought at thrift stores
~ Present the kids with a dress-up box of fun/funny clothes, hats, shoes, scarves, and costume jewelry. Ask them to come up with a skit using the clothes.

It’s all about being with the people you love and making memories with them, not about going broke and paying it off for the rest of the year. Merry Merry!