Somewhere in my thrift store travels this past year, I picked up a Lego Emerald Night set (10194) (the green train) in an intact and partially sealed original box. This morning as I was deciding whether I could gift this, I remembered this thread. Carefully cut the tape, and the first things I pull are 3 opened and emptied plastic bags. Only paid a $4, but I'm irritated for being had. Then start pulling out the rest to dump into the lego bin. Out comes 5 sealed bags with contents. Then a quart baggie with contents. I check and all the figurines are there. Next, came directions. My guess is that somebody started assembly, gave up and then donated it. I will gift it. Now, who do I like that much/ editing to add that I just checked the prices on this thing. Prices are all over the place. the price at Walmart is $1499 (cannot be right, but same box and model #, brand new of course). This think ain't going nowhere until I figure this out.

Janeway, every toy for a 1-4 year old is at the thrift (well, maybe not that robot yet). Fisher-Price, Playskool, power wheels, puppet theaters with puppets, and every noisemaker ever sold, etc. are at the major thrifts, There are clothes, books, games and puzzles for the older kids. Often priced less than what the sales tax would have been if purchased new retail.. They just need some alcohol, 409, elbow grease and a gift bag. My 11 y.o is getting a mix of new, used and near new. Here are some of his gifts. A new ping pong table and a used set of professional quality paddles (2 for $5. Clearly used, but sold for $70 each new). A thrift find Smithtonian chemistry set, unopened plastic wrap set ( $4. .$100 new), Another thrift find, an unopened plastic wrap microscope with slides in plastic case ($6. $50 new). An opened Deluxe Magic Set with Dvd, opened but looks like never used ($4). Craigslist major brand golf clubs and cart (for a small fraction of $600). Beside the usual thrift Nike and Underamour, his special x-mas day outfit; a brand new looking pair of Levi Signature Jeans, with either a Thomas Dean long sleeve shirt, or Tommy Hilfiger Polo, all 3 for $6 ( $120 new). The bargains are there. The best buys to be had if you start early, and regularly. I am in them frequently looking to add to my vinyl/record collection. MY TIP: buy ahead, for best selection . e.g, for the 1 year old, start looking at 2 y.o, even 3 year old sizes. Helps resist impulse buying, and allows you to focus on quality, and yes even thrift stores have special sales day. Start looking for birthday, x mas gifts months in advance, and store them for the big day. There is no stigma to this. The stores I frequent are in very comfortable communities, and the parking lot are filled with fancy cars. I see ladies with $800 purses looking for the 1/2 price tags. btw, the 99ct Store chain highest grossing store is about a mile from Beverly Hills, and its parking lot is always full.

Long shot. Look around the porch for an errant delivery attempt sticker . If it was left with a neighbor, they usually jog down the address on the slip and stick it on your door. On-line won't show this type of delivery.

If you mean recent arrival from war torn countries, i doubt that they own businesses that are identifiable by public record searches. They probably work for immigrant owned businesses where they need little, if any, English. You might start by looking in the ethnic enclaves of your community. or, in some communities, an entire industry is run by one group. for example, the independent hotel/motel group in Oakland is run by one ethnic group.

I would feel much more comfortable offering suggestions, if I knew your purpose.

Don't store the cash, and small valuables in their original box, case, or jewelry box in the master bedroom. try a small bag hidden well in the children's room, laundry room (behind the book-shelf, back of bed, bottom of clothe hamper for ideas) Thieve tend to snatch the visible portable electronic ( big screens are so light now that these are now portable), then ransack the master bedroom for jewelry, cash and guns. Every drawer emptied, bed overturned,. If in the master bedroom, they will find it.

Who doesn't?

My son received drones for the last two x-mass. When we go fly, I am always surprised that there are no other children flying. My conclusion, parents make the mistake of purchasing too cheaply or expensively. Either way, if the very first drone, its gone in a day. Like remote control airplanes--these things crash ( something else you don't see children fly) . At the beginning,crashes are severe and frequent. In fact, cannot do the first take-off w/o crashing. In addition, some fly off, get stuck in trees.. So the $20 ones fall apart after the first couple of crashes, and no one bothers again after destroying $200 x-mas day.. The model we started with was HAK907 for $45.00. very durable and repairable. We still use it (I guess it mine now). Then last x-mas he got a SYMA 8xhw for around $110.. I like the syma line. They have appearance and power of much more expensive drones like the Phantom. Your husband won't be embarrassed to fly this in the park. It looks like a big boy toy. The drawback, is that the syma is not durable enough to withstand the learning curve. My plan was to upgrade to the Phantom this x-mass, but son barely had time to fly this past year. I am not investing $400 until he has mastery. You could get your husband both with your budget. Check the entire syma line. I heard they have some very large drone in the $100-125 range. it your husband likes flying after the syma, he can make the decision as to next level. No rush to purchase, as prices are steadily falling. Entry level pro quality is now $300-400. Two years ago it was around a $1,000.

How about a drone. a HAK907 is good sized and very durable for $45. Then next x-mas, after some flight experience, a SYGMA for around $80 (very large and PARROT like). But whatever you do, don't start higher than this price level,--there well be lots of crashes. And don't go lower because too small and mostly junk (advertised as fly indoors) .Maybe 3rd or 4th done, $200 up.

Well, since I am going to take the 11 y.o to Bass Pro for the x-mas event, I might as well grab a box of shells. Anybody know the bag limit?

Thanks. There is a shop in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, about 40 minutes from me. I'm going to take the 11 y.o and his younger cousins. looks like fun.

I'm a thrift junkie. First stop record/vinyl section. Over 4000 lps so far. Then to boys clothing. Now, I have something to else to look for. I want one of those at that price.

I was in Habitat Restore the other day. Got a great deal on a Hansgrohe stainless kitchen faucet, so I went to Home Depot and got a stainless sink. This completes my stainless kitchen conversion. Here was by budget: --Very high end double oven ( craigslist. drove 4 hours r/t) --very high end 5 burner stove top ( Habitat Restore) --Major brand (not sears related) french door, with lower drawer refrig (store return, Sears Appliance outlet, and some well placed magnets. This was the budget eater) --range hood ( distributors showroom. Severely scratched in the back that goes against wall. not visible at all when installed) --- microwave (walmart sale) --dishwasher (HD special buy, with free delivery. self installed) --large trash can, with foot pedal opener total cost for all of above, $2200 plus $300 for installation of oven, and hood (a little high for labor, but came on short notice) Feel pretty good because it looks just as nice as a friend who made one stop and got the equivalent quality (with full stove though, and all the appliance the same brand) for $18,000 plus tax and finance, being installed by a contractor.

Good luck. I tried a few of times with teen helpers for household odd jobs--trash, weeding, watering, accepting deliveries, etc. Pay was decent- $40 for a few hours on Saturday morning. the longest lasted 5 weeks.

Janeway, as a small business owner, believe me, I know the ups and downs. But, have you considered for used items for stocking stuffers. Thrifts stores--Savers, Act and Goodwill in particular. Can get children toys, clothing, and sports equipment. Expensive label children clothing look new for a few bucks, and 1/2 price sales are common. Toys might be boxless, or need a little cleaning. $40 Nerf guns can be had for $5-6. puzzles and games for $2-3. Expensive children's books for a couple of dollars. btw , the 11 year old now only wears Nike and Under Armour and he has tons of it (really, tons) All acquired this way. The only new clothing he has worn since the age of 6th months, are shoes and undies or received as gifts. . You still have time. If you plan a couple of months ahead of the holiday, birthdays, you will even more amazed at the bargains. make sure you keep receipts until you are sure items clean up well and work.

I gave a Shark as a gift earlier this year. Tried it out and liked it so much that I got one for myself. Liked that one so much, I got one for upstairs too. Read the reviews and compare reviews to Dyson. btw,Shark has a very expensive Animal model. Might be overkill if you vacuum regularly.

If there is something worth fighting over, odds are there will be a fight. Seen too many families battles because of this belief.

new, near new, store returns, and used applainces show up regularly at Habitat Restores (Habitat for Humanity). .Might have to try several stores , several times. It is hit or miss. For example, when it hits hards, can get a new/near new appliance for 25-35% of current store price. Used great condition stainless double over top-brand maybe $200.

Well the 6th grader has weekly golf and tennis lesson, robotics, alg 2, tutoring, math circle, and a math circle led geometry class. Fortunately, most fall on the weekend. Unfortunately, most fall on the weekend. Next year will be the test when he is eligible as a 7th grader for his school's teams.

My 11 y.o doesn't know that he is asking for a ping-pong table.

Deadline for January test is approaching. We signed up for the 6th grader through CTY. CTY gave a voucher for the test fee.

We supplemented with Schaum's Geometry Outline. 665 fully solved problems.

Thanks. i am probably going ti get him a printer. Mainly, because we are a little heavy on clothes and educational/scientific stuff, and there does not seem to by any "wow" toy for this year. But, I am looking more at the assembled printers. From the comments, spending a few more dollars will avoid a lot of aggravation.

I am sitting on the fence about a 3d printer for the 6th grader. Seems like a decent KIT can be had for $200. Okay for his big ticket x-mas item. However, a kit would require opening and several hours of assembly. I would hate to put in the time just to have this go into the closet by New Years. So what happens after the kid prints off a spoon, fork, and tree ornament. I have no use for it. What does your child do?

In the remote chance you are anywhere near Los Angeles, East Los Angeles Community College has an excellent weekend Children"s College. Students move freely in an out of any level on their own pace,. We started pre-k, and stayed until the end of 4th, before maxing out all the 6-7th classes. https://eastlac.augusoft.net/ Never mind. Just opened the link. Looks like it had an excellent program.