My friend with the nine AWESOME kids brought the 14 yr old and the 16 yr old up to Christmas shop in my garage! It was a blast. I shop for them all year. I know what they like and it's my self-appointed mission to find things for them all year. I see them at least once a month. They have 8 girls and one son. They are very, very low income but THE happiest people I know. Here's a partial list of what they are getting for $194.00!!! We LOVE Playmobil!!! It's mostly what they play with all the time.
2 Playmobil Safari sets-Target last yr @ 75% off $15.00 each
Vcam camera for the to be 12 yr old only sons birthday-Target 75% off $12.50
2 baby dolls from Younkers for 75% off for the two youngest @ $5.00 each
A playmobil farm I found used for $10.00 for two girls to share.
A huge bag of Polly Pockets dolls, clothes, accessories from the consignment store for $4.80.
10 Playmobil special figures I got for $1.00 each
Those 25 cent whoopie cushions from Target
Tins of playing cards from Kohls for 1.80 2 sets for $3.60
4 Playmobil tshirts I got online for $5.00 each
Thanks mostly to Old Navy clearance the three oldest girls are getting 8 clothing items for a total of $14.00 each!!! Throw in some lip gloss from the quarter bin at Target and they're set!
There's more but this gives a good idea.
I'm not trying to brag. I just LOVE this family so much and I love helping them and I love shopping so it makes all of us happy!!! Iv'e been doing this for 7 years now. After the first year she told me that now she actually can enjoy the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas because she doesn't have to worry about trying to find something decent for the kids. That made me feel so useful!!! Some of the things I show her during the year to see if she wants them and I put them in boxes in the garage on "layaway" for her!!! lol I don't take credit cards but I do layway! I can't wait to hear the Christmas morning stories!! It really makes my Christmas too. My 16 year old son really gets a kick out of the family too. He loves going to see them! I'm a big kid at Christmas-ok, most of the time! Thanks for letting me share

Great story! It reminded me of a friend I had when I was a child. They had a huge family and they were dirt poor. I had a great time going over there and playing with all of the children. My mother would bring them food and clothing and they were always so nice and appreciative.

Kathytheshopper what a wonderful friend you are. Keep up the good work.

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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

A wonderful story,Thanks for sharing

You are a wonderful person. Sounds like fun to me also.

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Laura
Please visit my blog
http://mylifeinlaurasworld.blogspot.com/

Just one question...

WILL YOU ADOPT ME!?!?!? I am drooling over your list!

What a great story! Brag away!

What a wonderful story A great way to make Christmas even more special

What a wonderful story. You are truly a great friend. You helped get me into the Christmas spirit with this story.
Judy

It is truly a wonderful thing that you do for this family......I love hearing things like this!

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"You can never really pay back. You can only pay forward."

Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes

O-H-I-O

I'm so glad that you shared your story with us. It warms my heart to hear what you are doing.

Everyone needs an extra Grandma! LOL

FloridaGrandma

Go Bucks!
(I have a degree from Ohio State.)

Kudos to you!

I do this for a family friend who takes in foster children (teenaged girls). I buy clothing, accessories, and beauty products throughout the year and set my LR up as a boutique. They get to come in, choose what they like, model it, and take whatever they care for home. They get to feel special for awhile, but I truly think that I enjoy it the most!

cj/

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

That's awesome!!!! That would be so much fun!!! Enjoy what you are doing because they will remember it forever!

Having been the recipient of such kindness in my life, I can say that yes, they will remember it forever. I'm sure that it will pay forward as well. You are teaching these children about kindness and generosity. What a gift!

Thank you.

Kathy,

It was nice of you to share this story - it's inspiring!! Next time I hit a great Target 90% off sale, and I look in someone's cart and think they got all the good stuff already, I'm going to hope it's either you or CJ - that will make me actually feel GOOD about having been out-scooped! LOL.

You are awesome, Kathy. From your previous posts, it's clear that this special family has brought much joy to your life - you obviously do the same for them.

It is so nice to hear that the true meaning of Christmas isn't dead. such a great story!

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Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

OP -- that is so awesome! I shop the clearance sales too, but I don't have a special family to shop for (wish I did -- I'm always looking for one). Most of the items I donate to local charities.

Sarah.....mom to Jason & Devin

Thanks for posting this story. I know of a family that is low low income as well. This year, I am going to buy them fixings for a Christmas feast with gift cards to boot. Thanks for the inspiration.

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We're off to never never land