Everything and the kitchen sink

Today’s column is about the PERFECT place to go Christmas shopping.

However, before I lead you to a place of fascinating treasures and even better savings (who doesn’t love a deal?) I feel it is my duty to issue the following statement.

Christmas shopping is fine at any time of the year because when bargains present themselves, it is only common sense and in fact wise to take advantage of the savings available. Joy to the wallet.

However, anyone who turns on their outdoor Christmas lights any time prior to two weeks before Christmas should face a heavy fine and perhaps even do jail time. And anyone, either residential or business, who pumps out Christmas music prior to those same two weeks? Toss ’em in the slammer and throw away the key.

The "Christmas season" is getting to be almost as long as the hockey season and that is simply too much to bear. To all who share these sentiments, I’m your Huckleberry — and you’re a daisy if you do.

Maybe you can tell I’m not that big a hockey fan either. Gasp! Did I say that out loud? The shame.

Anyway, let’s get back to giving you the absolute ultimate Christmas shopping destination, where great deals, unbelievable selection and huge savings are always the order of the day.

Got someone who’s hard to shop for? Then the (as in THEE) place for you is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore!!!!

Yes, why didn’t you think of that?

There’s no better way to inform you as to what this gold mine is all about than by presenting you this brief summary from their web page.

"The Habitat for Humanity Manitoba ReStore was the first of its kind, anywhere. There are now 90 ReStores in Canada and 850 across the United States."

Wow, I didn’t know that!

"The ReStore receives new and used building materials generously donated by manufacturers, retailers, contractors and homeowners and resells them to the general public at greatly reduced prices. Since 1991, the ReStore has attracted many customers shopping for bargains who are THRILLED at discovering those hard-to find, one-of-a-kind items."

Added value: "Proceeds from the ReStore cover 100 per cent of Habitat for Humanity’s administrative costs, enabling all personal and corporate donations to go directly to the construction of affordable homes for low-income families to purchase."

So the money you spend to save yourself money — on a gift — keeps on giving. A win-win if ever there was one.

Besides, is it not time to take the predictability out of Christmas gift giving? The traditional approach — you secretly or by direct communication find out what the person would like to receive, buy it for them (usually new), put it under the tree and Christmas morning it is opened with a happy but somewhat entitled "awe, thanks so much," then set casually on their pile — is so predictable. That’s why you need the ReStore.

First, it’s interesting for you to browse, seeking that unique token "love among the ruins" gift — there’s so much cool stuff in there and you might finally be the one to break the mould on that old "socks and underwear, cozy scarf and mittens thing."

I mean, show me a politician that says they don’t need another toilet and I’ll show you a politician that may not be all that familiar with telling the truth. Of course they need another toilet! And the ReStore has a lovely "experienced" selection.

Who couldn’t use an air conditioner that also doubles as a heater? Brand new, just $300. How ’bout a six-foot artificial Christmas tree with lights included, for just $80. Plus a three-foot lit-up wire snowman for just $20. Of course, I think they only have one of each (at the 1081 Ellice Ave. store), so if they’re gone when you get there, head for the stocking stuffer bins. Deals galore, including Christmas ornaments.

Have you ever given anyone a door, a window, or a brand-spanking-new aluminum ladder for Christmas — purchased for considerably less than full retail? Well, it’s time you did.

It is such an adventure walking through any ReStore, you just never know what you’ll find, with new and newly salvaged stuff coming in all the time.

They’ve even got the kitchen sink — a whole bunch of them — for just $35 each. NOTHING beats getting a kitchen sink for Christmas. Nothing.

The great news is that wherever you are while reading this, there are ReStores everywhere (two in Winnipeg), so just Google Habitat for Humanity ReStore, find the one nearest you and start saving.

Mirrors, art, paint, plungers — there’s just no end to the range of Christmas present options available right now, as we speak, at the ReStore in your ’hood.

Excellent place to pick up all your home reno needs as well. Any reno actually. Merry everything and happy shopping to one and all!

Comments or feedback, love to hear from you!

lmustard1948@gmail.com