Shoppers share where they get gifts
Staff writer
The aisles of St. Luke Auxiliary thrift shop in Marion were teeming Friday with shoppers from inside and outside of town picking up last-minute Christmas gifts.
One woman spent $51 on new jackets and jeans, original store tags still on them, for members of her family to find under the tree.
Marion resident Tena Lundgren said she bought most of this year’s holiday gifts online. She used rewards from two credit cards to get the gifts with no out-of-pocket cost. She saved up rewards on the cards until the end of the year to use them for holiday gifts.
This year she also made wooden boxes covered with cowhide for herself and her daughters. Her first husband worked with cowhide at his job, and she had some cowhides he brought home.
“It will be a memory thing for us,” she said.
Paige Garcia said she usually shopped at Dollar General for gifts but also looked for unique gifts at the thrift shop.
Sharon Kelsey said she did her Christmas and other shopping in Marion.
“I’ve probably been to Walmart twice in the last year,” she said.
Kelsey said she believed in shopping local and supporting local businesses.
William Benda said he’d hardly done any holiday shopping this year.
“It’s just me and Mom,” he said.
He did say the thrift store contained wonderful gift items.
“They’ve got a rack right there of brand-new men’s shirts,” Benda said.
Judy Dyer said the older ones on her Christmas list would get money, and some would get gifts from the thrift store.