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By Julia Marchand

With Independence Day right around the corner, you may be looking for new and exciting ways to celebrate. Of course, a parade and fireworks are basically mandatory, but don’t forget to dress up yourself and your home! These are two of my favorite ways to enjoy holidays since they really set the tone for whatever merriment is approaching.

Image via GoodwillEasterSeals.org

The first thing I like to do to prepare for an upcoming event is to pull together at least one themed display at home. Just setting something up on a tabletop or bookshelf doesn’t take long, but can make a great statement. You don’t even need to have guests over to appreciate it! I find that changing up my surroundings even just a little at a time keeps my home feeling fresh and inspiring. This quick and patriotic display made by Sarah for Goodwill Easter Seals (Saint Paul) is exactly what I’m talking about. It’s bright, bold, and brilliantly priced since she found everything at Goodwill!

Image via GoodwillFabulous.com

Be a firework this fourth by decking yourself out head-to-toe in red, white, and blue like Molly and Penny, the sisters behind the blog Goodwill Fabulous. Can you believe that the dress Molly scored for $4.99 from her local Goodwill originally retailed for $138? That’s about 96% off! I’d say the hunt is well worth it for a price like that. What do you think?

Image via ItAllStartedWithPaint.com

Another aspect of Independence Day that I truly adore is how social the holiday is. This is not one of those intimate family days like Easter nor is it a one-on-one type evening like Valentine’s Day. It’s an all-you-can-eat, everyone’s invited, break out the sparklers kind of jubilation! As such, it might be a good idea for you to have some snacks and activities on hand. Here are some fantastic ideas for themed décor an d pastimes from Marion Goodwill Industries (OH) including the super simple silverware stash above!

But perhaps the most patriotic thing about celebrating the Fourth of July by shopping at your Goodwill is that every dollar you spend is going back into your own community. Eighty-three percent of collective revenues raised through the sale of donated goods support and grow Goodwill’s critical community-based programs and services. Thrifting at Goodwill is such an easy and effective way to help keep your unique community strong to ensure that we can continue to applaud it every July 4th for a very long time.

By Julia Marchand

When I think of the 4th of July, I envision our glorious flag (and what it represents), booming fireworks and a laid back happy vibe. No matter where you are celebrating or how many people are involved, those are the to  p three things, I think, on everyone’s Independence Day celebration checklist. The problem with party planning for an event like this, though, is that when you’re the host sometimes the details can overtake your ability to actually enjoy the free-spirited mood of the day. We don’t want you to miss out on the fun, so here are a few tips to help you capture the atmosphere of the holiday without missing out on the good parts.

Image via goodwillvirginia.org

Let’s start off with one décor tip that will go a long way: Making your food pull double duty! Every event needs food. Whether you’re hosting a huge gathering or just preparing enough for your family, it’s easy to color code your foods to fit the theme. Arrange a red, white, and blue dessert in a clear glass bowl (browse a wide variety of shapes and sizes at Goodwill for a great price!) and use it as a centerpiece. This great idea comes from the Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia (Richmond) blog. It’s a roundup post so check it out for even more décor ideas!

Image via asoftplace.net

Marion Goodwill Industries (OH) has some easy 4th of July ideas, too, on their patriotic Pinboard. I especially love this idea to organize silverware into mason jars with red, white, and blue bandanas! Every piece of this easy-to-assemble display can be thrifted and the best part is that you’ll be able to use them all after the event, too! There’s a secret satisfaction I get when I can assimilate seasonal décor into off-season functionality. It’s just so convenient! I’ll definitely be trying this one.

Since your very festive table is now set, and we’ve decided that our décor this year must be functional, let’s talk about attire! Having the clothing you wear contribute to the color scheme is a simple yet effective way to create a cohesive look without having to put a lot of time into party prep. Start by looking through your closet to see what you already have. I’m big on whites and blues, so finding something to wear with those two colors wouldn’t be a problem for me. Red, however, is a hue I very rarely buy. That’s why I’ll browse Goodwill first.

Image via theendlessdiaryofasororitygirl.blogspot.com

Sure, it’s lovely to find some really fun an on-trend pieces at the mall or online, but the thrift store secret is that the item you’re considering buying brand new might actually be waiting for you at Goodwill for only a fraction of the price. Plus, when you buy second-hand items you’re helping the earth! A lot of the pieces in the display above were collected by Sophie of the blog The Endless Diary of a Sorority Girl at her local Goodwill and they’re all super stylish! What’s hiding out and waiting for you at yours?

While I really enjoy celebrating our nation’s independence on July 4th, I also want to mention my year-round independence inspiration: Goodwill. You may be a fan of thrift shopping because it’s less expensive and better for the environment, but did you also know that when you shop at and donate to Goodwill you are helping to fund Goodwill’s employment programs? These programs promote independence and dignity for people within your own community who need support to provide for themselves and their families and that’s only possible with your help. I can’t think of a better way to honor our nation’s birthday than to assist my neighbors in their efforts toward achieving the American Dream.

By Julia Marchand

These days I’m in love with all things light, bright and airy. Maybe it’s this spring/summer season, maybe it’s the latest décor and fashion trends, but I’ve noticed that I feel the most inspired and motivated when my surroundings and apparel feel clean and luminous. Let me show you what I mean…

Image via SalvageSisterAndMister.com

Shedding a little light on the subject, I’ll start with this lantern that Salvage Sister and Misterrevamped for their pantry makeover. Have you ever thought about how important lighting is to set a mood? No matter what you’re trying to achieve in your home (or workplace!), there’s a certain type and degree of lighting that will best compliment your needs. A dining space, for example, does well when it’s aglow with candles, but a workspace is best when it’s bathed in brilliant light. As it turns out, a thrifted lantern is just perfect for the pantry! Don’t take my word for it, though – you’ll definitely want to check out the full post because there are some other great tips waiting for you there (like how to get that gooey price sticker gunk off of your new favorite finds)!

Image via The-wanderlusters.blogspot.com

When it comes to fashion, I tend to keep my attire pretty neutral. However, I’m always drawn to sunny bright pieces like this jacket purchased by Rockie at a Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey (Astoria) store. Pairing a beaming statement jacket (or cardigan) from Goodwill with shorts and wedge booties is a flawless way to create a brilliant and breezy look for less. This aura is exactly what I aim for in my home, too, which is why I was lured into the following image!

Image via LiveLoveDIY.com

Keeping a space airy like in the pictures above makes it appear effortlessly chic (even if you’ve spent an entire weekend sanding, priming, and painting your thrift finds). I discovered this image on Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region (Tacoma)’s “Finding Goodwill Treasures” Pinboard, and loved the look as well as the ten tips. One simple piece of advice given by this avid thrifter was that investing your time and a little paint can make a huge difference in the look of an object. After studying her images, I realized that she very often chooses white paint, which creates this perfectly polished atmosphere and keeps things just as I like them – light, bright, and airy!

Ready for my new thrifting mantra? “When in doubt, paint it white or add some light.” I’ll be repeating this over and over as I poke through my local Goodwill this weekend looking for buried treasures. I love shopping at Goodwill because I get to revive old home décor and clothing, plus I’m giving back to my community since Goodwill creates 25 jobs per brick and mortar store and generates essential revenue for mission services. I hope to see you browsing the racks!

By Julia Marchand

“Parenthood is the hardest job you’ll ever love.” This sentiment shared with me by my mom has been echoing in my head since she said it about a week ago. I know I’m not the only one to agree because my husband and I have had similar, perhaps less eloquent, conversations on the topic. The nights can sometimes feel never-ending, and the days, just as exhausting, so I know how lucky I am to have a partner with whom I share all of the diapers, giggles, tantrums, and snuggles. It’s because I, too, am experiencing all of these parental trials, that I am really excited to celebrate my husband (and my own dad) on June 17 for Father’s Day.

Finding the right gift to show Dad that you care is a difficult thing to do and only gets harder as his super-Dad years stack up. Thinking back over my decades, it’s easy to feel like I’ve run out of ideas! As the blog Salt and Pepper Moms points out, you can only give him a new grill or tie so many times. That’s why I love their idea of curating a customized Father’s Day Favorites basket just for him. Grab a cute, but inexpensive, basket from Goodwill® and go to town filling it with all of his favorites. The basket can be reused around the house after for organization that fits into your décor scheme, but that’s just the cherry on top. The real gifts are the sweet printable cards that you can download and have family members fill out to be included in the basket. Kiddos can draw dad (or grandpa) and share their favorite things about him. More than the treats or usefulness of the basket, Dad will have these thoughtful mementos to hold forever.

If he isn’t a big snacker and you can’t find anything small to fill his basket, the best starting point is probably still to think about what the father in your life really loves. Is it gardening? Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries (Cincinnati) had some great ideas for Dads with green thumbs; thrift a book of gardening tips and some track down some seeds (or even saplings!) then spend the day together in the garden. This is such a wonderful idea partly because time is the best gift you can give and a day together is exactly that, but also because watching something grow that you planted together is like watching the relationship blossom over time, too.

And while we’re on the topic of investing time, now is the perfect opportunity to applaud Goodwill Easter Seals (St. Paul, MN) for their FATHER (Fostering Actions To Help Earnings and Responsibility) project. This is an ongoing effort through which Goodwill invests time working with fathers to overcome barriers that prevent them from supporting their children. Being jobless while needing to support a family would make an already trying role even more difficult so Goodwill generates opportunities for people to build brighter futures for themselves and their families through initiatives like this.

You can help support this mission simply by donating to and shopping at Goodwill this Father’s Day! A basket, a book, or even some new clothing, will all be appreciated next Sunday as long as they’re accompanied by a great big hug and two wonderful words: thank you. Even through the rough patches, Dad has always put his kids first; on Father’s Day it’s our turn to return the favor.

What do ties, golf clubs, and a six-pack all have in common? While they’re each nice (and surely appreciated) Father’s Day gifts, they’re also the type of present that you can really only give once. Giving the same type of gift every year will seem uninspired and won’t accurately reflect the way you feel about dear ol’ Dad. So, if you’re feeling stuck in a run-of-the-mill Father’s Day gift rut and are ready for some fresh ideas, we’ve got a whole slew of possibilities for you in this blog post—and at your closest Goodwill store! Goodwill understands that self-sufficiency is best achieved through family financial stability practices that allow households to better manage their money and save for the future. And when you shop for Father’s Day gifts at Goodwill stores then you’re saving money and supporting that mission, too. Without further ado, let’s jump into it!

One thing that I know every dad would appreciate is the gift of time. And while we can’t tell you how to add extra hours to the day, Goodwill Industries – Knoxville, Inc. does have some incredible ideas for making the most of those afternoon hours with a budget-friendly backyard BBQ. Since many dads pride themselves on their grilling skills, this would be the perfect excuse to spend some time doing what he wants next weekend. With tips on how to save money while you shop for meal ingredients and a recipe for easy homemade barbeque sauce, this list is a must read. My favorite part, though, are these DIY solar mason jar lights which would extend the amount of time your family can stay outside after grilling. Hey, maybe we can add hours to the day after all!

It’s true that when I throw out the word “sachet” you probably won’t immediately think of your dad. But why should the fellas miss out on all the fun of these (literally) pocket-sized potpourri pouches? Blogger Sadie Seasongoods noticed that flannel shirts at Goodwill are always plentiful and low-priced especially in the warm-weather months. With Father’s Day right around the corner she decided now was the time to turn a few of them into simple scented sachets! They’re cute while they play peek-a-boo in a drawer, but could also make a pretty nifty car or office air freshener. And since the scent of cedar wards off moths, these would be a safer and more pleasant smelling alternative to moth balls in the closet. I think the part Dad would appreciate the most, though, is that you spent your time and energy on a thoughtful handmade gift for him. You must be his favorite, huh?

If those ideas still don’t seem right for the Dad(s) you’re celebrating this year, take a peek at this video shared by Goodwill Industries of Central Arizona, Inc. for a fantastic list of the dos and don’ts of Father’s Day gift buying. Number one in their survey results of the worst Father’s Day gifts was novelty clothing. Those are the things that Dad might wear once for a laugh then never touch again. They also mention certain tech gadgets that become obsolete almost as soon as they’re brought home. Unless he’s a techie who likes to collect, you could steer clear of those pieces, too. Check out the video above for the other items you’ll want to avoid while you shop and some fantastic suggestions that are sure to please.

To all the fathers and father figures out there who might be reading this, you are awesome. Your hard work and reliable presence is helping to (or has helped) form a new generation and that is really something special. Happy Father’s Day!