Often when you go to an estate sale or garage sale there is a box marked "Free Stuff". It is usually sitting at the end of the driveway or on a front porch and often is full of crazy odds and ends. Tupperware seems to be a favorite thing to put in the "free" box. I usually glance into the box and see if anything interesting is in it. After all, free is a very good price.
So today I hit a sale and I checked out the free box at the end of the driveway. It has some goodies in it. Like this.
Some old reindeer, old microscope slides (to use for soldering), a lone vintage ornament and a few pieces of old jewelry.
I was happy to find these things. It is so funny to see what people leave out for free. I would have happily paid a small price for the reindeer if they had been priced. For some reason they went in the free box (they are in perfect shape). Same with the old red, white and blue clip on earrings. How does a person determine what is free and what warrants a price tag?
These were in the free box too. I can understand these being there, altho they are neat. 6 original packages of plastic leaf shaped hooks intended to hang Hallite brand cookware.
I'll find a use for them.
This is what I did pay for at the same sale.
Happy to pay the $2 for the lot. My favorite is the tiny cardboard box with the original 10 cent price on the outside. I'll use these in my Christmas wreaths that I make.
My weirdest free box story is at one sale where I glanced into the free box and saw some good things. It was a really good estate sale so I decided to make the rounds of the sale and THEN come back to the free box and go through it. My plan didn't work out as a local estate sale character picked up the ENTIRE free box and tucked it under his arm...he took the WHOLE THING! I so learned a lesson there....
What is the BEST THING you have ever found in one of those FREE boxes?
I made FREE box at my last sale. As the day progressed, I planned on adding more and more to it as people took what they wanted. I made a big bold FREE sign that nearly drained my Magic Marker and taped it on the box. I wanted it to be seen and last the entire day. I set it at the edge of the driveway and walked back to my post. That's when a lady in a mini van drove up to the driveway, leaned out of her door and took it ALL, box and pretty magic marker sign, and all. *Sigh* She could have left my box.....
My best FREE box items came from the thrift store. They put little toys in it and let the kids pick a toy. I spotted two Annalee bunnies in it so I egged my son on to get them for Mom. He did!
Posted by: Shara | May 24, 2009 at 02:30 PM
That stuff was in the free box?
Geeez. That's better than most of the crap that's usually in the house. ALWAYS CHECK THE FREE BOX!
Posted by: Will | May 24, 2009 at 06:23 PM
You know what I don't think I've ever experience a "Free Box"...now when I'm out and about doing yard sales I will definitely be on the look out for them...thanks for mentioning it - its a good thing! have a honey of a night - sweet dreams ! Peace 2 U Marlene
Posted by: Marlene Haveron | May 24, 2009 at 07:01 PM
Okay, it wasn't exactly free, but... I went to a sale yesterday. They had a BIG box of Christmas goodies and on top big and bold as daylight were Shiny Brites, in the original package. The whole box? $2. Then I saw more in another BIG box. I asked if I could mix and match. Instead I got all THREE big boxes of stuff for $4 and ended up with all sorts of neat stuff... photos to come soon, including plastic deer, Santa, sleigh, snowman, Swedish angel chimes (the candle ones), vintage tins and other "stuff" which I'll just sell at my sale. Oh, it was the best sale ever. I'll write about it when I put up the photos. Too cool!
Posted by: Kim | May 24, 2009 at 07:02 PM
JACKPOT!!
Posted by: Lynn | May 25, 2009 at 05:07 AM
All I ever see in the FREE box are plastic Big Gulp cups from 7-11! Those plastic leaf hooks are interesting--I'm sure you'll find a cute way to use them!
Posted by: Carol | May 25, 2009 at 08:17 AM
I, too usually just find things like Big Gulp cups and beat-up belts in the free box, but at a sale last year I nabbed a few old wooden clothes hangers from the free box. I've been meaning to decorate them but haven't done so yet.
The deer are a great find! And please do let us know what you create with the leaf-shaped hooks. Some autumn decor perhaps?
Posted by: Aimee | May 25, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Love the deer!!! What are you going to do with them??
Posted by: Elma Riedstra | May 25, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Often I find BETTER stuff in the FREE BOX than at the sale!!! Sad, but true... People will have tables and tables of Kids / 'Pottery Barn' NEW Stuff and put that 'old junk from Grandma' in the FREE !!
My best find was a 'Hand Painted NIPPON jardinierre in matte brown with FALL LEAVES' - Perfect condition - netted me $35++ on e-bay!!
Posted by: svelteSTUFF | May 26, 2009 at 07:23 AM
I love your posts and the pictures of your "free box" finds were terrific. I can't wait to see what you find next.
Posted by: Penny | June 03, 2009 at 07:25 PM