Party picks, 50 cents

Op shops are full of other people’s souvenirs. I like to buy the odd exhibition catalogue, but generally I steer clear of merchandise that is emblazoned with the names of cities I haven’t been to or shows I haven’t seen. But I couldn’t go past these 1970s mermaid party picks, even though the pack was labelled “Greetings from Lakes Entrance.” The nude element had me thinking they’d make a good gift for any one of the dirty old geezers I know, but they turned out to be so practical I kept them. They’re sturdy, washable and the perfect thing to have next to a platter of oysters at a party.

Wrapping paper, 30 cents

At weddings and birthdays, everyone used to know that the gift wrapped in yesterday’s newspaper was mine. It pained me to use newspaper, as I consider a beautifully-wrapped present to be a wonder to behold, but the very idea of commercially-made wrapping paper had my inner environmentalist fainting to the floor. Thank God for op shops. Now I can use other people’s commercially-made odds and ends and front up with presents that look as good as everyone else’s, even Santa’s. And I no longer have to worry about accidentally having the really bad news right at the top.

Numeral candle, $1

Candles have existed since ancient times so it’s easy to think of them as one of life’s more innocuous little luxuries. But in the modern world, most candles are made from palm wax (from palm tree plantations for which rainforests are cleared) or paraffin wax (from non-renewable crude oil). So it’s well worth stocking up on candles whenever you’re at the op shop, as a standby for blackouts and birthdays. Scented and gift-boxed candles are also commonly available, especially in op shops in neighborhoods where a chemist or crazy bargain shop has closed down in recent memory.

Piñata, $5

My daughter will be turning four soon, and amongst other things she has requested a piñata for her party. I had absolutely no expectation of coming across a second-hand piñata. In fact, the very idea of a soiled or squashed piñata seemed rather trashy. But there is a world of difference between Trashy and Not Quite Right. This piñata must have missed out on its fifteen minutes in a regular shop for failing to have a trapdoor cut into it like it’s supposed to. But I have a pair of scissors and I know how to use them.

Invitaions, $1

Many parents use a few sheets of a pad of children’s party invitations and then dispose of the rest. Some designs hark back to a more innocent age, when a pig in a party hat was just a pig in a party hat, while others feature film and TV characters who are still all the rage, and the invitations continue to be stocked by retail outlets. I hate seeing all those pristine sheets gathering dust in an op shop, and if only I were a bit more of a revolutionary I would steal into Myer under cover of night and sneak them back onto the shelves (in the right spots, of course).