The St Michael’s Church jumble Sale - what happened

Went down after lunch , as instructed, and was a bit disappointed. “Not so many things this year,”” said a friend, and indeed, the amount of stuff looked miniscule.
I needn’t have worried. As I helped put out handbags, travel luggage and other bags, they went upstairs and brought more things down. And more, and more. Great for a scrounger like myself, but it does say something about our consumeristic society too.
A couple of bags caught my eye (“is $3 ok?” asked the organiser) and got deposited in the car. So did an old but working fax machine – mine died, and this one, which works on thermal paper, suits my low usage needs perfectly. Nevertheless, I told them to sell it to someone else if possible – after all, it isn’t totally essential for me, but I’ll use it if no one else wants it.
With so many goods, things had to be sorted, hung up and so forth. Just as well, as it saved me from foraging for my own shopping pleasure. But not for long.
Soon, I found a couple of books, a grating machine with a few blades and a pristine cake decorating set, right down to the cloth bags for icing ($1 each).
Then the mass was over, and maids and foreign workers, and parishoners came down. With bags at my stall going for $1 (used), $2 (new) and $5 (branded, not guaranteed genuine), it took just a couple of minutes to reduce the carefully set-up stall to a mess.
Some people, with say, eight bags in their hands, asked for discounts. I was a little reluctant, as the prices were already very good, right? But I agreed in a couple of cases. When I reported what I did, half expecting to be frowned at, I was told, “Good!”
This put me on the right track. I’d been on the Singapore mindset, which, if not trying to squeeze as much out of people and things as possible, was at least trying not to be “had”, and possibly anxious about getting scolded for being soft - a bit “us vs them” and basically nasty – whereas the whole point of the jumble sale was to help people. I must try to remember this more in my day-to-day interactions.
I called it a day at about seven. I got the fax for $5 in the end, as there had been no takers. Spent about $30, got a fax, four new handbags (I’ve given two away do far), one computer bag, a belt, a magazine, two books, a teapot and the cake decorating set and grater.
Satisfied the shopping instinct for a while, and more importantly, for a modest sum. I also felt a bit embarrassed when I saw the stuff others gave, and compared it with the things I had contributed – do I wear things out more (good), or do I just give junk (bad)?
Something to bear in mind as I work on the books for next year’s NLB book exchange.

Charity, in deed!

The St Michael's Church jumble sale is on this weekend, 12 and 13 sept!

This one of my favourite events of the year.

First, it's a chance to get rid of stuff that I have no use for. The chances are they will find a new home, and new usefulness. Then I might actually see something I want, and it's nice to know that it's all been "pre-owned", so I don't have to feel bad about buying something that, though frivolous, has grabbed my fancy. Finally, it's all for charity, and this jumble sale is charitable in more than one way.

Of course, the money raised will go to charity. But the church also gives coupons to less fortunate people so that they can get some things too, and join in the fun. And the prices are charitable as well - nice and low. I think it's rather good that buyers don't have to choke up huge amounts for something because it's in the name of charity. Yes, I know we're supposed to give until it hurts, but it's nice to feel the pain after you get ten items, rather than slink off, broke, after buying just one item.

I sat out the Great Singapore Sale because I realised I didn't need anything, but the combination of pre-owned stuff (less bad for the environment!), low prices and charity is hard to resist.

And I've come across some pretty weird and wonderful things before. Once, someone donated glasses decorated with 24 carat gold - I got sets (5) of martini, wine and brandy glasses at a few bucks (less than 5, I can't remember exactly how much)each.

I'm not Catholic, but I really like what this church does. Among other things, they also give out free food to less fortunate people.

If you want to just give, that's great too. Pop by around lunch time with your stuff.
If you want to buy, the fun starts at around 3 or so.

Church of St Michael
17 St Michael's Road,
Singapore 327976