Giggles and Grace returns Sept. 11

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Asbury United Methodist Church’s Giggles and Grace consignment sale will look a little different this year.

The sale has a new system for registration and marking items that should make the process easier for consigners and shoppers, said sale co-chair Molly Ray. 

The sale is a great opportunity for shoppers and consigners, Ray said. Items are all gently used, and sometimes even brand new. Because the sale is geared toward fall and winter items, Ray said shoppers will likely find good deals on coats and Halloween costumes. New mothers can also find a wide range of baby items, from clothing to cribs.

“I think with new moms it’s great because when you go shopping, it’s so hard to know even what sizes your kids are going to wear,” Ray said.

Consigners make 75 percent of each item’s selling price, and Asbury Children’s Ministry and Mission receive the remaining 25 percent. 

Community members who cannot afford to shop can receive vouchers to use at the sale and come in early to select items they need. Anyone in need of the items at the sale can fill out a Mission Application on the Giggles and Grace website, noting their specific needs and names and birthdays of children. 

“Instead of just donating to them, we want to let them pick out the things that they want,” Ray said. “We want them to feel special in that they get a choice in what they want.”

The portion of sales kept by the church goes to donations and the children’s ministry, as well as other projects around the church. Most recently, the consignment sale helped fund a new check-in system for the children’s ministry, which helps with security and safety, Ray said.

Participating consigners must already be registered and can drop off items on Sept. 9 and Sept. 10. Consigners have the option to drop off their items without a wait through the “Drop-and-Go Express.” With this option, any unacceptable items will be donated to local charities. Items will also be checked for recalls, and any recalled baby items will be destroyed.

They can also choose to drop off items for inspection, and take any unaccepted items, such as stained or out of season clothing, back home.

Restrictions on out-of-season clothing aren’t strict, church administrator Mike Gibbs said, but consigners should keep in mind what is more likely to sell at this time of year.

“You don’t want to put winter stuff out in spring, and you don’t want to put bathing suits out in August,” Gibbs said.

Volunteers do not have to consign in order to help out, and Ray said the sale is a good chance to meet other members of the community. Shifts are divided into three categories, Graces, Giggles and Angels, based on the number of hours they will volunteer. Anyone hoping to help out can register as a volunteer online for one four or six hour shift or two four hours shifts. Volunteers can also shop during the Thursday night pre-sale.

The event is held in the Asbury gymnasium, as in past years, but this year shoppers must have a towel on the bottom of their basket in order to protect the newly-renovated gym floor. No baskets with wheels or other means of rolling will be allowed, and shoppers are asked to not drag their baskets along the floor.

During the sale, shoppers and sellers will also have the opportunity to donate canned goods and non-perishable items for Asbury’s New Food Bank and gently used shoes or socks to the Navajo Mission Life Center in Cuba, Mexico. There will be collection boxes set up for donation purposes.

The sale will take place on Friday, Sept. 11 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Select items will be 50 percent off on Saturday. More information about the sale can be found at asburygigglesandgrace.com.

Other area consignment sales

Whale of a Sale

Lil’ Lambs Consignment Sale

Bargains on the Bluff

Sweet Repeats

T-N-T Consignment Sale

Market on the Mountain