That time again ...

Every year in early August, my hubby's family reunion rolls around. As part of the day's activities there is always a big auction for both kids and adults. These are usually nickel, dime and quarter items which help pay for the food and grove rental expenses. And it's a lot of fun because everything is wrapped up in paper so no one knows what they are actually getting!

This is also the time of the year when I scoot upstairs to the attic and grab a couple of boxes full of stuffed animals which I won in crane machines several years ago. There is nothing wrong with them, in fact, they have been sitting around in boxes since I brought them home with me.  Believe it or not, I literally used to walk out of restaurants and pubs with bags full of these things. Here are the ones I plan to take to the family reunion this weekend ...

Instead of just taking up room in the attic collecting dust, I decided that they would make great auction gifts for the kids who, by the way, truly love them! I always like watching their little faces light up when they unwrap one of these guys.

I still actually have so many boxes of stuffed animals left that I also donate them to "Toys for Tots" every year at Christmas time. After all,  young or old, who doesn't love stuffed animals?