I have had most of this post written since August and it would be a shame not to share it but honestly, with everything that has happened this year, it's kind of hard to get in the Christmas spirit. I have lost several family members and more recently my fur baby of 12 years passed at the end of October. For those of you that took the time to leave condolences on Facebook or send me a private message thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kind words and supportive comments have been very uplifting. Through tears, I have been trying to reply back to each of you. It's just taking a little longer than I thought.
Now let's get to the fun stuff. For those of you that are new to the industry, you may be asking yourself what do I stock my booth with? The answer...lots of Christmas goodies. Even better if they are vintage Christmas items. I have compiled a cheat sheet for you. While I realize I'm very late to the game in posting this info, I figure better late than never right?

Some shoppers (not vendors) look all year long, but I would say the majority starts looking for Christmas items around mid to late Septemeber. A lot of stores including where I had my big booth, The Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors have their open house in November. If your store hosts a holiday event, be sure to get your booth ready. Shoppers love these events. They are in the buying spirit and they will buy something even if it's just a small ornament. I can't say enough about ornaments. I always sell a ton of these. All different kinds. New, old, handmade etc.

If you are fortunate enough to stumble across ANY of these items while out pickin grab them and grab them FAST! Because there are always other pickers out there shopping too. Even if you are pickin in the Spring...always be thinking ahead.  Without further ado here are our top Christmas items.

*Aluminum Christmas Trees
*Ceramic Christmas Trees 
*Old-fashioned Christmas Lights 
*Replacement Bulbs
*Ornaments
*Blow Molds (Santa, Snowman, Candles)
*Santa Mugs
*Christmas Books
*Wreaths
*Sleds
*Ice Skates
*Gurley Candles
*Christmas Cards (1900 - 1960)
*Christmas Ephemera
*Putz Villages
*Christmas Toys
*Wooden Nutcrackers
*Nativity Scenes
*Reindeer & Figurines
*Christmas Photos (1900-1960)

Always be on the lookout for these items and consider yourself lucky if you do find them. They are highly sought after and if priced right they will sell. Not everyone will be looking for antique and vintage decor. Some shoppers, especially the millennials will be looking for newer items. So if you want to pad your pockets for the holidays try to have something for everyone.




This next topic is a little touchy because I know I have a lot of vendor friends that only want to see true antiques and vintage goods in a booth. Most antique stores make you have a certain percentage of A&V merchandise while the other 20% of your merch can be newer items.

So if you crafty don't forget about all those unwanted wreaths at yard sales and thrift stores. There seems to always be a plethora of those around. Last year I picked up this large wreath for $5. I knew the moment I saw it what I was going to do with it. I removed the big red bow, painted the deer and added some leftover Christmas picks.  It took me less than 30 mins and it sold it the 3rd day for $85. I don't say this brag, but to show you there is money on the table.


Here is another inexpensive makeover I did with some thrifted picture frames a $1.00 bag from Dollar Tree. These sold like crazy for me.

I hope this post helped even if it was late. You still have time to get those Christmas items in your booth. People are still shopping. Happy Selling!!

Three Easy Ways to Get Holiday Traffic Through Your Doors

Many of our followers know I was, and still am a full-time caregiver for my parents for several years. I gave up my large booth in the Spring because I knew my stepdad was going to be passing and I would be moving my Mother out of town. It was such an emotional time for me because I said goodbye to my antique store family on May 31st and then I  said a final goodbye to my dad the next day when he passed.

My booths kept me sane while I was navigating bumpy waters. As an only child, it was tough taking care of two parents, a little fur baby that has his own health problems and trying to deal with my own back issues. I always tell people ...having a booth is cheaper than therapy and way more fun. I know you "only child" folks know what I'm talking about. And please know...I am in no way complaining. I love my family very much and was very blessed to have been in a position that I could take care of them.

After leaving the large booth that left me with one small booth in a small nearby town. Thankfully, during the next four months, I was basically able to place this one on autopilot while we grieved, packed up 30+ years worth of belonging and eventually got Mother moved and settled into a new town. I had very little help doing all this and most nights went to bed in excruciating lower back pain. But when it's your Mama, there is nothing I wouldn't do for her. By the grace of God and a lot of sweat and tears I just took it day by day and did the best I could.

A couple of weeks ago, we buried a family member that was only 49. She was teaching Sunday school and dropped dead in church. Now, Mother went to the Dr and is dealing with yet another health concern. After reflecting on all that has happened this year, and I only mentioned a little,  I just decided to focus on my Mother and my little fur baby. They are going to be my priorities. So, yesterday, I went and collected all my items from my small booth. For the first time in a long time, I don't have a booth. And I'm ok with that.

I don't know what the future holds, but I know I don't want any regrets. I am also smart enough to realize I am very blessed to still have them both. They both have a lot of health problems and I've had two close calls with each of them. I just want to be able to give them all my time and attention. The booth industry will always be there, but I won't always have my family.

Dawn has a lot going on as well. But I will still post on Facebook and do some blog posts as time allows. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for sticking with us through the good and the bad. We appreciate each and every one of you. We would not have grown to almost 8K followers in four years without you guys.

So now go give someone a hug. Tell them you love them. Let them know you care. If you are holding a grudge, let it go. Life is a gift and it's short. Time is very precious. Enjoy your loved ones because we never know what tomorrow will bring.

We love you guys!! Hugs from Booth Crush.

P.S. To anyone in the path of Hurricane Michael. You are in our prayers. Please be safe.

The holidays are right around the corner. We thought we would share these cute printable winter tags for those of you that want to get a jump start on tagging your Holiday items. Just click on the collage sheets to download to your computer. These are really cute with rounded corners or use a special punch like a tag shaped puncher. Add some bakers twine and you have a festive price little tag. These are also cute with little silver dots of glitter. Use your imagination and have fun!!

 The old galvanized pan holding all the baby pumpkins were from the Dollar Tree as well. I enlisted the help of my cousin to paint those and give them a makeover too.
 I also found these cute crows there too. So I bought several of them and gave them cute dunce hats. I already had the vintage brass frames in my stash so I printed off the graphic images and framed them.
The cute witch image is from a free public domain website. You can also find cute images on Etsy that you can purchase and download and print yourself.

We are always getting e-mails from newbies asking where they can find inexpensive decor items to stage their furniture. We got an e-mail from a young the other day, wanting to take better photos for her online furniture business. After reviewing some of the pics she sent us, we immediately realized she wasn't staging her pieces. Some customers lack the vision to imagine it in their own home. So break out those staging items. Key staples to have in your arsenal are lamps, rugs, books, baskets, greenery, candlesticks and small decor items.

But before you go out and buy all those things, look around your own home first. You'll really be surprised at what you can find. Ask a friend or family member if they have any items they are willing to get rid of. Next, check out antique stores sometimes booths will be having sales and you can find some really good deals there. Flea markets, yard sales, estate sales, and thrift stores are also great places to look.

Last but not least...Dollar General! Who would have ever thought the dollar store, right? They are stepping up their home decor game. I was traveling out of state today and stopped off at a couple of DG's and found some cute home decor. YES...I know, most of it is this mass produced, made in China mess that we are all so very tired of. Well, if you are like us, you were never into in the first place. I know these big box decor stores are all about it, but DG? I was kind of surprised to find it there. Anyway, I wanted to share some of the items I spied today.

 Yes, those are glass decanters in the middle. I thought maybe they were plastic until I picked one up.