[preppermama]

For my birthday, I received a $50 gift card to Williams Sonoma. I have no clue what to get with it. Honestly, I find the store a little elitist and very overpriced. I love the stuff, but can never find something useful in that price range. Anyone have any suggestions? I'd like to get something that would be useful in a SHTF scenario.

Here's a couple ideas:

4-Tier Sprouter Kit | Williams-Sonoma
Weck Mini Mold Jars, Set of 12 | Williams-Sonoma

I love this and its the only thing I really want, but it's too expensive (See what I mean!)

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/prod...on-pot/?lineid=1&cm_src=E:AutoRel&catalogId=6

Help! What would you guys get? Here's the website: Cookware, Cooking Utensils, Kitchen Decor & Gourmet Foods | Williams-Sonoma

 

[rim]

Maybe lots of sauces and spices? A lot of their cutlery is high-quality, too. Their website has outdoor and agrarian sections. I do agree, they are elitist for sure...

Wüsthof Classic Chef's Knife, Sale | Williams-Sonoma

 

[survival]

If I get cards that I don't want I usually put them out on Ebay at a buy it now price like $2-3 dollars less than what its worth and it sells within minutes. I even played around with putting a bidding on a hobby lobby card that was $25 and the bidding went to $27! I think the reason behind this is twofold, one, they don't want to get out to buy it (gas and crowds), and two is they want to receive something from someone in the mail or buy something online.

Weird, but if you take a look at the completed items on ebay for gift cards, you'll see what I mean.

 

[preppermama]

That's actually great advice survival. I think I might do that. I love Williams Sonoma but it's too rich for my blood. LOL>

 

[preppermama]

So I ended up taking your advice, survival. I sold it to Cardpool.com for $40. They are sending me a Amazon.com card today and I am getting this book and some Tattler lids. Much better value IMO

Amazon.com: Nature's Garden: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants (9780976626619): Samuel Thayer: Books

 

[joec]

The only thing I buy for William Sonoma is condiments and jellies as everything else is very overpriced. I buy some vinegars and demi-glace from them as they are the only ones that sell it and even Whole Foods doesn't carry demi-glace which is great for making gravies..

 

[nadja]

I sell a lot of things on ebay and have for about 8 years now. When you put something on there at a "good" starting price, you live for the two or three people that start bidding. What happens, is that a lot of people just can't stand to "lose" to someone else. Kind of like when your on the highway, and some turkey just can't stand to be behind you or anyone else. Has to keep passing everyone just to be the "first" in line. Just the way people are wired.
Competition.

 

[shotlady]

i love to get the mineral oil for gun stocks, cutting boards, making shit shiny. its hard to spend foolishly sometimes for me as well.every once in a while i just do it and get it over with...

 

[joec]

i love to get the mineral oil for gun stocks, cutting boards, making shit shiny. its hard to spend foolishly sometimes for me as well.every once in a while i just do it and get it over with...

I mix food grade mineral oil and bees wax for my cutting boards my self. Mine are all custom made by The Boardsmith who is also very reasonable in price.

 

[survival]

Awesome book! Just be careful out there on what you eat, make sure to research to see if there is another plant that looks simliar. There are a lot of stores that are too rich for my blood as well. Not that I can't afford them, its just that I don't want to afford them.

 

[preppermama]

Awesome book! Just be careful out there on what you eat, make sure to research to see if there is another plant that looks simliar. There are a lot of stores that are too rich for my blood as well. Not that I can't afford them, its just that I don't want to afford them.

I will I'm really hoping to take a foraging class or two. There's a school locally that offers classes. Books are great, but nothing beats real life practice and experience with an expert. I also want to practice because I don't want to have an allergic reaction to wild food in a SHTF scenario.