At Handbag Heaven, we’re blessed to be able to support a variety of U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and love to do so, especially during the holiday season. One of our favorite initiatives is the Pampering Purse Project. This worthy cause, founded in 2008 by Maggin M. and Aurora H., was developed to bring holiday cheer to women in McLennan County Texas and surrounding area abuse shelters.

Although we’ve donated to the organization for three years now, we just recently had the opportunity to interview Maggin in an effort to help her tell the Pampering Purse Project story. Read on to learn how a gently-used purse donation can help make someone’s holiday season a little bit brighter!

Why did you start the Pampering Purse Project?

Maggin: The Pampering Purse Project was created because we (Aurora and me) felt as though there was a need to focus on assisting abused and neglected women who were residing in the local family and abuse shelters during the holidays. We wanted to help them improve their self-esteem, give them the tools to feel beautiful, and provide them with a few basic essentials to give them a positive and bright outlook on their futures. We wanted to ensure these women, who took bold steps to get themselves (and sometimes their children) out of an unfortunate situation, were not overlooked or forgotten during the holidays.

How do you help ensure these women aren’t overlooked during the holidays?

Maggin: Each year, prior to Christmas, we collect gently-used and new purses. In addition to the purses, we collect products to fill them. These donations come from various businesses and people. We fill the purses with the donated items and drop them off at one of the local women’s shelters. It is important to note that without the generosity of businesses like Handbag Heaven and personal donations from individuals, the Pampering Purse Project would not be as successful as it has been in the past. We are grateful beyond measure for the many blessings that have been bestowed upon the project!

You’ve mentioned before that this is also becoming a family initiative for both of you. Why is that so important?

Maggin: The Pampering Purse Project has always, and will always, be a family initiative for us. The two of us feel that we have to fulfill our purpose in life, and we feel as though our purpose is making a difference. God placed the two of us and our families on the same path in life, and together we will strive to do our part. We have to be the example we wish to see in our children. If we want our children to make a difference and change lives, we have to show them the way. Lead by example! There is no way to truly ever describe the feeling you get deep down in the bottom of your heart when you know you have done God’s work.

Do you have plans for growth?

Maggin: Oh, my! The day that we expand outside of our area, even if it is just to the next county over, will be a glorious day, indeed! Our hope is that the Pampering Purse Project will grow, but, until then, we will just continue to do what we do!

Can you expand on the products you need to fill your purses?

Maggin: Any beauty products that are donated to our cause, of course, make their way into the purses! Travel/personal sized lotions, shampoos/conditioners, sanitizers, lip gloss, socks, etc. If it is donated, it goes into the purses! In addition to beauty products, we love to place motivational pamphlets/booklets, employment resources, and etiquette literature into the purses.

How did you find Handbag Heaven?

Maggin: By fate, we’d like to think! Actually, a friend of ours had purchased a purse online through Handbag Heaven and mentioned the company to us. She knew that we were on the search for gently used and new purses, and she thought it would be worth a shot to contact your company. We were hopeful you would have slightly damaged or returned purses to donate. Since the first year that we reached out to your company, you all have been graciously supporting us!

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Maggin: There are truly no words that will ever describe how grateful we are to the support and donations that Handbag Heaven always provides to the Pampering Purse Project. It is through the support that we receive from your company (and many other companies and individuals) that we continue to be successful in providing a gift to those, who quite possibly otherwise, may not receive a personal gift during the holidays. We will forever be grateful for your partnership and support.

For additional information regarding the Pampering Purse Project, please visit the organization’s Facebook page. To make product donations to the Pampering Purse Project, Maggin asks that you email her at [email protected]

Read our guide on how to face those cringe-worthy moments that often come with Yuletide cheer. When asked about your failed relationships or recent weight gain … will you be naughty? Or will you be nice?

Situation #1: Break-Ups

You’ve finally emerged from the depths of despair after a heart-wrenching breakup. You aren’t exactly in the mood for the season of cheer when your aunt drunkenly asks you what went wrong with that cute boy you were dating.

Naughty: “I don’t know, Aunt Susie. Maybe I should have asked you for relationship advice. You’re surely an expert after four marriages.”
Nice: “We went separate ways, and I wish him well. Need a refill?”

Situation #2: Marriage Material

Promising career? Check. Loving boyfriend? Check. Happy life? Check. Yet your accomplishments don’t seem to be quite enough for your family, who seems all too eager to sit you down (interrogation-style) and grill you on when you’re going to “settle down and get serious with Mr. Big.”

Naughty: “I’ll be lucky if he even wants to marry me … with a pack of wolves like you for in-laws.”
Nice: “We’re really happy right now, but aren’t rushing into anything. We’ll see!”

Situation #3: Weight Gain

Your favorite thing about the holidays? All the amazing food without the guilt; you aren’t the only one who splurges this time of year! You head to the dessert table for seconds when you feel a poke in your side and hear your grandma cluck, “You sure you want those seconds? Your figure sure isn’t what it used to be.”

Naughty: “Well grandma, from the looks of it, you haven’t exactly been resisting second helpings over the years.”
Nice: “I can’t pass up your delicious pie! And I need a little reward after all of those nights at the gym.”

Situation #4: Career Questions

While your family waxes on about the fancy watches they received from Cousin Rick, you barely hear a half-hearted thank you for your homemade gifts. As if your salary gap wasn’t apparent enough, your dad pipes in with, “So…when do you think you’ll find a better job?”

Naughty: “Did Rick mention the excessive gambling he’s been doing lately?”
Nice: “My job makes me happy, so I’m not rushing into anything new. Whose gifts are next?”

Situation #5: Political Pride

The election may be over, but that doesn’t mean the candidate-bashing has ceased in your home. However, the latest target seems to be you, as Grandpa demands to know why you voted for that “son-of-a-gun, numbskull candidate.” What ever happened to anonymity?

Naughty: “But that’s the beauty of democracy, Grandpa. The right to not vote for the backwards wackjob.
Nice: “I’m sorry Grandpa, but I’m kind of tired of election talk. What else have you been up to lately?”

Situation #6: Baby Talk

You’re still sporting the honeymoon glow, when you open a gift from your mom on Christmas morning. To your shock and embarrassment, you pull out a onesie that reads, “World’s #1 Grandma.” She beams at you and squeals, “I’m ready! Get busy making me a grandbaby!”

Naughty: “Not now, mom! Children are so exhausting. No wonder you aged so quickly.”
Nice: “We’ve still got quite a few years until the next milestone, but when the time is right, you really will be the world’s greatest grandma.”

Situation #7: Family Feuds

Forget Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s pen couldn’t even draw up the battle lines in your family! Somehow you’re pulled into some pitiful fight involving Uncle George’s failure to repay your mom’s third cousin’s sister-in-law the $24.50. Maybe it’s time to pull a Juliet and fake your own death.

Naughty: “Wait a minute. Let me dial Dr. Phil and see if he has an open slot for our dysfunctional family.”
Nice: “I’m sure Uncle George just needed a little reminder. I only have a few days with you all, so let’s have fun! Which movie does everyone want to watch?”

Situation #8: Bad Gifts

As your cousin proudly hands you what he claims is the “best present ever,” you can’t help but remember the mini tea party set he got you last year. You’re 25. He says, “I know how much you like boy bands. That NSync concert in ‘99 was a blast!” You put on your best fake smile as you unwrap a jumbo-sized t-shirt with Justin Bieber’s face smiling back at you.

Naughty: “Wow, I’ll be sure to drop this off at Goodwill on my way home.”
Nice: “Wow, thanks! I do like the song Boyfriend. He sounds just like JT!”

Situation #9: Awkward In-laws

The excitement of sharing a holiday with your boyfriend’s family quickly wanes as you end up on a long trip down memory lane, full of family videos and pictures of your beau’s high school prom. His creepy Uncle Ray is quick to offer an arm around your waist in reassurance that you’re way hotter than his high school girlfriend. And that arm of his keeps lingering…

Naughty: “I’m not threatened by some pimply prom date.” (As you forcefully remove his arm from your waist.)
Nice: “Aw, thanks. But she was a pretty prom date … I love her dress!” (As you edge away from his grasp…)

Situation #10 Match-Maker

Apparently the dating gene went straight to your sister, who seems to have a new guy at every holiday function. And while you can’t keep up with her latest dude, you’re left victim to your aunt’s latest blind date schemes. Not to worry! She assures you that he comes from a good home (granted, he’s still living there).

Naughty: “Not a chance. Your taste in men is worse than Kim Kardashian’s.”
Nice: “No thanks! I’m enjoying my singledom at the moment.”

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