Hey Everyone! I just got back from the walmart in my area (charlotte NC area) and they have done another round of markdowns in kids toys. I got two Cheetah Girls Lamps (originally $20) for $3 each. so that's 2 presents down for me! WOOHOO!!!! I have many lil kids to buy for so it is time to start watching those markdowns more closely!

Lynn you sound like me ....I have been buying for Christmas too ...we already have gifts for all the guys and I have startrd on the girls . Hubby picked up some tools that had been $20-30 where he works for the guys for 2.00 and I bought some candle sets yesterday for $3.00 that had been  $12.97. My rule is ..3.00 or less per gift ..but they get several gifts and they get nicer gifts than I could afford if they were regular price . My girls do the same thing and so does my sister .

I've picked up a few things here and there. I got my son a really nice 11x14" Ohio State dry erase board, for $5 yesterday. I'm going to try to get him a couple more Ohio State related items and put them all together.

lynn:

My rule is ..3.00 or less per gift

That rule is a good idea, I usually just see what I can get for the money. We just have so many to buy for it gets a lil looney!

I try very hard to set a budget, but I'm not usually as sucessful as I'd like to be.  I do, however, limit the number of gifts.  My DH and DD each get 3 and their stocking.  DH takes care of his son, my stepson, but I usually load his stocking up with homemade cookies and 1 or 2 fun items.  He's 18 and hard to shop for.  (That and he's at that age where he has no problems asking for a $400 gift and nothing else so you're stuck getting him stuff you hope he likes and doesn't resent you for b/c you couldn't afford more for him....  That was a tangent!  Moving on....)

Money is tight without the added pressure of Christmas, so I'd really rather not buy for anyone else.  I like baking, especially in the colder months, and I have my great great-grandmother's recipes for sugar, molasses, and oatmeal raisin cookies and I'm the only person other than my grandma to make them.  I have no problems making a batch of cookies or bars every other night for two weeks and then bagging them up to give out.  I love that it's something everyone looks forward to each holiday.  And I don't feel like I spend a lot b/c I start stocking up in August or September for anything I think I may need.  This way a small portion comes out of each trip and not a big chunk right when the mad season begins.

sunshinetreva:

And I don't feel like I spend a lot b/c I start stocking up in August or September for anything I think I may need.  This way a small portion comes out of each trip and not a big chunk right when the mad season begins.

I do kinda the same thing Sunshinetreva I start early so that I'm pretty well prepared. My rule of thumb is to start shopping on 7/25 with clearance racks and yard sales on occasion. About September start catalouge shopping and actually get to the down and dirty shopping in November finishing in January by restocking for the next year (stocking stuffers, cards, wrapping paper, candies ect). My favorite price is 50-90% off!

$3 Rarely does stuff get that low here. or if it does it is beat up so no good as a present.  If I can get something like a $30 toy for $10 then I am happy. will have to keep my eyes open.

 I was clipping the P and G July coupons tonight and hope I can buy some shower gels, shaving gel, and other toiletries for stockings in the next month or two. There were quite a few $1 and some $2 coupons.  

I am very behind from what I usually am, will also be checking school supply sales for crayons, crayon boxes, markers, and other stocking things for cheap.  My dh likes to get sharpies, he burns discs, and likes them for labeling, they are usually on sale in August.  

I don't know when dh will be home this year, I am thinking we might be down there for Christmas- if he is working, in which case I would like a Christmas budget for a few meals out and gas for traveling. Christmas is a Thursday this year, I don't know how that effects schedules.

We have hosted Christmas most years, this year will probably be a change.  We did not host in 2006, our daughter was due.  She was induced the 28th, born the 29th.  She will be fun this year, two is when they really start to like opening presents. Then she'll get something for her birthday.  

 Tracy, this weeks Walgreens flyer has a coupon for Sharpies, 2 for $1, limit of 4. Coupons for highlighters for 19 cents, limit 6.  Maybe DD can go with you and get 4 Sharpies too. My DD does that with me. I will buy some for stockings too. If your Walgreens has a markdown/clearance shelf...check it out. Bean and I found a few things that we had coupons for. Old Spice body wash and mens deoderant. Babs

 I haven't stgarted yet but wanted to throw out an idea. A lady at work also sells avon. I look through the book while on break. Sometimes there are  good deals in there such as shower gels and lotions mix and match  3 for $10 . Also they have bath bubbles for .99 . You just have to look and know your prices elsewhere. Its good maybe for people who dont get out much and prefer buying from home and stuff like that.

We have a Christmas club account to help offset shopping. If I find things throughout the year for presents then I buy it if I have the money to do so. My kids are getting older now so they ask for thebig ticket items. They know that if we get them a pricy item on their list, then chances are they will only be getting that with 1-2 smaller gifts that arent that expensive.

We go by our budget and dh and I dont buy gifts for each other, We figure that if there is something that we need then we will get it ourselves after discussing it.

Anne