General

Re: Early Christmas shopping

lnfirepuke — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:43:37 GMT

I believe you can even do it online. I hope you find everything!

Anne

Re: Early Christmas shopping

sherrimcd — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:45:28 GMT

HI Infirepuke, I will check out Avon-my daughter loves lotions and bath stuff. I also check out barnes and noble sales online. In their bargain price clearance sales I can get nice hardback books for a couple bucks and usually get free shipping. I use these for the kids and grandparents as my hubby and me don't buy for each other. I like to encourage reading with everyone!

Re: Early Christmas shopping

lnfirepuke — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:23:35 GMT

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

Re: Early Christmas shopping

babs — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:32:23 GMT

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

Re: Early Christmas shopping

latenightleader — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 04:47:14 GMT

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.

Re: Early Christmas shopping

MarthaMFI — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:50:14 GMT

$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.

Re: Early Christmas shopping

nanagain2000 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:15:08 GMT

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!

Re: Early Christmas shopping

sunshinetreva — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:47:16 GMT

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.

Re: Early Christmas shopping

swedluv — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:11:22 GMT

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!

Re: Early Christmas shopping

eyrehead — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:47:29 GMT

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.

Re: Early Christmas shopping

lynn — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:33:22 GMT

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 .

Early Christmas shopping

swedluv — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:54:10 GMT

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!