Ladywolf

Ace Hardware 10/15

Fun stuff! Let's see.... #1 ...SOON #2 It was on this day that Martha realized her stuttering could be a useful thing. #3 Fear the Walking Shoppers!

Congrats winners!

Half Price Books 10/14

I prefer to use credit cards and pay them off when the bill shows up (love those point programs), but I have learned to carry a bit of cash just in case the credit machine quits working--that happened to us once while we were at the check-out. Fun times

It's fun to read everyone's list! Mine is simple; I'm hoping to add more DVD's to my collection, that's it so far. I'm waiting for Christmas lists from my kiddos to see what they want, so the #1 item(s) will definitely change after that.

I've started shopping already as well. Picked up some pillows with a skull design on them from the Halloween section at Michael's (using a coupon, of course!). Kids will be thrilled--they are into the gothic-themed stuff.

Good reminder to keep up with rewards programs, thank you. I can't wait for Black Friday!

Fun topic! I cannot wait for my daughter to open the Ipod I got for her! I was actually looking into getting an Ipod for myself but changed my mind and thought I'd try a different brand. Well my daughter and I got to talking about it and she showed me her MP3 player which is pretty rough looking and I knew right then that she'd also be getting a new MP3 player/Ipod for Christmas as well! haha Like I said, I can't wait!

I have learned to NOT use Wal-mart's "ship to store" option since it is taking almost the whole month of December to receive two DVD's that I could have just picked up on Black Friday.

Grimm Season 2 $9.96, get it quick! Also American Horror Story Aslyum (2nd season) $9.96 Looks like they are putting the DVD sets out a few at a time and for a short time.

Yes, the two I listed were purchased online just a few minutes ago!

Falling Skies: The Complete First Season is also available for $9.96, are they releasing them one at a time?!!

Getting local Wal-mart message as well. The only DVD set I could find to purchase was True Blood Season 6 for $9.96. Anything else available yet??

Great idea and thanks for the laugh! My daughter asked for a hovercraft for Christmas a few years ago. Sadly, she did not get one.

Congrats winners!

I know your asking for BF deals but here are a few ideas for the advent calendar: ~bag of miniature Reese's cups (to split among the calendars) ~chocolate gold coins ~very tiny stuffed animals ~balloons (in the kid's favorite colors?) For the stocking: ~bubbles! ~glow sticks (you can find these at the Dollar Tree along with the glow-necklaces) ~ring pop ~small cans of Play-Doh ~their favorite fruit snacks ~candy cane ~a package of hot chocolate and a baggie of marshmallows tied together somehow (lots of packaging ideas on the web) ~crayons/colored pencils Great topic, looking forward to everyone's ideas!

I was wondering this myself because last year we got there around 6:20ish (and had no worries about being in the first 100) and by the time the doors opened at 7, wondered if we'd even be in the first 100! (grrr line jumpers! ) so my guess is earlier than that.

1. All of it! Kidding, hmm maybe around $500 depending on my daughter's Christmas list. 2. Probably 9 stores, waiting for a few more ads...so far I'm thinking, CVS, Wal-mart, Half Price Books, Michael's, Best Buy, Target, Bath & Body Works, Bass Pro Shop, Pet Smart, Radio Shack, wait make that 10, Wow! 3. Online shopping will probably be the same as last year.

I feel bad for your son but good for you for being such an awesome mom! I also have food/diet restrictions and have to take a side dish with me to relatives' houses for dinner. I will usually eat turkey so that I feel like I am still eating along with everyone else. You mentioned making food, is there anyway to make a dessert that everyone can eat? This may help your son to feel included if he is eating dessert with everyone. (Plus, we all know dessert is what really counts at these get-togethers right? haha )

I have a few buildings for my village and I'm slowly adding people and accessories each year. The way my village is set up also has a forest area and this year I'm finally adding a small cemetery and zombies in the forest! haha So it's definitely to each his own.

I have mixed feelings about this subject. If you think about the people who need the money and don't get paid for time off and/or they can get paid extra on top of that for working a holiday, then I don't see anything wrong with it. A lot of opinions I have read seem to come from people who either don't work or they get paid time off or it doesn't effect their income either way. On the other hand, it is nice to have a holiday off-even just one day-so people can relax and enjoy the time with their families or whatever. I wish there could be a happy medium for those that want to work vs. those who want to take the holiday. It would also be nice if the stores let their employees decide and if they have enough volunteers then stay open. Now as a BF shopper, I don't want to say "I think people should stay home on Thanksgiving" and then go out and support Thanksgiving openings by shopping on that day because I want to get a good deal. So that is why I'm on the fence about it. If the employees don't want to work and the store is closed, I'll respect that but at the same time if another store has something I want and they are open then I'll shop there because I don't mind getting out on Thanksgiving to shop. Which is exactly why the stores are opening earlier and earlier. As long as we keep shopping on Thanksgiving and just complain about it, the stores will continue to open earlier.

Congrats winners! Everyone shared some really good tips!

A lot of great tips in this thread! Definitely skip the cart if you don't need it but if you are picking up a lot of little things (like DVD's) then take a reusuable bag or two to help carry items around. If you get tired while shopping, it's okay to stop and take a break. Even if it's just to get coffee or a breakfast sandwich. Don't push yourself to grab every available deal.