mgmckny

I've noticed that everyone seems to be having price drops (temp or otherwise) on the Microsoft Zune. Any guess whether they will go lower? Currently "on sale" for $199.99 orig. $249.99.

Nah, go for the outfit! I was thinking of maybe my dh's pirate hat! If nothing else we'll be easy to spot in the crowds.

Traditionally we have always left out cookies and a glass with a note to help himself. I notice he likes the eggnog the best (with a little kahlua or amaretto in it). But we have also left out sausage balls and left instructions on where the rest of the leftovers from a Christmas Eve get together were located in the frig. Last year my youngest son made cookies with mommie's tired help (she had to work on CHristmas Eve in a call center for all those ungrateful people that waited until the last minute--the actual last business day to order online and expected delivery in time for Christmas) because he didn't want Santa to eat store bought cookies again. (I know Santa loved the Oreos with the red icing the year before).

Keep the ideas coming! I've gotten so many great ideas from this site this year (first time I've had to really read the site-- last year too many family issues and work issues...). My oldest loves candy canes and he shared them for a month or 2 after Christmas with friends in middle school. I may buy extras as FCATs (the big tests for our state) are in early March and the kids love something to munch on that isn't always healthy...

I'd like to do the ornament exchange. That was always fun at one of my previous jobs! I'm somewhere new this year and have no clue what things are done...

I have a list for the major things. But I always keep an eye out for a "perfect" gift. Sometimes it's the gag gifts for my brothers or something special for the stockings....

My kids would like a white Christmas, but the last snowfall that stuck here was Dec. 23, 1989 although there was still snow on the ground on the 25th. NE Fla for a reference point.

Based on last years ads, Best Buy or Circuit City. It used to be Target but now that electronics and movies make up the list, my location has changed...

My oldest son has gone with me the past 2 years. Then we hit Denny's for breakfast. 2 of my brothers go out in the Orlando area and we call each other to see if there is something we need in the stores they are in, if it is out of stock in Jax. Strangely, doorbusters that sell out in Jax are often still avail in Orlando??? And my oldest brother went to Walmart in St Augustine 3 hours into the fray and got doorbusters the past 2 years, so I am willing to call on others to get out of their beds!!! But I like the anticipation of standing in lines and talking to the people around me.

My fantasy would be some princess cut diamond earrings. But in reality I would be happy to be able to provide a good christmas for the boys. Money is tighter this year than I thought it possible to be and with electric rates climbing in my area (but the electric authority has a huge surplus and yet they are raising rates) and gas prices...

Christmas Vacation Jingle All the Way A Christmas Story Home ALone and Home Alone 2 Miracle on 34th Street (the most recent version, I just love the Santa!) Elf Rudolph Frosty I could go on all day. I watch them year round, whenever I need a lift!

Wow, great ideas! I love the dip mixes, have bachelor brothers and other friends that would love them!

My nearly 14 yr old knows but is willing to play along (because I love it) and my 10 yr old is trying hard to still believe. But he started questioning early because of Nintendos and things that Santa's elves couldn't make and overhearing conversations over costs etc. So I got creative and invented the parent payment that parents have to pay Santa to help defray costs of technology things. I also explained my going out on BF as helping Santa's elves to get the best deals on things... I'm going to burn in Hell for my stories but I like Santa and I don't want to give up the traditions. My youngest brother is 7 yrs younger so I got to help play Santa for him once I finally admitted I knew and I took over the stockings for the whole family when I was 16.

I have white lights now, but I like the multi-colors as well. The nice thing about the white ones though is they don't overpower the colors of the ornaments ( and I have overload on ornaments). I'm trying to figure out whether to do white or multi-color if I do the tree outside this year!

I usually try to do it over the Thanksgiving weekend. When my oldest was younger I would wait until after his birthday (another Dec. 1 child!!) but with work schedules, the long weekend works better. We haven't decorated outside for several years as my husband is now disabled, but I long to put lights on the tree out front-- maybe oldest child and I will tackle it this year! Of course indoors is fairly easy as the Snowglobes stay out year round so the tree and if I can swing it, some greenery (we have a small house).

Dogs barking Jingle Bells-- definitely the one song that comes to mind in the dislike column!

I love the smell of a real tree but I and one son have asthma and all of us have allergies so we have a fake prelit tree that I bought on clearance from Target 5 yrs ago and it still looks great (despite the "help" I've gotten from kids putting it up). I'm thinking though of trying a real one this year, or maybe just some greenery to see how we handle it. We do have a real tree in the front yard that was a twig when we planted it but is now taller than our 1 story house.

Snowmen, Santas (my dad played Santa from before my birth to a year or so before he died-Christmas is big in my family. He also sang well which is probably why I love music and CHristmas songs). I also love Nativities and Snowglobes. ANd I have no where to pack them up each year so we have Christmas snowglobes mixed with regular snowglobes year round. ANd snowglobe Nativity scenes-- double winner!!

Boy, what a toughie. I love them all but I still get chills when I hear O Holy Night. Also most of Handel's Messiah. The boys hate driving with me. I start Christmas music the day after Halloween. In fact I have a cheapie MP3 player that is still loaded with music. Another song I love to hear and sing along to (sorry boys) is Christmas Cookies.

Santa brings the big things, that varies by year. Now that my 2 boys are older (10 and 14 by Christmas), the number of things has dwindled... I used to leave all of Santa's things unwrapped (elves don't have time to wrap presents now with all the children in the world), but now I'm starting to wrap them as they are not as big (well this year anyway--they want Zune--last 2 years have been computers and game systems...). Mom and Dad usually give little things and clothes. "Santa" still does their stockings but he no longer does hubbies and mine -we do each others. I want surprises too!!!

I will be somewhere in Jacksonville, FL and no Gotta Deal shirt as yet!

Does it have to be a SLVR or just a phone with music capabilities? The Sony Ericsson w300i seems to be doing well and is less expensive after rebates. It can do mp3 and you don't have to go through the itunes store like on the SlVR. Motorola's new v365 (also Cingular) has music capabilities. It's not as slim as either of the other 2 phones but it has a nice feel to it so far ( I got it over the weekend--I love new toys).

Hi, I lurked last year, but I might drop a post or two this year, never know. I worked for 15+ BF's and have shopped them for 11 more.... 2 kids, 1 cat, 1 hubby. Reporting in from NE Florida.

Here is the corporate address for Office Depot. I bet if you search you can get the number for their corporate office. Why pick on the attorney? She is just following someone's instructions. Tell the corporate geeks what you think. Office Depot CONTACT US Corporate Address: Office Depot Corporate Support Center 2200 Old Germantown Road Delray Beach, FL 33445 I won't be spending my money with them this holiday and nor will my brother.