cami_reardon

I adore this board too! I can't figure out why I don't come here more often throughout the year other than I plain don't have time.

The Christmas Train. It's more for adults but I do enjoy it.

I have never been through this as I do not have military personnel in my immediate family. That said, what about giving him a "gift certificate" each day until Christmas good for something that you know he will LOVE. For instance, one day a gift certificate for a DVD, that he can call/send/email to you at any time and you will purchase that gift for him while he is away and send it off to him. It doesn't have to be something you buy, maybe one could be for a picture of you or someone else, like a recent picture that you take at a birthday or during a funny time. This way he can know that he will be with you every moment even though he's not there. If you are brave enough, one could be for something just between the two of you, a letter, a favorite whatever. You can take that as you wish, but just something that will remind him of you and let him know you were thinking of him that day. Bless your family and may you all be safe.

Christmas Shoes. Hands down, it makes me cry everytime I hear it. The other one I really like is by a local group called the Fishheads - they sing a song to the tune of Sleigh Ride but talk about it as a beach song, one line talks about his 1 horse watersleigh. It's a hoot!!

e-machines computer at best buy, laptop at walmart.

This might not be such a bad idea. Personal Shoppers make good money. If someone hired you to do their shopping throughout the year, then provided you the money to do so on BF as well, that would be a bonus! Also, most people who have personal shoppers (*and I am one for a couple members of my family) will not lower what they pay you just because it's BF. As a matter of fact, the Christmas list I have for the one person I do this for is the same whether I buy it on BF or on another day. I explained to her that I will get it much cheaper and save her some money by going on BF, she told me to keep the extra as my Christmas bonus. Oh to be soooo rich that you can do that! But then again, it could have to do with the fact that it's my aunt. *teehee*

WOOHOO!! :greenappl :greenappl Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! :greenappl

Check the new posting of TRU adds. There's some good one there. There is also really good deals at KB right now.

I save 10.00 per check that we get each month plus all my refunding money. Then I add the paycheck right before BF to the mix. It usually adds up to close to 1000.00 by the time all is said and done. It sure helps a lot.

This year I am adopting 3 kids from another source but I usually do adopt children (3) of them in honor of my 3 kids from our church angel tree. I remember the years way back when hubby and I could not afford anything and that angel tree provided them Christmas 2 years in a row plus gave us Christmas dinner too AND gave gifts to me and hubby. It was a blessing beyond belief that I could not repay at the time. I'm not rich by any means, hubby is disabled and cannot work more than 12 hours per week, but I shop all year long and have "Clearance shopping days" where I limit myself to purchasing only things on clearance and then only if it's a really low price. That way I can save up gifts throughout the year. I try to buy gender neutral things that I can use to provide gifts to others or specific things that I know my kids or grandkids would love. I am also the fundraising chairperson for our church so any time there is a fundraiser, I am in the middle of it all. Last time we held a spagetti dinner and raffle. The businesses around here have known my family for years so that helps get me in the door for prizes and for donations too.

What about a doodle bear that she could have her friends/classmates sign for the year? A souvenier of her school year type thing. They were pretty cheap too.

Of course! I just might have to have a computer this year at this rate!! Best Buy's deal is really a good one for a second computer.

Walmart here had clearance fishing worms (plastic) and some flys and other fishing things. They would make a nice basket for fairly cheap.

OOooooOOOOOhh YEEEEEEEEEEEES!!

That would sure be nice!! I'll have to check it out.

OMG!!! You da' bomb!!!! :lolrun: :lolrun: :lolrun: :lolrun: :lolrun: :lolrun: :lolrun: :lolrun:

I work for a "third party vendor" of a MAJOR worldwide company. We do not get bonuses, but the company that we support pays their entire staff (of over 100,000) 9 days "break" from December 23 - January 2. And these people do not make money to sneeze at either. Okay, that's all my security clearance will let me say, but wouldn't it just be grand!!

Sorry, can't help you there. None of the kids want one so I'm not paying close attention to the item.

Sure, but only after I've been everywhere else. I usually forget to pull something out for dinner and have to buy something to cook

Hubby just used up his Christmas money. He "Needed" a tire changer machine thingy...one that anchors into the floor of the garage. I bought it yesterday and he opened it to mount a new tire for our son. So much for Christmas surprises! Actually, our anniversary is January 5 so we usually just buy each other a couple little things for Christmas because the budget for everyone else is so big. Then for our anniversary we usually go away for a weekend somewhere close and eat out, see a movie or something just the two of us. I have always appreciated spending the time together more than a gift of any sort.

In my experience, Walgreens is a zoo but Ace is not bad at all. (Again, that's around here though). If it were me, I'd do Walgreens then hit Ace with time to spare. Good luck though! No matter what you do, it will save you money.

Suziewp, what part of Iowa are you in? My oldest daughter is about 40 minutes from Mall of America, if that's the mall you're talking about. It's HUGE!! I'm just outside of Omaha, we have three malls plus the one over in Council Bluffs. None of them are near the size of Mall of America, but they aren't small either. Just curious.

Thank you!!

Not to me. I have never gotten one. But I'm usually more interested in things that I can tangibly use for a gift. Sears prices are usually higher than other stores and I can get the same items by watching the sales/clearances cheaper than the 10.00 gift certificate would make them. Maybe not before Christmas, but definately after Christmas and since I start buying early every year and store the items, it doesn't seem worth it to me to stand in that line for the GC. JMO.

I was in Dollar General yesterday and asking about BF blitz items. The manager states that they do not do 'blitz items' that he is aware of, but he did let me know that our stores (in Omaha, Nebraska) will be having a friends and family night from 8 pm - ? on November 18. He couldn't remember all the items off the top of his head, but the one he could remember was 25% off toys during the event. I'm sure this may vary by market, but ya all might ask your local stores if you are interested. They usually have good prices anyway and their toys aren't bad. It's not the really popular stuff, but heck, it's a toy. Hope this helps someone.