cami_reardon

Hmmmm. Last year, I had a cart and the youngest did not. She ran for the harder to find items, I put the rest in, on top of, under the cart then stood with the rest by my feet until she got back with her items. We just pushed them along with our feet until someone was nice enough (a worker there) to notice. The guy laughed at us but then helped carry them to the nearest line so we could get there faster.

People like that are great! I love seeing their faces when my kids/grandkids tell them the things that they got for Christmas gifts when these people (in-laws, my family etc) know that we don't make half as much money as they do but we buy nicer gifts for our kids/grandkids than they do. *S* It's really fun, the thing that gets me is that these people STILL will not believe me and go shopping my way even though they know the results!!

Last year, our son was a senior, and his principal was his mentor. Anyway, he used to go there and clean her out of candy everyday...smartie pants kid huh?! So, I thought I'd play off that and bought her a candy jar...well it was kind of a candy jar..one of those big jars with the removable lid that a lot of people put on kitchen counters..only this one was a gallon size *L* She LOVED it. Oh, by the way, I filled it too. The other teachers each got BBW lotions (remember those wonderful get a lotion with any purchase coupons). I went 18 times in a four week period between two stores to get them. I bought the gift box for 1.00, got the lotion free, put the lotion in the box and that was their gift. They were very popular gifts. This year, I only have a 16 year old in school, but I'm waiting to see what kind of coupons come out for BBW that I can do something similar with. I should mention that both my kids go to a very small school. My son had 6 in his graduating class and my daughter has 4 in her class right now. The entire high school is 33 students (7 - 12) so we all kind of know what each other does for gifts. That way there's not too much repeat presents per teacher.

I asked today at ours and they said that all area 24 hour walmarts will be open beginning at midnight again after closing for Thanksgiving. The only difference is that they will not allow a BF item to be put into a cart until 5 am . :gd_not_ri :bounce_fl :bounce_fl

Pretty pleeeeeease....can we know too????

I hit the jackpot at our Walmart today!! I walked in and about 5 minutes later they announce 50% off all clearance clothing. I walked out with 6 walmart bags full of clothes for the kids and grandkids for 88.79!! I'm so excited! It was well worth my trip just for that! :woot2: :trampolin I got: 4 boys' sleep sets (shorts and t-shirt with motorcycles on them) 2 boys' hoodies 6 girls' tops (the little summer kind with flowers and some just plain colors) 1 Oscar the Grouch sleep set for oldest daughter (pants and t-shirt) 3 little purses 4 breast cancer ball caps 8 pairs of breast cancer socks with the little pink rubber band kind of bracelets attached 1 breast cancer awareness laniard 2 men's sweats (the silky kind) 2 men's dress pants 1 ladies skirt 2 teen shirts 1 teen skirt 1 ladies pink jeans with ribbon tie belt hmmm...think that's all there. But I also went to Casual male, spent 28.00 and got: 1 dress shirt (long sleeve, button down, cotton) 1 polo top 2 cup warmers (double as candle tart warmers) 1 shower radio 1 big man ball cap 1 men's manicure set *here it was clearance price plus an extra either 25%, 50%, or 75% off depending on the color the tag was marked!! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Sure I have done that. Especially when our own kids were little. We fostered so I always needed extra gifts around.

Sorry, but I've never heard of them.

That's a unique idea I'd have never thought of!! (Putting in cart ahead of time). I might have to try that for the grandkids.

My dad is gone, but mom is still with us. She lives in an assisted living apartment so we can't buy her anything big. I usually make her up a basket of Paul Mitchell Shampoo and Conditioner, BBW Lotion, Hand Soap and a Body spray. Then I put some candy in it and make it in a pretty basket so she can put a little plant in that when it's unloaded. It's not really original but she loves it. Oh and this year I'm giving her roses too (real ones), we did that for mother's day, had never done it before, she cried and let me know that it was the first time in her life she had ever been given roses (she's 88). I work part time for a florist so what the heck.

OH yeah!! Everybody gawks at the great deals I get. It's more fun that way and since they all think that I'm crazy to go out on BF, I show off a little.

The fur babies always get a stocking. For cats: 1 can of cat food, 1 toy, 1 package of treats. For dogs: 1 treat bar sack, filled up to the top, 1 stuffed toy, 1 tennis or other ball. Our frogs do get left out somewhat, but they usually get something for their cage and some type of treat. Oh and the new hamsters will get: ice cream cone treat thingies that they love, an apple, some peanuts and a new toy. Petco loves us!!

We have an extra closet in our bedroom aptly named the "Christmas Closet". I start buying on Dec. 26 so I just leave everything in the bags and put them in that closet. The kids don't know what is for who since they are all old enough for each present, so even if they do go in there, they haven't got a clue. Plus, I always purchase for extended family (in laws, my mom, sister, etc) first because they don't ever ask for anything specific. That's how I can start so early and still have a magnificent Christmas for the kids.

The 16 year old...a laptop #1 18 year old...PS2 #2 18 year old...digital camera 29 year old...new couch - my back is killing me when we sleep on that old sleeper sofa *L* 30 year old son in law...tickets to a nascar race 11 year old grandson...a video game 9 year old granddaughter...anything comparable in price that is bratz 7 year old grandson...color video now 1 year old grandson...nope, can't do just one here. He's still in that too cute stage. Oh and the hubby....a tire changing machine (he's funny that way)

I have fostered before (still have one that calls me mom at 29 and she's my daughter). Email me and I can help some. For the ones that want the electronic games, think about the ones that just plug into the TV. They are around 20.00 nearer to Christmas and have a wide variety of games. They can use them on most any TV so it's much cheaper and each child could get one. Well, email me.

So far it's Walmart, but there's also the KB outlet near me that I just love.

Most years, it's in the living room, but last year I decided to try something different and had it in the dining room. It seemed to deter the grandkids a little, so I might do that again. The other plus is we always have a board up so the dogs can't get in that room, so they don't get to sniff and paw at the packages either. Not sure yet though, I might change my mind.

*S* I'd be happy to work something out...a vacation...yep, could be arranged*L*.

For the grandkids I do because they always have to look inside, but the older kids I do not. I figure if they aren't able to stay out of the stocking by the ages of 16, 18, 18 and 29, then so be it.

I don't do the spray stuff, but I have some hand crocheted wreaths that my MIL gave me when I first got married. I hang them from hooks in every window in the house. It's festive looking from outside.

I started taking the pictures myself about 10 years ago. Now I do it as a part time job: weddings, senior pictures, family pictures. *S* It's much cheaper and I get to make sure that it's exactly what I want, if not I just re-shoot them. The kids/grandkids hate it, but I always have up to date pictures :greenappl

We used to, but not any more. We had a very curious cat that figured out they tasted pretty good one year. It ended up being pretty sad because he got some of the celophane stuck in his throat...well, I won't expand, but it will never happen again as long as I have cats. But it is nice to do when you can. I should say that we do not use tinsel or garlance any more either (the stringy shiny kind).

First Sunday in December.

Okay, first let me say I'm in Nebraska, just outside of Omaha. My family owns a very popular resteraunt here that's been in business for over 40 years. We ONLY use Omaha Steaks in the resteraunt. They are very, very good. Tender, cook up really nice, not too much fat. Personally for our family here at home, I can't afford to purchase them all the time, but I try to buy some through the resteraunt when we have a little extra money. Hope that helps some.

Thank you! That helps!