Princess7915

We play Dirty Santa..you can play with kids! But older kids usually are better because they can get feelings hurt. Everyone who plays brings a wrapped gift (set a dollar amout of your choice). You can have a theme if you want (we play with bottles of liquor) once we did a chocolate gift theme. Everyone draws a number at the start of game. #1 draws from pile of gifts and unwraps. #2 can then "steal #1's gift or choose from pile and unwrap and so on. For example by the time you get to #10 he has choice of gifts #1-9 or anything in pile. However a gift can only be stolen 3 times. (Hostess usually doesn't play but keeps order and count of how many times gift is stolen) The stealing is why some kids don't do well. It's really fun and can get kind of crazy. It can take up some time if you have lots of people to play but it's a good time everyone is kind of made to be involved.

When I first started decorating I decided instead of buying a lot of cheap stuff I would just want to get rid of later I would buy a few nice things and add to it little by little. I figured it would be a waste of the money I spent if I eventually replaced what I bought so I didn't get anything "just to have something". Check out your newspaper and see if there are any craft fairs going on at schools or rec. centers. Usually some local crafters have nice things you'll want to keep and they are pretty affordable. Good luck to you!

Ummm, if there is not a line then they were not first in it as far as I think about it. Then I deem myself number 1 at your Target how does that sound? That's bascially what they are doing right? How stupid! And if they leave and come back it's even more random - they LEFT! I would tell any of them that if they threaten you in any way that you'll call the security guard over and persue the matter. I would also cover the tags on your vehicle just before you enter the parking lot because these people sound like freaking wackos. I would go up there and stand in line when allowed to do so and tell them that they were not there, it's first come first served and tough cookies! Obviously you'd have the support of the store.

Man - my aunt is going out of her mind looking for this stuff but none of us are members of Costco. We have a ton of them in the area too!

Thanks my mom has a Dallas Fan for a husband and she may be able to take advantage of this! I'll pass it along!

I have been waiting for one of these!!! I also order Gift Cards through my Discover Card cash back rewards program and save even more money! I get a $50 GC for $40 and combine it with the coupons and get fab. deals!!

I wear my comfy tennis shoes, jeans, and a light weight long sleeve shirt. I live in Virginia Beach and it can be chilly but it's not usually cold. It just sucks if it's raining! I don't like to carry a purse into stand alone stores, but usually take it into the mall. I am a light traveler on BF I don't need any distractions! Cash, ID, Credit Card and my cell phone.

My husband never had much of a Chrismas either. We do tend to spoil each other though. We've "set limits" in the past and it never worked so we just don't anymore. It's more of a let your conscience be your guide kind of thing. But every year we take inventory of what we got and see "who won" on the gift giving front. It used to always be me, but in recent years he's been good competition We don't have kids so we just spoil each other and we enjoy it. This year though we are getting a (rather expensive) kitten that arrives Monday after Christmas. While she's not a Christmas gift, we have said we will cut back on gifts to each other because if it....we'll see

I usually try to start my holiday shopping season on BF. I know some of you had your heart stop at that - you planners! But I love "the season" and shopping during the holidays. Last year was the first year I caved and shopped online - the money saved was too good- but normally I feel the online cheats you out of the spirt of holiday shopping. I love to shop for gifts for others. ANYWAY! This year I have had to start early because of some amazing bargins I've run into (thanks Gottadeal). So I can't complain at all about feeling behind in my shopping. I have not starting making any lists and I need to do that - I'm a huge list maker! I really don't know about the budgeting. My DH handles the money in our house - I don't fight him for that job either. I have an idea of what I want to spend on everyone and he tells me if it seems reasonable or not (it usually is) and we go from there. I get the best bang for my buck. Sometimes I can do a lot with $30 to spend on a kid!! Sometimes I know a specific item I want for a person but I usually get better deals if I see something great I know someone would love on a great sale and snap it up.

I would be careful about anything you think you'd have to take back. None of our store are scheduled to close (yet) but you just never know. Linens N' Things started out the same way, store closings then chapter 11 then completely gone. I think they are just trying get the last holiday season. But Circut City is also have trouble getting product to sell, Sony is a big one who recalled a big shipment to them after they announced their trouble. So I would get something if you think it's a good deal because I don't know if you see too much of a holiday sale from them - of they will actually have much in stock.

I have one of these and love it! I don't really use it for my dog because we keep him shaved. I use it for my cat and it get so much loose hair off of him it's great! It just pulls out all that loose hair before it ends up all over your house! My cat also loves to be brushed so he likes it. but you can't use long "brush" strokes, you have to use short pulling strokes to lift out all the hair.

I have done a stocking for my DH for years. My rule is that there is one "real gift" that is wrapped in the stocking along with the misc. stuff. One year was a wallet, sometimes DVD or CD. As for the filler, I've done Lindt chocolate bars (walmart has them now less expensive) bags of MM's or Reese's Pieces are great for the "toe" of the stocking. I've bought a new mouse pad and unpackaged it and rolled it up and tied it with ribbon.

I don't always get the holiday blues but year won't be the best on record. DH and I might be heading for a divorce. YEAH CHRISTMAS! I don't know if things have really gotten to the point of truly getting divorced or not, but we'll just leave it as they are not good.

I guess the biggest issue is why she doesn't want you to go. If it's a money thing then you have to work it out. If its a rain on your parade thing then I would go without her and not let her spoil your fun. I'm sure she's done stuff in the past you would have liked her not to have done. But I would always advise talking it out first.

Sadly, I think the stores consider the door busters to be part of the "incintive" to shop there!

I have made my for the last several years. But it's expensive so in light of trying to cut back this year I bought mine last week. I try to get them mailed out just after Thanksgiving. You have to have a "target date" when you make them. It can be a long process!

All my good answers like scavanger hunts and stuff were taken. So. How about a T-Shirt Freebie! Brad - you don't wanna get stuck with those shirts! You want them proudly worn by your loyal Gotta Deal Crew. So just pick some of your great fans and send us a shirt! We want them, you don't and we will be over joyed to tell EVERYONE who stops and says "Hey what's that on you shirt?" exactly where they can go (so to speak) to find out all about Black Friday from the BF MASTER!!!

I love a real tree. My mom has a fake one and it's just not the same! I have allergies and I sneeze all season long, but I tell my husband that's why God made Benedryl! I just can't have Christmas without a real tree. Sometimes we get a fir, sometimes we get a pine, it just depends on what we like that year out on the tree lot. My cat shows no preference - they chew the branches all the same :)

*you can also add a few craisins to this and make them pretty good for christmas just take out a few of the raisins and a few chocolate chips! Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 1 cup raisins 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 2 cups light brown sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 large eggs 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch grated nutmeg 1/4 cup buttermilk 2 cups quick-cooking oats (not instant or old-fashioned) 3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans 3/4 cup white chocolate chips Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 large baking sheets and set aside. Place the raisins in a medium bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit until plump and moist, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and eggs, and beat to combine. Into a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir into the butter mixture, and add the buttermilk, stirring to mix. Fold in the oatmeal, raisins, nuts, and chips, blending well. Drop the dough onto the baking sheets by rounded tablespoons, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool.

I live in one of the cities with the age laws (as previously posted) and while I see the disappointment for some of the kids just over the age limit I do understand the reason for the laws. There are just too many trouble makers out there that ruin it. While I'm sure many of those older kids are well behaved - many are not. They just don't belong with the tiny kids out there. I've seen too many 16 and 17 year old kids picking on the younger ones, stealing candy, and just all out causing trouble. That's the reason for the rules. And no, if a 13 year old is with a parent and younger sibling a cop isn't going to pick him up. It just to keep the bands of older teens off the streets. Basically if you and your friends are trolling around in a car- you don't belong out there.

Virginia Beach, Va

Sorry you can't take vacation days!! Too bad you're going to get a case of that stomach flu that's going around!! he he hee....:)

I would tell her that due to the stress of Christmas and Birthday you're just not going to be able to "do any weddings" for the rest of the year. And see how she takes that! I'd write her off, doesnt seem like that much of a loss.

I have lost many. Some suddenly, some not. I can't say which is worse because it's almost harder to watch them die over a period of time "waiting" for it to happen. I know you think you wish you would have known it was your last Christmas, but I don't think you do. The memories would be tainted with you hovering over her knowing it would be your last. Know it was special, know she loved you. I can say from my experience it doesn't get easier - you just adjust to how things are. Maybe it's a bit pessimistic but I think that's reality - or at least mine. I'm truly sorry for your loss. Some are harder to take than others and it sounds like this one was very difficult one for you. I understand as I have been there myself. Know that you will find a way through it.

Our city has laws about trick or treat and it's pretty strict. You have to stop at 12 yrs old and can only trick or treat between 6 - 8 pm. Several places around the city have "safe trick or treat" events for people but the age limit still applies.