stacyk9

I do the same as you. I use an Excel spreadsheet with names, presents, how much I want to spend and how much I have spent for each person. I have to say, I'm pretty good at staying right at budget. I use cash exclusively, so I can't go over! If I order online I try to use PayPal as much as possible, but if I have to use a credit card, I deposit that amount of cash into my bank the next day so I know it's already been used. Luckily we only have one child so I don't have to worry about the presents vs. cost issue. However, when I was little, my brother would add up in his head how much he thought my presents costs vs. what mine cost. I, on the other hand, didn't care. I guess it just depends on the child.

Thanks for the update. I didn't realize they were doing a whole weekend in October. SWEET!!

They have their Christmas shows on the 25th of every month following their Christmas in July special. The next one will be on October 25th.

It should be fine. Just be sure to change the water every 3-4 hours to keep it cool and fresh.

It looks like Amazon.com will be starting Black Friday Week on Monday, November 22. Guess we'll have to see what they bring to the table. Not much information as of yet. http://www.amazon.com/Black-Friday-After-Thanksgiving-Sale/b/ref=gbbf_stripe2010?ie=UTF8&node=384082011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=goldbox-ads2&pf_rd_r=1FSPPFP01NR28QJQ0ZZ4&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_p=1279423422&pf_rd_i=20 Looking for Black Friday Deals? You've come to the right place. And you were smart to get here early because we're starting early. Come back Monday, November 22, 2010, for a week of amazing Black Friday deals. We'll be adding new deals all day, every day, so you can visit anytime and find terrific prices. What can you do to get ready? Bookmark this page. Like us on Facebook to receive updates about Black Friday deals, new releases, and exclusive Amazon content. Sign up for Twitter alerts. We'll tweet about Black Friday deals as well as the Deal of the Day and Gold Box Lightning Deals.

Holy Schnikies!!! Kmart is definitely on my shopping list this year! I already see one thing cheaper in this ad than what I've already bought it for at a sale price somewhere else. Guess I'll be returning that, as long as I can get it at Kmart first!

There are definitely a couple things listed that are on my DS's gift list. Of course, they are the 5am doorbusters!! I'll be trying to get those online. Also, the Lego Wii Remote is on sale at the BF price now, so if you're looking for that, you can save yourself some time and trouble!!

I got some pretty good deals at Kohl's, too! Used the 30% off, got free shipping and $20 Kohl's Cash. 7 Christmas presents bought!! WOO HOO! I'll probably buy the Color Wonder Sound Studio with my Kohl's Cash since that would make it a couple dollars cheaper than what Target is offering it for on BF. Gotta love a great deal!!

I was hoping for a better price on the Duracell charging pad, so I'll wait and see what Best Buy has to say. All in all, there are a few items that are must haves for me! Thanks again for all your hard work, Brad!!

I'm curious about the HP laptop. Can't wait to find out more.

What does Amazon do for BF?

I've been using this webpage. http://itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com/2009/09/christmas-schedule.html

Sweet!

I picked up this one as well for my DS5. With this being 50% off and then the Trio Batcave at 50% off with the coupon, I just got a 2-for-1 deal! Thanks, Target!!

Got my Trio Batcave today with the 50% off coupon. When I checked out the cashier kept looking at the screen like she didn't know if it was right or not and then made the comment, "you just saved $17.00!" I just smiled and said, "that's what I was hoping for." :)

I scoped out my Target last night, specifically the Trio Batcave, and there were 4 on the shelf. Hopefully there will be at least one when I get there at lunch today!! Got my 50% off coupon and ready to buy!!

I hope they'll be there tomorrow. I would love to get the Fisher-Price Bat Cave at 50% off for my DS5. He's been talking about that thing for about 2 months now!!

ABC Family has posted their Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas & the 25 Days of Christmas schedule. Already have them on my calendar!! http://a.media.abcfamily.go.com/a/media/pdf/25DOC_ProgramGuide_2010.pdf

I know! I need that 50% off the Bat Cave!!

I went to my local Target today and was surprised to see that the items not requiring a coupon from the toy catalog were already on sale!! I don't know about anyone else's Target, but you might want to check yours out beforehand. Also, I didn't see any catalogs/coupons in the store.

I am definitely on the stay-at-home side of the fence. I think if your girls were older it would be a fun thing to do. I think at their ages, it may be a let-down to not wake up in their own home to the traditional Christmas morning with all the gifts under the tree and to know that Santa had been there. Could you do a mini-vacation maybe before or after Christmas and still have the traditional Christmas morning at your house? With all of that said, I've never been away from home for Christmas, so someone who has may have a different point of view. When I think of things like this I try to remember "when I was their age" and think how I would have felt.

I've got two: Borrowed Hearts & Snowglobe.

There are a couple 50% off items in there that are must-haves for my son. Thanks, Target!!

50% off the Trio Batcave!! That baby's mine!!!!!

This isn't the Black Friday ad. This is just another weekend sale (this weekend), but it's promoted as a Before Black Friday sale.