stacyk9

When I was younger, I personally didn't care, but I remember my brother trying to figure out the costs of all of our gifts and felt slighted if he thought mine were more expensive. This was when he was about 5 yrs. old!!!!! It all depends on your child and how they perceive things. As far as me, we've only got one child so it doesn't matter, but for my nieces and nephews, I try to make theirs cost the same no matter how many gifts it takes to add up to that.

I am so excited!!! I've got my DVR and DVD recorder ready to go!!!!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this a scaled-back version of the BF ad and then the extra % off is added?

A couple years ago I bought my husband a bunch of travel-sized stuff to keep at his office, i.e. mouthwash, toothbrush, Tide pen, band-aids, etc. Gift cards are a good stocking stuffer as are scratch off lottery tickets. Maybe new socks. Candy is always good, too.

How about making them into a wreath. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/80361/instructions_for_making_a_holiday_pine.html?cat=24 Just add a few incidentals and voila!

I just saw on Hallmark's website that you can personalize cards and they will mail them for you. The prices are pretty good, too. I may do that this year. One more thing off my plate! http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/home|10001|10051|-1|unHallmarkHome

It says MINIMUM 1 per store, not maximum. I'm not sure why they even stated that because I'm pretty sure there would be at least one pair of jeans there. LOL!

I got the 2 Wii games for 30. I had already bought the Lego Star Wars for $20.00 at Target so now I can get it for $5.00 cheaper plus another game which works for me because I was wanting to get another Wii game for the family. I know $5 isn't much of a savings, but anything helps!!

I am totally excited to get my trees up, too, but I'm going to try and hold out for the week of Thanksgiving. I always take the week of Thanksgiving off and decorate the house that Monday and Tuesday. It usually takes me two days to get everything out and just how I want it. Although this year I'm not sure how much I'll be able to do due to a back injury I had in January. Don't want to push my luck as I've somehow avoided back surgery!!

#1. If we lay the kids down flat, we should be able to get the rest of this in the car. #2. Okay, the shirt in this bag goes with the shoes in this bag. Wait, where did this pink bag come from? #3. One word: Tryptophan!

I saw a few interesting things like the 2-set rugs and .99 socks along with some other stuff. Very excited for all the ads coming in!!

I am 85% done. For those I haven't bought for yet, I know what I'm getting them, just haven't gotten it yet. I went out over lunch today and bought everyone's stocking stuffers. I'm holding onto all of my receipts, though, just in case something goes on sale!!

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That one is my all-time favorite, too!

What if a letter appeared from Santa explaining that he saw that they had done, explaining how it's not polite to look through things that are behind locked doors and that if they stay out of the room from now on that he will still bring them their presents. Just a thought. Stacy

We are going to do this game at work this year except I am having everyone bring their favorite cookie recipe. You could also have everyone bring the cookies themselves and it would be a different way to do a cookie exchange.

My DH just bought an old 1959 Chevy Apache to tinker with on the weekends, so I'll probably buy him stuff for that, i.e. tools, truck accessories, etc. Whatever I can get for $100 since that's our budget for each other. I'm really going to have to look for some good deals!

I always decorate my house for Christmas the weekend before Thanksgiving because my parents come to my house for Thanksgiving lunch and it's the only time they get to see it decorated. Do it.

All of the presents are from Santa. That's how it was done in my and my husband's families. We haven't had the big, awkward-to-wrap gift yet, but when that day comes I think it will already be assembled with a big bow on it.

Absolutely!!! We refuse to use credit cards, so everything is bought with cash. I use a spreadsheet that lists gifts, budget and actual cost. I put money away every month into a mutual fund (DH is a financial advisor) so it earns interest!!! By the time BF rolls around, I've got more than enough! We took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace class and it has really helped us budget.

This past year I decided to buy my own birthday and anniversary presents, mostly because it had to do with my hobby, knitting, and I knew exactly what I wanted and DH does not like to order online. He asked me yesterday if I've bought anything for myself for Christmas yet and I told him he had to buy my Christmas presents. The more I've thought about it, the more I've wondered, has anyone bought their own Christmas presents before? Were you fine with that or did you miss opening something on Christmas morning? I'm on the fence about this one! Stacy

If I could change my vote, I would. I am now checking the site several times a day and trying to hide it from my boss! I only hope this means that the ads will start flowing in all at once since they seems to be waiting a little later this year.

Aww, poopsicles. Drier and average temps. I guess I should be happy. We've had horrible ice storms the past two years. Hopefully we'll have at least one good snow!

I keep it limited to around $20.00

I stopped in my local Walgreens this morning and they were setting out all of their Christmas items and toys. In fact, they were stacked up to the ceiling! (literally!) Really got me in the BF mood. It's getting closer and closer!!!