AuntieJul

I think I will be doing more online shopping than usual, but if there ever was a year to support local businesses this is the one. I don't mind pick up or curbside. Tough thing is most of my gifts are for children, and it's hard to find local stores that have what I'm looking for other than a small book store.

I will miss the people watching and the excitement of actually getting what I wanted and having it in hand. You just don't get that same rush when you shop online.

Started at B&M at 5am Friday. WM was fairly empty as it had been last year; got most of what I wanted except for the $4 movies and track suits for DS. JCP had plenty of doorbusters but was hard to find all their location. Walked into Best Buy at 8:05 - no line, no tickets, and got the doorbuster in store that was not available for purchase online. I'm still in shock about that one. I waited in the checkout line for maybe 10 minutes but I've waited in worse. Home by around 10:30 and finished my shopping online for items that are not sold in stores. Seems like moving so many Black Friday deals online has almost negated the necessity of Cyber Monday....

For controllers for the Switch, is there a difference in performance or compatibility with off-brand controllers (like Insignia) versus Nintendo official controllers? In other words, is it safe to save myself a few bucks?

I'm considering a chromebook for my 7yo DS birthday as well... I'd go for a touchscreen chromebook, it's easier to use than a mouse and alas, the way of the world...

Got my kit Monday! Thanks so much Brad!

Just for fun: the $39 Virgin Mobile clam shell camera phone. Although, wouldn't be able to read the GD bulletin boards on it.

1. "Maybe we should get Mom a gym membership for Christmas so she doesn't have to keep pushing us around in a cart for leg day. #swole" 2. Workers at a local Amazon distribution center engage in teamwork in an effort to confound Amazon's efficiency algorithms. 3. "Slide to the left.. Slide to the right... One hop this time... Two hoops this time... Cha-cha real smooth." Already won a prize package but I love this contest and wait for it every year.

Last year I got a great deal on the previous year's Barbie house on Amazon - my DD didn't know the difference, just loved the house! Congrats and thank you!

Looking for bigger items this year... A touchscreen Chromebook that's a decent quality / ability to withstand children longer than a week for about $150 would be perfect. Though there usually aren't deals on the price per se, a Nintendo Switch bundle for family for $300 or less would be great.

Congrats!

I've seen money folded on a piece of cardboard to look like a button down shirt, then walked inside a box like a regular present.

Harbor Freight 10/11

My young elementary school age kids love playing air hockey at the arcade. What's a good brand for home use? Where is a good place to find one? Thanks!

Garth Brooks - Call Me Claus "I want to wish you a Merry Christmas I want to wish you a Merry Christmas I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!"

I think one of the weirdest things was my experience in Wal-Mart last year... I went at maybe 5am and it was empty. I didn't go for any big doorbusters, just little ones like socks and slippers. But I had the place to myself. It was unnerving.

1. Jeanne McArdle searches the Best Buy ad in line on Black Friday for a fortnite. 2. Target employees pose for a selfie Thanksgiving night ten minutes before the doors open for Black Friday sales. The company ran a group photo promotion on social media to promote employee morale on the blockbuster shopping day, asking stores to post selfies with the hashtags #thissmileisntforcedatall, #upallnight, and #awkwardcolleaguegrouphugs. 3. Despite the fact that most of them could not see the item up for auction, they knew that it had to be better than that Banksy auction.

Congrats winners!

Agree with the Barbie dreamhouse! And Barbie accessories, like the camper or van or other larger items that go with it. Not sure if this year is the year to get a family gaming system, but the right price would entice me to get a Wii or Nintendo switch or something similar.

Congrats to everybody!

Half-price books, Oct 3rd

Oh no, I must have missed a post! I thought I was all caught up... But I'm not in the list of survivors. guess I'll be attempting the captioning contest once again this year!! Good luck everybody! Bargains, baking, and Black Friday!

I wish I could hang out laundry. I remember that being one of my jobs as a kid and I lament not having a clothing line. But a long time ago doctors said not to do it because of the pollen and my seasonal allergies. Bargains, baking, and Black Friday!

Me too, it's really mind boggling how quickly it went down. Still hoping it won't happen. Bargains, baking, and Black Friday!

I just read a story that toys r us might be closing next week. Despite the fact that I had a terrible experience with online order pickup this year, I always did like the selection of toys in store. Bargains, baking, and Black Friday!