Elmck

I think it was the last Thursday of July last year but If not it was the week before that. I was in a Target near me last Saturday and did not see much toy clearance at all. I am hoping things will change soon.

I am going to check in the morning just in case

DD9 really likes the keyboard, the portable basketball goal and all her Barbie tye stuff (Barbie, Liv Girls, and Disney).

I am thinking about next year's list too. I am getting more grandbabies but probably not a bigger Christmas budget. Not sure what I will do yet. The amount of gifts got a little overwhelming to me this year, and I think some of the kids were overwhelmed too!! I know I will cut down on the stockings. (I say that every year)

I get the blues too. I am going to start planning a trip to visit my son in Seattle and my other son in Wisconsin this summer. It will a 30th anniversary trip so I want to do some special things in both places if I can.

I just need a few stocking gifts, a gift for an aunt, and a few white elephant gifts, but I am mostly done and wrapped. I am most excited about my DGS3's train table. They live in Wisconsin so I hope to see his face via skype.

How about a subscription to a magazine and give them a copy of of the magazine to open. I am sure there are gaming magazines or sports they would like. I like the idea of the wallet and the cologne too. Small tool box with one tool and then add to it each year is another idea.

The family (grandparents, uncles aunts, cousins) on my mom's side always gathered for Christmas breakfast early on Christmas morning. Then all the kids would line up down the hall and presents would be passed out. I don't remember any special gift but just the family being together. We are still carrying on the Christmas breakfast tradition, but not so early in the morning. When I was young it seemed all the presents were opened so fast and you did not get to see what others had received or if they liked what they received, so we open one gift at a time now. Christmas day last a long time at our house. However, if one of the kids needs to leave for an in-laws house we make sure they get to finish up first.

If he is retired military, like my dad, I have gotten him a throw with his branch of service a folding chair and a ring (that he wears all the time!)

I got "brave" and did an online order for some of the things I would normally be in line for on Black Friday. Hopefully, I won't be disappointed. There were some items I wanted not available online so I still have to go to the store but it should be easier. Thanks!!!

BLACKFRI did not work for me but THANKFUL did.

My bosses husband told her that they told him this at the store, but I don't think they know what they are talking about. I cannot find anything about online. I know they pulled their ad it makes me wonder if they were making changes but it's really late for that. I guess we will have to wait for the ad to come out again.

Rumor is they cannot sell the Christmas tree on the front page for the advertised price. Trying to check it out. Anyone here know something??

I have money set aside for Christmas and will use some of that for BF. I have an envelope for each person and I pay for things out of those. Some envelopes are already empty because I found things ahead of time.

Will the 15 dollars in Kohls cash still apply online on Wednesday?

The plan so far is Thursday at 7:00 AM go to Dollar General get a few things there and pick up extra newspapers while I am out. Come home and finish cooking Thanksgiving dinner visit with family etc. Target at 9:00,then line up at Kohls for 12:00 AM. Not sure where I will go after Kohls but I want to be at Office Depot at 5:00 and Office Max at 6:00. I will have family at other stores too. Not sure how many are going this year because of opening times and growing families.

The mens boxers at KMart are really high compared to other stores and even everyday prices unless I am missing something.

Don't let the Scrooges bring you down. Maybe you can figure out a way to decorate by yourself but make easier on yourself. Do you have nieces and nephews who would want to help. Or have a tree decorating party with some friends and everyone brings a dish. You could go get some 3 or 4 ft trees and put them up at the nursing home for your grandma, or your parents house. It might have to be different but it can still be a time of joy!! So here is you kick just incase you need it!!

One of my DS's works for Best Buy. He has to be at work at 11:00 PM off at 4:00AM and back to work at later that day until close. It would not be so bad if he could go home and sleep. but his his DW has to work so he will be home with a 2 year old and a 10 month old. Not much sleep for him.

I got mine in the mail too!! My mom and dad each got one as well!! I like the fact that you do not have to use the charge card on the BF one.

When my kids were little I would buy Christmas themed coloring books. (Ones that were easy to cut out) The kids would color or scribble depending on their ages at the time. Then I would cut them out and glue each picture to a red or green sheet of construction paper and hang them up around the house. We also made huge paper chains. DD wants to let her DD "color" some pictures this year to hang up.

I hear lots of talk about the Nabi 2 also. The sheets and towels are good deals too.

Don't forget to ask for the military discount if you qualify they do 10% off all year for active and retired. Lowes does this too.

One thing I noticed when I was out yesterday is that I have to be careful on what I think is a BF sale. I needed a basketball for DD and was planning on getting one on BF. I got the one I wanted yesterday for only a dollar more than BF price (it was on sale) so I went ahead and bought it. Very thankful for the ads so I can make better decisions on what to buym where to buy it and when to buy it.

I think my main stores are going to be Target, Kohls, Office Max and Office Depot. I am sure I will be at others but that's where I am spending the most money .