budgetsRsexy

Growing up we didn’t put the tree up until after my dad’s birthday on December 18th. We used to get live trees then so it helped to insure that it was green for Christmas. Now we all use artificial trees. Mine usually goes up around the end of November or very beginning of December so I can enjoy it longer. Last year mine went up quite late so we let it up until mid/late January [emoji15]

I would think towels and a laundry basket are good bets. I would wait on bedding until you know more about his living situation. Sometimes freshman are not allowed to live off campus and dorms usually have the extra long twin beds.

When I was a kid we always did presents first thing Christmas morning, usually around 6:30am. We always did breakfast after gifts but that has changed now that we are all adults and not living under one roof. These days everyone meets at my parents around 8:30, we have breakfast and do our tiny gift exchange and then play games and watch Christmas movies. My husband’s family does a huge traditional polish dinner on Christmas Eve followed by gifts with the extended family and then they head to church. For them Christmas morning was reserved for Santa presents and gifts with immediate family. We alternate years so it’s nice to get the best of both worlds.

Happy Holidays aka The Holiday Season “Gee the traffic is terrific!”

It will be interesting to see how much of the toy market will be left by the time they get around to reviving Toys ‘R’ Us. I was at Michael’s today and they had expanded their kids/toy section by 3 aisles to get in on the action. They were still setting it up but they clearly want a piece of the pie

Answer: Home Alone Quote: “Christmas is just around the corner, and I ain't gonna have no money to buy my son the G.I. Joe with the kung-fu grip” (This movie might be a bit of a stretch but I always watch it around Christmas so hopefully someone else will recognize it)

Where do you find angel trees for the elderly? I called around to a couple of places last year and had no luck finding one.

I’m hoping that the overnight closures with reopening early on Friday catches on with more stores. Also it would be great if the stores do different sales events for both days so I have a better chance at actually getting some more doorbusters this year (I don’t go out shopping until Friday).

I always like Target online but with in store pick up as I don’t go out shopping until Friday so that’s the only way I ever get a doorbuster there. In store it’s a toss up between Home Depot or Joann’s (gotta go in to use my coupon).

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause “Just once, I'd like a regular, normal Christmas. Eggnog, a *bleepin’* Christmas tree, a little turkey. But, no. I gotta crawl around in this *bleepin’* tin can.”

With Bells On “I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you? He won't have to use a dirty chimney flue”

I used to get sheets at target every other year but since they changed brands I’m not as big a fan of them so I am going to have to change that up this year. I almost always need to get a new Kohl’s throw for our dog as he is rough on them.

I’m sad we don’t have one near me, the card games on page 3 would be good for stockings (we like phase 10 in our family and decks need to be replaced every so often, from wear and tear, spilled drinks, being left behind on trips etc).

Love Actually “ if you're ever under a falling building and somebody runs up and offers to pick you up and carry you to safety, don't think, don't pause, don't hesitate for a moment, just spit in his eye”

Wham! - Last Christmas “Because the reindeer cannot climb the hills of Italy”

Thanks Brad, cannot wait for my shirt to get here.

Band Aid - Do they know it’s Christmas? “Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright The sun will shine by day and all the stars at night”

rockpzazz - Maybe they got a few door busters and then decided to do their regular shopping while waiting for the checkout line to get shorter? Either that or maybe they were drunk [emoji6]

Answer is: White Christmas “All my life I've wondered something, and now's my chance to find out. I'm going to find the answer to a question that's puzzled the world for centuries. Does Santa Claus sleep with his whiskers outside or in?”

With my family it’s always one at a time but with my DH’s family it’s a free for all. Normally I would like the one at a time more but my husband’s family is huge so it would take forever so in some ways the free for all is better with them.

I might pop in for the measuring tape for coworker gifts for next year. I like to go with something useful and budget friendly.

There are gift card and money mazes where you have to complete the ball maze to open it and access the gift card or cash. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cube-Money-Maze-Bank-Amazing-Money-Puzzle-Box-Kids-Adults-Coin-Cash-Bills-Gift-Cards-Storage-Boxes-Brain-Teasers-Inexpensive-Game-Birthday-Christmas-/148502336?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222228155937234&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=268325468803&wl4=pla-444508295409&wl5=9005576&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=148502336&wl13=&veh=sem https://www.seriouspuzzles.com/gift-card-money-maze-money-puzzle/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI99HKutXr3QIV2rjACh13uAPzEAQYASABEgKfyfD_BwE There are also puzzle boxes. https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/a82b/?mrkgcl=507&mrkgadid=3189408280&itm=61883376563_product_type_toys_%26_games_product_type_puzzles&rkgid=3189408280&cpg=ogpla&source=google_pla&adpos=1o8&creative=184882249616&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI99HKutXr3QIV2rjACh13uAPzEAQYCCABEgKeGvD_BwE

I have to admit I’m not loving the idea of the first movie coming out before Halloween, but I guess I’ll just record it and watch it later.

My gift budget is $650. Normally I spend about $100 on Black Friday itself (depending on what’s on the wish lists) but this year I’m hoping to get all of my shopping done the week of BF. I’ve been saving my credit card rewards for the holidays all year so that will help but I’m definitely going to have to check out swagbucks.

This year is Christmas with my husband’s family so we will have 19 people (including something for each other) and 5 pets. Then I also have 3 coworkers and 4 bosses and the GD secret Santa. I’m hoping to keep our gift budget to $650. I’m hoping to keep all the holiday expenses (including travel, dog kenneling, hostess gifts and dishes to pass) to $1200.