shopping mom

Thanks from me and my cousin.

We just relax and I try to spend time with each child looking at their new things and making sure they are happy. I don't cook but I have ham rolls, cheeses, chip and dips, homemade cookies and other finger foods prepared ahead of time that we eat throughout the day.

Thanks! One DS joined a gym with a pool, a few extra swimsuits will be great for him!!

For a few years it was Wal-mart, but last year I started with Sears. DD wanted a video camera and they had one and they priced matched the PSP those were the high items on my list.

I saw a website called www.giftsforquilters.com they might have some ideas for you. I wuld suggest, patterns, various scissors, quilting pins, pin cushion, quilting thread of various colors, if you know how she binds them you could get some of that. My grandmother use to quilt so my DD painted her a picture of a patchwork quilt and framed it for her sewing room (she loved it)

I have but I am really trying not to. Especially for my kids. When they were younger they ended up with so much stuff that it honestly took me a week to find places to put it (my mom and 1 MIL love to shop too)

I put a bonus check in a Christmas Club account and add to it when I can and then add the second bonus at the end of the year.

Is The code still good I tried and hit apply but saw no changes or do I proceed and find changes later?

I use one of those travel passport holders that slips around my neck. I never have to worry about walking away from it or losing it. I carry my debit card, list and car key in there. Then I bring the sale ads. Oh I also pack a few drinks and ham rolls for later.

Thanks my mom just told me over the weekend that she would like one of these. Yeah!!

We do it that way too. I love to see their faces from my 4 year old to my 23 year old.

List for big items and most of my family, impulse for stockings birthday parties and charities

I have cut back on other things in order to be able to do more, but no debt for Christmas

I have to plan carefully both the money and the time, however I enjoy the planning so it helps me to know what I can afford and what I want (somewhere in the planning I make the two match) For example, I can really only do major brick and morter shopping on Saturdays, that means if I count BF I only have 18 days to shop for Christmas. I know I need to do some online shopping this year and those items I know may go on clearance before BF or those items that will never go on sale go ahead and purchase. I also have gotten to the point that I would rather do 1 nice gift that ten small gifts for my kids

I love real trees, I thought about an artificial one but my kids said NO!!

We use to do it the second weekend in Dec. but last year was the first year that DH decided he was not celebrating Christmas anymore and I was in such a depressed state over the fact that I did not decorate our home. I spent Christmas Eve and Day at my moms and inlaws and they both decorated. I am not sure what to do this year. I feel so bad for DD4 because she will have no memories of her dad and Christmas like our older children do.

Last year I think ACE was first, but who knows. I think a smart company would be reading this site and know what many of us want and then give us an ad that we could not resist no matter what the other companies have come up with. Personally my favorite ad was Sears last year, so I hope they do well again and come out first.

I love snowmen, penguins and Christmas mice.

One of my MIL's ( sometimes both) gives me money to shop for her gifts for my family, if my mom is out of the US I will do the same for her. Sometimes a co-worker, a friend or a cousin will ask me to get something and I will if I can(and usually do) but it is not top priority. My dad has been my best helper (standing in line at a different store) in the past, I am hoping he will be here this year. He gets so excited when he gets a good deal. It must run in the family!!

If mom and dad are here they will go, my DD and oldest DS DS20 and his girlfriend will go. I usually have somebody in various stores with a list. DD19's laptop that we got a BB 4 0r 5 years ago is acting funny. We are going to try a new hard drive but somone may be in line for a laptop this year.

For NASCAR fans I saw a lot of items for 30% off. It was back in the automotive section, but I saw some travel mugs, key chains, and other items.

I was in for a few minutes this morning and noticed that the Eddie Bauer Tent (holds nine) is 30% off I think the are $137 right now. I want one but I am hoping for 50%. Grills and Gardening items (I am watching these for MIL) are 30% off, summer swim or water toys are 30% off. If anyone sees the tents go down more please post. My mom will get it for DS for Christmas. He loves to go camping.

Check your messages I may have found something.

DH thinks I am crazy but thats okay he babysits dd4. I have recruited my DD19 and last year my DS23 came with me. He wants to go again this year. I think now that they want to Christmas shop or shop for themselves they see all the bargins I get that day and want to help. The one thing they cannot do is ask, "who is that for?" I was in line at Sears last year about 4AM. As far as crowds I expect it and try to be friendly to whoever is on line near me. This year DS20 and his girlfriend are going with me too.

They have them at the Target near me. About $70.00 though. I shop in Chesapeake, VA