Bopeep

That will happen more than it should. When I bought my last laptop, I was looking at a different one and was just about to pull the trigger when I realized it did not have the drive. I don't use it often, but often enough to consider it a "need".

I don't need anything I could have gotten there, this year, but the last couple years I've missed Circuit City.

I'm not complaining - I would love to see Black Friday on Friday like it used to be. But I love how they claim the decision was so employees could spend the day with family. They forgot to include "Oh, except for those employees that have to pull online orders on Thanksgiving Day, we don't care if those employees spend time with their family or not". In truth, I may be totally off base. Maybe they will not pull those orders until Friday morning, but if they say you can pick up your order in store Friday and they open at 6:00, I'm thinking someone is working Thursday. **Edit to say - I really AM happy to see more stores closed Thursday. I feel like my post was really negative, and I don't mean it to be.

I love the plan! My idea - Kitchen towels/dishrags - you can make super cute "cakes" (like the diaper cakes you see at every single baby shower). You can add kitchen utensils, baking mixes, whatever. Cute, fairly inexpensive, and who doesn't need kitchen towels? Pinterest is a great resource for ideas.

I like the go cup idea. We don't really go anywhere that we have to stand outside in line, but it would definitely get used.

Looks like Cafe Press has some. Tshirts: http://www.cafepress.com/+magic-gathering+clothing?cat=203504 Hoodies: http://www.cafepress.com/+magic-gathering+sweatshirts-hoodies

A few years ago, I lost all of my downloaded music and started my library over. My Christmas album now has about 240 songs, and I'm mostly satisfied with it . There are a few songs that I can't find in the digital world, and that's okay (mostly from LPs I had as a child - is that dating myself? LOL). But every year, I wrack my brain trying to remember one specific song and it's just on the tip of my memory. I've googled the line I can remember, every way I can think of, and nothing. It was a country song, and I thought it was Clay Walker but I've searched his Christmas music and it's not there. If I remember right, the song was about a cowboy trying to get home for Christmas and he didn't think he was going to make it. There was something about the gifts he'd gotten the kids. The one line I remember was spoken. It was Santa talking and he said something like "Don't worry Partner, your house is on my way. And if you can hang on for 8 seconds, well, that's all it takes to get there...On a sleigh". Honestly, it may be the worst Christmas song in history. I cannot remember! But I know it was on my playlist, so I surely must have liked it, right? LOL Any help?

You might even say it will be on fire!

This is the kind of news I love waking up to.

I skimmed last year's ads for Dick's, Academy, Gander Mtn, and Sports Authority and didn't see any jerseys. Hoodies and tshirts are always big, but apparently not jerseys. I think you are making the wise decision to go ahead and get it now.

Interesting thought. In 2012, the election date was 11/6. Sam's and RiteAid came out that day. Walmart, Kmart, Best Buy, and others came out 2 days later, on the 8th. I don't think the election will make much, if any difference, myself.

We don't have very many participants so far this year. Hopefully a lot of folk just wait a while, as there's still plenty of time. Here's what the last few years looked like: 2015 - Secret Santa 33, Ornament Exchange 16, Cards 11 2014 - SS 34, OE 19, Cards 12 2013 - SS 33, OE 19, Cards 13 2012 - SS 46, OE 28, Cards 21 2011 - SS 44, OE 33, Cards 27

Lots of great ideas. I don't know that I could add anything to them. I just want to offer up that I order all of our promo items at my office, and I use a company called 4imprint. Their customer service is awesome, and I've never had a problem with any of the products I've ordered. Honestly, I don't know how they compare to others in price these days because I've been using them for years. Shipping is a little high, that's my only complaint with them. Use code B1230 for 10% off. I've used that code on my last several orders, so as far as I know it does not expire. I know you get a lot of stuff printed, so you already know what's out there, just thought this info might help a little. The link to their website is: https://www.4imprint.com/

2 or 3 took this stance last year. Hopefully the trend sticks and spreads to the larger retailers.

I'm getting a little worried about Brad. I sure hope everything is okay with him and his family.

There has always been a requirement for length of time on Gottadeal, and I definitely understand why, but if y'all are okay with it I would like to go ahead and open it up to anyone that wants to participate. I do think you should have some posting activity, so we can see you are truly wanting to be part of this community. I hope I don't regret this .

Hello All! Chief Elf and the accounting firm of ShiShi, ShiShi and ShiShi are very busy this year, so I’m stepping in to help them out with the exchanges. We’re a little behind, but it's time for the holiday festivities to begin! If you want to join in on the fun, sign ups will be accepted via PM only (to me, BoPeep) in order to keep everything more organized. Use "Secret Santa 2016" in the subject line. This is not an official GottaDeal.com event, so participate at your own risk. GottaDeal can't be held responsible if you do not receive anything. While I hope we won't be needing any please let me know if you are willing to be an elf in case someone does not receive their SS/OE package. Please include in your PM: 1. Your forum username, your name and address 2. Your email address, in case I need to contact you and can’t reach you through PM 3. The exchanges you would like to take part in (Secret Santa, Ornament and/or Card) 4. The answers to the questions below if you are going to be in Secret Santa/Ornament exchange 5. Gift wrap preference (yes or no) 6. Anything else you'd like your Secret Santa to know about you The Questions... Are you male or female? Are you married? Do you have kids? If so, gender and age Do you have pets? Are you allergic to anything? Would you accept homemade food (such as cookies)? Any absolute dislikes? Do you have any hobbies? Do you collect anything? Favorite Fast Food Establishment? Do you have a favorite candy? What is your favorite drink? What is your favorite color? Do you like lotions? If so what kinds? Do you like scented candles? What scent? Any favorite sports teams or Nascar drivers? What’s your favorite flower? What's your favorite music/artist? What's your favorite movie? What's your favorite holiday movie? What's your favorite author? What's your favorite thing to do during your ‘me time’? What is your favorite winter activity? Something that you wouldn’t buy yourself but have always wanted? Anything else? The Rules (please read before signing up): 1. Secret Santa is just like it sounds - a secret exchange of gifts! There's a MINIMUM of $10 before shipping. If you choose to spend more, please don't be disappointed if your partner doesn't. 2. Ornament Exchange is also just like it sounds - an exchange of ornaments! There's a MINIMUM of $5 before shipping. If you choose to spend more, please don't be disappointed if your partner doesn't. 3. Card Exchange is also as it sounds - an exchange of holiday greeting cards. Unlike the other two, however, you send (a card) to everyone who signs up and you get (a card) from everyone who signs up! If you have a favorite holiday recipe feel free to include it with the cards you send out. There is no minimum or delivery confirmation but please understand that you send a card to everyone on the list so if 50 people join the exchange you will be spending $23.50 for postage. (The current cost for a first class stamp as of the time of this posting is 47 cents). 4. Tracking (aka delivery confirmation) is a MUST. Please PM me the tracking number and how it is being shipped (USPS or UPS) so I can keep track of everything. If you send via USPS Priority it should be included at no charge, but it is always best to check for yourself. 5. Insurance from the USPS is also a MUST. Check with the post office nearest you for the cost. 6. Make sure your item(s) is/are properly packed and with plenty of padding. 7. No junk. Everything must be new/unused within reason. Used books, CDs, and DVDs are okay as long as they are in a like new condition that you would be okay with receiving. 8. The last day to sign up is Saturday, October 29th (you have until midnight CT). I should have names out by Friday, November 4th (It will probably be earlier in the week, but I’m making sure I have time built in since this is my first year). 9. The last day to ship is Saturday, December 10th. If for some reason you cannot ship by this date you must let me know ASAP and then ship priority. 10. If you are participating in the Card Exchange please feel free to mail them any time but make sure to keep holiday mail delivery times in mind. 11. You must have been a member since May 1, with some posting activity, in order to participate. This helps to make sure that only dedicated GottaDealers are participating and we have less of a chance of people flaking out. 12. Any decisions made by the exchange host are final. Each case or question will be given fair treatment and consideration; if you plead a case or ask a question and don't get a reply you like please don't complain. One last note: Please be patient if I can't get things done right away, but be assured I'm keeping track of everything. If you have any questions at all please ask me. Remember, this is all about having fun. Now ready, set.... GO! SIGNED UP: Secret Santa (30) Bopeep Vern28 QueenKishaa HillyBillysWife HanShotFirst Willandmel msyves gatorburg bethed JesusLuvU cjdav Tara3117 ILikeFree Ytmomof4 Spice9195 Onemill Princez916 Reinholt1 Reinholt1sMom Lainieb nafcmf wittenlover Megara211 IllinoisMom mcape14444 Katyloveshockey Racerfan Jendeere Tracy0504 BudgetsRSexy Ornament Exchange (15) Bopeep Vern28 HillyBillysWife Willandmel bethed Mandy4Matt JesusLuvU Spice9195 Onemill nafcmf Megara211 mcape14444 Racerfan Jendeere BFAddict716 Holiday Card Exchange (12) QueenKishaa MsYves bethed Spice9195 Princez916 Lainieb mcape14444 Katyloveshockey Tracy0504 HillyBillysWife BFAddict716 JenDeere

I'll do it. I'm not entirely sure what all it entails, so I hope I'm not biting off more than I can chew . I'll copy and paste PogiPorkchop's post from last year, so be watching for that soon.

WELCOME!

I can beg and plead for lists, but rarely get one. I always get "I'll be happy with whatever...". With the DIL, though, I can watch what she likes/posts on social media and try to pick those things up through the year.

That may be my favorite "Why I started BF shopping" story ever! I started in the early 90s, when my oldest was a baby. I had never heard of BF, but heard about some awesome sale at Toys R US or Kay B Toys (I don't remember which). I was amazed at the deals, and the people, and just really excited about starting the Christmas season with a bang like that. The next year I told my sister "You have GOT to check this out!", and we've been BF shopping ever since. I have said, and I still stand by, if I was starting now I wouldn't do it. Due to the sale times, It's not as fun, the people aren't as friendly, it doesn't have the same feel. BUT, it's our thing and I'm not giving it up.

I've bought a few things, but like you they've been clearance items.

2 weeks from the 100 day mark!!

I get so happy when I open the forums and see there's a new comment on this thread! LOL, I might have a BF problem.

WooHoo!!