Gator Pam

B'sha Tovah!! Or, if the blessing has already arrived, Mazel Tov!!

Our's was very low key, as we haven't celebrated it (yet). FIL arrives around 2:00 pm today, and we'll do 'Chr-stmas' Eve tonight. He works graveyard shift, and would have just gotten off work at 8:00 am. Even though he's taking a nap before he heads up here, I didn't want to throw opening gifts on him when he arrives after a four hour drive. So tomorrow, after he's had a full night's sleep, will be our 'Chr-stmas' celebration for him. :)

Speaking of Dollar General... Is there a thread on their rebate program yet? If not, I'll start one based on an email I received.

Thanks, KC-Traderbear! My sister and her husband sent Beorn a Fly Pen for Hanukah (the one without the charger base), and I was hoping to find the Notebook, Algebra software, and chager on clearance somewhere. No Costco's around here at FIL's or Gator Town, that I know of... BTW, if you haven't read the thread about Extra Care Bucks at CVS, you need to get over there. Crissy's a great teacher on a method of bargain shopping I had never heard of before she started that thread. Based on everything I wrote above from information on the past three years, I personally think 75% off will be Saturday, December 30th. But again, with other stores opening tomorrow with seasonal clearance already at 75% off, that could all change.

Beorn usually crashes out at 9:00 pm, and we didn't want to pay holiday price for a sitter, so for the past 13 years Paul and I have stayed home and watched New Year's Rockin' Eve. At 13, Beorn could probably stay home alone that late ito the morning for us to go out, but this year we'll be renting a 14' u-Haul to move some stuff on the 31st. I doubt we'll even feel like staying up to midnight this year...

Well, now that I finally saw the ads for tomorrow, I'm second guessing myself. Too many stores are putting their holiday merchandise on 60% to 75% off starting tomorrow. I wonder if Target is going to follow suit... If you should notice any Fly Pen software or accessories on clearance, could you please post?

Woke up at 6:50 am. Beorn was awake at 7:00 am. But since 'Chr-stmas' is happening here until Wednesday we just went about our day.

Thank you so much everyone! And Jim, thanks for posting the links to the videos. When we get home and can get on a faster access computer at the public library (I'm also on dial-up at home, even though there my speed is 56 kps) I know I can come to this thread and click on the links to watch them.

Since we're not celebrating FIL's holiday until he arrives tomorrow evening, I had a chance to sit down and see if I could find a pattern to the following information from KC-Traderbear (thanks again, BTW!). Pretty much the same in Gator Town, although last year the seasonal items went 50% off mid-afternoon on the 24th. I believe you mean (after Chr-stmas 2003) 75% off began on January 2nd, 2004; on January 1st, 2005; and December 31st, 2005. So, those dates would translate to: January 2nd, 2004 – Friday January 1st, 2005 – Saturday December 31st, 2005 – Saturday It appears 75% off begins the weekend after Chr-stmas. I think in 2004, when it went on a Friday, that the markdowns kicked in mid-afternoon, but I may be remembering incorrectly. Based on that, unless we hear something definite somewhere, I would be at Target at opening both Friday, December 29th, and Saturday, December 30th, if it doesn’t go 75% off on Friday. I may also swing by mid-afternoon on Friday, just in case it’s not 75% off at opening, but is lowered mid-day. These should be January 7th, 2004; January 5th, 2005; and January 6th, 2006, I believe. These translate to: January 7th, 2004 – Wednesday January 5th, 2005 – Wedneday January 6th, 2006 – Friday Based on last year, I think Target may be trying to keep the merchandise at 75% off for a week before going 90% off. But they also kicked in the faster clearance schedule at some stores. I will be at Target at opening on Wednesday, January 3rd, but I am not expecting it to be 75% off that early. My guess is Friday, January 5th, based on the above schedule. Please keep in mind, this is all conjecture on my part. I may be totally off base… So, my guess would be: 50% off - December 26th, if it didn't already get marked down in the afternoon December 24th 75% off - December 29th or December 30th 90% off - possibly January 3rd or January 5th

<--- Santa's not stopping here until Tuesday night... But we still wanted to see him go by Cape Canaveral!

Wow, that's early, isn't it? :::running outside and looking dead east:::

Ditto!! Unless it's really pretty paper that looks pricey...

If I remember correctly from last year, those items that were going to follow the Chr-tmas markdown schedule went 50% off midafternoon at the Gator Town Target on Chr-stmas Eve last year. So, you might find something there today, should you head over...

Jim and Lucy, I just want to say thanks for doing this. I'm on dial-up at FIL's rural location. The fastest connection I can get is 26.4 kps. The NORAD site has been unavailable to us whenever we spend Chr-stmas here. But Beorn and I are finding your updates nearly as exciting. So again, thanks!

Uh-oh... I hope 75% off holds off until I'm back home on Friday. No Target close to FIL's...

Welcome to the GottaDeal forums, Sandy! Thanks for choosing this thread for your first post.

I think the website that posts the coupon booklet schedules says there are no coupons scheduled for either this or next Sunday...

Although Gator Town isn't as large, the same applies here...

Most seasonal markdowns at Target are 50% off for three days after the holiday, but the Chr-stmas mark down is usually dragged out longer. Some Targets have started doing a quicker mark down than in the past, so who knows this year? For the past couple of years, 75% off has started around December 31 to January 2nd. I think it depends on when the Saturday after Chr-stmas is. I plan to start checking daily myself on the 30th, since I have not seen a definitive schedule posted for this year.

Oy, I wish I could help! But, I'm not a fan of pot roast, so that is a recipe I don't have. Have you checked out www.cookingcache.com? The recipe might be in the crockpot section.

Does anyone know about when the seasonal food items go clearance? Turkeys, hams, specialty platters?

Gator Town's Target is pretty old. That's why I was so disapointed when they chose to remodle, instead of building a Super Target several years ago.

Thanks Becca! I want to oad up on those DVDs for trick-or-treat next year. That happened mid-afternoon on the 24th at my Target last year. I don't know if it will happen again this year though.

I didn't keep the flyer. But I think most things were listed at 50% to 60% off. Not enough to get me excited...

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Sad%20Upset/sigh1.gif Well, plans have really changed... This year Paul will not be joining us for our celebration, and FIL barely eats due to his appetite being suppressed from his drinking. :-( FIL can not join us until Tuesday afternoon, so since Beorn and I celebrate the holiday to honor FIL, we'll postpone the whole thing until Tuesday night/Wednesday. I even found an email Santa site and sent Santa a request to please come two nights later (Beorn still enjoys the game). Beorn doesn't enjoy many appetizers yet, and FIL would fill up on a single serving of an appetizer (or at least claim to do so), so I'll skip them this year. Beorn would also prefer bacon and eggs to our traditional French toast casserole, and FIL's breakfast on a holiday would be Tanqueray and water on the rocks, so I'll skip that as well. :-( The menu will be very basic, but still festive and yummy. 'Aged' standing rib roast per AB Diane's Yorkshire Pudding Garlic mashed potatoes tossed salad southern style green beans roasted asparagus Chicago-style hard rolls from Publix KerryGold Irish Butter (the one time of year we splurge on it) Home made chocolate layer cake with buttercream filling Since Paul is the eggnog fan, I'll save the home made eggnog for NYE when we'll be back home. Whether that will be in the Village or the duplex will depend on how much moving Paul gets done while he's off from the post office Sunday and Monday this week.