ChristmasShopping

Yes, he is a huge Giants fan BUT we live in Texas and NY Giants stuff (and Red Sox) stuff is very hard to come by. I tried to find some small stocking stuff on line but the shipping kills most deals on the small items. Thanks for all the ideas. I am going to start gathering things this week.

I am trying to get my list together for black friday (I want to be done shopping that day) but I have run across a problem. I need ideas on what to get my BF in his stocking. My family does stocking for EVERYONE and the significant other is responsible for their significant other. I have no clue. My ex always wanted candy, wii games and hunting stuff. My new BF is into fitness, movies, and more guyish than my ex. Having problems finding things... Help.. any ideas would help... (also any ideas with a college freshman's stocking.. I am going to send one to my nephew who just started college away from home). THANKS!

BF and I got into a conversation last night about Christmas and Christmas spending. I plan on buying less gifts but spending more money because I am getting (hopefully) bigger ticket items this year.

I am hoping to see a great price on the PS3 (being very hopeful and fingers crossed here) and a great deal on a good tablet.

October 22 Half Price Book Store

I went to a brand new outlet mall this weekend and actually found some really good deals (not common for me and outlet malls). I grabbed 5 Christmas presents and was thinking if I keep up at this rate, I might not need to go out on Black Friday (still will go.. it is a 18 year tradition for me). So are you buying Christmas now or waiting to see the ads?

I love spending time with my best friend shopping and just enjoying the fun of late night/early morning shopping!

Mid-Cities & Grapevine/Southlake, Texas

These are my families favorite cookie... you get the great chocolate cookie with a great caramel center! (You can add pecans to the sugar you roll them in prior to baking if you wish.. gives it a nice extra something ) Rolo Cookies Yield: 3 dozen cookies Cook Time: 7-10 minutes Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup cocoa 1 cup butter, at room temperature 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup light brown sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Bag of Rolo candies, unwrapped Sugar (for rolling the cookie dough balls in) Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat. Set aside. 2. In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa. Set aside. 3. With a mixer, cream butter and sugars together until smooth. Add in eggs, one at a time. Next, add in vanilla extract. Mix until blended. 4. Slowly add flour mixture to sugar mixture and blend well. Take a spoonful of chocolate cookie dough and wrap around one Rolo candy. Make sure Rolo is completely covered with cookie dough. Roll dough ball in sugar and place on prepared baking sheet. Continue until you run out of cookie dough. 5. Bake cookies for 7-10 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit on cookie sheet for 3-5 minutes. Move to a cooling rack and cool completely.

Ok.. I have to do 12 stockings this year.. 4 preteens and teens and then 8 adults.. I just don't have any idea this year what to put in them... HELP.. what do you put in stockings?

Half Price Books---- October 12, 2011

A friend of mine is a newly single dad who has just returned from 2 years of military schooling and military duty in Afghanistan. He will have his soon for most of December and is trying to come up with some traditions to start with him (he is only 6). It got me to thinking about different traditions... so what are yours?

This sounds really interesting. How does it work?

Butterfinger pretzel rods (This is the easiest recipe ever.. no baking.. but everyone requests them every year!) 1 package Butterfingers (crushed) 1 package dipping chocolate 1 package pretzel rods Melt chocolate in glass bowl in microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time until it is smooth. Dip pretzel rod in chocolate and then roll in crushed butterfinger. Place on wax paper to cool. Take left over chocolate and drizzle over top of pretzel rods.

I like it..

My sister has asked for a Vera Bradley purse for Christmas and we have a store locally that has just opened (or I have just discovered..LOL). Do they do Black Friday sale? (any info would be great). Thanks!

I would love to do that but I have to spend it all in one purchase (probably to prevent using a ton of the coupons). I've been trying to find last years ad to get an idea of what might be on sale but no luck. But at least now I know they do actually have a sale. Thanks to all that replied!

I went to a grand opening event this past weekend at Ulta and won a $100 gift cert. It doesn't expire until next year so I was thinking of using it on Black Friday. I have never shopped there on BF and don't remember seeing an ad for them Does anyone know if they do a BF ad and/or has anyone shopped there on BF? Thanks!

10/18 Half Price Books

I made up my list this weekend and came up with 38 people we buy for. I better get shopping..LOL

I just bought a new backpack on clearance at Target and I bought it with the plan on using it on Black Friday. It is small and comfortable .. and my plan is to have the ads and things to keep me busy in line in it. Maybe some snacks etc.. I was thinking back to years before and was trying to remember what I had taken with me on BF. So what do you take with you?

I actually talked to both of them this weekend (still trying to talk them out of it). And both of them said "how bad can it be? it is just shopping.. just early in the morning" LOL!! Ok.. maybe I need to start a thread on the worse things you have seen on BF and make them read it..

I was the one that started the big Zhu Zhu thread last year (started 9/1 and was still going on Dec 31.. LOL! with 187 pages!!! LOL!!!) I can't believe we already knew and were searching high and low for them last year on 9/1. I have no clue what the hot toy this year is! I have asked my nieces and their friends and most of them now want some form of electronics!

Start the contests! :)

I know this is asked every year but I find it interesting, especially considering this year I am taking two newbies out for their first time. I have been going since the early 90's. Use to go out with my mom and my first real Black Friday memory is standing in line at Toys R US with Easy Bake Ovens and Light Brites. It took use 2 hours to get everything and get thru the line.