hopeky94

I would LOVE to get in on some of these deals this year... but my closest Target is 30 miles away from where all my other BF stops are, in an area that will be beyond packed that day! When/how do we find out what items will be part of their online sale? Does their online BF start on Wednesday or what? (I've never done ANY BF shopping online before, but I'd really like to get in on these deals!!) TIA! :)

The ABC Family's countdown thing had me looking for a more complete listing of upcoming specials... And I found a great resource that I'm definitely bookmarking! Christmas TV listings- from itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com Enjoy, and feel free to use this thread for commenting on or reminding each other to watch these movies and specials!!

For any who may be having this issue (or worried that you may), here's what we've done with my nieces if we have more gifts for one than the other (depending on time and budget): a) add small, individually-wrapped, cheap gifts (a jump rope, or cheap accessories to something they already own, etc.), for the one getting fewer things OR re-evaluate how to wrap the gifts we've already bought (or plan to buy)-- could 2 or more small gifts be wrapped in one box (like a doll and separate accessories for her)... or could a "set" be split up and wrapped separately without being too obvious (like a camera and a carrying case for it)? OR c) put all of each child's gifts into one or two boxes and wrap them; you can also wrap the individual gifts inside each box to make it more exciting for them. This is a fun way to keep an older child in suspense, when they're just "sure" you're getting them a certain thing but can't find anything under the tree that's the right size/shape to be that item!

Such a CUTE idea!! At first, I thought you didn't tell Santa how much the coffee pot was gonna set him back, but I think I figured that one out (LOL-- sorry, it's been TOO long since I've tried to "decode" anything! ) I'm DEFINITELY anxious to read what else is on your family's Santa wish list!

Still nothing, Brad??

I'm thinking I'll check it out online first this year, then decide if I'm gonna venture out... Am I correct that this is the first year the F&F sale has been available online?? Just wondering how that will work and if there might be other "specials" available only online...

I'd like to know about this too, since this is the stuff I'm usually after! I wonder if there's any chance they'd do the toys and other stuff on pallets similar to how I've heard one of the toy stores (KB? TRU?) does-- one long line (maybe 2- one on each side of the pallets), going single-file past the pallets, then WM employees beside each pallet to hand items off and hopefully keep ppl from taking all of something?? Probably wishful thinking, but a girl can dream, right?! LOL

This is sooo sad... I know the family of an 8 yr old little girl in my hometown fighting this same disease, and it's beyond words what these kids and their families have to deal with. By the way, there's a Care Page for Noah as well, with updates from his mom on how he's doing and how many cards and packages have arrived: Care Page for Noah Biorkman

I think a tote bag would be very nice, as she could use it for school or home (especially if she has kids of her own!)... To put in it, how about a magazine: something age-appropriate, either teacher-related or just for personal down-time-- plus a certificate for a year's subscription to the magazine? I don't know if there's somewhere online where you can order one but let the recipient send in the address info later, but if not you could get a money order for the amount of the subscription and put it and the subscription card in a stamped envelope addressed to the publisher, with a sticky note on the outside, instructing the teacher to fill in her address and pop it in the mail! Or how about one or two cheap romantic comedy DVDs (from BF sale) or DVDs of classic "I Love Lucy" episodes, and possibly a 3-month Netflix subscription (with a note that she can use it now or save it for her summer break)? If you want to go the direction of buying school supplies, I'm sure they'd be appreciated... but I'd suggest balancing them out with some things more for her than the classroom, like a nice stationery set or a small manicure set. (FYI, I'm not a teacher but my niece is, and I know these are things she'd enjoy! :))

Only one I can think of is a sweater with HUGE peach and white horizontal stripes, with a polo-type collar on it. Although I wore an average size at the time, I've always struggled with my weight... so between the huge stripes and the thing being made to hang loose and just waist-length-- there was NO way I was wearing it!! I found out where my sister had bought it so I could exchange it, and just as I suspected: she found it on clearance. I NOT dissing clearance (it's my favorite, 2nd only to BF shopping!), but there were SOO many prettier and more appropriate shirts, on the same rack and the same price!! <sigh> I keep asking my mom if she's sure we're really sisters-- my brother and I are a lot alike, but sometimes I think my sister's from another planet! LOL

My male coworker was off taking care of his 2 sick daughters today, so I forwarded this to him in case he and his little boy want to "slip out" and head that way Sunday! Thanks for the info, bigjim!!

How about playing a game where people are eliminated one by one until there is only one winner (think musical chairs or something similar)... As folks are eliminated, they get a number (if there were 20 people, the first person out would be #20, the next one #19, etc). Then you could either let the winner (person #1) go first in selecting a gift and go in numerical order till everyone has a gift... OR Have all the #s in a hat, draw a #, and that's the person gets to select first. Then go in numerical order after them. Example: using the same 20 ppl scenario, #15 is drawn to go first. Next to pick would be 16, then 17, and so on; then after #20, it would go back to #1, then 2, and all the way thru #14. Or instead of a game like musical chairs, you could do a trivia game-- Christmas trivia, generic brain teasers, or even trivia about the families of people there! The person with the most correct answers would be #1 and so on (like above). Actually, just about any kind of wedding or baby shower game could be modified somehow to fit as a way of determining who gets what present... you could even "secretly" assign everyone a number (hidden on the bottom of their plates, or under their chairs, or on the back of paper stocking decorations that each person writes their name on one as they arrive) and use those to decide who gets first dibs on gifts! I don't know if these are the kind of ideas you're looking for, but hopefully they'll help you and/or others to come up with creative gift exchanges! :)

Sorry, I don't have any ideas for you... but I plan to watch this thread closely too, as I want to organize something for my former classmates, since so many were excited to do something again soon, after having our 15 yr reunion last month! :)

Ya know, pets are REALLY not picky about gifts! Watch for super-cheap deals on treats or toys for them... check garage sales (if it's still warm enough where you live) or Goodwill for cheap kids' toys that they'd enjoy... if you think outside the box, you could probably even MAKE something for them! Case in point.... Check out the thread in this subforum about homemade gifts: they were talking about making gift baskets but using 2 liter bottles to hold the stuff, and it gave me an idea for an almost-free cat toy: rinse out and take the label off of a small bottle (like the new 12oz pop bottles), stick a couple of jingle bells (or some pennies or rocks) and some catnip inside the bottle; put the cap on, then poke a few small holes where the label used to be (so the catnip smell can get out); get a piece of felt in the craft aisle at Walmart and cut it to fit over the label area, then glue it on (probably should keep the extra felt, esp if kitty isn't declawed!)... and that's it! Now, what playful, catnip-loving kitty wouldn't have a blast with that?! LOL Then there's also the after-Christmas sales, when you could check out PetSmart and any other places that typically have holiday stuff for pets... Who says the pets can't have their Christmas celebration a day or two later-- extend the fun! Get the kids involved and throw the pets their own little "party" with the kids as the hosts or hostesses! :)

Does anyone know the answer to this? TIA!!

#1- "If we chain them all to the back and strap the dolls on top, can we use the carpool lane to go to the next store??" #2- "I don't know what you're talking about-- that pink striped bag was already here when I sat down! I'm not touching it... what if it's a bomb or something?!" #3- They read an online tip to sleep in shifts while waiting for the big sales... unfortunately, no one told them that meant DIFFERENT shifts! :)

Anyone ever shop their "online specials" during BF? There's not a B&M store near me, so I'm wondering how much of what's in their ad is typically also that price online?

If I was in your situation, I think what I'd do is: put up as much of the smaller decorations as you're comfortable with the weekend before Thanksgiving (especially special things that you're the most particular about protecting or arranging just so). Keep the main dining table/area in a fall theme.... until after the big meal is done! Then, turn on some holiday tunes, and... have the whole family decorate in grand fashion!! :) Kids can put electric candles in windows, arrange Christmas village displays, or put out placemats, tablecloths, and holiday throw pillows. The men and/or teens can hang any wall decorations that might be more difficult for you to do alone. And the women (and maybe older girls) can work on the floral and/or fragile decor. As for a tree, put up the full-size one if you're up to it (before or while they're there), or put up a smaller tree that you can move to another room later. Young kids would have fun making their own decorations for the tree or to hang on doorknobs! HTH! The main thing is to enjoy this special time with your family-- so do what you think will be most memorable and special to ALL of you!!

Just wondering-- would these freeze well? If so, should they be partially baked first then finish baking when ready to eat... or could they be fully cooked then microwaved from frozen?? These would be great for on-the-go breakfasts! I bet a little bit of cooked sausage crumbled into each one would be yummy too... :)

Try these with potato sticks instead of chow mein noodles-- their saltiness gives these an awesome, "can't eat just one" flavor!! FYI- when made with all butterscotch chips, I've heard these (made with the noodles or the potato sticks) called "Haystacks"...

I LOVE the look/idea of the 2 below recipes! Questions though... First mice recipe-- Could you make this without the Oreo on the bottom? I'm just wondering if they'd still stay together and possibly be easier to eat... Second mice recipe-- Could this be made with store-bought peanut butter cookie dough? Also, do you flatten the balls of dough a little? If not, how do you get the decorations to still be in the right spots when they bake? Would it work to add the ears, nose, and eyes immediately after they come out of the oven instead? These sound so good and are soooo cute! Thanks for posting them, Illinoismom!! :)

I LOVE the below recipe! I make a Butterfinger Cake at least 3-4 times a year to bring to potlucks... The original recipe called for Heath bars instead, but I'm not big on toffee so I changed it! lol The differences in the one below and the one I make: I use yellow cake mix (chocolate can be TOO rich for some), generic caramel topping, let the cake cool 10-15 minutes (so all the liquid doesn't end up in the bottom), and I usually use just 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk so I have enough left to make a 2nd cake! Oh, and for the topping, I sprinkle 1/2 the Butterfinger crumble, then spread cool whip, then sprinkle rest of the Butterfinger on top. Never tried it with pecans, may have to next time... thanks for posting this!!

My mom used to (until my late 20's!) give me some sort of special doll every year. When I was little, it wasn't one to just sit on a shelf, but a cute baby doll or Barbie that she knew I'd enjoy. Obviously, for the first 3-4 yrs, it was a baby doll each year. Then I started into the Barbie phase and would get one or two of those and an outfit or two. One year in particular I remember... When Cabbage Patch dolls were so popular but too expensive for her budget, ordered a homemade stuffed doll from a coworker's mom: not authentic "Cabbage Patch", but had my eye and hair color and was definitely well-loved! As a teen, I got china dolls which either laid on my bed or stood on my dresser using a doll stand. They were nice but not particularly my favorite... so after those, she bought the plastic dolls that are each dressed as something unique (like angel dolls with diff hair colors/styles, dolls in authentic dress from other countries, etc). Just an idea for ya... good luck-- I know your little girl will be thrilled with WHATEVER you decide! :)

A lot of my family doesn't care for traditional pumpkin pie (not big pumpkin fans in general), so when I found this in a magazine several yrs ago, it instantly became our NEW traditional holiday dessert-- it combines the best parts of pumpkin pie with the best parts of a no-bake cheesecake! :) Enjoy!! Double-Layer Pumpkin Pie 1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 1 cup plus 1 Tbsp milk, divided 1 Tbsp sugar 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed & divided 1 graham cracker pie crust (6 oz) 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (NOT premade pie filling) 2 pkgs (3.4 oz each) vanilla instant pudding mix 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1/4 tsp ground cloves Beat cream cheese, 1 Tbsp milk, and sugar in large bowl with whisk until blended. Stir in half the whipped topping. Spread into crust. Whisk remaining milk, pumpkin, pudding mixes and spices 2 minutes (mixture will be thick). Spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate 4 hours or until set (overnight is fine, too). Top with remaining remaining whipped topping just before serving. ------------------ TIP: Trim 40 calories and 6 grams of fat per serving by preparing with Neufchatel Cheese, fat-free milk, Light Whipped Topping, and a reduced-fat graham cracker crumb crust.

Okay, gotta get in here on these! LOL Hummin Bird, those drinks sound VERY yummy! After reconnecting with some old friends recently, I think I know what I'LL be taking to our next social event! Here's one I found this past summer and have been waiting for the right season and occasion to try-- I like everything in it, and I think it will be awesome for a holiday "snack day!" Chocolate-Peppermint Cheeseball 1 pkg (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cup peppermint candies (approx. 36 candies) 2 cups pecans 8 oz cream cheese, softened Process chocolate chips, peppermint candies, and pecans in a blender or food processor until finely ground. Place mixture in an airtight plastic bag or container until ready to use. There will be enough mixture to make several cheese balls. --------------- When ready to make the cheeseball, place cream cheese in a bowl. Remove 1/2 cup of ground candy/nut mixture from its bag and mix into cream cheese. Shape into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 or 3 hours or until firm. Serve with chocolate flavored vanilla wafers, chocolate graham crackers, etc.