pogiporkchop

This was at my WM! To think that something in my hometown made national news, hehe...

Deals to be had, lost You slept in, I did not so - Read my BF shirt!

There's nothing wrong with bringing extra to share with people :) But... you never know where the plain clothes cops lurk. If you're even thinking about asking for money for the items - whether they're paying or it's donations - I would suggest checking now with the proper people. Sure you can try doing it anyway but will it be worth it if you get caught and fined? How lucky do you feel?

if you don't want to do a whole turkey then I suggest a turkey breast or two (depending on how much everyone will eat); everyone gets the best part then and it's much easier to cook :) I'd ask everyone you plan on having to dinner what they like to eat and pick a few things from among them; corn, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole (and cranberry sauce) are pretty standard. I agree with keeping it simple.

Limit the number of people in at a time. Make sure the employees know the ad inside out and where items are, who to call if there are questions/problems and can be clearly identified. And for goodness sake, have them well trained - make 'em watch clips of BF events past so they know what they'll be facing! Clearly designate where lines start (and for that matter what direction they're going ). No mail-in rebates! They're a (insert favorite phrase or choice words here) to fill out, especially when you need to cut the UPCs off of boxes. Every year I'm stuck doing at least 5 because DH has to have certain things One thing I would love to see: a store that randomly gives someone in line an X minute shopping spree along with their own personal checkout lane. I'd love to have one for my own personal shopping but think it would be even more fun if I was shopping for an adopted family or two :)

I think you should get a t-shirt for giving us this info :)

I'll have to wait and see if it's worth going. I have a new nephew this year and he needs toys but it has to be a great deal for me to go... generally it's too expensive.

I always make a batch of my grandma's peppercookies. It's the only time of year I will make them :9

CNN, Grand Rapids Press (Grand Rapids, Mi.), and Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Mi.) - though I can't remember any of the URLs to any of these places even if my life depended on it :)

Last year I was able to use the excuse that anything my kids saw was for their cousins overseas but I'm not sure that will work this year - we're sending our box a month earlier. Think I'll have to use the peek-and-it-goes-back tactic this year.

How about gifts in a jar? That simply requires putting a bunch of ingredients together and writing directions for use on cards. You can do soup mixes, cocoa, cookies, dips... and there are so many recipes to be found. Cinnamon applesauce ornaments would be nice too. Those could be made in any shape and really be displayed year round. I'll try to find the recipe I like to use.

Don't forget to charge your cell phone!

If you can get your hands on some shoe boxes or similar sized plastic storage boxes then you can stuff 'em with necessities and still have room for a little something :) I like the wish list idea too... maybe the two could be combined.

And I for one would be glad to do so! What kinds do you like?

I do, though I don't remember exactly when. I'm looking for Little Tykes this year myself for my nephew :)

Just about everything for my nephew who will be 7 mos. at Christmas (especially toys) and items TBD (to be determined) for my brother and his GF. They don't have much and can't afford any extras now so I'm going to "adopt" them :) For my family: anything Wii (we have one already), clothes for the kids, toys TBD, books and board games. DH wants a new TV AGAIN (just got one last year) but he's going to take an apartment in the city where he works for the winter to cut his commute and save money so I guess it's OK :) Myself, I don't know yet. For other important people: I don't know yet but I'll think of something. Maybe I should start listing all the people I need to remember this year.

And if you want to make it REALLY fun pick out a hideous item - as far as possible from what they'd pick for themselves - according to type of store (shirt for clothing store, etc.) and wrap it with the GC, which should be in an envelope marked "Here's your real gift". The initial reactions would be great to get on video. I too like gift cards but since we never have many to buy for (that live here anyway) I don't have to worry about things like this yet. You could also get a cute wallet with CC slots and stick GC in the slots instead :)

Grand Rapids, Mi. - starting location TBD

I say the sooner you can get one the better. Who knows, I may end up looking for one for my kids too.

Of course I'm one of the lucky ones that already has one... we only have two games though so I'm hoping for great prices on the games. And if I can talk DH into letting me get Wii Fit and Mario Kart all the better.

I'll be going to Meijer, and maybe KMart if we drive into the closest city with one (the closest one to us is in the process of closing).

I agree. Don't know if I'll need to shop there but I like how they are being considerate of us shoppers. That goes a long way in my book.

I'm going to wait and see if I sign up for any this year after the fiasco I had last year with my notebook getting stolen But if I join I'd likely do all but the card exchange (cookies are already in mind)...

I think I'll end up there at some point - DH has his eyes on a TV again. But since he's going to get an apartment in the city where he works for the winter I guess it'll be OK