sbwolfer

My local KB does a great job. They are located in a mall and store is very small. You have to wait in line outside the store and the section is roped off to keep people from cutting. Workers hand out adds to look at while you wait. All of the aisles are blocked so you walk up and down each one and shop. Technically you are in the register line from the time you enter the store. They have workers to grab items for you that you may not be able to get to while you wait. They were very organized, no problems, and GREAT deals. I pick up a lot of stuff to donate while shopping there!

I do want new ideas, but I figured I would share some that I haved used in case anyone else wants to use those. I would love to see what other people come up with. I love creative fun ideas! Thanks for clarifying! Hopefully people will submit something.

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I am hoping to collect some cute new ideas for stocking stuffers this year. DD is 11 so she usually gets makeup, jewelry and things of that nature. I usually try to include something funny. Here are a few of the ones I have used. These are also great to hand out to other friends or family. They always get a laugh. Snowman Poop (use mini marshmallows) I hear you've been naughty, So listen...here's the scoop! Instead of getting coal this year. You're getting Snowman Poop! Reindeer Poop (use raisinettes, or other small chocolate) Santa saved a precious gift and it's especially for you. Just a little something extra and it comes from Rudolph, too! He knows that you've been naughty instead of being nice. Once again you're on the bad list and he checked it over twice. Santa hopes this little poem Doesn't throw you for a loop. All your getting this year is a bunch of Reindeer Poop! These can be a lot of fun to share with coworkers. I usually just put the treats and little poem in a Ziplock bag. Drop one on someone's desk at work at watch to see the reaction you get!

I keep a small notebook in my purse with a page for each person I buy for. I write down what I buy to keep track. If you are afraid your kids will see it, then do it on the computer or something. Just label the file Taxes or something boring they would never look at! As far as hiding gifts make use of the basement. Buy those Rubbermaid containers and hide the toys in there. Label them...outgrown clothes or somethine equally boring. And for the tag writing I try to write with the opposite hand or have hubby write them. DD recognizes my handwriting but not DH's so that works. Wrap as you go and store the presents wrapped with tags. That way on Christmas Eve all you have to do is slap on bows or ribbons.

I buy these tins sometimes. I'll even wait til after Christmas when they are really marked down. My DH loves the popcorn! Plus those tins come in handy for storing Christmas decorations. They are already Christmas looking so they don't need to be labeled. I store my tree angel in one. I also use them for garland and even lights sometimes.

I usually use one at Target or Walmart because that is where I buy a larger amount of stuff. I always have a friend with me and we just share a cart. One of us stays with it at all times. One friend mans the cart while the other squeezes down crowded aisles to grad stuff. Then before we leave we grab another cart and seperate our stuff.

This is what I suggest doing to those line cutters! Line cutters make me:gdangry3:

I some ornaments that my grandmother made that have been handed down from my mom. They are very special to me. I also buy one dated ornament every year, this was a tradition that my family always had so I continue it in my own home.

Let's just say that over the last few weeks less and less housework has been getting done. I guess I better catch up on it though so I have room to store all my BF goodies!

I have never price matched and I am not sure I am going to start. My local Walmart is usually filled with employees that can barely figure out prices on their own items let alone trying to figure how to give someone a price from a different store. Plus, I always feel guilty holding up the line. I know that a lot of the people behind me are trying to just pay, get out, and on to the next store. I would feel bad holding them up so I could save a dollar on a CD. I guess if you are buying a lot of PM stuff and you don't mind ticking off everyone behind you then it is worth it. Maybe I will try it one of these days.

I try to avoid bringing a purse. I make up an envelope for each store that I want to hit. I put my list in and any parts of the add that I have cut out into the corresponding envelope. I leave the envelopes in the car except for the one I currently need. Envelopes work great because you can easily throw them away when finished and you can fold them up in a pocket while shopping. Other necessities, cell phone, small amount of cash, debit card (kept in pants pocket). Oh and chap stick. Long lines outside + cold wind=chapped lips!

I have been BF shopping for the last few years and have learned new things each year. Here are some things I find helpful. 1. Dress warmly, but in layers that can be easily removed, if you live in a cold area. 2. Cell phones are a shoppers best friend. Great way to relocate your lost shopping buddy or to get in touch with shopping buddies in other stores who are trying to locate items for you. 3. Comfortable shoes-an absolute must for the serious shopper. Forego fashion for the day and stick with comfort. 4. Don't drink much before shopping or while waiting in line for the store to open. Even though those warm beverages keep you toasty they also fill your bladder. You may not have a place to use the potty while you are outside in line. If you are shopping alone you don't want to lose your place to go potty. 5. Plan ahead!!! Know where you want to go and what you want to get. I cut some pics out of ads to show store workers if I can't locate the item. This helps when you come across a worker who doesn't seem to have the intelligence to pass 1st grade! 6. Be patient, know that the stores are going to be busy. Don't be one of those people who push and shove. They are only material things, it is not worth going crazy over. 7. Make friends with the people around you in line. It helps pass the time and you can stick together to stop cutters! 8. HAVE FUN!!!!

Haha, I am the same way! I make myself a list of what stores I want to go to and in what order, plus what I want from each store. I sometimes cut out the pics from sale ads if it is an item I think I may have trouble finding. That way I can show the store worker the pic instead of describing the item. Each stores list goes into a seperate envelope. I want to get in, get out and onto the next store. My friend went with me for the first time last year and she can't wait to go again. She couldn't believe how much it helps to be organized!

I love picking up items to donate on Black Friday. I usually have a budget to shop on so buying toys and such on BF allows me to buy more for my money. I love picking up the Barbies for like $4.99 and things like that. I take my stepdaughter shopping with me and I make it a point to pick out things together to donate and make sure she understands the importance of helping others.

My best friend always ends up shopping for other family members, but she considers it a fair trade because they usually watch her kids while she shops. Her hubby usually has to work so her MIL watches the kids and my friend does her shopping plus some stuff MIL asked for. Seems like a fair trade to me!

Some stores seem to have a worse problem with this than others. I always have this problem at Walmart. I wait in line forever and then as they come out to open the doors everyone who just got there or people from the end of the line come running up. The front of the line always calmly walks in but the end of the line PIA"S try to cut in. I had a bit of this problem at Target, but they handled it much better. They had several large bouncer type men at the door who politely "suggested" that cutters stand aside for those who truly waited in line. I love, love, love Target on BF!!!