trbarginhunter

I'd check Target, they usually have the Cranium games--I know ours still has a variety of them avalaible. If not, the Barnes and Noble stores have them on the floor (literally, on the floor under some of the book tables). They are a lot of fun...oh I think I bought one at Starbucks last year as a stocking stuffer....

Yeah! Ordered yesterday, it arrived today, (southern California). I love this box!

The plastic plates that have dividers and look like mini cafeteria plates are on clearance at our Target--around $2 each in a variety of colorful stripes/solids. My DD LOVED those when she was little--so I picked up a couple for the toddler next door whose Birthday is in March! THe Memory Makers snowflake wreath and ornaments where $14 each--not a great discount from the original $20, but a cute gift idea if you need one....

When I tried last night, it was out of stock...this morning, it's in stock and on it's way! So keep trying, you never know what will be restocked. Finally, I have a presentable way to keep all my Girl Scout files in my den--which is where my troop meets!

Check out www.Mindware.com lots of science type games and stuff, some aimed at a younger audience, but it might be good for an idea or two! Books in her science area of interest (a friend got Gray's Antamony fash cards for her dd--the medical textbook not the tv show). Or one of those electronic planner things to keep her schedule in (can you tell I use a paper and pencil version :-) Good Luck!

My 12 yr old reads Girl's Life, I don't like the others listed--neither does she. She also reads National Geographic (not the kids one) but I think Girl's Life is more what you are looking for. Honestly, what would send my tween over the moon is a gift card to the bookstore. She loves to read, and knows that it's hard to keep up with what she has recently finished. Add at book mark (they have some intial ones at Barnes and Noble, right at the checkstand) or a book light (Target) if you would like.

When my Great Aunt was in a nursing home she liked bright costume jewelry...especially "holiday" pins and such. Shw wore them on her sweaters for lunch and other "in house" gatherings. OR turn a sweatshirt into a bed jacket. Just remove neck and bottom ribbing, cut up the front (I usually curve the upper front a little). Use bias tape binding to cover all the raw edges (I make mine from fabric, but no reason the Wrights package won't work). The sweatshirts is warm, and fairly laundry proof. You could add patch pockets on the front with matching fabric.

If you have a Longs Drug Store in your area, check there. My neighbor got one there for her baby--who is a HUGE Elmo fan.

They had them at our Costco this morning. Don't remember the price, it's not something I was looking for....but they had a HUGE number of boxes. Right near the door. You might try costco.com if that would be easier for you.

IKEA has their silverware on sale this week. Along with dishes, and other "entertaining" items.

Check out Ikea's sale this week, I think silverware is included.

If you have a Micheal's Craft store, check out the Dollar Section, I bought some great "snowman" themed bath stuff bags there, and they were a huge hit at DD's Christmas Craft party. They have a lot of different items, so there might be something else to catch your interest.

It's $10 off if you spend $50. I wish it was $10 off every $50, but since the books are already 1/2 off, it's a great deal. By the way, for those last minute Christmas gifts, they had the Jan Brett Who's That Knocking on my Door on Christmas Eve? in both hardcover and paperbac (paperback ends up being $2), as well as the Santa Claus story book (I collect Christmas books--so they caught my eye). Don't forget reference books--ryhming dictionary, thesaurs, foriegn language. Bought books on Castles (DD will do medievel history), required reading books (she likes her own copy--and for $2-3 I will indulge her).

Back from the sale. I got several books for DD and cousins, including Eragon, the Ballpark book (great for baseball fans, especially at half off. Huge baseball fiels shaped book.) They also had the new Mismantle Chronicles book (hardcover) . the new Peter Pan (Peter Pan in Scarlet) the Neverland books (Peter and the Starcatcher, Peter and ???), some Pirates of the Caribeen items, Charlotte's Web movie books (and the traditional book),lots of cookbooks, resource books--dictionaries, rhyming dictionaries, etc, adult fiction in harcover.Christmas books and stocking stuffs. I didn't look at the computer items, just not something we are interested in, but they seemed to have a lot of it. And I got a $5 off next purchase coupon.

Picked up a goose neck halogen lamp for $1.98 yesterday--90% off, both DD and DH love it. In the soap/shampoo back end cap. It came up as not in stock, but the manager looked it up and sold it to me for 1.98---just love it!

Ebay. It's great, fast, inexpensive, and she's not going to wear it again anyway.

I have gone for years--I think I put volunteer in...honestly they don't care as long as you pay the bill. A couple of things to keep in mind--these are working warehouses. Can be cold, can be dusty, etc. Staff is helpful, but limited. I have bought books (preschool to adult, gift books, cook books, craft books), Klutz kits, American Girl materials (books, kits, etc), stocking stuffers, lots of stuff. On the computer items, make sure they are compatible with your operating software (a friend got stuck there). And they always seem to have a lot of Harry Potter stuff (books, journals, sticker, whatever). Next movie is out in July, if you think that would peak anyone's interest. Can you tell I love this sale?????

My husband wears a 30x 35....so I know how hard this can be. We have the best luck at the following: Nordstroms Rack (Really, no where near as expensive as you might think, and they group up all the "odd" sizes in one place. It's also good for suit jackets in "short" (neighbor, not DH)) Sears, Lands End Clearance (they seem to group up all the "odd sizes") Boot Barn for jeans , wrangler fits the best (In case you don't have a Boot Barn, local western wear, boots store. And they will order the size you need, no charge). Hope this helps!

today's Target find, ok not as exciting as an MP3 or anything, but useful around here: a HUGE collection of gift bags/boxes/tissue paper, etc for $3.74. 1 Jumbo Bag, 1 Large bag, 2 cub size, 1 large, 1 medium, 1 small, 1 cd, 1 dvd, and 2 gift card boxes, with tags and tissure paper. On the end cap in stationary, 3 different pattern collections avaliable.

Worked for me, and I used my Amazon account (it comes up as an option in check out) so I got free shipping. On it's way to my door for $10.78. THANKS!

I ran into Target to return something for my daughter and picked up the John Frieda Frizz Ease Curl Around conditioner with the bonus rehydrate and curl aropund style product for $2.48. The Blonde Conditioner, extra conditoner and gloss was also $2.48 so I picked those up for DD. End cap by the hair products--there was a bunch of small make up items and cosmentic brush rolls there as well, they had been marked down at leadt twice. hope this helps someone....

engraved cradle ornament from Lillian Vernon (I love our daughters), with a gift card/savings bond/whatever you think appropriate...

Call your local Girl Scout Council or Boy Scout organization (sorry--I do Girl Scouts) and see if they can help "Adopt a Platoon". (You can find out the contact information for the Girl Scout Council at http://www.girlscouts.org/councilfinder/) or call your local elementary school and ask to have a Leader call you.... What a great thing to do!

Pirate anything--like the new Life game that's pirate based, but her would need someone to play with.... I'd go with the legos. Or look at Micheal's (or whatever your local craft type store) see if they have KLUTZ books for kids--it's a craft kit/book. Lots of variety, and use the 40% off coupon to save money (usually in Sunday paper). Just be careful about "extras needed"--ie glue or something (you can open the books and there is a list in the first few pages, just to doulbe check).

Yeah! I'm going to have one happy daughter. I oicked up a Rival Ice Cream maker for $12.48 today. Clearance aisle in housewares area, sign said 30% off, but original price was $50. There was George Foreman Family Grill, BBQ Pit as earlier mentioned, picture frames, vases, and various small electronics. Enjoy!