Libra Angel

I did my shopping online. Got Bath and Body Works: Buy 3 Get 3 Free and their V.I.P. tote. Old Navy: Leggings, pullovers and long sleeve tees for my niece who said that she only wants clothes and accessories this year for Christmas. I also earned $40 in Super Cash.

I went online and took advantage of the sale going on at Bath & Body Works (Buy 3, Get 3 Free!). I also purchased their 2015 V.I.P. tote that was $20 when you spend $35. Lastly, I went onto the Gymboree site (50% off the entire site) and bought my baby cousin (who was born last Saturday) a few ensembles.

Well, my family has never been the festive type. This isn't to say that when things get rolling that they don't enjoy the fruits of my labor, but they themselves do not initiate anything. This kind of attitude is something that has always been, even as a kid. If there were lights or decorations that needed to be put up, it was I who did it. I do not have any kids, but I find it annoying that I cannot call my parents or siblings and 'talk' about the holidays without things going sour before the conversation is over. In any event, I must say that as time has gone by, I have learned to accept my family for who they are. My tips on how to get out of a Christmas funk when dealing with those who aren't festive, behave like ingrates or if even you aren't in the mood are: Invoke some Christmas flare into your life. This can be done by buying/lighting a scented Christmas-y candle, buying some candy canes or even hanging up a string of lights. There is no right or wrong time to get into the spirit of the holiday season and having small reminders around can keep you focused on what's ahead or at the least (hopefully) put a smile on your face. Put on some Christmas music. I personally can listen to Mariah Carey's (1st) Christmas LP in April, but to get into a festive mood as it gets colder out, I'll play this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY I also think that watching Youtube video's about what others have gotten in past years can not only be enjoyable but can offer good ideas. I hope this helps.

I vow to be more organized. Thanks to this site (Brad) I am able to view many of the ads beforehand but I never write down exactly what I want but rather go into a store in some type of haze. So this year I'm making a list and yes checking it twice. Also I plan to get enough rest, which I never do considering I'm a night owl. As of now that's about it. :)

My Top 5 ~ Camera Clothes/Accessories Perfume/Cologne Books DVD's

I know I will have at the least $450 to spend so that is slightly more than I have had (though I have never spent all of the money I carried) in previous years. :)

Definitely Target & JCPenny. :)

Destination: Target. Mission: To get there at 4am *crosses fingers* and scoop up DVD's. Outcome ~ I woke up at 3:09am, I was already dressed and though I was still tired from not getting but a few hours to rest (excitement, nerves, et cetera had me staying up well past 12 o'clock) I garnered some inner strength and headed out the door close to 3:40 to go to my parents house and pick up my little brother & sister (Ages - 17 & 18) who decided to come along for the trip (last minute but I digress...). Anyways around 3:55 I arrived at my parents house, the siblings were lolly-gagging which almost tempted me to leave them...this is BF after all. So finally around 4:15 we left the house, I got in a very long line at 4:47(had to be about 100-150 people ahead of me) my lil bro and sis decided to stay in the car (lmao...oh boy). In line I met two nice ladies who decided to tell me their life stories which I didn't mind because it kept me entertained and made the time go by faster. 5 minutes before opening (5:55) many people decided that they were gonna be line jumpers but oh no no no (we had state troopers/police whatever) out there to keep everything in order (later on I would find out that some were also inside the store as well). So I get in, grab a cart and browse around- it felt like I was there all alone (little did I know) so I go to my destination...and HOLY HECK BATMAN...the place is swarmed, me being raised with manners I'm all like excuse me...excuse me holding a shopping cart that has a carseat type thing attached to it (I don't even have kids)...so I'm like bump that and ditch the cart to snag my DVD's, I then grabbed two CD's, manuvered my way to appliances somehow- there wasn't anything that I had my heart set on but I was like why not?. To my luck I found an abandoned regular cart and went to pick up a few more things...I kept seeing people pick up these chair things that I passed when I first got into the store so with closer inspection I decided to get one for myself...went back to electronics to pick me up an new DVD player and again to my luck I picked up the last one that was on sale...this woman I believe was contemplating getting it but she was too slow so... SNATCH. All in all I got everything I wanted plus a few more things. The lines were the worst of it...I was in one line for about 30 minutes only to be told that they were only checking out those with just electronics...I got lucky and found another line that *gasp* didn't wrap around the entire store (just half of it...lol). By this time my little brother and sister called me to say they were going to Burlington Coat Factory (which is like a 5-10 minute walk). I was in line for about 25 minutes and everything was smooth until the blank CD's I bought rung up as the regular price when they were $5..everything got cleared up pretty quickly and I got them for their sale price. My BF Target List ~ DVD's ~ (Prices: $3.98 - $5.98) Elf, The Goonies, Benchwarmers, Batman Begins, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Holiday, 300, A Christmas Story, Music and Lyrics, Polar Express, The Departed, Monster House, The Devil Wears Prada (replacement), Click, The Notebook (replacement), Blood Diamond & Hitch. Phillips Compact DVD Player (Price $25) Extreme VR Rocker (Price $32) CHEFMATE Coffee Maker (Price $4.50) Linkin Park/Kelly Clarkson Cd's (replacement) (Price 2 for $15) Energizer 24 Pack Batteries (11.99) CHEFMATE Blender (Price $13.99) Memorex 50 Pack ($5.00) and a few other things like gum, magazine, et cetera... Total: $210. Thoughts: This was my 2nd BF and I had a blast, the weather though cold (my fingers thawed about half an hour into me getting into the store) wasn't horrible and I also met two nice ladies who helped me get through my wait. My Christmas shopping hasn't really begun since I mainly shopped for thyself (lol) but nonetheless I was happy with everything I got. Mission Accomplished. :)

That's awesome, Congrats! :)

I'll be in line at Target by 4am- it opens at 6am. I have no big ticket items that I am getting (No Kids, et cetera) so hopefully the DVDS that I want, I will have no trouble getting.

DVD's are "it" for me. :)

Wow! Congrats to everyone who scored great deals. I will definitely be hitting up my Target this weekend.

I spent around $150 at Walmart (the only store I went to on BF due to shopping throughout the week elsewhere). There wasn't anything that I particulary wanted- I just got my nieces and nephews some toys and whatnot and bought myself a few magazines...lol. Walmart I must say didn't have very many deals. Hopefully my BF next year will be much better though this one wasn't horrid it just wasn't a experience. :)

Thanks for sharing. I will most definitely be getting one for my youngest niece.

I'll be using 1's, 2's, 5's, 10's, 20's, 50's, and 100 dollar Bills along with Pennies, Nickles, Dimes, Quarters, Fifty Cent Pieces.