PeachieKeen

I don't have a SO, and funny enough, my family is just crazy about shopping around the holidays, it's expensive, so my single friends who are in the same boat as me who don't come from families as large as mine and who just don't spend as much, completely have bug eyes when they see what I spend on Christmas...and that's with me having no children of my own....:)

On BF every year, we have what we call Light Up Louisville...our downtown is very well lit during the holidays....they put lights on all the trees in downtown Louisville, all the businesses turn off their lit signs, there are several downtown parks that light all the trees and shrubery (sp?) and then there's a one huge christmas tree that is the center of the festivities, the have vendors set up with hot cider, hot chocolate, etc, they have a big stage set up and Santa comes out and walks through the crowd handing out candy canes to the kiddies, and then at like 9pm or so, everything lights up when the mayor hits a big switch. It's really neat...and is pretty much the start to the holidays around here...:)

http://www.wlky.com/money/10271592/detail.html

We all go to my grandmas early Christmas morning..She makes Custard (not really my favorite, but the rest of my family just loves the Custard)...and then my uncle makes a pumpkin roll, and sticky buns and usually he'll stick one extra sweet item in there for breakfast...we don't do too much for breakfast cuz we eat an early Christmas dinner

Awesome Song!! I'm a huge fan of some of Dan Fogleberg's classics!!

Went with my nephews, trick-or-treating only lasted about 45 minutes seeing as it started pouring down rain!! They both ended up with two HUGE bags full of candy even for such a short time. Of course part of that came from their great-grandmother, who had a grocery bag full of candy waiting for them at her house!!

It's definitely too early to decorate our homes....but for stores and businesses it's a marketing ploy to get people thinking about Christmas sooner...of course with those of us on here already getting ready for BF, they have no worries, but for those who haven't started thinking about it yet, they're probably doing their job...:)

I have to say, I always carry a purse, but it's always one I can drape over one shoulder and hold in front of me.

I do use a cart at TRU, I always walk out of there with more than I can carry!! Wal-Mart and Meijer just depend on what's in the ads as to whether or not a cart is neccesary!

You can always call local non-profits. In my area, the St. Vincent DePaul Society is a great organization for matching us up with those less fortunate. You can also try the local school system, or women's shelters they can all lead you in the right direction!

It's a construction paper Santa Clause that I made when I was in Kindergarten, my grandmother just gave it to me, it's so cute, it barely has any of the cotton ball that was originally glued onto it.

I save up! No Credit Cards allowed for BF or Christmas Gifts...I'd be way in over my head if I did that!!

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles with Old Navy. I actually order from them online every year around Christmas and I've never had a problem with ordering online. I've never used a gift card though...I would think that it's probably a system glitch. Let us know how this turns out for you. I'm interested in hearing the outcome.

My company sponsors an organization every year with an angel tree, basically the organization distributes these angel trees to several different mid-sized companies in the area, and between all the companies we supply the gifts on the tree. We do see some higher priced items on our tree, like bikes, etc, and usually several people will go in on getting those bigger items for the kids. The sad thing is that these kids go through the ads the same as everyone else making out their christmas list. I can't imagine what it would feel like for them if someone told them to cross that off their list because it was too expensive. I wouldn't think of doing that to the children in my family, and although they may not get everything they want, at least our efforts to provide the angels on these trees with gifts are well worth the time, energy and money spent.

OOOh Thank you!! I have to check this out! I love Fashion Bug!

Christmas Eve is celebrated with my Dad's family, and we got to Christmas Eve Mass as well, with so many little ones around, we usually go to an afternoon Mass, but Midnight Mass is my personal favorite. Christmas day is celebrated with Mom's family.

Christmas cards must have the Christmas themed stamps!! I will make as many special trips as I have to for Christmas Stamps!!

I am so addicted to this site and I've only been here for a few days....this site has already helped me get an Elmo TMX, and given tons of tips for the holidays and all the bargain info a person could want!! Keep up the good work!!

Decorating the house, and then after all is done, sitting with only the christmas lights on and listening to christmas music and wrapping gifts..usually not all happening on the same day..:)

I have already started shopping but I only have about 3 people done...so I have a ton more to buy for

We don't get our Christmas bonus til February...no luck on saving it until BF yet..

Since I don't have kids it's not a problem with hiding gifts at my house. However, I have been known to lose track of what I've bought. Last year I started a spreadsheet for my christmas shopping...it never gets printed out so nosy eyes ever see it...but I track how much I have to spend, what I have spent, and what gifts were purchased for who....and it's password protected so nosy eyes don't get to see it

I don't mind helping out others, like for my grandmothers, neither of them can get out in the mess of BF, so I'll pick up stuff for them if they see it in the ads and want it. Or, if someone has to work and can't go, I don't mind it then...but if they can get up and go and they don't...I'm not gonna break my neck for them...I'll see what I can do and that's all I can promise!:)

We make up stories too in my family! That's always lots of fun, and keeps the spirit up while we're searching for our deals!

From Louisville, KY, new member here. Just discovered the site last year and decided I'd actually join the conversation this year. I have no kids of my own, but have two nephews and a slew of children in my extended family, so there's plenty to buy on BF!