bluebear

I read something yesterday that seemed very descriptive. It said that the mini iPads were not for those that were not willing to spend a few hundred dollars on a tablet, they were for those who wanted a smaller iPad. And it looks like that's what they've stuck to. Even my husband who has always been Mr. Microsoft and has been lusting over the Surface, said last week he may consider a mini instead, as he already has a lot invested in his 1st gen iPad, and likes the small size of my Galaxy Tab. So that's a lot of the people they are going after. Also, if they had them at $199 or even $249, that's awful close in price to the iPods, they wouldn't want to cut into that... But yeah, $329 is still kinda high, I agree.

Every year I say I'm going to send out cards... I even buy them on clearance so I have some... But I never do. Maybe this will be the year. We have a family member that every year writes a letter about the whole year and includes it with the cards. That's always neat. I bet it would be neat for her to go back and read all those later when her kids are grown.

Start checking for stores to start clearing out their BTS laptops and making room for the holiday stuff. Especially with Windows 8 coming out this week. I have already started seeing a few at Best Buy. We got one last year the middle of November that was clearance and also the display, so we got an awesome deal on it. Also, it should only be another week or two I would think before they start offering good deals. A couple weeks ago Best Buy already had some "special offer" laptops, of course they were probably not with the specs you are looking for.

Hmmm... Maybe Santa has a rule, no live animals??

On the website the price is $139.99. It's on sale this week for $10 off, so $129.99. So my guess is for the Toy Book, it will be $99.99, $40 off the reg price of $139.99.

Best Buy had iPads and Macs on sale last year. Macs were $60-$200 off. Ad doesn't state amount for iPad sale.

Swiss backpacks with the laptop sleeve were 70% off, $13.xx. But my son's laptop is too big, and the bag itself isn't terribly big, but his zippers are broken and he needs something now. So that will do for now for the price. Ladies workout pants 70% off, ladies knee socks 50% ($1.75). Also, I had been stalking some boots online, not available in the store. I found a lone pair today, IN MY SIZE! Was my 2nd color choice, but that's okay. Even better, when I checked out, they were $10 cheaper than the online price/price tag. Yippee!

Jinx.com also carries them. Sold out there too, but at least it's an additional place to check. http://www.jinx.com/p/lego_minecraft_micro_world.html?catid=

They replace the paper signs that were on top of the clothes racks and such. I hate them. They are not very visible from an angle, and are hard for me to see. I also have seen some wrong ones in places, more than I would see before with paper ones...

I agree. Especially not for the 16yo. My mom got one and returned it the next day. It didn't do/play the things she and the grandkids wanted it to. She got a Galaxy Tab 2 and they all love it, she was much happier with it. One thing to make sure is that it will have access to the Google Play store. The Pandigitals do not. There are other ways to get apps, but that's where the main ones "live".

I've seen 70 and 85%, but not 65%. Interesting...

Thanks, great idea! I found a couple to play with for my Android tablet and for my Windows phone.

Now $29.99 after rebate Thanks!

My son was 12 last year. That is a very hard age. We got him a really nice laptop, stuff to go with it, and that was about it. Probably a couple of games, clothes and stuff. And also a Sonic care toothbrush. My oldest son, when he was about that age, still liked Nerf and Legos, so that was easier. When he was 13 we got him his first Kindle. Not much help, am I? Other things that aren't games: blankets or new set for bed, book sets, DVD sets (we got ds12 the Dr. Who series last year), Amazon gift cards for his Kindle Fire. My sons at that age also started getting into saving their money, so they liked getting that. Xbox points and Xbox live accounts are also a staple here. Maybe also accessories for his gaming stuff: game chair, headset, controller...

version 12 is on sale right now at Tiger Direct for $49.99. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3329890&CatId=1813

Last year some of the drugstores had some energy strips free-after-whatever. I tried some of those and they kept me going for the rest of the morning. Hoping someone will have them free again this year! 5 hr energy works so-so on me, but my husband lives by it...

I *think* I saw some wipe-off markers on clearance a Target a couple days ago, but I can't remember if they were the normal or slim ones.

I usually get my 3 kids 10 gifts to open, then Santa brings more. Until last year it was a good bit more, last year it was 1 gift plus accessories for that item. I think I will do that again this year. They are 13, 16, and 21. I bought some stocking stuffers last night, so I guess I've started. Really starting to get into the mindset now!

Thanks! Good deal. Looks like it is out of stock for shipping, but you can still pick up in store if it is in stock at your store.

Probably the v11 would be fine. I have heard many good things about the program from different types of people, I think that would make a nice gift if he has a need for it. And I just looked at last year's lists, and Staples did have it on sale on BF, for $39.99. So maybe you could wait a bit longer to see if this year's version will be on sale, then make your decision.

Love how thoughtful he is! I guess our Santa was lazy. He left the basketball goal in the box under the tree. Besides it being cold, and him being rushed for time, all the presents need to be under the tree so they can be seen...

Check this eBay category. There are several cheaper ones on there. And some not so cheap. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=&_sop=10&_osacat=2458&_sticky=1&_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A5710&_catref=1&_sc=1&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313&_nkw=barbie&_sacat=2458&_from=R40 I like this one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kid-Craft-Savannah-Dollhouse-For-Barbie-Other-11-1-2-Dolls-Factory-Sealed-/230838676948?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35bf0eadd4 And, FYI, Barbie scale is also referred to as "Playscale", or 1:6 scale, in case you see anything with those references.

I agree, if you can spend that much, your options are a little greater. I would probably try and find him a 10 in tablet, you should be able to in that price range. And the docks for the Asus Transformers are nice, he may like having a keyboard if he needs it. The new Windows 8 tablets may also fall within that price range, that's another possible option...

It's on page 15 of this week's ad. Be sure you choose Lowest Prices of the Season, and not the Savings Guide. Here is their return policy http://www.kmart.com/csreturns/nb-100000000000007?adCell=W3

We had the same thing happen to us one year, the first year we got a real tree. It was sad, and a mess too. With a real tree, it's nice not having to store it. But with artificial, it's nice not having to water and clean up after it so much.