BF in Iowa

A container of homebaked cookies, a bottle of wine, flowers for the table, a box of chocolates she can eat later or share with guests (that party or some other gathering)... go for something disposible/consumable!

We always gave the teachers at school a pile of coordinated paper plates (holiday design) in two sizes, matching paper napkins, a menu and a gift certificate from a local pizzeria or similar restaurant... in the hectic days around the holidays, what's better than a no-fuss, no-clean-up dinner for the teacher's family? Our kids' teachers always seemed appreciative!

Free totes for 500? About the first 100 people in line at our local Target got one. Then they "ran out." Then around 5:45, people walking into the store for the first time (when the check-out lines were huge from the 5 am opening), received totes from staff handing out totes to newly-arrived shoppers! So much for the remaining people in line who didn't get a tote prior to store opening; we were all stuck in check-out lines by then! Still, I got the other great deals I was after - even if I remain "tote-less!"

First Class air ticket to London and hotel... Okay, I know it is a lean economy and this is just a wish, that's why I started with First Class tickets (since I've never flown up front)......economy class would do!

I just pre-ordered our family copy of HP and Half-Blood Prince online. It got me thinking - what if WalMart is holding back some special price on the newest HP movie because they are trying to pre-sell a record number...then will sell copies in brick-and-morter stores at or after BF for even less (~$7)? Has a retailer ever done such a thing before?

The Tanger mall near us opens at midnight (that's just a minute after Thanksgiving truly ends). My teen daughter went with family friend's last year. She liked that everything at Aeropostale was 1/2 price but said the lines, crowds and craziness wasn't worth it (but, she's never gone with me/Santa at 4 am to stand outside cold, snowy Target, either). She bought just one shirt at Aeropostale. Nothing else! (Yes, she'll have to learn more about shopping for maximum benefit!)

I second the zoo membership, Little People farm or money to college savings account. Believe me, I am so thankful for the $1,000 annually grandparents stashed away for my children. It adds up - and college costs increase faster than anything else (except maybe healthcare). I haven't met a child with too few toys but I know plenty of good teenagers with too few funds for college.

Drawer underneath the pedestal washing machine and dryer, boxes in garage marked "computer manuals" or "dad's high school yearbooks", trunk of my car (it's very spacious and with the mesh net to keep cargo upright, there is a HUGE space back behind that no one thinks about!!), underneath stored patio furniture/cushions, inside luggage.

Restaurants around here post early-closing hours on Christmas Eve. It seems like a nice idea to eat out --- but I feel badly for staff who have to work til closing and then probably clean/prep for the next open day.

2009 ad features women's flannel (night)gowns for $12.99. Last year, they featured these items, too - but after waiting to get in at the store, all they had in stock was flannel PJs. The clerks told me "Oh, we never got those and don't expect to see them." I hope they really do have them this year! I searched their website for specifications on the $79 (model 19106, regularly $99) but couldn't find any mention of it currently. That makes me think it is a basic, junky special item that they do not normally stock. No sale.

I've got a niece who asked for a can of olives (black olives, I think) years ago because when they were added to relish trays, she couldn't eat them fast enough to get all she wanted... ever since then (and she is an adult capable of buying her own now!), she always gets a can of olives from at least one person in the family.

TV News reported Target is also cutting toy prices deeply. Similar to the news of WalMart's 100 toys @ $10 each, I cannot find a complete list of the deals. Have you seen anything?

Snuggies - come one, put your robe on backwards or use a blanket to stay warm in a chilly room while watching TV...but $20 for a fleece blanket with sleeves? Uh-uh. No. Nope. Never! [And for 2009, they are introducing Snuggies for the family dog...!]

I avoid Kohl's at all costs! The check-out lines snaked around the side walls of the store and practically met each other across the back wall in domestics...what a nightmare. I spent nearly 2.5 hours in line there with my teen daughter (her choice of clothing was what kept me in that line...) and NEVER will I do that again. I do not like their inflated/discounted price strategies, their credit card policies (sweeter deals for cardholders and far too many mailings when you do carry their card), the Kohl's cash system, their shortage of parking spaces, etc. I am just NOT a Kohl's shopper.

Significantly less....even if spouse finds a job now, it will take us some time to "make up" the savings we've been raiding. It will be a drab Christmas at our house.