BF in Iowa

"Lipstick on a pig" comments aside, I rely on Walgreen's to have a really terrific offer on Lipstock (Revlon, I think). And, as others have said, where's the great Tide detergent offer?? Say there will be more to their BF specials, please!

Yes, they have terrific deals and helpful employees standing in the aisles to tell you that bathrobes are in the wood trim department (for example)! Go early, stand in line - if you even think your store will be busy, do not attempt to drive into the parking lot at 15 minutes before opening time, or even 5 minutes after. Their deals are not all hammers and adhesives! I've bought a silky-sort-furry bathrobe, scented candles, really high-quality cotton sheet sets, a nice standing lamp (great for reading on a dark winter's night), fleece throw blankets and even a snow shovel.

I think I posted the suspended canoe in the garage idea last year. It works! Also: plain brown boxes in the garage marked "old college textbooks" "prom dresses" "garden tools" Inside the stored sleds (if snow won't arrive til later), underneath our bathroom sink (good reason to sort and toss what might already be there, thanks FlyLady!) My new washing machine has a pedestal and I do not use the drawer space underneath - the kids think it is full of Tide (but the colossal bottles of Tide don't even fit in there!). I'll be hiding presents there this year. My parents hid my color TV in the front hall closet in 1976. I believed them that they were storing it for the parents of a friend (I thought I knew just which one, but didn't tell her, or my parents)...I also thought she was going to be the happiest person ever on Christmas morning. Turns out, that same TV appeared under our tree with a huge red ribbon and bow. Was I ever surprised!!!

I can leave home around 3:30 a.m., line up for Menard's and usually Target, zip into Sears, Walgreen's, etc., wait for a shopping bag/prize ticket at the largest, local mall - sit in the food court there (eventually they bring out the free OJ and some pastries for BF shoppers) and wait for the prize drawings (purses, gift certificates, last year a Wii, $500, etc.), then drive home (disappointedly-but I'll win one day!!) by 10:20 a.m. I don't think I am as gung-ho as some of the folks on this board!

I didn't even go to Menard's this year! Their opening time just didn't fit neatly in with Sears (who let me down - didn not have any stock of an advertised item at 5 am), Target and Walgreen's. I would have liked a couple of those fleece blankets (which were probably gone 10 minutes after opening time!) and perhaps a set of that ~$8 silverware (for a college student getting an apartment) but my savings at Target (on the digital camera alone) were much bigger. I did drive past their parking lot around 10 am and it was chaotic - and they need to paint lots more arrows on the pavement to direct cars (new store, they must have forgotten that step!).

The lines at my Kohl's were horrendous. I waited 45 minutes to check out during the late morning time (11 am). I would not have chosen to go there except my non-driving teen wanted clothing! Next year, she will be driving herself there and standing in line herself.

Our Target had a longer line than the Best Buy (next door). Sadly, some people lined up outside the mall entrance to Target - then were told just before 6, that the people waiting in the cold outside would be let in first. So a hoard of people went running through the mall to join the outdoor line. I waited inthe mall give-away line (misc. coupons, ticket for a drawing at 8 am and a $10 gift card) which started giving its goods away at 6. I was done with that at 6:10, wandered into Target (no carts; easier to shop without a cart at that point) and got Polly Pocket cars for $1.50, 1000 TC sheets ($19 each), Kodak digital camera ($69) and a 1 GB SD card (9.88). The problem was the slow check-out lines. People were loving their Olevia TVs and those bulky boxed video rocker chairs. I left happy - and ran home to cancel my online order for that digital camera (which they weren't able to promise delivery of by 12/25 anyway). The lines were far, far worse at Kohl's - I had to take my teen there around 10 am. waited in line a full 45 minutes to buy clothes she chose. That store needs lessons in how to process people who want to give them money in exchange for goods - start by doubling the number of cash registers!! The line extended across the front of the store, down the side (length) of the store and the two lines met in the center of the back wall of the store, near the home section). Crazy.

I was NOT happy with Sears. I was there at 5 am and scoured the lingerie dept. looking for the advertise, door-buster flannel nightgowns (no PJs, thanks). I asked one clerk, who didn't know. Her boss, a guy, said "Oh, those never came in." Clerks #2 and #3 said they would help me order online, but everything that wasn't size S was sold out by 5:10 am. Since it was door-buster they refused me a raincheck. The way I see it, they got me there under false pretenses and should do something to make it right. Did anyone in another location than Coral Ridge Mall succeed in buying the 12.99 nightgown? Does anyone agree that Sears let me down?

so many major discount and electronics chains have limited qty. offers on Black Friday - usually at 5 am or 6 am (so expect to be in line at 4 am), who would really be at Kohl's at 4:00? Is the management kidding themselves? They already have a reputation around here for check-out lines that reach to the back wall of the store!

I got a flyer advertising this in with my recent Target visa card bill. The most likely gift item for anyone in my household was a $34 Virgin mobile phone package. If you buy it with the Target visa, you are automatically entered to win an escape vacation to London.

So those of us in the cold Northern and Midwest states where the temperatures/precipitation could be the worst have to survive without Target's help (except for one store in Wisconsin), eh? I guess I will pack my fleece blanket and Thermos of hot cocoa.

It's Monday, 11/19 and still no sign of a Menard's ad - but the company is teasing me with its TV ads touting Friday morning specials - all I've noticed is a Tonka truck. More info or no TV ads, please!!

I'd simplly like ShopKo to open a store in my area. They had one, then closed it and left; the building is now a hobby/craft shop. Now there isn't a ShopKo for at least 150 miles - but if we are ever near one, we always stop in and spend around $100 easily! I, too, am waiting for the Menard's ad.

Last year on Black Friday, WalMart had adorable sets of kids' sleepwear all tied with a ribbon. They were very affordable and comfy soft. I think I paid $5 (certainly no more than $7) for a set my daughter (kids size 7/8) adores: flannel pants/top with cute snowman print, matching slippers and a solid color fleece robe (with the belt sewn in the center of the back, very thoughtful). Such a great deal - and useful, too - and my daughter is still enjoying hers!!

My girls' classroom teachers (1-2 each) always receive festive disposable paper plates (two sizes plus matching napkins) and a gift card for take-out (often pizza) + the restaurant's menu. During the busy holiday season, who wouldn't appreciate ordering by phone, having it delivered AND having no dishes to wash afterward? :)

All this bell ringing - we are fortunate: on our local TV news at 6 pm and 10 pm, the weather forecaster shows the world and local radar. There is always a visible path of the progress of Santa's sleigh and reindeer. That always got our younger girls off to bed (and pretending to be asleep) quickly!

Macy's - we see their ads on our in-state TV stations all the time - but there isn't a single Macy's store in my state!

I like to shop at this store for the majority of my groceries (they are especially low-cost on canned foods, baking supplies and milk)...the chocolate candy they stock specially at Christmas time is delicious, too.

My Menard's store had a long, long line and the people who arrived just 10 minutes before opening drove into a full parking lot. Cars were parked along the curb, up the curb and even in the little rocky tree "islands." Those of us at the front of the line were "issued" shopping carts by the manager and he didn't allow you to refuse (so beware of your heels). The line extended from the front doors to edge of the building then into the parking lot (very long) then as they opened the doors all of the people who just showed up at opening time waltzed right in (they didn't have carts to push)...it made me very angry. It was very poorly organized. There were no balloons to mark where the special items were located inside the store, either. However, I bought some great bedsheets and a fabulous bath robe - who knew that bathrobes would be sold in the building materials/trim department? (Obviously!!). This year will be totally different - there is a new, expanded super-Menard's store now so no one knows quite what to expect.

Last year, the best deals were at Menard's (but crowd control and line crashers were big problems!), then to Target, Sears (for the gift cards they give out), then to the mall for the shopping bags with numbered tickets...wait around the mall til 10 am when they draw for the misc. gifts (donated by merchants) and the 2-3 big value gift certificates. By then, hubby is on his way in to work after buying his own bargains (usually Best Buy) and I head home.

I call the radio station and ask them to play a Christmas song or three for those of us heading to the Black Friday deals (the overnight staff adore anyone who calls them to break the monotony, I think!) - then I listen as I drive. That's the official start for me!

Only get a Kohl's card if you want it for LIFE! I had one, wrote to them to close the account and then was offered a deal at the register if I "opened a Kohl's account" that day. Well, they told me I already had an account (!), couldn't have the bonus deal and so I paid cash for that transaction. I didn't think another thing of it. Then a week later, I got new charge cards from Kohl's in the mail. I did not want another account - and I didn't even get their "deal." So now I'm trying to close my account - yet again.

Love Actually (especially when the Prime Minister shows up at the Tea Girl's family's front door) cartoon "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" BBC cartoon Robbie the Reindeer in Hooves of Fire

I waited in a long line outside the mall to get inside to make a mad dash to KB Toys one year at 5 or 6 am. Once inside the store, they had the door-buster items placed throughout the store like a treasure hunt - and you could only walk one way through the store! They used boxes of big toys (ride-ons, Barbie cruise ship, etc.) stacked up, to prevent people from moving freely within the store. Each aisle was one-way, heading through a maze to the registers. It was chaotic. I do not think the fire chief would have been impressed, either, had an evacuation been necessary. I've never gone back.

Mine is too rarely played: "The Holly and the Ivy" Favorite Christmas show: How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Hands down - loved it as a kid and still love it today. "Little Cindy Lou Who, who was no more than 2..."