leefamily23

Everything is wrapped in our house- except if it were too big. Like in the past a bike- and then a dirt bike. Now mom love's ribbon's and bow's and decorating and coordinating the tags/paper/ect. Santa and the elves don't have time for that- so they are just wrapped w/ no ribbon's or bow's in our house. Also, they never had nametags either. Just in a pile w/ all 1 type of santa paper (guess it helped to only have 1 child).

My son (he'll be 15 in a few weeks) has been really great this season. Money was a little tighter-- though he's still gonna have a nice Christmas. The thing is we usually go WAAAAYYYYY over board. Anyhow, we explained to him we were cutting back a lot due to a financial crunch this year. As it was my husband and I are only filling each other's stocking's rather than exchanging gifts to save money. The other day my son told me- he wanted me to take back a few of his gifts so my husband and I could have some money to buy each other some things with. He told me he'd rather we each have 3-4 gifts. Than him have a bunch- and us none. I cried, that was so sweet. Anyhow- I of course didn't do that. We got a considerable check yesterday we've been waiting on for nearly a year. So, while most of it is earmarked for something else- we did splurge and buy him Rockband. He had expressed an interest in it- but didn't press the issue knowing- money was tight. So, he'll be shocked and I'm so excited.

I actually don't mind the crowds-- if I don't HAVE to shop. Anything we got today was just "extra's" and a few treats for us adults. It's almost the same thing w/ BF. I won't camp, fight, or trample people to get a bargain. There are things I want on BF- but nothing I must have. Now, if I still had shopping I HAD to do today, I'd of been stressed.

We went to 2 Walmart's, Fashion Bug, and 1 plaza. It wasn't bad at all. I was lecturing my husband before we left. Making sure he REALLY wanted to go. I was expecting huge crowds, no parking, ect..... Well, parking was easy, and it wasn't crowded at all. We did lunch at Olive Garden too, which usually has a wait. No wait today. The waitress said yesterday though it took her 20 minutes to get into the parking lot. We're having a storm start to move into the area so I guess people finished yesterday.

I was so tempted to go to another one today.....but the second closest one is 40 minutes away and I'd of been so mad to just get the same selection.

I would of just of been prepared to return and rebuy if they said no. That's if the savings were worth it. Glad there were no problems though.

I so wanted to go. BUT... w/ the Christmas crowds today and the NFL game- we weren't going to that area. (The Buffalo Bills/ NY Giants game/stadium is less than a mile from my closest Kohl's). I'm wondering how much they'll have left by Wednesday??? I could go after work then.

I went last night. This sale was a bust in store. Our local store removed at least 1/3 of the racks of clothing. I couldn't believe it. The store was wide, open, and spacious. There was very little to pick from- as they truly eliminated almost all of the free standing racks

If anyone know's what it is- please post :)

We are actually getting a 1/2 day paid off tomorrow- and then the full day Monday and Tuesday for the holiday's paid. Tomorrow- our boss is ordering pizza @11:30- said we should go home by 12:30pm (w/ pay for the rest of the day). I'm all for that. It's not that it's not bad for the first year. My last 2 job's my first year I got $500.00 and then $800.00. Just seem's the medical professional's around here are generous. The upside we're getting 12% of our salary into our 401k this year (even those that only started this year) and we get a portion of the profit sharing into a retirement account too-- not really sure how that works. But I'm told it will be several grand. Those are part of our "year end bonus" too they wrote in the appreciation/bonus letter.

I got $300.00. Not, what I personally call generous- at least not by what she's implying. In my field- standard would be $500-1000-- but I am grateful. I know many people don't get anything at all. So, something is always appreciated over nothing. We are also getting out after 1/2 a day tomorrow and paid until 12/26 so- that's a bonus too.

I checked the website and it shows 50% off there too. Don't forget to use the coupon. Way I see it-- If you go for the $50 off $150-- that means you buy $300 in merchandise- @ 50% = $150.00. Then remove your coupon-- you just got $300 in stuff for $100.00. That's a really good deal. I so cannot wait for work to be over today.

I am so sorry--- I hope you find a beautiful new tree.

Well, if you got your hands on a Wii than I think the answer is solved.

I took yesterday off work at the last second. The amount of stuff I still had to do was getting overwhelming. Anyhow, other than stocking stuffers for my husband, I'm done w/ all my gift shopping. I already know what I'm getting for his stocking, and it's 1 stop shopping on that. I'll be doing it tomorrow after work. I am about 65% wrapped on the gifts. I will tackle a little more tonight because I have to wrap my work exchange gift for tomorrow anyhow. We're celebrating w/ my immediate family on Saturday, and I do have all of there gifts wrapped. So, whatever I don't get to tonight will get done Sunday or Monday morning. Cleaning--- that will get done tonight or tomorrow night. I really like the house to have an extreme thorough cleaning for the holiday. Funny because I asked dh last night which night he was going to do the rest of his shopping, because that is when I'll tackle the cleaning for a few hours so that get's done. I like to do it when nobody is home. Baking--- Every night I say I'm going to make some cookies. Yet, I don't. So, I honestly can say I'm not sure we will this year. I have to make a cheesecake tomorrow for my sisters on saturday- but that might be it.

I didn't see this one posted here- I got a flyer in the mail today. 50% off the whole store at Lane Bryant 12/20-12/24. Also if you google printable Lane Bryant coupon- it there's a coupon for $25 off $75, $50 off $150, or $75 off $225 The sale item's won't be excluded (though clearance items are).

Hmmm... I would like to get Charmed box set- any season as a gift so I'll have to check it out.

I bought little satchel's in holiday theme from Joann's. I think they were made for (I'm gonna spell this wrong) popurri (??). The have a drawstring. The're normally like $1.00--- I know that I stock up every year when they go 75% off and they come out to $0.25 each. They are the perfect size for gift cards.

I think I'd send a Christmas Card, and then possibly a follow-up thank you card.

THank you- I'll be headed there after work today!

As for my mother- 1st she's hardly an "old" grandma---she admitted she "liked it and she know's he's gonna return it, but that is my problem". Those were her words exactly. It looks like something my dad or BIL would wear. As for MIL--- there is never an ounce of thought in her gifts. Honestly- from her I'd rather get nothing than have to fake appreciation. Because she never thinks, it's all about the bottom dollar for her. She's out to get that item from the Dollar Tree that she thinks she'll make people think she's spent $50.00 on them. And it's not due to not having the money. She just likes to buy a lot of junk. Once again my MIL is 52 yrs old-- so this isn't some little old lady you need to feel sorry for.

I'm sorry but I think it is rude to imply that someone isn't counting "their true blessings" in life. I know everyone has different opinion's- and that is truly great. But, I'm not going around on each thread--- "my wife changed my list"-- you shouldn't complain be thankful she's healthy. My teen snooped-- "be thankful your healthy"......C'mon-- it's not needed.

DH-- though we may exchange New Year's Eve instead this year (long story) My son My parents Neice (1) & Nephew (1) My MIL and her BF MIL's BF's son 2 adult exchange gifts for DH's family 3 kid's gifts for dh's family Grandfather & Grandfather- inlaw 1 work exchange gift 4 bosse's gift's (these were joint contributions, but I bought and wrapped) 1 exchange gift for my family) So, in total 22 people. Now the budget that's a bit different.

Please... don't lecture me on counting my blessings. I am very grateful, even though an extremely close family member JUST passed away, making this season hard. This whole site is a "deal/shopping" site. No religous, not spiritual, I really, really don't need to be told count my blessings. It's rude! I think their own idea's would be great if either one of them took a moment to think of who they were shopping for. It'd be like me buying a side of beef for a vegetarian, of a bra for my father, or a full size mountain bike for an infant. The items are so off based to the person, there is no thought in it. That's the point.

In one of our gift exchanges I got a 10yr old- I was told she likes Bratz anything. So, that's what I got her. I guess it depends on the kid.