ilikefree

Honestly I'm lucky if I get my tree put up INSIDE my house every year. Since the kids are older (only one at home yet) and hubby was never really into helping decorate for Christmas, I haven't been into decorating much.

I would love to get one of these tonight, but I'm in a rural area that I'm sure isn't in their "select locations" but I'll give it a try.

I think this year is the first I haven't been checking the site multiple times a day waiting for ads to drop. I don't know if it's the uncertainty of what Black Friday will bring or what, but this year just feels different.

I love Elf, Christmas Vacation and a lesser known movie, A House Without a Christmas Tree. I watch A Christmas Story & Home Alone every year too, but not really favorites.

I work at a school and am fortunate that we get both Thursday and Friday off.

One of our favorite things to do in the summer is cornhole. Here is a set of boards, bags and a carrying case we're considering getting our son and his girlfriend for Christmas. https://www.amazon.com/ZENY-Cornhole-Regulation-Backyard-Portable/dp/B07B3DVZT3/ref=sr_1_35?crid=297L737KIYRVU&dchild=1&keywords=cornhole+outdoor+game&qid=1602781223&sprefix=corn%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-35

When they did the in store sales several years ago, people in my small area didn't know about it so I didn't have any trouble at all. Hoping for good deals I can get online this year.

For anyone who likes to bake and decorate cakes, here's a decorating supply kit. https://www.amazon.com/Decorating-Supplies-Beginners-Turntable-nozzles-Baking/dp/B07RNLTX37/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=cake+decorating+set&qid=1602701777&sr=8-5

I think I might order this cat tree for my grandkitten. He loves climbing and I think this would be perfect for him. https://www.amazon.com/SUPERJARE-Scratching-Kitten-Dangling-Furniture/dp/B07YB5S5S4/ref=sr_1_23?dchild=1&keywords=kitty+tree&qid=1602614076&sr=8-23

With "porch pirates" out to take peoples' packages, I feel a good gift would be this (or any) video doorbell. https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Video-Doorbell/dp/B07WJR1HF8/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=video+doorbell&qid=1602440013&sr=8-3

I think this word a day calendar would be a good gift for anyone, although I tried looking for one aimed at kids and couldn't find one. https://www.amazon.com/2021-Word-Day-at-Time-Calendar/dp/1438874154/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3PVQ2TORWYEN6&dchild=1&keywords=word+a+day+calendar+2021+kids&qid=1602335597&sprefix=word+a+day+calendar+2%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExWjNLVkNOTVZKRlNKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzIyNjI1UkRZVVQwWFlDRkRCJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4Nzc4MThBMktIUFcyV0tLS0Ymd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Since my son is a deputy sheriff, I am VERY pro-police (although I was even before he decided what he wanted to do). I think these thin blue line silicone bracelets are great! I have one that says Mom on it and I wear it all the time. https://www.amazon.com/Thin-Blue-Line-Wristbands-Sizes/dp/B01JWJ1U44?pd_rd_w=XLUts&pf_rd_p=c12492d5-a773-48ea-8bfe-7cd6d30b5f66&pf_rd_r=Z76Z8SPASVKSB21FXB9G&pd_rd_r=5aa31fe3-37d6-45c3-be9c-dcd72d6d8c58&pd_rd_wg=6znOB

I can never keep earbuds in my ears (my doctor says I have narrow ear canals) so I use headphones. I love my noise canceling set I have for when I mow our yard. This looks like a great pair and there is a coupon to save an extra $10 on this one. Not sure how long the coupon will last. https://www.amazon.com/Cancelling-Headphones-Bluetooth-Microphone-Comfortable/dp/B019U00D7K/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=headphones&qid=1602180113&s=electronics&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExVzVNR0FCSEJaNU0xJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDQ1OTE1M0EySTFVVkwwSjhXUSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDc4MjMxNk4zUlc5NTYzUlFFJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

I just can't bring myself to like vacuuming any part of my house so I have to admit that I already ordered a robotic vacuum as a gift to myself for Christmas. It isn't this exact one but very similar. https://www.amazon.com/ECOVACS-DEEBOT-500-Controls-Self-Charging/dp/B07Q7Y84S6/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=deebot+600+vacuum&qid=1602101016&sr=8-3

I don't really have a budget either. I just buy what they have on their lists (which is like pulling teeth to get). I try to spend close to the same amount on each of our 2 sons. Not quite sure what to get the older son's girlfriend and he's no help! They did just buy a house this past summer but I think they have pretty much everything they need for that. I never know what to get my dad since he has everything. If he wants or needs something during the year, he just goes out and buys it. I try to listen for clues in our conversations but can never come up with any hints. I did buy (pre-ordered) him one of the newest Echo Dots for this year, which I think is something he'll enjoy since he's always listening to music and can never find CDs with all the songs he wants on them. We do have a $20 limit on our exchange we do at work and, of course, the Secret Santa we do here.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XJ8C8F5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I know everyone probably has a voice assistant (I have one myself), but I saw a special a couple weeks ago that you could get 2 of the new Echo Dots for a special price. I already have one, but I've been wanting to get my dad one so I ordered 2 and figured I'd put the other one in my bedroom or kitchen. I just love the one I already have for listening to music. My dad listens to a lot of older music and can never find CDs with all the songs he wants so I thought this would be perfect for him since he can choose the songs he wants to listen to. **Sorry, I don't know how to post pictures here.**

October check-in. I'm so frustrated with the postal service. I had a package shipped from New York (I'm in Ohio) on September 23. Following the tracking number, it was in the Columbus area at one time, went to Cincinnati and back to Columbus, where it has been sitting for 8 days now. It was shipped via UPS but delivery is via USPS. I could have picked it up myself in a shorter time than I've been waiting for it to be delivered. I'm hoping Christmas deliveries aren't this bad.

Congrats to all the winners!

The year of rona Things are so crazy this year I'm shopping online

Thanks for the pins, Brad! They're great!

I just love that all the holiday forums are opening back up! Gives me something to look forward to for the rest of this crappy year.

I haven't been decorating as much these past several years but will probably wait till after Thanksgiving just like every other year.

Info sent!

I think I'm going to miss getting together with my sister (we'll still do that) and planning our shopping strategy for our all-day Friday outing. We're not sure how stores will be doing Black Friday this year, but I'm sure we won't be going out as early as we normally do, if at all. We both mentioned doing the majority of our shopping online. We've been going out early on Black Friday for over 20 years now and that is what I'm going to miss.

Great prizes again this year! I love it when the holiday forums come out!