92Hoosier

I did a ton of online shopping, so I just hit Macy's this morning. They opened at 5 am, I went at 5:45 am, and left with tons of gifts and a few things for myself. Was home by 8 am and even had time to stop at Starbucks on the way home. They don't have the best deals on TVs and toys like the Walmarts and Targets, but my husband is an employee so I get extra percentage off of the reduced prices. Worth it to shop in less than 2 hours and have employees begging me to let them check me out!! Got sweaters, blankets, shoes, slippers, purses, etc.

Yep, love this place for BF and beyond!

Thanks for the link! I can get them each one for just $30 total. AWESOME.

And I probably should have said that they aren't sporty types. Someone suggested Lego Indiana Jones 2 - are there others out there like that?

My nephews are getting a Playstation 3 for Christmas and they want games. What are some good games that they can both play? They are 12 and 8.

Yep, my TJ Maxx had a ton of pandas for $30 just yesterday. My daughter has the leopard from last Christmas and she loves it, but plays with it maybe 1 day a month at the most.

Argh, nothing I need! Target is letting me down!

Don't laugh, but I've never seen a kid turn down glow sticks or flashlights! Can get a lot of them really cheap too.

Tervis Tumblers - what a great idea! And you can get their college, the school mascot, etc.

I find most of our teachers want something personal (a note, a photo from the class, something like that) and then cold, hard cash! I taught preschool for a few years and cash or GCs were always the most appreciated. However, like others have said, personal notes and photos always warm the heart. I plan to give my daughter's 2nd grade teacher a LE tote ($12 yesterday!) filled with a GC, cookies, and maybe even some wine. :) My son's preschool class is going together to give the teachers GCs to the mall ($100 to each teacher). I also give extra classroom supplies to the teachers around the first of the year because I know it helps start the year off right!

We're almost done with the lists. I take notes all year long and then hand out lists to family, informing them what Santa is bringing and what we are bringing. Everything else is fair game. Santa is bringing: DD - 7 BFC Doll and clothes Razor scooter Pillow Pet Bed canopy DS - almost 5 Razor Rip-Rider Bakugan crap (he doesn't know even what to do with it, he just thinks it is cool) Pillow Pet Walkie Talkies Santa is also bringing the entire family a basketball hoop.

Thanks - what a great gift idea! So easy to fill as needed.

A friend sent me this one: http://store.americangirl.com/agshop/static/toteoffer.jsf Click on the link to get a tote bag for only $5. She also said they'd have more codes coming out around Thanksgiving.

My 7-year-old daughter wants a doll for Christmas. We're torn between the American Girl dolls ($100+), the knock-off Our Generation dolls from Target ($40), or the BFC dolls $30-40). From what I saw, the BFC doll reviews are less than glowing - quality issues, it seems. I've heard/read mixed things about the OG Target dolls too. Anyone have any suggestions? I really wanna know if it is worth the big bucks to get the AG doll, or if you think the others will suffice. She already has a ton of Barbies and Groovy Girls, so I really hate to start yet another collection....

I'm not a big pumpkin pie fan, but this one is REALLY good and easy. I can't remember where I got it. Pumpkin Pie FILLING 1 cup canned pure pumpkin 1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 8-ounce container mascarpone cheese Using electric mixer, beat pumpkin and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Add eggs and next 7 ingredients and beat until blended. Add mascarpone cheese and beat just until mixture is smooth. Transfer filling to prepared crust. Bake pie at 350 until custard is set, about 55 minutes. Transfer pie to rack and cool.

My son is turning 4 in a week and he LOVES his big Imaginext remote-controlled Dinosaur (I think it was called Spike?). Also loves his Imaginext Batcave. My daugther is 6 and she loves her Wowwee Alive lion cub (even though I'm not overly impressed) and her Puppy in my Pocket set. However, the small electronic games she got (My Meebas and Purse Pals) are gathering dust already.

I slept in this morning too. Nothing I needed this time and certainly didn't feel like getting up at o-dark-hundred!

Seems that the extra 40% is only on those items they show when you click on Semi-Annual Sale. Other stuff on sale isn't included, but the prices on some Outlet things are still really good. I couldn't get the Shipfor5 to work, but Disneyfive did (and I think that is supposed to be expired?). Anyhow, my son will be thrilled with his goodies for his birthday and my daughter will love all the stuff I got her for our trip to DW in January.

Yeah, and at my Target in Reston VA yesterday, when I went to buy some generic 70 page spiral notebooks, the price said $0.97 but they rang up at $0.20 each. I should have bought every one they had.

Seems to include the Outlet online. I just put a sweater in my basket, applied the code, then checked out up until the last step and it was 50% off and shipping was only $6. A great deal!

I happened to be at the mall this morning and got some great steals. Long sleeved John Deere shirts for toddlers for $2.49. Moret leotards for $4.99. I might go back tomorrow and get more!

eToys has a Step2 Stock Car bed (todder or twin mattress). It's $199 but shipping is probably a mile high. Maybe check Home Depot or Lowe's too? Sometimes they have that sort of thing.

Essentials and anything consumable (diapers, ointments, bath wash, Tylenol, etc.) is always a good bet. Clothes in biggers sizes are great, but I have amazon children and they never got to wear most of those things because they grew too quickly (thank goodness for gift receipts and eBay). Those square thin waffle weave blankets are also so handy - we used ours for everything and my son even adopted them as his lovey. I like to make a basket for the moms with essentials and then one frou-frou item like a blankie or beanie or something.

Someone posted a link to homedepot.com (with free shipping) for $59. Check the online forum.

Thanks! I just joined today and already I am loving this place. Just got one for my son for his birthday in January!