brinak2005 Posted August 19, 2010 Posted August 19, 2010 What have you done so far to begin preparing for BF? I have made a list of who I am buying for and how much I plan to spend on each person. I will fill in the rest of the info as the ads come out. I also have a general list of toys that I am looking for this year for my daughter.
Princess7915 Posted August 19, 2010 Posted August 19, 2010 Nothing really that is "Black Friday" but we did start a Christmas Fund this year! DH and I have thought about it for a year or two now and never really managed to put the money aside. This year starting in January DH was so great. He came in after a pay day with $100 and said "here -start a Christmas Fund." I was sooo excited! So now there is more than $800 burning a hole and I can't wait to start holiday shopping BIG TIME :) Actually it's been great because I had money for the BBW and Yankee annual sale to put gifts aside and I never do that - so technically I started shopping in June. It should really take the financial pressure off the holiday shopping season this year.
Karmarose Posted August 19, 2010 Posted August 19, 2010 I do the same as brinak2005. When it gets closer I move it into a spreadsheet. I'm an organizational freak with too much time on my hands.
nicole20 Posted August 19, 2010 Posted August 19, 2010 I also have made out my list and put a budget for each person. I have started letting my kids go to the toy isles at the store when we go and asked them what kinds of things they would be interested in for christmas so i can start getting some ideas for them. Wish i would have started a christmas account, but that is gonna be a definite for next year for sure!
tinkrbel Posted August 19, 2010 Posted August 19, 2010 Nothing yet although I should start with the Christmas list with ideas for people and stuff we already have. BF tends to be stuff for me and immediate family (usually gifts from me) or stuff that we actually need. The extended family list is so huge and compiled in a spreadsheet somewhere to avoid giving similar things from year to year.
sweetdiggity Posted August 19, 2010 Posted August 19, 2010 The only thing I've done is save money. lol
pogiporkchop Posted August 19, 2010 Posted August 19, 2010 I've started plotting my strategy. It helps that I still have the kids' lists of things from last year :) The subject of BF has already been brought up to DH, who actually already has a shopping list started! I need to draw up my own lists from things I'd like to baking to everyone that needs to be remembered and get them in one place. And then there's taking inventory of what we already have and where it is... all I can say to that is thank goodness we have a yard sale coming up soon. Maybe the kids can be persuaded to part with some of their things they really don't use...
bigjimslade Posted August 20, 2010 Posted August 20, 2010 I have tested all of my camping gear, booked the port a potty and saved money
gisellerol Posted August 20, 2010 Posted August 20, 2010 I only have my kids and hubby to shop for..All the other kids in the family are done :)
starbeck96 Posted August 20, 2010 Posted August 20, 2010 I have made a list of everyone that we need to buy something for and a tentative budget. I wish I had saved some over the year, but just didn't have any extra to put away. It has been a hard year. So we will buy for our kids first and then what we have left we will split between everyone else. I already have my mother in law's and one gift for my niece. I really hope next year I can start putting up money in January. My husband and I are both in school and we always have money left from our pell grant so we will use about half of that for Christmas so that will help. As long as my husband has work we should be able to meet our budget.
Elmck Posted August 20, 2010 Posted August 20, 2010 I have saved some money. I have kept a running list and whenever I have heard, oh I liked that I write it down just in case it ends up a BF special. Have ask all my kids, their spouse etc to start making list of things they would like.
stationchief Posted August 21, 2010 Posted August 21, 2010 Done? All I've done so far i s dream about what I want. For some reason the savin' part always comes last.
angelbabymommy Posted August 21, 2010 Posted August 21, 2010 I won't start my shopping until next month. I've started my girls' lists and wrote down what I'll be getting my mom, dad & stepmom and brother. I'll have their gifts before BF, so I can just have the girls to shop for. The kids in our family do a secret santa & exchange gifts at the annual kids christmas party, which I'm thankful for because there's a lot of kids. I have $200 saved so far lol ....I better start putting away more (& fast!) Being as tho I plan to take $900!
hockeyfanamo Posted August 21, 2010 Posted August 21, 2010 I knew my husband would be going to school and changing careers this year so I've been saving a little at a time. I have a list of people we will buy for and some ideas of what they might like. It will be scaled down from last year though.
babygirl913 Posted August 21, 2010 Posted August 21, 2010 Not a thing yet really. Gotta start making myl lists. I won't start my shopping until November :)
tinkrbel Posted August 22, 2010 Posted August 22, 2010 switched email address to gmail which I can access from work and made sure I was on bf notification list. Still need to find xmas list from previous years to get ideas of what to get ppl and what's already been given and see what extended family we still need gifts for. Still need to convince myself to clear clutter and make way for sales else will be like previous years and end up on thanksgiving table for the weekend(or longer).
carolannec Posted August 23, 2010 Posted August 23, 2010 The only thing I have been doing is saving money :)
lilac100 Posted August 30, 2010 Posted August 30, 2010 I've had my son actually start his list. I may not be working so the sooner I can get the list and start buying the better.
momof3luvs1 Posted August 30, 2010 Posted August 30, 2010 I have started a wish list I want to get my kids. Im letting look online, commercials, and the stores to see what they are interested in. I have a list of who I need to buy for but have not actually created a budget yet. I usually have WAY more saved then I do this year so Im a bit unsure on budgets. HOwever I have been buying throughout the year so I also have more gifts then I usually do at this time. I just cant wait for the season to actually begin =)
PentiumMMX Posted September 1, 2010 Posted September 1, 2010 I've already started preparing a list of what I want to get some people for Christmas, and I'm going to start building up some money for the sale soon. My planning is in early stages, but if everything goes according to plan, I'll at least have more money for it this year than the year before.
Gporter34 Posted September 1, 2010 Posted September 1, 2010 I have bought two presents and that is all I have done, lol. I have no idea what I am even going to be looking for this year on BF, I only know that I plan to be looking for something!
mcwalker Posted September 15, 2010 Posted September 15, 2010 Nothing yet--except starting to look at this site again in anticipation.
genoandkiddo Posted September 15, 2010 Posted September 15, 2010 Basically I make a list and Buy a little at a time, but the bigger stuff I wait for BF.
BruceLee Posted September 15, 2010 Posted September 15, 2010 I got the money mostly saved only 1-2 months max more to get some extra into it. Another thing is Ive been around here just waiting and hope I get the 1st BF ad even if its a store not here nor I like. Finally iam tring to think Cause I need a bigger truck this year to haul.
Jen8112 Posted September 15, 2010 Posted September 15, 2010 I check Gotta Deal several times a day. Other than that...nothing!
lbass Posted September 15, 2010 Posted September 15, 2010 Checking out GottaDeal several times a day! Can't wait for those first ads!!
doublehsmom Posted September 16, 2010 Posted September 16, 2010 I have everyone that I need to buy for in a spreadsheet, how much I am planning to spend, and an idea for them. I have money put aside for that day! I also check gottadeal EVERY HOUR! :)
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