Anyone Christmas shopping already?

**MomK** · 05-07-2008, 05:02 PM

Today I stopped at a neighboring town's GW store as I was traveling to DS's field trip. During this little detour, I began thinking about Christmas giving. Now, I've already accepted the challenge to do as much homemade as possible, but I know I won't be able to do it all homemade.

Well, I found the nicest reindeer candle stand, made out of wrought iron. It's kind of rustic-looking. I picked up a glass votive holder w/unused candle. When I got to the checkout, the votive didn't have a price, so they let me have it FREE with the purchase of the reindeer! I got the whole thing for $1!I'm going to give it to DS 5th grade teacher next year--male or female will think it's great!

Anyone else already found fantastic Christmas deals, yet?

**ShawnaRae** · 05-07-2008, 05:38 PM

Nice find! I haven't done it yet, but every year I say I am going to get most of my shopping done throughout the year. I always fall short! But, this is the year! So I have been keeping it in mind when I am out. I also make a lot of handmade gifts, and am not going to wait until October to get stuff done this year! It is easy to put it off, but so nice when the holidays roll around and you know you have already gotten some of your shopping/making done! Your find will make a great gift!

**POOTERSMOMMY** · 05-07-2008, 06:19 PM

I started right after Christmas. I got several holiday baskets for 70% off - they cost like 90 cents. I fill with lots of homemade goodies. I got some holiday color books for 50 cents at dollar store. Also some holiday stuffed animals for little ones. I found cute kitchen towel sets (2 towels & hot pad) for $2 ea. I will be watching yard sales as well. At least I have a start.

**chevy_chick95** · 05-07-2008, 06:26 PM

Yep! I've found some GREAT online deals this week!

$4.99 Cds
i got 3, and they are for anyone specifically. everyone in my life would like them.

$5.00 sale on Disney.com
a CARS beach towel for DH.. he loves that show lol
a Pirates of the Caribbean for my sister

total spent so far
$29.65

what i would have spent $57.00

total savings of $27.35!! wahoo!!

**Jskell911** · 05-07-2008, 08:58 PM

I have only gotten 2 gifts so far....
I got some cologne for grampa - 70% off
Gift basket and fillers for aunt (about $2 total spent)

Not so great, but it's a start.

**FrugalMomof3** · 05-07-2008, 09:37 PM

Yep! I already gor for my 4 DSD, My Mom, My Grandma and my grandson. Now only DH, step-father, DD and DS's.

**sunshine** · 05-07-2008, 11:00 PM

I've gotten some deals -- pasta sets for $3, cookie presses for $2, fuzzy booties for free, slippers for .50 -- all new items, from online deals.

**carlitasway** · 05-08-2008, 04:00 AM

I'll start in July after dd's birthday.

**PrairieRose** · 05-08-2008, 08:38 AM

I ordered thoes electronic picture frames off of Amazon for my dkids and ddil and sil for a great price on their Friday sale. I'm gonna get a small gift card to go with them and my shopping will done for my kids. Gripey's b.d. is right before Christmas and I've got his present ordered already. I'm ahead of the game too

**many houseapes** · 05-08-2008, 10:03 AM

Yep, me too. I go hunting shortly after Christmas every year. I'm a real cheapskate.lol. lately most of the gifts that I have accumulated have been for free or for under .50 cents.My sources are freecycle,thrift stores,product rewards. I'm also saving up on the rewards from Walgreens on their gift card....so that will be free christmas money to spend at the end of the year. I spent about $365 for the entire family last year - dh,10 kids a set of grandparents & a great grandmother.I really want to challenge myself to see if I can spend less this year without depriving anyone

**pkellyc** · 05-08-2008, 11:30 AM

Small things as I see them. A couple cut glass salad bowls for dd's, Christmas bath sets for nieces, scrap booking supplies (dd's), gloves for stockings.

I also started the cvs and walgreens game. I have a sister with 6 teenagers, believe me razors and shave cream get to be at a premium over there. So individual beauty gift bags, filled with everything from shampoo to perfume, will be a treat.

I found a basket for my mil that is made to sit by a chair to hold all kinds of stuff. Currently her stuff gets stacked all over her end table, to the point where it falls off and on to the floor. The rattan basket was $40 but oh it is such a beautiful thing and perfect for the hard to buy for mil.

We are consumed by dd's wedding next month but I will be keeping my eyes out for gifts all summer.

**coup** · 05-10-2008, 10:50 AM

I actually started on Christmas Day 2007! LOL!

That would be my online purchases of yankee candles and accessories for MIL, neighbors, Grandmother, and a friend!

Just last week I ordered gifts for my BIL/SIL and the daycare/preschool workers. For BIL/SIL, I bought tea light lanterns with snowflake cut-outs from Kohls (I even looked at them in the store last year!) Regulary $14.99 each, I bought them for $1.49 each, less a 15% off code! Add some tealights and I'm done!

I get a lot done through online shopping. I think I bought all of my kiddos toys from 3 different Amazon toy sales last year. Hint - one should be starting any day now! At least if history repeats itself.

I use fishing for deals dot com to find these wonderful online sales.

**Marie78** · 05-10-2008, 11:21 AM

I only have one gift for next year: I bought a free after coupon Lands End breakfast gift set (originally priced at around $30) I found it marked down to under $10 and used my $10 off coupon. My supervisor at work will get this gift in December. I have to start looking around for other ideas: my biggest obstacle is people rarely decide what they would like until November or a few weeks before Christmas. I shouldn't complain about this though, I am like that too.

**booboo44** · 05-10-2008, 04:28 PM

i have started some shopping going to be a frugal xmas i plan on making alot of things this year a few afgans scarfs and some pillows

**sunshine** · 05-10-2008, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Marie78

my biggest obstacle is people rarely decide what they would like until November or a few weeks before Christmas. I shouldn't complain about this though, I am like that too.

My kids are the only ones I wait for them to decide what they want -- and with only one at home now, I don't wait for the older ones to decide either. Part of giving, is knowing the person well enough to know their likes and dislikes. I know my sons are into saving money, saving the environment -- so when I found a great deal on solar lights last fall, I snatched them up. Did the boys ask for solar lights ? No. . . were they thrilled with their lights? Absolutely. My middle son tells everyone -- Santa mom finds things for me that I'd never think to ask for.