Fru-Gal Friends

Subject: Christmas Shopping! Sat 28 Oct 2006, 6:32 pm

I just got back from shopping with my fiance and soon to be mother-in-law. I had a coupon for JC Penny Outlet Store in our area for 25% off.

I found educational toys for Natalie, two name brand sweaters for my two step-brothers, a scarf & glove set ($5.24 for the set!), and another sweater for me! Not only that, I got many ideas for Christmas for my mother-in-law. AND, there is an item I have been looking for my fiance that I found much cheaper at BJ's than what I found online. I am not a member (and we decided today we dont want / need to become members:prices are so high there compared to our frugal shopping) but we have a 60 day pass for free to try it out. :-) So I will go some day before work when he does not know and grab the item (and save $40!).

So, once again, I am excited. 3 out of 6 people are done for Christmas.

:-)

How is everyone else doing?

~M

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Sat 28 Oct 2006, 10:22 pm

I'm about 70% done!
I've sorted my side of the family (already wrapped and boxed) except for posting, have some gifts for DH & DS wrapped and hidden. Have done about 30% for DH's side of the family but want to finish that soon so hopefully over the next week or two I'll finish. I might sit down tonight with DH and write the names of who's left and write ideas then bargain hunt Wink

I want those wrapped and boxed also within the next 2-3 weeks then I can post both lots to Ireland together.

So, mostly under control here. presents

_________________
~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Sat 28 Oct 2006, 10:44 pm

I almost done ... just a few more for our kids but not for any thing for my DH he is always hard to by for he usually will tell me something by now.. but this year he keeps talking about what to get for the little kids
_________________
Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Sun 29 Oct 2006, 3:36 pm

I'm usually at least 50% done by now but this year I have NOTHING yet! I'm starting to stress a little. Congrats to mmg, gayla and skin - can you help me get my shopping done? Laughing

Moderator Age : 27 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 1790

You ladies are GOOD! I have some done but not too much. I need to get moving...it is hard to find the extra $!!!!

kim

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Sun 29 Oct 2006, 7:20 pm

DF...what a shame I live so far away...otherwise I would...phew...lol.

kim...I've really been spreading the cost over the past several months because I also find it difficult to afford the expense closer to the holidays. Most of my gifts for my family have been home-made also which greatly lessened the expense, plus they're lighter to post.

Unfortunately DH likes to spend more money on his family so I'm hoping to work out what he wants to get them and I can bargain hunt within those guidelines scratch

I had planned ahead for his nieces by picking them up half-price silver bracelets way back in June when most of the jewellery stores were having a mid-year sale. Lots of items were up to 50% off so I seized that opportunity. I knew I'd struggle to afford everyone's gifts if I'd left them all until later. We're stumped for MIL, SIL & 3x BIL's but we'll brainstorm and hopefully arrive at a decision quickly because I want it finished asap. pull hair

_________________
~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Very Valuable Member Joined : 13 Oct 2006 Posts : 260

I am finished and was about the first of Sept. except for teachers gifts, gift exchanges and the short. The boys get mostly educational games, clothes, and the such. I even already have the stocking stuffers...dh never gets excited about any holiday so it is rather uneventful for him.
_________________
DEBBY/OK

DOMESTIC ENGINEER... I work in the field of love and guiidance of young children;.

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Sun 29 Oct 2006, 8:43 pm

I found gifts I had put away for the teachers and bus drivers so they are done!
_________________
Vicki

[/url]

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Sun 29 Oct 2006, 9:58 pm

I made Christmas gift for our music teacher and their Spanish Teacher .. the young woman that rides with Sarah and the two other girls works for a horse farm near by she's just rides with them no tricks or anything she just their guide or something not really sure about what to do for her .. and our Sunday school teachers we have their gifts already and I have a box of gift for those people who come by ...
_________________
Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Moderator Age : 27 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 1790

I am going to start shopping today! This cold weather has got me in the "mood"...LOL

kim

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Mon 30 Oct 2006, 8:40 am

I like to pick up boxes of chocolates when they are on sale just before the holidays (Herseys Pot of Gold 2 for 1 is a great buy) they make a nice hostess gift and good gifts for guys like the mailman. Almost everyone likes chocolate and if they don't or can't eat it they can regift it

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Mon 30 Oct 2006, 10:53 am

what so funny to me he picked up my hints books read all the good Ideas and hints he said Honey how much do I need to give you for Christmas shopping I just smiled the man would flip if he know how much I already have ... we are buying my gift early this year... I think I will do what he does to me I take him to the home store and let him pick out his gift.
_________________
Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Tue 31 Oct 2006, 6:01 am

I have to go get an oil change at 7AM this morning, and hopefully, if they are done fast enough (I hope to be the first one there), I can get my fiance's gifts out of the way. Wish me luck!

After that, all I have is my mom and her husband, and my dad and his wife.

Almost done!

~M

Very Valuable Member Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 389

I'm almost done, too! Very Happy

Gift Certificates Galore!!! My MIL &FIL,Sister & her boyfriend, neighbor's family, nieces, nephew,...all gift certificates! to different places of course. Mostly restaurants though....most eveyone has everything they want or need already anyway, but they enjoy an excuse to not cook & go out! I personally save the restaurant GC's that I get, for special occasions, like Hubby's or my birthday or anniversary.

Youngest daughter got a pre-paid cell phone over the weekend(but it's her Christmas present from us), 14 yr. old daughter got an ipod(picked it out over the weekend, but is not getting it til Christmas), second son is getting a new car part of his choice(he recently bought a 1987 BMW for $200 & yes, it runs!! but he's replacing parts, whatever it DOES need, souping it up, etc.),and I think my oldest son is getting money(he ALWAYS says he doesn't want anything Rolling Eyes

)

I'm SO excited!!! I LOVE completing holiday shopping early!! It feels great! my goal is to be totally done by November 24th!!! Very Happy

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Tue 31 Oct 2006, 6:41 pm

Mission Accomplished - I got 3 out of 4 gifts for my fiance this morning before work. The last I have to get on Saturday while he is at work because BJ's was not open.

The only people left is my mom and her husband, and my father and his wife.

I am thinking about doing combined gifts for the both of them. We will see.

~M