Fru-Gal Friends

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Wed 01 Nov 2006, 5:13 am

Combined gifts are a great idea, m! You're so lucky you've almost finished, now you'll be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the season!
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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Sat 04 Nov 2006, 3:44 pm

I got up early this morning - and got the last TV on sale from Kohl's this morning (for dad and his wife). They had only 4 - and there were 8 people in line in front of me. I was really anxious and vowed never to get up so early and shop with all the loonies who push and shove their way into the store. I was nice to the lady at the counter talking to her, and comparing birthdays and talk of wanting to crawl back into bed (the people in front of my must have been rude) - and she gave me 15% off the purchase! I bought an LCD TV for my dad and Trina for $169.99! It was on sale for $199.99. Original cost $345.00! I know...this is far from the bread machine and recipes I was planning on buying them, but I know they will enjoy the TV, and I am really looking forward to giving it to them. I know they will love it (it is for their camper).

I also went grocery shopping, because my fiance and I are trying the OAM cooking thing. He made 4 dishes these past few days while he was off, and I have recipes to make 5+ more dishes. Hopefully it will last at least 3 weeks, if not more.

I found out something though - cheese is expensive! I was looking at the store, and to get shredded cheese (for the lasagna I am going to make), it cost $2.55 for 2 1/2 cups worth! I bought two blocks of mozzarella cheese for $3.00 each, and made 5 cups (from one block!) by shredding it myself! Not only did I save money - the cheese is fresh!

I also found really cute baskets on clearance at the store - very beautiful and deocrative. They were $1.40 each! I bought two. One for the dinning room table, and one to put my step-sister's Christmas gift in.

So now... only mom and her husband to buy for. Everyone else is bought for and done. My fiance is picking up some scotch tape on his way home from work (I never seem to have any around the house). I always buy roll after roll of wrapping paper after January 1st for pennies versus regular cost (I think I 4 rolls per pack for $.50 last year at WalMart), but I never remember the tape.

Well, I better start cooking - my fiance will be home in the next few hours.

~M

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Sat 04 Nov 2006, 4:56 pm

Good job M sounds like you got it under control.. I am sure you folks will love the tv.. I'm lke you never have tape I too by wrapping paper it in a box marked Christmas
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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 : 1693

WOW M~ you are a good shopper.. Cool

...I still have not really started. I have started to sew my mothers things. I made her potholder covers, a little sack I am going to put cocoa in and tie shut and put in pretty mug, and a tree ornament...I still need to line a basket in the smae material that all the other stuff is in Smile

I also made some jelly...but it didn't turn out...so I need to make more. I really want to get things rolling! Good for you M!!!!!!

kim

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Mon 06 Nov 2006, 11:18 am

I still have started either. I have all the ideas but haven't made or purchased things yet.
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Vicki

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Tue 07 Nov 2006, 7:31 pm

Getting good ideas from you ladies but have not started yet....will need to be more frugal than ever this Holiday season so will depend on thrift stores for most of my decorating needs and a special Holiday top to wear with a velvet skirt for a band concert I play in, in December. As for Hannukah and Christmas gifts I am going to do some very careful research of the local stores and buy some little gifts and supplies to make a few things - am now getting excited bounce

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Love is a fruit, in season at all times and within the reach of every hand. Anyone may gather it and no limit is set. ~ Mother Teresa

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Wed 08 Nov 2006, 4:56 am

I bought a 10pk of Xmas cards for .95c a few weeks ago at the Warehouse, pretty nice too...red & white with cute Santa cartoons on them all. I'm going to go make a coffee, write them up for my side of the family and put them in the box with all their Xmas presents (this saves on individual card postage too Wink

). Then I will seal it all up and address it, all ready to post to Ireland in a week or two! That's one side of the family finished. About 40% left to do for DH's family, I'm determined to finish this weekend and have those wrapped, boxed and addressed too!
sleigh

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

Very Valuable Member Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 368

It's wrapping I procrastinate with....I need to set aside a day, get in the mood, usually that involves putting on a christmas CD or movie,and just do it!! Rolling Eyes

I get the cards & wrapping paper after the previous Christmas,too...cheap,cheap,cheap....can't beat it.

I need to get stocking stuffers for my kids, and my son's girl a gift. I need to be done soon! affraid

I'm going on vacation two days after Thanksgiving, and I really want to be done. Hubby even wants to put the tree up before we leave so we won't have to do when we get back.(I'll be back Dec. 2nd, so it's not a big deal..I don't know what he's worried about Rolling Eyes

.) I figure I'll make some mixes in jars when I get back, those are always great to "tack" on to a gift that you don't think looks "good" enough! Wink

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Wed 08 Nov 2006, 6:56 am

*singing*...I am so excited
I am so excited...

I dont think I have been this excited for Christmas ... since I was a child!

I asked Todd when he thought we should put up the tree. He said that seeing as I'm so excited, we could do it this weekend! :-) We'll see!

~M

Moderator Age : 27 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 1693

Sounds like you ladies are on the right track! Good job! I foundd tons of material in my closet so sew some gifts. I found a beautiful piece of gray fleece I am going to make into a blanket for my niece Smile

kim

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Wed 08 Nov 2006, 10:10 am

I have several projects 75 to 80% I'll finish them in the next couple of weeks we kick in to Christmas the day after THanksgiving then it all holiday all the time
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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 21 Nov 2006, 6:42 pm

I am posting my first parcel today on my way to work..that's my side of the family taken care off...yayyyy!
I had hoped to finish for DH"s around a week ago or so but it didn't happen but I definitely want it finished by next week so we can have it posted before December. Then I can concentrate on putting up our tree...I always put on my Xmas cd's to get into the mood and have several coffees...lol.
Anyhow...that's one down and one to go....yayyyy!!!! smile and tree

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

Subject: Re: Christmas Shopping! Tue 21 Nov 2006, 11:37 pm

I am done.. except for that husband of mine he changes his mine more that anyone I ever met...
I picked out my presents already I showed him on line printed the pages and gave it to him he either wants a new truck or socks or fishing gear a new coat, he want everythng but tonight he told me he wants a couple new suits... I am going nuts !!!!!!
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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! Wed 22 Nov 2006, 4:54 pm

dh and I are skipping presents for us this year. I am almost done all the kids now so that will complete my shopping
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Vicki

Moderator Age : 27 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 1693

DH and I are just going to buy a new bathroom vanity and sink Smile

WE try to buy something each year at Christmas to fix up the house. It works. We are going shopping on Sunday after church, I hope I get closer to being done. Good for all who are done or close to being done!

kim