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Christmas shopping

June 7th, 2006 at 04:17 pm

Ok, let me just say that I know it's June and thinking about cold weather, snow, Christmas crowds and spending money probably isn't your favorite topic right now.

With that being said, I've already been on the hunt for holiday bargains. When Target went to 90% off back in January I was able to get the "grab bag" gifts done for DH's family and also pick up quite a bit for my nieces' kids.

Lately I've been focusing on stocking stuffers for my own kids. I was shopping at Target the other day and found some excellent clearance deals on an end cap.

mascara for DD - .50

makeup sponges - .24 each

small hairbrushes for each kid - .86

shower gel for DS - .58 He will be 12 by next Christmas and it's a nice "manly" scent LOL

We picked names for Christmas and I have my MIL to buy for. That will be fun. She's a pleasure to shop for. It's nice knowing this far in advance so I can keep an eye out for bargains.

I figure that when the Halloween candy goes on sale in early November I can stock up for the Christmas stockings.

Does anyone else start shopping early? I even find nice unused items at garage sales to fill in around the edges for the kids. I like to get them books and will be actively looking for appropriate like-new ones as I hunt for things to sell online. It's expensive going to Border's and getting them there. Fun, but pricy.

Some things are impossible to buy this far in advance because the kids don't decide until November or December what they want. In the meantime I'm going to do my best to get the things I do every year. One is a box of books for each child, another is stocking stuffers - some useful and some candy and some toys, etc.

I'm going to keep saving points from MyPoints and redeem in the fall for a gift card for DH. That will be a nice addition to his Christmas stocking and won't cost a thing. Last year I got him Burger King gift coupons from MyPoints and he really liked that.

9 Responses to “Christmas shopping”

  1. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1149693845

    I do!

    I have a Christmas Account (actually it is just an ING account earmarked for Christmas). I love having the money avilable anytime I find a great deal. I really haven't started yet this year...but I am hoping to soon!

    Great job on the finds...I am an end-cap junkie when I get to Target...usually just to browse...but every once in a while I find a deal I can't resist!

  2. campfrugal Says:
    1149694986

    I try to get my Christmas Shopping done early also. It is great when looking for bargains. Two of my children's birthday's are in December, so getting the shopping done early is a must, cause just around the corner in January my homeowner's and car insurances are due. Eeeekkkk.

  3. Broken Arrow Says:
    1149695813

    I just set up my own Special Events fund for the express purpose of covering birthdays and Christmas. I think it's great that you're taking care of it early!

  4. KarenSue Says:
    1149695891

    I know what you mean. DS's birthday is in December, just a week before Christmas. The gas bill is high in December and January and our insurance is due at that time also. Yikes!

    Plus, I cut up my credit card so that will keep me honest.

  5. Ima saver Says:
    1149696857

    I use to always shop in June, putting stuff on layaway so I had months to pay. Now there is no one left in my family to buy for except my teenage grandchildren and they just want money. I put away $30 a week in my savings for christmas!! dh and I have cut way down, we have all we need.

  6. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1149698040

    DD3s birthday is Christmas Eve...f
    ollowed up by DIL Jan 2 and my dad and DD1 on Jan 23 & 27...
    so it is a MUST to have some money saved for birthdays AND Christmas here!!!

  7. KarenSue Says:
    1149700536

    Wow Thrifty Ray! You sure do have a lot to deal with in December and January. I can see why you would save money year round. Very smart - instead of whipping out your credit card.

  8. kylieb266 Says:
    1149716173

    yep i too have a special christmas account, and if i see something appropriate for a gift, I buy it. I have a few gifts already for the couple pf nieces i buy for, and most of my daughter's presents are taken care of. just have to get mny mum, dad and my sibiling and hubby something we each spend $80 per couple and get an $80 present every second year.

    I'm must try and find mymum and dad's gift soon, and then work out what my sister wants, to start saving up the money for..then once they are alkl done, I will be saving up money for over the christmas holidays when I don't work (emergency teacher, so no work overf holidays)..
    this worked well for me last year.

  9. KarenSue Says:
    1149788476

    I try to get all of the things I can take care of done by September. Stocking stuffers, grab-bag gifts, things I know my husband will like. Then from October on I work on getting the kids to tell me what's on their list. It worked pretty well last year.

    Sometimes during December I get swept up in the shopping frenzy and spend more than I should - especially on stocking stuffers. My goal is to get done with it early, thus having no reason to even look.

    We'll see if it works. ;o)

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