Christmas for Less

[sparks19]

Walgreens.com is offering a FREE 8×10 collage print when you enter the code CLG8X10 at checkout thru October 22nd. You can also get an 11×14 Poster for just $1.99 with code PSTR4LESS. Just choose in store pick up to avoid shipping costs. You can create yours today, but you can pick it up at any time.

My idea is to do the collage for the gradnparents. get a couple of affordable frames and sand the finish off of them (unless I can find raw wood frames) and then Have Hannah paint and decorate the frames, put the collage inside and gift them for Christmas

[sparks19]

$15 for $50 worth of custom photobooks, cards etc from Mixbook on groupon

http://www.groupon.com/deals/mixbook...utm_source=rvs

[sparks19]

Today on www.eversave.com they are offering two personalized Disney cars or princess books for $21 (50% off). so you can get two books with your kids names in the story.

PLUS if you are new to eversave you will get an automatic $3 credit

AND....

if you use the code SPOOKY at checkout you get an additional $5 off

So that means you can get two peronsalized disney books for $13

[Karen]

My idea is to do the collage for the gradnparents. get a couple of affordable frames and sand the finish off of them (unless I can find raw wood frames) and then Have Hannah paint and decorate the frames, put the collage inside and gift them for Christmas

If you have a Christmas Tree Shop near you, they usually have a good assortment of frames in affordable prices.

[cassiesmom]

My family has done a "pick one" gift for the past 2 Christmases. Not sure yet if we are doing it again this year. There are 12 and we each pick one name. Then you shop for only that one, plus whoever else you would like to give a gift individually. I give to my mom and dad. In 2010 I had already made a shopping list when the idea was suggested. I don't especially like it because I feel funny not giving a gift to everybody, but it is much easier on everyone's budgets. I am not sure yet if we are doing it again this year.

Sparks19, my sister-in-law has family pictures in two frames that her best friend made for her when the two families went on vacation together. Now their kids are either married, engaged or off to college but it is still fun to look at those framed photos from when the kids were younger I love the idea of having your daughter decorate the frames! I wonder if a craft store would have unfinished wood frames? Or maybe Ikea?

[sparks19]

here is another great deal. At www.babiesrus.com you can get a free plush Disney nursery blanket with the purchase of eligible items. Follow this link for details on ordering

http://savingdollarsandsense.com/201...h-blanket.html

I basically bought exactly what this write up details. Those little baggies are SO handy even if you don't have little kids lol and even handier if you do have little kids running around. So I got those baggies and a tinkerbell plush blanket for $2 shipped

[sparks19]

My family has done a "pick one" gift for the past 2 Christmases. Not sure yet if we are doing it again this year. There are 12 and we each pick one name. Then you shop for only that one, plus whoever else you would like to give a gift individually. I give to my mom and dad. In 2010 I had already made a shopping list when the idea was suggested. I don't especially like it because I feel funny not giving a gift to everybody, but it is much easier on everyone's budgets. I am not sure yet if we are doing it again this year.

Sparks19, my sister-in-law has family pictures in two frames that her best friend made for her when the two families went on vacation together. Now their kids are either married, engaged or off to college but it is still fun to look at those framed photos from when the kids were younger I love the idea of having your daughter decorate the frames! I wonder if a craft store would have unfinished wood frames? Or maybe Ikea?

Yeah in my family we pretty much just buy for our parents and all the kids. the siblings don't buy for each other anymore. now we just buy for each others children but... there are a lot of children LOL.

I did a quick search online and found some unfinished wood frames but I'll check out michaels too since I have a 40% off coupon We also have a neat little store called "Lancaster Creative Reuse" and it's basically a drop off for all your left over craft items that you aren't going to use and then they sell them for pennies and they often have picture frames so I may be able to score one there for less than $1 lol I'll have to do some checking around. I can't believe I'm almost done christmas shopping lol

[happylabs]

My family has done a "pick one" gift for the past 2 Christmases. Not sure yet if we are doing it again this year. There are 12 and we each pick one name. Then you shop for only that one, plus whoever else you would like to give a gift individually. I give to my mom and dad. In 2010 I had already made a shopping list when the idea was suggested. I don't especially like it because I feel funny not giving a gift to everybody, but it is much easier on everyone's budgets. I am not sure yet if we are doing it again this year.

Sparks19, my sister-in-law has family pictures in two frames that her best friend made for her when the two families went on vacation together. Now their kids are either married, engaged or off to college but it is still fun to look at those framed photos from when the kids were younger I love the idea of having your daughter decorate the frames! I wonder if a craft store would have unfinished wood frames? Or maybe Ikea?

I have 4 brothers and sisters, their significant others, their children and now some grandchildren of my sisters. Years ago we went to the just buying the parents a gift routine. It worked for me. Then my second-to-oldest sister started buying us all gifts again. I love that she has that Christmas spirit but I just cannot afford to give to all 4 of my siblings. I asked her to not buy me a gift as I cannot reciprocate but she continues and now my other sister started buying gifts for all of us. I guess they are better off financially than I am.

[pomtzu]

I love using this site as well. The prices are reasonable and some of the things are super cute and the biggest bonus...it goes toward helping animals.

This is one of my favorite items on here. I have asked my mom to get me 2 for Christmas. 1 for me and 1 for my hubby.
It's the against animal cruelty ribbon pin

I have this pin - love it! The Animal Rescue site has an awesome amount of very reasonably priced gifts, and every purchase goes to helping our friends in need that can't help themselves. I've purchased quite a few items there, both for myself and for gifts, and they are always well received by the recipient.

[Freedom]

Received this email earlier today, and thought it fit in nicely with this thread 0 it has lots of ideas, for folks who have it all, folks who NEED it all, and folks you don't want to spend a fortune on:

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high
gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes
there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamin’s on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town
Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?

[catnapper]

I am getting a lot of magazine subscriptions thanks to Mycokerewards.com. I get magazines for everyone I know, and they have no idea I got them for free. My coworkers and mom save the caps for me.

[caseysmom]

here is another great deal. At www.babiesrus.com you can get a free plush Disney nursery blanket with the purchase of eligible items. Follow this link for details on ordering

http://savingdollarsandsense.com/201...h-blanket.html

I basically bought exactly what this write up details. Those little baggies are SO handy even if you don't have little kids lol and even handier if you do have little kids running around. So I got those baggies and a tinkerbell plush blanket for $2 shipped

Did you sign up for the freeshoprunner? I am afraid to do that...

[sparks19]

Did you sign up for the freeshoprunner? I am afraid to do that...

I did. I figured I'd give the free trial a go and see what I think of it so far so good but I'll probably cancel at the end of the month

[caseysmom]

Okay thanks, I was afraid i would forget to cancel but others say they even remind you.

[sparks19]

Okay thanks, I was afraid i would forget to cancel but others say they even remind you.

yeah they send you an email to remind you and I also set a reminder in my phone lol so it will alert me