Christmas Shopping

[clarabear]

So...

I know it isn't even Thanksgiving yet and yet some people already have their Christmas shopping about done. So, I thought we could start a thread to help each other out to help find the best deals around and share what we know.

I'll start with a couple of things I am looking for.

Heelys - I hate these stupid shoes but my husband really wants to get my son a new pair and maybe a pair for our niece and nephew. Ugh!! They are a bit spendy. Any clue where some good deals are? I've checked the usual places like overstock and Amazon. I need some new ideas.

Bamboo Towels - I thought these would be fun to give to the relatives I don't know what to get but they are a bit spendy. Any thoughts?? Online is preferable.

 

[hondachicc]

I really have not started Clara...but I do a lot online...and Black Friday deals on the net are on the Monday after!!

So I will see what I can come up with then to get me started... I will post what I find back here for you ladies to go check out!!!

 

[janedee]

Our girls are both planning on some traveling next year, so one is getting a tent and the other a backpack/sleeping bag.
DH wants a good day pack - so I guess we're all about the outdoor stuff this year!

 

[katg1006]

I am done Clara...I just can't stand the crowds and the cranky people I love to be able to just sit back and enjoy the holidays

Sorry I have no idea on either of those

Anyone know if there will be a sale at shutterfly on their calendars? I really want to do another for my mom this year she loves them, but money is tight. Sales really help

 

[pajhnubhlis]

Hey Kat,
I'm not sure if Shutterfly has any sales going on for their calendars but I just received a coupon code today for $10 off when your order is $50 or more. You are welcome to use the code if you want. I don't think I will order anything from shutterfly this year.

 

[katg1006]

pajhnubhlis - oh that is soooooo sweet!!! Thank you!!! I would soo love to do that if you are sure you won't use it Thank you bunches!

 

[Bush Girl]

Artscow just emailed me....6 x free 20 page 8x8 books and 6 x free 39 page 8x8 books, all hardcover. Expires 26th Nov. Anyone want the code?

 

[Bush Girl]

Forgot to add....my parents, in-laws, aunt & grandma are getting photobooks - none of them actually NEED or for that matter WANT extra stuff in their lives (well, OK, my mum needs a new mobile phone).

My kids don't NEED anything either, as they've all just had their birthdays (bad timing, eh?!). I always find it really hard thinking up things for them straight after the birthday frenzy.

My DH needs new cuff links as his were stolen when the house was being renovated. These will have to be specially made so I'm waiting for my FIL to send me the family crest so I can take this to the jewellers.

Nephews & nieces....hmmmm, something toy/gift like from Marks & Spenser.

And I'm pleased to say that we don't do adult presents between our siblings anymore - just too much hassle. We all buy for each others children. And as both my DH and I come from large extended families, all of us stop the present giving at the sibling level because if we bought for all the cousins life would be unbearable for everyone concerned - I have 102 first and second cousins on just my side of the family!

 

[clarabear]

Anyone know if there will be a sale at shutterfly on their calendars? I really want to do another for my mom this year she loves them, but money is tight. Sales really help

Don't know about Shutterfly, but I always get calendars from costco. They are only $9.99 each.

I am also looking for 8x8 books with up to 100 pages for a decent price. Winkflash had a sale last year but it wasn't until after new years.

 

[faerywings]

Artscow just emailed me....6 x free 20 page 8x8 books and 6 x free 39 page 8x8 books, all hardcover. Expires 26th Nov. Anyone want the code?

I got that one too! That is what I am working on today. For my Brother and SIL I have been trying to get a wedding album done for 2 years! That expiration date on the code is making me get moving.
I have 12 LO's done and I need to get to 20.

 

[faerywings]

I am doing a lot of handmade type stuff again.... but I am getting stuck on what to do for the kids. All they want is itunes and Hot Topic gift cards.

 

[LSlycord]

I can't believe that you are making me face this Clara. Christmas shopping? Why so early...oh not so early!

My parents are so hard to buy for. They don't need anything. Probably a photo calendar for both them and my brother and sister-in-law. Money for the older nieces and nephews...they are at the age that they can't seem to get enough of that.

Going to try to figure out some type of community service thing for my kids. They get lots of stuff! Too much stuff...and they will get more stuff...so I'm trying to help them figure out about a focus on others.

No help to you Clara. Sorry!

 

[hondachicc]

I have somewhat started my shopping...I sent a list to CHRIS for my FaeryWings order!! WOOT!!!

These are fabulous gifts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[clarabear]

I need to do that too Linda. I just need to focus and make some decisions.

LindaS - yes...I am cruel. No, it is my sister's fault. She won't quit bugging me so therefore I have to bug everybody else. Heehee!!

 

[petey111]

I have to call Costco and complain about my Christmas cards. I got the first batch printed and they were perfect. I couldn't do just a straight reorder, so I redid the order. The preview looks perfect. Even on the little info card they printed out and included with the order, but the actual cards were printed a tiny bit off. So the words are almost cut off at the bottom and there is a strip of white between the picture and the fold of the card at the top. It irks me. I hope they will re do it for me.

 

[clarabear]

I have to call Costco and complain about my Christmas cards. I got the first batch printed and they were perfect. I couldn't do just a straight reorder, so I redid the order. The preview looks perfect. Even on the little info card they printed out and included with the order, but the actual cards were printed a tiny bit off. So the words are almost cut off at the bottom and there is a strip of white between the picture and the fold of the card at the top. It irks me. I hope they will re do it for me.

They will. Just take it to the return counter and get your money back. Costco has the best return policy around. They rock. That sucks you have to deal with it though.

 

[petey111]

Thanks Clara! Good to know they are supportive about it. I just hope the next batch isn't nudged down like this batch. =)

 

[clarabear]

Sara - Just make sure to check them out before you leave the store and if t hey are wrong show them and make them do them again.

 

[faerywings]

Sara- that happened to me with my Walmart cards a bunch of years ago. The preview was fine, but when I got the cards and the prints that I was giving as gifts, the top of the background screen showed in all of them. They did not make it easy for me at all, and I had to raise quite a stink about it.
Good luck with Costco!

 

[faerywings]

I only have 2 more LO's to go for my brother's wedding album. I have to get them done today.

 

[LADCscrapmonkey]

I'm about 3/5ths through Christmas shopping for the things I need to buy (more if you include the things I bought to make gifts). I've already done pre-shopping for Black Friday - Kohls is having their Black Friday sales start online at 1am EST on Friday and have aready posted what the sales will be - I saw jeans for my DH at more than 50% off, plus I have a coupon for 15% off (which should pay for the shipping and maybe tax). There's no way in Hades I'm going to fight the crowds at 6 am on Friday - tried it once, will not try again.

Of course my DH not thinking about what he wants for Christmas until last week made things a little more difficult. He didn't even ask me what I wanted for Christmas until Sunday, though he had a few ideas from hints I had given him in the last month.

I am in the process of making gifts right now and plan to get a bunch more done later this week. Wallet calendars will be done (thank you, Merkeley!), and I plan to get the coffee tumble inserts done for DH, a couple more needle felted Santa pins/ornaments, and hopefully the doggie car blanket. Maybe get started on monthly desktop calendars and put a dent in the lace scarf for mom....