Gift closet 2017

[tanya]

I had a bit of a sad Mummy moment today... I always add body wash to Luke's stash for Christmas and birthdays- he keeps it in his swim bag to use at the pool. Previously he has never cared what one he had- it was just whichever I had selected for him. I would never pick a girly type product but more a generic general body wash. Recently he has been asking for a particular body wash aimed at young men. I know its silly but I had the sudden realisation that my little boy is growing up. Anyway as it was 40% off I picked it up for him and added it to his goodies.

 

[MinnieCo]

Tanya I TOTALLY GET IT!! Mine is 22 and I still have those moments of clarity!

 

[jollykelly]

Added a few more things to the gift closet....thanks to a 90% off sale at CVS. Here is what I picked up and what the deals were...
(1) Korrina Barbie Doll - 0.89 cents (was $8.99) - for niece
(1) Lava Lamp - $1.49 (was $14.99) - for niece
(2) Gag wine glasses, they look like a wine bottle flipped upside down - 0.99 cents each (was $9.99 each) - for sister and cousin
(1) Wooden Beer Cap map - $1.49 (was $14.99 - for my cousin, who turned 21 this year and got her first apartment
(4) Dinosaur excavation eggs - 0.39 cents each (was $3.99 each) - for nephew
(2) My Little Pony Miniatures - 0.39 cents each (was $3.99 each) - for niece
(3) Piggy Banks - 0.59 cents each (was 5.99 - for 2 nieces and nephew)
(1) Stars Wars watch - $1.49 (was $14.99) - I do not know who this will be for, maybe Operation Christmas Child
(1) Black Jack Set - 0.99 cents (was $9.99) - for cousin

Not part of the 90% of sale but still a great deal -
(1) Snack-Eez cup - $2.50 (was $9.99) - for niece

I would say this was a great haul!

 

[luludou]

JK - GREAT bargains! love those

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

JK what a wonderful haul of goodies for the closet, and at amazing prices. Double win.

 

[festivefun]

I am not great with a gift closet.....I can't think ahead to what I could get that they wont get for birthdays or by themselves. I also have been know to dip the gifts. Don't get me wrong I do hope to improve, but I started putting regular money away last year and it made a difference. We're putting more away this year and it should completely cover gift giving and some other general expenses. I've also started picking up gift vouchers when I'm in the supermarket and not buying a lot. So I went in to get sthg for my lunch one day and picked up an Amazon voucher. Next time I'm going to get a cinema or restaurant voucher. We don't have extra money throughout the year, so love the idea of affordable splurging at Christmas time.
I am keeping my eyes peeled for stocking stuffers/ideas.....I want a little gift closet lol

 

[luludou]

I don't actually give gift cards as I know some people (like dh! or my kids!) forget about them, so instead some get money (like older nephews and nièces). I'm thinking this year of taking one of the wrapping days to address some gift cards and put the money in it allready. Anyhow never have enough $5 or $10 bill when it's time to fill the cards. And they are always the last thing I run around with.

 

[Minta]

Tanya .. I understand how you feel. My little guy is going into the middle school and I am so not ready for that.

JK - great job on all those deals. I wish we had a CVS close to where I live.

Festive - awesome job on stocking up on the vouchers.

I stopped in a thrift store yesterday and they had all their Christmas stuff marked down 50 to 75% off. I found 4 ceramic Santas for my mom for Christmas to add to her collection. They were 25 cents each.

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

The stocking fillers are the first thing I start with. My family actually have santa sacks so these are quite large and take a bit of filling.
I write on my grocery list every week 1 thing each for in the stockings as I get a lot from the supermarket. I get things like shampoo/conditioner, mints, deodorant, socks, bubblebath, snacks, soft drinks. (which I leave closer to Christmas). By getting a few things each week it spreads out the expense through the whole year. The stockings are not things that the kids change their minds about so I am pretty safe with what I put in there.

 

[festivefun]

Luludou I love the idea of filling money wallets for people throughout the year.
I won't give anyone the vouchers / gift cards I buy. I will use them myself to buy gifts. With the restaurant ones, they are so our family can eat out at least once over the season.
Minta 25c is amazing bargain hunting.
Sweetpumpkinpye, the changing mind thing makes it so difficult for me! But being on this thread helps to think outside the box for the things I can buy ahead.

 

[luludou]

Received a magnetic pad to put on the dryer for mom. Had bought one for me and I love it, so ordered one for her.

My sis got me 2 small electric food choppers to give to my 2 for Christmas (they were on sale).

Mom wants me to order some stuff for the stockings on AllieExpress for the small nieces and nephew so I'll be doing that this week. I'll order some stuff for my 2 also.

... slowly but surely!

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

I found a new online site while browsing the other day.
The name is Twinkledeals. It is mainly clothing, a few accessories and some handbags and jewelry.
The good thing is there is free international shipping.

I bought a tee shirt and a necklace, the total was $23. I will see what the quality/size is like before ordering any thing else.
Might be worth a look though.

 

[luludou]

Thanks Katrina will go look at that.

 

[housewife2]

i got some candles a couple shirts for my son in law. i have filled out the wish list at hallmark acouple oraments there for christmas gifts

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

While grocery shopping yesterday I got a few more things for the stocking.
I got DH some energy drink concentrate for a gift box that I am doing for him for when he travels to the farm. It was on special and has a huge use by date.
Got some small chocolate bars for in the kids stockings, got my mum a pair of black pants for $9, Love KMart.
Also picked up a notebook and matching pens for my mum.

 

[luludou]

Katrina you are doing so good! I wanted to review my gift closet last weekend but didn't get to it.. maybe next weekend.

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

Lucie, thanks. Am doing OK at the moment. I really just want to be prepared this year.
I want to go back to really enjoying December.

 

[luludou]

that should be our goal ... ENJOY December!!! Of course, that would mean we are different from everyone around us (except kids!)

 

[MinnieCo]

I was at the antique market today and bought 3 gifts for my daughter. She's starting a new job at the election office in Salt Lake and I found her a voting previous moments. She's been an election specialist through college here in Colorado, so this is such an amazing find and I just can't wait till Christmas. It's adorable and I want to send it to her to celebrate her transition and first post college job. I also found her one view master reel for her stocking and a political comedy album from Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency. All are amazing finds..it's so fun shopping like that and having no agenda and then finding perfect gifts.

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

Michelle, that is so dang cute, what a great find.