Budget Christmas Presents

[disney1990]

What was the best budget Christmas present that you have bought this year? What, where and how much.

I bought some bath bombs in the shape of Snowmen at Wegmans for $1.00. Going to use them as presents for some of my coworkers at Hallmark.

 

[marmalade]

In order to have purchased a budget gift, that means I would have had to have started.

 

[Ali]

I bought cute little can coozies in the Target dollar spot an I will add a bottle of water and some ribbons and give them to the teachers I work with to remind them to drink water during the day!

 

[NotTheBatesMotel]

I used swagbucks to get my in-laws a $25 regal gift card. I'm going to print it out and put it in a popcorn tin with candy, etc. to make it look cute.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I picked up a nice picture frame I liked at Kohl's yesterday. While everyone knows you NEVER pay full price at Kohl's, there was not sign indicating the sale price so I took it up to the front with my other stuff, hoping for 40-50% off. It was 1.09. Over 90% off. Was thrilled to get what I really wanted at a great price.

 

[weeniecat2442]

I ordered two really cool star wars prints from an artist off of Etsy. It just so happened he was running a deal if you bought two you get another free. So I have 3 very unique star wars prints to give that cost $19, including shipping.
I will just buy some frames and we're good to go!

 

[Scambone]

For my coworkers I bought the 14 pc chapstick, lotion, bubble bath bundle from avon. It works out so each one of the girls will have one of each. I'm also bought a 4 pc loofa set at the dollar store. I had four mini baskets at home already, i'm going to put the loofa in then the avon and maybe some indivudal wrapped sweets. I've only been here for a couple of months so I dont really know what to give them or if we do gifts at all here but thats what i have going on.

for my mom it sounds silly but I'm making custom stove covers. I took some family pics and some modgepog and tada gift. I also made her a zip up pin trading case for pin trading when we go to Disney.

 

[rramsr]

For DS I got the WWE Stackdown Deluxe Wrestling Ring set, normally $99.00 and Kmart had it for $49.00. He will love it, he is such a huge wrestling fan

 

[Darcy03231]

Old Navy had buy one get one free on all fleece. I used my Old Navy card and got an additional 50%. Each piece (zip up jacket and pants) ended up being about $4.50.

 

[minnie1012]

I got Lenox ornaments at Macy's one was 7.49 and the other I think came to 3.49!

 

[Mom_Rides]

iPod touch for DD for a total of $103. Meijer had 15% off all general merchandise last Wednesday and Thursday. I had $27 in Mperks rewards plus an Mperk for $25 off $25 or more when you used your Mcard (which I had recently got but not used). And to my surprise, because this was my first purchase on the Mcard, I got 10% off my first order. I thought I might cry when the cashier told me my total. DD has been saving since summer to buy her own so she will be very happy!

 

[wenrob]

iPod touch for DD for a total of $103. Meijer had 15% off all general merchandise last Wednesday and Thursday. I had $27 in Mperks rewards plus an Mperk for $25 off $25 or more when you used your Mcard (which I had recently got but not used). And to my surprise, because this was my first purchase on the Mcard, I got 10% off my first order. I thought I might cry when the cashier told me my total. DD has been saving since summer to buy her own so she will be very happy!

Awww, how great is that?

My DS had put the Target Dragons gift set on his list but it was $59! My oldest DD and I checked it out and I just didn't think it was worth even half of that. I'd been stalking the Cartwheel App for their daily 50% off toy and one day the set popped up. I went in and it had also been price reduced. I had a couple gift cards from my first transaction and the total ended up being $1.97. I thought about using my Red Card but decided to go ahead and pay cash, lol.

Another was last week online at Target. They had a Littlest Pet Shop Set and Transformers Grimlock set both reg $39.00 on sale for $20 and a $5 gift card with purchase + my Red Card. Ended up paying $15 and change apiece with tax. Not too shabby.

 

[disney1990]

 

[pjlla]

Lucked out and got a $50 single cup coffee maker (NOT a Keurig) for DD for $4.98 at Target. It was a one-shot deal.... dinged box on the clearance end cap. The funny part was I had already bought her the SAME coffee maker on clearance at Staples for $24.98 and I thought that was a good deal! Fortunately I'm good with receipts and I was able to return the one to Staples. With the extra $20 in the budget I was able to buy some fancy coffees to go with the maker!

I also found some clear glass coffee/tea cups on 90% off clearance at Kohl's. I wasn't really looking for them, but I know that my DSIL loves, loves, loves her glass doublewalled tea cups and paid DEARLY for them at some place like Teavana. She will be very happy to receive a set of 6 of these similar cups, I'm sure!!

Those were definitely my best deals..... but it is also my goal to make at least one small "free" gift for everyone on my list this year. Free means making it with something I have on hand or making it from something I was able to get for free. For example, my DBrother is getting some fleece hand warmers (those small packs filled with rice that you warm in the microwave). I had several large pieces of fleece left over from a few different projects and I always have rice in the house! I also dug through my craft closet and scrapping area and found lots of things I had always intended to use.... both of my kiddos will be getting single letter monograms (I collect them for my DS, but DD likes them also) decorated/decoupaged with something they like. I had bought the plain letters at Michaels a long time ago and they languished in the drawer until now! DD's is Disney princesses (I got a few kids books for free at a book swap) and DS's will be Legos (he'll never miss a few pieces!). ..............P

 

[Iowajes]

I had to buy a gift for 7 nieces and nephews. Including shipping from my house (I had everything shipped to me so I could wrap it), I averaged $20 per child. And the two packages I sent out were $30 and $25!

I gave the infant a $25 check (so she upped the average a bit)
I found great deals on amazon for toys for most of the kids: Kinex at 75% off, Learning toys like a Cash Register, a chemistry kit, and some cool camping play stuff for 50% off. I got a Moon in My Room for $16, which seemed a decent deal.

Mostly, I tried to see what was on sale, and bought things I thought the kids would like, rather than look for something specific and try to find it on sale (the Moon in My Room)

 

[frenzy70]

A few days ago I got a email from best buy with a $10 off promotion code. Tonight I bought guardians of the galaxy and paid nothing yippee!

 

[gracie1]

A few days ago I got a email from best buy with a $10 off promotion code. Tonight I bought guardians of the galaxy and paid nothing yippee!

I got that code also! Haven't had a chance to get online yet - but will probably use it on myself!

 

[IDoDis]

Bath and Bodyworks is having a hand soap sale tomorrow, so I'll be heading to the mall to buy $2.50 soaps. I have a $10 off coupon, too! The store will give you clear plastic bags, gift tags, and ribbons to wrap them in. These will be for my coworkers at school. We all have sinks in our classrooms.

 

[MacDalt]

Great idea! I love Bath and Body Works!

 

[McKelly]

Bath and Bodyworks is having a hand soap sale tomorrow, so I'll be heading to the mall to buy $2.50 soaps. I have a $10 off coupon, too! The store will give you clear plastic bags, gift tags, and ribbons to wrap them in. These will be for my coworkers at school. We all have sinks in our classrooms.

Thanks for the tip! My coworkers will be getting soap too!! Except I have two men as well.....not sure about them. Food I guess.