I got ALL my Christmas Shopping done for less than $120!!!!!

[runwad]

I have 3 kids and we get WAY too much candy at halloween so I put some in the freezer when they're not looking then take it out again at Christmas and add it to the stockings with a few other little things.

 

[scorpad99]

My DD (12) is into areopostale and abercombie, so I doubt I`m gonna be in budget this year! Although I did get alot of areopostale hoodies on clearance and an extra 30% off! YAY! Hannah Montana tickets, Broadway tickets for "Grease" and a few odds and ends for her and she`s done. My son is the hard one, he needs nothing (I got him and my DN`s all a build your own skateboard on sale at TRU ) he wants a guitar and lessons So thats what I have to start working on. I`m usually done shopping by now, but I`m really stuck for ideas!
He has all hockey stuff, iceskates, rollerskates,heelys,ripstick, skateboard membership, playstation,ipods, cell phones!..................I`m running out of stuff! LOL
I guess thats what happens when they get to a certain age!

 

[OverplanninJess]

WOW!! Great job on all the AWESOME discounts and stuff! Mind if I ask how you got everything so cheap? My DH quit his job a few weeks ago and cashed out his 401K so when the money comes in he is giving me money and I plan on getting Christmas out of the way 1st. I am stressing big time on this. It may sound petty to some, but I want my kids to have a nice Christmas no matter what the financial issues we are facing.

I got the games at Toys R Us a few weeks ago when they were on sale for $3.99. Hasbro has $2.00 rebates on each one so that's how they were only $2.00!! The My Little Pony and Wheel Pals stuff I got from Hasbro.com a few weeks back-they were already on sale, plus I had an online code for 25% off and free shipping! I never would have known about the rebates or the code if it hadn't been for the budget boards-so keep your eyes peeled for what people post!
The Bath and Bodyworks stuff was all on sale for Columbus Day (DBF laughed at me when I said I was going to the mall for Columbus Day sales-he couldn't believe stores used Columbus as a reason to sell stuff! ) They had a lot of gift sets 50% off and certain signature collection stuff was 5 for $20. I had 3 coupons for a free Temptations product with purchase and 1 for a free mini lotion with purchase. Make sure you give B&BW your e-mail when they ask for it-I get tons of coupons that way!
The Ohio State stuff I got from a catalog I had a coupon for.

Good Luck Bargain Hunting!!!

 

[LuvIt]

Great job Jess....now you just need to resist temptation and NOT BUY any more stuff for Christmas and get caught up in the commercialism even if you see great sales, etc.
Although, you did such a great deal at all those gifts under $120 that I think you should splurge and buy YOURTSELF something if you see a great deal in December

 

[JLitfin]

I love it too. I started as well. Last year I spent a fortune (to me anyway) & this year the budget won't allow it so this is what I've done so far thanks to all the freebies here :
* my niece - the Chadwick jacket - free
* my other niece - the backpack on sale at Chadwicks - $3.99
* my brother in law - Senseo coffee maker - $15
* my third niece - the bzz pen fusion - $22
* my sister - the free wok from Brylane
* my 2nd sister - the foundoue from Brylane (on back order) $8.99
* my DS teacher - the book I got free from the Maybelline party kit
* his 2nsd teacher - the pearls from Overstock (still waiting) $2.99
* my brother & sister in law - hoping to get those free Nautica Robes (keep your fingers crossed) cause those are where I spend the most each year

I also signed up for the Macy's wedding registry & hope to get some goodies for me.

As for my DS I've gotten abot 80 % of his b-day (12-13) & X-Mas gifts. I look for sales at E-Toys with free shipping or specials at Toys-R-Us & have gotten some really good deals on E-Bay. I just got him a brand new Diego Rescue Center that's nornmally $39.99 for $24.60 SHIPPED UPS with E-Bay !

I'm also going to start & get my co-workers a little something, we're a small group of 6.

I just need my hubby & me of course !

Question, Would love to know how you received the free Chadwick jacket, free Nautica Robes, and the free wok from Brylane? I'm always looking for free items to give as Christmas gifts.
Thanks, Jean

 

[DisneyFairyPrincess]

I have also started our Christmas shopping, here is what I got so far,

for my MIL: a nice bath robe was 16.99 I paid: 9.99
for my MIL: a pair of sterling silver earrings with mother of pearl: 2.99
for my MIL: a pair of sterling silver with turquoise: 2.99
for my FIL: a belt buckle was 24.99 got it for 13.99
for my Mom: a pair of sterling silver earrings with jade 3.99
for my Mom: a sterling silver chain 6.99
for my Mom: a sterling silver charm with jade 2.99
for my Mom: a bath robe was 16.99 I paid 9.99

I have my MIL done! We are going to get my FIL a tshirt and he will be done. I am going to get my mom a little something else and she will be done!

I still have to shop for 2 grandmas my brother my Dad my SIL and there 2 kids, and 2 aunts then I am done. Feels good to get a head start! I am going to B&BW.com to see what else I can get.

** I got the jewelry on ebay from a GREAT seller all real and very pretty PM me if you would like the sellers name.

 

[StephMK]

Wow, awesome job!! Thanks for posting, it's very inspiring to me to see how great you can do w/sales. I'm determined to cut back this year and think this will be the year of sports. The kids are really happy just playing w/a few categories of toys and I'm tired of ending up w/extras that don't get used.

Yesterday, I found a brand new baseball hitting net for $4.99 for DS5 at Goodwill. It was marked down from $12.99! We will definitely do some GCs for DD13 & classes for DD7.

Our stocking stuffers are small, useful items -fun soap, shampoo, toothpaste w/a few Hershey's small chocolate Santas & maybe some life savers. Plus some of their gifts are things like pjs & sweaters.

Thanks for reminding me to start shopping early!

 

[lisajl]

I was going to ask you where you got the OSU stuff so inexpensive!
My DS-10 loves football and hockey...Ohio State of course.
What catalog if you don't mind me asking?

I just went to Kohls today and found a couple things on clearance and then I got the 20 percent off. Not as good as you, but I will keep looking for those deals!

Lisa

 

[december]

I'm almost through, too! I bought my dn18 a clearanced hat from his favorite sports team for $3.75, and my other 7 neices and nephews, plus mil and stepfil a disney studios shirt when they were on sale for $4.99 ($48.66).

My dd7's class is selling Avon (yes, you heard me right!). So I just ordered a ton of stuff from her. My mother, grandmother, and aunt are getting massage sandals for $12.99 each, stepmil is getting a manicure set for $9.99, and 10 others (teachers, friends, etc.) are getting ornaments for 2.99 each. ($78.86).

I've already bought a family friend a shirt for $9.99, so I've spent a grand total of $137.51 on 24 gifts!

I still have to buy for fil, my dad, my secret pal at school, and the biggies-my kids and dh. I'll also have to get a bil and sister gift (my 3 sisters and I buy one gift and draw numbers) But at least most of them are taken care of!

 

[OverplanninJess]

I was going to ask you where you got the OSU stuff so inexpensive!
My DS-10 loves football and hockey...Ohio State of course.
What catalog if you don't mind me asking?

I just went to Kohls today and found a couple things on clearance and then I got the 20 percent off. Not as good as you, but I will keep looking for those deals!

Lisa

DBF's dad has a business and can therefore get business catalogs-It's LTD, which I know you can get w/o having a business, but the prices are cheaper in the business edition since it's meant for people who have stores to buy and then mark up to make a profit, the only thing is you have to buy more than one-so some of the guys in DBF's family will also be receiving wallets and/or throws from his mom. She orders from it all the time to have stuff on hand for birthdays-it really comes in handy!

 

[DisneyFairyPrincess]

I went to bb&w.com and spent $29.00 with shipping and tax! They are having sales 5 for $20.00 well I got 6 for $20.00! I had a coupon code for a free signature collection with purchase of $15.00 or more I got 3 sprays and 3 lotions! So that means my SIL, grandma and DHs grandma get a lotion and a body spray a piece. Nice gifts for under $10.00 each! I love it

 

[LoriZH]

Ok, so DBF and I are trying to save up to buy a house next year when we go away to grad school so I wanted to try and budget myself to around $10 a person for gifts this year (and still wanted to get people nice gifts... ). I'm so pumped-here's what I got:

For the little ones I babysit (1 girl-3yrs and 1 boy 10m):

Chutes and Ladders-Reg 8.99, Paid 2.00 (after rebate)
CandyLand-Reg 8.99, Paid 2.00 (after rebate)
Memory-Reg 6.99, Paid 2.00 (after rebate)
Hi Ho Cherrio-Reg 8.99, Paid 2.00 (after rebate)
My Little Pony-Reg 7.99, Paid 3.74
My Little Pony Playset-Reg 15.95, Paid 7.50
Tonka Wheel Pals Megamat Playset-Reg 9.99, Paid 3.74
Tonka Wheel Pals Car Carrier-Reg 13.99, Paid 4.49
Grand Total-Reg. 81.88, Paid 27.47 (or about 14.00 a kid-I know I went over a little with them, but they were the most fun to buy for!)

For my Mom, Grandmothers, my best friend and my pseudo Mom and sisters:

B&BW Sig Collect Bath Ready Gift Set-Reg 20.00, Paid 10.00
B&BW Aromatherapy Lavender Gift Set-Reg 20.00, Paid 10.00
B&BW Aromatherapy Mint Gift Set-Reg 20.00, Paid 10.00
B&BW Sig Collect Moonlit Path Gift Set-Reg 17.50, Paid 8.75
B&BW Magnolia Blossom Body Splash-Reg 10.50, Paid 4.00
B&BW Magnolia Blossom Body Wash-Reg 9.50, Paid 4.00
B&BW Exotic Coconut Body Splash-Reg 10.50, Paid 4.00
B&BW Exotic Coconut Body Wash-Reg 9.50, Paid 4.00
B&BW Exotic Coconut Body Lotion-Reg 9.50, Paid 4.00
B&BW 3in1 Frosting Forever Temptation-Reg 11.00, Paid FREE (coupon)
B&BW 3in1 Frosting Forever Temptation-Reg 11.00, Paid FREE (coupon)
B&BW Lotion Frosting Forever Temptation-Reg 8.00, Paid FREE (coupon)
B&BW Sea Island Cotton 2oz Body Lotion-Reg. 3.50, Paid FREE (coupon)
Grand Total-Reg 160.50, Paid 58.75 (or about 9.79 a person!!! )

For my Dad, Brother and Grandpa:

Ohio State Leather Wallet-Reg 20.00, Paid 10.00
Ohio State Fleece Throw-Reg 15.00, Paid 10.00
Hickory Farms Beef Stick Gift Set-Paid (will pay) 11.99 (This is the EXACT same thing I get my Grandpa every year-he loves it!)
Grand Total-Reg 46.99, Paid 31.99 (or about 10.66 a person)

DBF just wants me to finish the Disney Scrapbook I've been working on since we went last May to be his gift, and since I've already got all the scrapbook stuff I need (thanks to the Wonderful World of Memories!) that's essentially free!

I got all my Christmas Shopping Done for less than $120!!!!! And I think the gifts I got for everyone are pretty nice ! I'm so excited to put up the tree next month and wrap 'em up!

Very impressive and quite the inspiration!

Also, Victoria Secrets is having a HUGE sale on their body lotions and gift packs (at least in the store yesterday) 50% off!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I have 3 kids and we get WAY too much candy at halloween so I put some in the freezer when they're not looking then take it out again at Christmas and add it to the stockings with a few other little things.

That's a great idea! My kids are always at the store with me so I was trying to figure out how I was going to get their candy this year without them seeing me.

OP, great job on your shopping, that much be such a relief to be done so early!

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Wow, excellent job!!!

 

[ksumn1]

I put some stuff on layaway yesterday at TJ Maxx, simply because the kids were with me and I didn't have time to pay for them before they came out of the restroom. This way, I have the stuff and the nosey kids saw nothing. And I also take the Halloween candy and turn it into Christmas candy. My kids rarely eat candy. I just threw away a tin full of candy left over from Easter!!!

 

[amberdansmom]

How or should I say where are y'all getting these great deals and discounts?