Wanna play a game? How creative can YOU be???

[C.Ann]

Thought this might be kind of fun - and give us all a little insight as to how other people think and do things in terms of Christmas.

This is the fictional scenario..

It's been a REALLY rough year.. You lost your job, you were on unemployment for awhile, finally got another job, and you're just getting back on your feet now..

However, knowing that Christmas would come "eventually", you squeaked out a few dollars to squirrel away so that you might be able to buy a little something for those you love.. Credit cards are totally out of the question and upon counting up your cash you find you have just a little over $100.. If you factor in sales tax, you figure you have exactly$10 to spend on each of the following people..

Mom
Dad
DH/DW/orSO
Grandma
Grandpa
Best Friend
Sister (adult)
Brother (adult)
Niece (5 yrs. old)
Nephew (preteen)

-------------------------------------------------

What would you get each person - and where would you get it?

Now think hard, 'cause you really love these people and although the gift will be inexpensive, you would like your gift to convey how you feel about each of them.....

 

[amid chaos]

Treasured books for all.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Family pictures. Take old pictures, have them enlarged, and put in a nice frame. Can be done as little as $10.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by C.Ann
Thought this might be kind of fun - and give us all a little insight as to how other people think and do things in terms of Christmas.

This is the fictional scenario..

It's been a REALLY rough year.. You lost your job, you were on unemployment for awhile, finally got another job, and you're just getting back on your feet now..

However, knowing that Christmas would come "eventually", you squeaked out a few dollars to squirrel away so that you might be able to buy a little something for those you love.. Credit cards are totally out of the question and upon counting up your cash you find you have just a little over $100.. If you factor in sales tax, you figure you have exactly$10 to spend on each of the following people..

Mom
Dad
DH/DW/orSO
Grandma
Grandpa
Best Friend
Sister (adult)
Brother (adult)
Niece (5 yrs. old)
Nephew (preteen)

-------------------------------------------------

What would you get each person - and where would you get it?

See, I have been in this situation, and know of what you are speaking
$10-- Mom Well, first I would get at least two or three FREE subscribtions to magazines in her name (at www.freebizmag.com, or www.valumags.com OR www.magmall.com).. Then I would go to KOHL's and use my FREE $15 GC that I received from the freebie days (two so far this year, one more next week). With the FREE $15 I would buy a pair of 14 KT $49.99 earrings after sales, and early bird specials with discounts and the $15 card would be .99 cents.. yes , .99 cents..

$9 overage (to be used later)

Dad-- more free subscriptions!! (I actually gave him one to TV Guide this year!).. I would get the $15 free GC (early bird specials) from Hechts' - and buy him a nice $40.00 wallet after discounts and coupons for $3.

$7 overage (to be used later)

Grandma/Granpa (more free mags--they also got TV Guide this year) My grandfather loves candles, so I have been picking up clearanced candles all year long.. some have been less than 25 cents. .. total about $5 for new candles My grandmother wanted some lotion set so I got another $15 Hecht's card, and used it towards lotion, and got that for FREE!

$5 overage (to be used later)

Best friend.. but I would scrounge around online for a great code like a $15 off $15 code (Eddie Bauer had that two years ago), and I would buy something for just shipping costs. (Sephora had some great deals, and Amazon has it as well occasionally)
Shipping approx. $5

$5 overage (to be used later)

Sister (adult).. She could also get TV Guide! I have a stockpile of Free Bath and Body Works from last year (there was a great linkable coupon.. buy anything at BBW and get a aromatherapy product for FREE!) I also could give her some candle samples that Ihave received throughout the year.

$10 overage!


Brother (adult)--I will have made a candy assortment of homemade chocalate dipped pretzels, chocolate coffee spoons, and other items

Total cost for chocalate $3 (2 lbs), bag of pretzels 50 cents, plastic spoons (pack of 50 for $1.00), plastic wrap (FREE ), ribbon (FREE)

Total approximate cost $6

$4 overage (to be used later)

Niece (child)-- I would find out what she can use from parents. Iwill then go out to Black Friday sales and get it for reduced costs.

Things under $10 lately
$6.88 Lite Brite
$9.50 My Scene Barbie
$6 Polly Pocket set
$10.00 even rollerblades (All of these items at Target)

Or I could go to Kohl's again and get another GC! I could buy a Hello Kitty or Geo Draw for just tax only.. true cost $19/ with sale $16-$15 GC= $1.


Nephew preteen... now this can get tricky

I could find what CD's artist he likes and get them on Black Friday sale.. or I could find a Gamecube or PS2 game on sale for $9.99 (KB toys has a GC game sale for $9.99 right now). Or I could find a PC game like Spiderman on sale for $4.88 (Black Friday Best Buy special)

I will give myself $10 on that one.. no overage.

So now If I did my math correctly there is a $40 overage!
For $40 I could get some family pictures and frames . Total cost about $10-- using some discounted frames, and printing photo from home using digital camera and FREE photo paper samples I have been savign all year.

Total cost now $30 overage

Or I could go to a CHINA outlet and get some wonderful SPODE Christmas tree ornaments for mom, grandma, and sister.
These SPODE ornaments are tagged $42.50 and are now $5 at a china outlet near me..

$30-$15= will be $15 left



I suddenly realize that I left SO out!!!



I have already stockpiled two free magazine subscriptions for him, and gotten a nice pair of headphones from an online survey.
I also can give him a $50 GC that I received for doing a test drive for a vehicle..

Total cost $0!!!!!

$15 left over! Plus $10 for DH, so that would be a grand total of

$25 surplus. ==

 

[DD2Disney]

and I thought I was budget minded!! I am not worthy of Cindy B's ability to save money

 

[Cindy B]

Really..thats nothing.. this is my usual mode for Christmas...

 

[princessariel]

I crochet and with that much cash, I could get loads of yarn. (I don't really need to buy yarn, my attic is stuffed full of it as I can't pass on a sale). Most everyone likes a homemade afghan. I'd make one for each adult. I'd buy a Barbie and make her a box full of clothes for the 5 yr old niece. The nephew might be harder. Perhaps a throw or pillow done in his favorite football or baseball design.

 

[Kimnicki]

I am so jealous. Cindy B, I'm gonna pay you to do my Christmas shopping next year!


Kim

 

[momsal]

WOW Cindy B!!!!

I dub you :

QUEEN OF CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!

 

[Cruisin]

I want to know----how is Cindy B getting all of these "free" gift cards??

 

[Cindy B]

I forgot about the free seasonal Suave lotions/shampoos now.

The seasonal line is $1 per bottle now... and I have a $1 off any Suave product Target online coupon.

So I would buy a bunch of lotions/shampoos conditioners for FREE!!!!!!!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Cindy B
See, I have been in this situation, and know of what you are speaking
$10-- Mom Well, first I would get at least two or three FREE subscribtions to magazines in her name (at www.freebizmag.com, or www.valumags.com OR www.magmall.com).. Then I would go to KOHL's and use my FREE $15 GC that I received from the freebie days (two so far this year, one more next week). With the FREE $15 I would buy a pair of 14 KT $49.99 earrings after sales, and early bird specials with discounts and the $15 card would be .99 cents.. yes , .99 cents..

$9 overage (to be used later)

Dad-- more free subscriptions!! (I actually gave him one to TV Guide this year!).. I would get the $15 free GC (early bird specials) from Hechts' - and buy him a nice $40.00 wallet after discounts and coupons for $3.

$7 overage (to be used later)

Grandma/Granpa (more free mags--they also got TV Guide this year) My grandfather loves candles, so I have been picking up clearanced candles all year long.. some have been less than 25 cents. .. total about $5 for new candles My grandmother wanted some lotion set so I got another $15 Hecht's card, and used it towards lotion, and got that for FREE!

$5 overage (to be used later)

Best friend.. but I would scrounge around online for a great code like a $15 off $15 code (Eddie Bauer had that two years ago), and I would buy something for just shipping costs. (Sephora had some great deals, and Amazon has it as well occasionally)
Shipping approx. $5

$5 overage (to be used later)

Sister (adult).. She could also get TV Guide! I have a stockpile of Free Bath and Body Works from last year (there was a great linkable coupon.. buy anything at BBW and get a aromatherapy product for FREE!) I also could give her some candle samples that Ihave received throughout the year.

$10 overage!


Brother (adult)--I will have made a candy assortment of homemade chocalate dipped pretzels, chocolate coffee spoons, and other items

Total cost for chocalate $3 (2 lbs), bag of pretzels 50 cents, plastic spoons (pack of 50 for $1.00), plastic wrap (FREE ), ribbon (FREE)

Total approximate cost $6

$4 overage (to be used later)

Niece (child)-- I would find out what she can use from parents. Iwill then go out to Black Friday sales and get it for reduced costs.

Things under $10 lately
$6.88 Lite Brite
$9.50 My Scene Barbie
$6 Polly Pocket set
$10.00 even rollerblades (All of these items at Target)

Or I could go to Kohl's again and get another GC! I could buy a Hello Kitty or Geo Draw for just tax only.. true cost $19/ with sale $16-$15 GC= $1.


Nephew preteen... now this can get tricky

I could find what CD's artist he likes and get them on Black Friday sale.. or I could find a Gamecube or PS2 game on sale for $9.99 (KB toys has a GC game sale for $9.99 right now). Or I could find a PC game like Spiderman on sale for $4.88 (Black Friday Best Buy special)

I will give myself $10 on that one.. no overage.

So now If I did my math correctly there is a $40 overage!
For $40 I could get some family pictures and frames . Total cost about $10-- using some discounted frames, and printing photo from home using digital camera and FREE photo paper samples I have been savign all year.

Total cost now $30 overage

Or I could go to a CHINA outlet and get some wonderful SPODE Christmas tree ornaments for mom, grandma, and sister.
These SPODE ornaments are tagged $42.50 and are now $5 at a china outlet near me..

$30-$15= will be $15 left



I suddenly realize that I left SO out!!!



I have already stockpiled two free magazine subscriptions for him, and gotten a nice pair of headphones from an online survey.
I also can give him a $50 GC that I received for doing a test drive for a vehicle..

Total cost $0!!!!!

$15 left over! Plus $10 for DH, so that would be a grand total of

$25 surplus. ==

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Whoa!!!! I think you WIN - hands down!!!

Wanna come to my house and teach ME how to do all that?

I am really, really, REALLY impressed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Cruisin'Kroezes
I want to know----how is Cindy B getting all of these "free" gift cards??

EASY!

Kohl's gave out free $15 GC the week before Thanksgiving at 6 am on a Saturday, then they did it last week as well.. (thats a free $30)

This week Strawbridges (aka as Hecht's, and a host of other stores) had TWO days that you would get a $15 GC if you were first in line at 7 am.. did that.

This week again on Wed, Kohl's is giving out another free GC (but I may not be able to make that one )

As for the $50 GC for the vehicle test drive. I got a voucher to test drive a new model of the same car.. it was a $50 GC! So I went to the dealer got them to sign a card, and viola.. FREE $50 saved for Christmas!

 

[Cruisin]

CindyB

Thanks for the explanation, you see we don't have any of those stores around here. Also I have never heard of any stores around here doing anything like that either.

So, good for you.....keep on shopping

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Cruisin'Kroezes
CindyB

Thanks for the explanation, you see we don't have any of those stores around here. Also I have never heard of any stores around here doing anything like that either.

So, good for you.....keep on shopping

I just saw you are in Canada! These are stores in the Northeastern US.

 

[Cruisin]

Yeah, guess I will just have to find some other way to be creative

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Kimnicki
I am so jealous. Cindy B, I'm gonna pay you to do my Christmas shopping next year!


Kim

i'm not far from you... you could get some local lessons... those Target prices are from the Voorhees and Marlton Targets!

Kohl's prices from the Marlton and Cherry Hill store.

 

[SandraM]

CindyB, your suggestions are fantastic! Wish I was half so creative!
I was in a situation one year when I had to get a present for a big birthday for a relation, and didn't have the funds to get anything substantial.
My local library had some great cake baking books and I picked a great looking, but difficult, cake, with seriously complicated icing.
We baked the cake as per the recipe, and then spent NINE and a HALF HOURS icing it. It looked absolutely wonderful (thankfully!) and when we gave it to the birthday lady, she was totally overwhelmed because she knew that it was not only a present, but it was a labour of love. Money can't buy that!
Thankfully other years have been more comfortable than that year, but the funny thing is that no matter what we buy as a present, we will never top that birthday cake!