What gifts have you purchased or made for this year already?

[disneydreamersx4]

Or thinking about buying. I know I always get inspiration from your gift posts. Today I found a $5 football team t-shirt for DH for part of his Father's Day gift. I also want to get him a BBQ apron when I see one on sale. I also found a little gift set of lotion for $1.70 for DD-13 for Christmas all with 30% coupon.

I will be making some beaded bookmarks that have a word charm on them like "hope" "joy" love" to give to 4-H leaders to thank them in June for a year of volunteering. I gave those bookmarks to teachers for Christmas last year and also gave them to some women in my family.

I have started a crocheted scarf to give to someone.

Forgot that I bought "initial" note cards and envelopes for DD's Easter baskets at $1 spot Michaels.
Also, I am going to be crocheting Christmas ornaments for the women I see on Christmas Day and maybe for the girls teachers.

 

[mtblujeans]

I've been buying clearance toys and books for Toys For Tots next Christmas. I got some XL Ziploc bags to seal them up and keep them clean until needed.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

A few weeks ago my local Hallmark had reindeer Webkinz and kinzclips for $3.50 (reg 16) and $1.50- put both away for DD's stocking.

Too bad I don't know how many kids will end up at DD's birthday party in Nov or I'd buy them as party favors!

 

[mommycrawford]

Twilight dolls at Bonton.com....very discounted!...I'm gonna let Edward and Jacob fight it out in my DD12's room!

 

[disneydreamersx4]

Disneyredsox - just a suggestion, but I would think about how many girls you would invite, let's say it's 15. I would buy 15 of those $1.50 favors and whatever's leftover you could use as a little extra gift for birthday presents, donate some of them...I did this a few times like with cd holders at the dollar store, it all worked out!

On another note, I just found an awesome BBQ apron for DH for Father's Day at BB&B. It's $14.99 less 20% coupon in case anyone is interested. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=17057359

 

[Fantasmic23]

I've been making Bath Salt Sundaes whenever my daughter (12) has a birthday party to go to. They're so easy, affordable and fun! We gave many of these sundaes to her teachers and friends for Christmas and they were a big hit. I'll post the YouTube link for anyone who's interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd6BmdtZ0cE

My daughter and I have also been making scented bath salts (presented in a sugar shaker):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9SwvwH9c68

 

[gracie1]

I've been cashing in points for gift cards. So far I have a $100 gift card for disney (will use for my nephews christmas shopping). $20 giftcard to Starbucks (will be for my dad) and a $25 Dunkin Donuts giftcard (for coworker). Atleast their all non expiration gift cards

 

[thebeesknees]

I hit Target's toy clearance last month and got a bunch of stuff for my nieces and nephews for next Christmas. They are all under 6, and very easy to buy for - they don't really care what they get as long as it's wrapped up! So I got a really cute Strawberry Shortcake playset, a LPS playset, and some My Little Pony stuff for the nieces for about $7 each instead of the original $30 each. I got a wooden Thomas the Train set and several Thomas trains for my nephews for about $5 each, since they will be 2 next year and just the right age to be getting into that kind of stuff. I didn't do any shopping for my kids yet - they are older and will have definite ideas on what they want by then! Oh, I forgot that I picked up a bunch of Lego sets after Christmas at King Soopers, of all places, for 75% off and put them away for birthday gifts for DS's friends. Paid about $5 each, but they were originally $20 each, so we got some nice stuff and won't have to do last-minute shopping for the parties this year.

 

[MissBritt]

fabric for a quilt for my niece and an apron for a friend; several candles for birthday gifts for friends; wrapping paper, tags and bows! also, my mom's birthday present.

 

[crusoe2]

You guys are inspiring. I haven't started on any handmade gifts or found any great deals for gifts. But I did save some things I bought at Christmas and put them up for later. I kinda overdid it a bit when I was shopping for DD this past year. I was going to return all the excess but then decided just to save it for later. It's all things I know she'll love but they might be hard to find by the time her b'day and Christmas roll around again. I have Rapunzel's tower, both Rapunzel and Flynn dolls, and Maximus stashed away for her b'day. And I have the first season of Little House on the Prairie on dvd - may put that in her Easter basket. I also found a pink Caboodles storage box for makeup that I thought she could use for little things. I haven't seen those much lately so I grabbed it and put it up for her. I'm thinking I'll fill it with lip gloss and nail polish and bath stuff since she doesn't actually wear makeup yet.

I did find some good deals just last night on comfy winter clothes for her to wear around the house. Our Walmart had a bunch of stuff marked down quite a bit - got her a pair of heart print fleece pj pants for $1, some thermal tees w/characters on the front for $2 each, & a hooded sweatshirt w/Mario characters on it for $2.50. Since she doesn't really need any more winter stuff for this year, I got it all a size up and will save it for next winter.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

MissBrit - I have heard those quilts are not cheap to make so that is really nice of you to make one. I'm sure you're niece is special!

 

[MissBritt]

MissBrit - I have heard those quilts are not cheap to make so that is really nice of you to make one. I'm sure you're niece is special!

They sure can be. I made them for my nephews last year for Christmas at over $60 each, and am trying to keep hers lower than theirs... so far in the $40 range for fabric, so I may be able to finish around $50. I love making them, though. Last year I started quilting and made 11 in 12 months, all as gifts.

 

[skip323]

I always go to the after xmas sales to find things for the next year....I know that won't work much longer as my kids and nieces and nephews are getting into their teens....more difficult to purchase for!!!

I did, however, purchase some tops from Old Navy for the 7 and 10 year old girls, 2 fleece tops for 12 and 13 year old girls from Target. Bookmarks on clearance (the 3D ones from Borders) for stocking stuffers. Clearance lipglosses, socks etc for stocking stuffers and advent calendar. Movies for Easter Baskets. And, thanks to a diser's post this weekend, two clearanced out Flips from Staples for $40 each....either for Easter Basket (kind of a big gift for that though) or Xmas. I also got a bunch of toys on clearance from Target for Xmas (stepson's ...stepson ....if that makes sense), and some stuff for dd9 for her bday this April. I'm always on the lookout....just works out better financially for me when I do that!

 

[semo233]

I was stuck at the mall last week for a few hours and purchased two sets of plates and mugs in a winter/Christmas theme. There are at total of 8 plates and 8 matching mugs for $20. I am planning on filling a matching plate and mug with home baked cookies and/or cocoa mix, placing the mug inthe middle of the plate and wrapping them with clear cellophane shrink wrap for gifts. Each gift should end up costing less than $5 and I'll have 8 of them!

 

[Fantasmic23]

I was stuck at the mall last week for a few hours and purchased two sets of plates and mugs in a winter/Christmas theme. There are at total of 8 plates and 8 matching mugs for $20. I am planning on filling a matching plate and mug with home baked cookies and/or cocoa mix, placing the mug inthe middle of the plate and wrapping them with clear cellophane shrink wrap for gifts. Each gift should end up costing less than $5 and I'll have 8 of them!

What a great idea!