2013 Christmas AA Club

[jasperandchar]

Went to WM yesterday with the family, picked up jug/juice dispenser on for $9.99 instead of $20.00 going to start using this for dh's Christmas Punch (see below) - also going to get to use it in the summer (lol) the price was right!!


Also picked up some beautiful wine bags 2 for $1.00 on for .50 so .25 each, made sure to get some that were not so Christmasy for gift giving all year round (I make homemade wine, well not exactly - the wine store does (lol).

Also picked up a few larger gift bags reg. $1.00 on for .50 they are so cute and dh got a back massager/heated pad for his back (had an operation a few years back and it always hurts)

Planning on going back out today once dh comes home from his errands, hope the roads are good, it's been snowing for over a week.

And of course I used up my 40 coupons Kellogg's Promo - thanks to my trades with Mrs. Roberts & especially AmandaPantz wee purchased 40 toys = 40 coupons = $400.00, + saved over $322.00 because of the beyblade, Nerf products & Little Pet Shops sales that were already on at TOYSR US only paid $95 and change for all these great toys that we are going to donate later this year.

Will post picture later today.

[Shwa Girl]

And of course I used up my 40 coupons Kellogg's Promo - thanks to my trades with Mrs. Roberts & especially AmandaPantz wee purchased 40 toys = 40 coupons = $400.00, + saved over $322.00 because of the beyblade, Nerf products & Little Pet Shops sales that were already on at TOYSR US only paid $95 and change for all these great toys that we are going to donate later this year.

Christmas 2013 shopping -- done and done!

[jasperandchar]

OMG, NOW you get to relax for the next 358 days and enjoy this thread with no pressure (lol) - great for you, what didn't you BUY?

Christmas 2013 shopping -- done and done!

[thriftygranny]

So I make homemade soap, and right now I am cooking up my first laundry bar batch, we will see how it turns out, I have wanted to make this for a while (homemade laundry detergent can be SO GOOD and even cheaper than couponing it unless you are getting it for free), I am not sure if people would want that as a gift though, maybe packaged properly, what do you guys think!?

I think it would make a great gift, very unique as well.Wrapped in parchment with some raffia with instructions would make a really nice surprise for someone!! I love laundry bars for stain removal just dampen the stain and rub the bar directly on the stain, works very well.

[Giseledta]

how are you making hte laundry bars?

[bgheuchert]

how are you making hte laundry bars?

I learned all of my soap making skills from www.chickensintheroad.com, that is where I got the recipe for the Laundry Bars as well. Enjoy! Also where I learned to make homemade vanilla and many other fab things!

[Giseledta]

thanks!!!

[Adriana]

Love the new thread!!!
I'm definitely missing the holidays. Christmas is my fave time of the year (a bit obsessed), hubby enjoys it very much as well and knows what a christmasaholic I am lol. All decor and tree go up Nov. 1! I already have a ton of stuff already purchased. I picked up a lot of christmas cards last year (75% off at Walmart), beautiful cards for less then $2.00 a box so I don't need to worry about getting them this year. I must say I'm quite disappointed this year with Walmart and winners/homesense, they tend to have a ton of stuff left over but I can't find nearly as much as I did in the past few years! I need to stock up on wrapping paper at WL and I'm waiting for the items to be marked down to 75% instead of the 50% right now, and I can't believe how little is left!!! Last year their was an aisle FULL of wrapping paper this year theirs only 6 boxes full, picked up 8 rolls since their weren't many pretty ones left in case their all gone before the 75% rolls around. I also get a ton of goodies at winners/homesense (cookie boxes, candies, tea bags, etc.), all in beautiful holiday boxes/packaging at about 80%-90% off (all expire late 2014). I make a ton of baskets throughout the holidays for friends and family, these goodies make the baskets look awesome and super expensive! Already have 3 bins full of basket goodies. YAY for 2013 christmas

[Giseledta]

what do you put into your baskets?

[Adriana]

what do you put into your baskets?

Cookies, candies, tea bags, coffee (beans or ground), hot cocoa powder, hot chocolate powders, torrone, the list goes on. I find a lot of beautiful gourmet things, this year I found a circular tube filled with cupcake mix and on top was a a little box of cupcake papers all tied together with ribbon and looked super pretty. It would even be great as a gift on its own for a neighbour or teacher, it was $12.99 marked down to $2.80. I also found a beautiful rectangle boxes with windows at the front showing the products, which was a jar of gingerbread dip and a bag of pretzels on top. That was $14.99 marked down to $4.00. A lot of great finds, and when you think theirs not much left over and go back again you'll find a whole new variety of marked down goodies. Last year I found a lot more kitchen goodies, christmas inspired glass cutting boards, dishes, clothes, Tupperware, and more. This year I only found an apron $14.99 down to $3.00 and two dishes (platters) $14.99 down to $4.00 and $7.99 down to $2.10.

[thriftygranny]

Picked up some more stocking stuffers today at Shoppers! May have to buy another storage tote!!

[DianneS]

Bought two packages of Martha Stewart 6-packs of red & white striped cardboard loaf pans (complete with cellophane bags, ribbon & tags) for baking I will give away next Christmas. It worked out to $6 for the whole works -- 70% off. I also bought a variety of fancy Christmas sprinkles (Wilton) for my own use and for stocking stuffers. They were 70% off as well. I would never spend $30 on sprinkles but $9 works for me! Last, and most certainly not least, I bought a set of 40 driver bits for my son's stocking....regular $55 on sale for $10. I dread doing his stocking....a 20 year old male is impossible to buy for....so I am happy to have an early start and may end up doing a "tool basics" themed stocking for him.

[avrose]

I did not find a huge amount of clearance stuff at shoppers, have not been able to do much shopping but I found some clearance wrapping paper and bows at walmart. I still have a couple gifts leftover that did not get given away this year. I was in the hospital shortly before Christmas and was soooooo thankful I had started my shopping on boxing day!!! I am hoping to hit downtown on the weekend see if there is anything left out there!!

[Granger]

I ended up buying my wrapping paper at SDM. It was 50 percent off, not as good as 75, but I am happy with the patterns.

[thriftygranny]

Aren't the Martha Stewart baking containers great! I used them this year for baking and loved them, I didn't find any after Christmas this year but did find some really pretty ones in another brand at Winners. Hope they work as well!! The tool theme is a great idea!

Bought two packages of Martha Stewart 6-packs of red & white striped cardboard loaf pans (complete with cellophane bags, ribbon & tags) for baking I will give away next Christmas. It worked out to $6 for the whole works -- 70% off. I also bought a variety of fancy Christmas sprinkles (Wilton) for my own use and for stocking stuffers. They were 70% off as well. I would never spend $30 on sprinkles but $9 works for me! Last, and most certainly not least, I bought a set of 40 driver bits for my son's stocking....regular $55 on sale for $10. I dread doing his stocking....a 20 year old male is impossible to buy for....so I am happy to have an early start and may end up doing a "tool basics" themed stocking for him.