Christmas 2023

[Ciel21]

H&M has launched their Autumn/Winter collections online. Some of the Kids' apparel can work for Holiday events so browse now:https://www2.hm.com/en_ca/kids/seaso...g/holiday.html

If you are an H&M member, the 20% off discount on one regular price item might be available to use as well (per e-mail) for today.

[Frugalbigmama]

I bought cans of cashews and almonds for my boys Christmas bag. ($2.99 Independent)

[crafter]

We decided that Christmas is going to look a bit different for us this year.
Our income is much lower this year as far as gift giving BUT we do have some skill sets of frugal shopping and homebaking and cooking. We will still mail gifts to our DD out west but we had discussions with our other DD and PIL and agreed make donations to a cause dear to our hearts in lieu of gifts. When chatting with my parents, they also preferred to have us donate to a foodbank in lieu of a gift this year. So with that in mind...I checked off my gift to my Mom this week.

4 family sized boxes of cereal and 4 large packages of Cashmere TP

Instead of putting the donations into the store bin, I decided to drive over to the city's foodbank and check it out. I was surprised with the number of cars. When I arrived, the line up for the food bank (esp mothers and children) was quite long inside. I was amazed at how respectful the people in line were when I came in with a cart full of supplies, they all moved aside and instructed me where to go. The gentleman who was doing intake of recipients quickly came to help me and take the boxes of cereals and toilet paper from my cart.

I would strongly encourage dropping by to a foodbank to donate. It gave me a different perspective, yes I noticed a couple of nice trucks waiting in the parking lot but figure that it was just a friend giving someone in need a lift to the foodbank. Once reading through various headings on their website (i.e. they offer items that have passed their BB date but are still completely fine to eat and thought, oh yeah I can definitely help out via shopping for Shoppers clearance stickers on seniors day).

So Mom checked off, I saved the receipts and took a photo of the donation that we'll print off
Next up, my Dad...we're going to donate his favorite foods and snacks that he likes to eat to the foodbank ...when on sale of course

[lilo0003]

We decided that Christmas is going to look a bit different for us this year.
Our income is much lower this year as far as gift giving BUT we do have some skill sets of frugal shopping and homebaking and cooking. We will still mail gifts to our DD out west but we had discussions with our other DD and PIL and agreed make donations to a cause dear to our hearts in lieu of gifts. When chatting with my parents, they also preferred to have us donate to a foodbank in lieu of a gift this year. So with that in mind...I checked off my gift to my Mom this week.

4 family sized boxes of cereal and 4 large packages of Cashmere TP

Instead of putting the donations into the store bin, I decided to drive over to the city's foodbank and check it out. I was surprised with the number of cars. When I arrived, the line up for the food bank (esp mothers and children) was quite long inside. I was amazed at how respectful the people in line were when I came in with a cart full of supplies, they all moved aside and instructed me where to go. The gentleman who was doing intake of recipients quickly came to help me and take the boxes of cereals and toilet paper from my cart.

I would strongly encourage dropping by to a foodbank to donate. It gave me a different perspective, yes I noticed a couple of nice trucks waiting in the parking lot but figure that it was just a friend giving someone in need a lift to the foodbank. Once reading through various headings on their website (i.e. they offer items that have passed their BB date but are still completely fine to eat and thought, oh yeah I can definitely help out via shopping for Shoppers clearance stickers on seniors day).

So Mom checked off, I saved the receipts and took a photo of the donation that we'll print off
Next up, my Dad...we're going to donate his favorite foods and snacks that he likes to eat to the foodbank ...when on sale of course

What an awesome thing to do, especially taking it right to them.

[Ciel21]

I like @crafter 's donations to food banks in honour of family members in lieu of gifts idea.

[Frugalbigmama]

Waiting on 2 deliveries.
Lined coat for DS (should be delivered today) (this was a partial order- received part 1 the other day)

Puma order made today. Just socks for my boys.

Then I am ready to wrap and be finished my boys

[walkonby]

Late last night, which actually bled into early a.m. I wrapped all the gifts that I have bought so far. Clearly one kid has appeared to be the favourite?? ( lol ) Not really, I just cannot land on the right items for one of them. More shopping is planned.

[lilo0003]

I plan to wrap tonight as well. DS2 has asked that we put the tree up before his dad and I leave for Nova Scotia so I will add the gifts. Not much has been purchased. A combo of the kids wanting less and us spending less.

[SassyAshley]

I am feeling a little lost on Christmas this year. Last year we did not gifts but a vote was taken last week and it was decided we are doing gifts this year.

Normally I am all about the homemade gifts but I have no Crochet projects planned and feel it is a little late to start now.

My normal go to is homemade Food Gifts, I love to feed others and usually have a theme, one year was dips and mixes another year was fruit butters and breakfasts.

But I find is people do not realize how expensive homemade gifts are, in the past I have been told I take the "cheap" route, ha ha I have never added it up but pretty sure buying gifts depending on the theme would be cheaper.

BUT, this year I am worried with the current cost of groceries that Homemade Gifts are not feesable but now I have no idea what to get everyone.

[Lynn49]

Found in local Rexall: 1oz bottle of Vince Camuto perfume, 3 different scents, Reg around $50, for $4.99!
No idea why, perfectly boxed, on sale for 90%off! You might still find some around!

[walkonby]

Got my 3 guys their traditional new pj's for Christmas. GT never lets me down. While there I picked up a bunch of bananas, baby carrots, regular carrots, coffee cream, more stocking stuffer chocolates, cheap men's cologne for the boys ( sometimes the budget wins out, I ain't dropping $200.00 on a bottle on fragrance ) .
I'm listening to Reba McEntire right now and reminded of how I thought the one line of the lyric to Walking In A Winter Wonderlands was
" In the meadow we can build a snowman, we'll pretend that he is partially brown " .

ha ha, I was very young at the time and thought the person rolling the 3 parts of the snowman's body in the snow, hit some dirt!

[Ciel21]

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[Ciel21]

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[Ciel21]

Ordered two cookbooks on my wishlist (not available at local libraries) so that makes for an Xmas present for me next week, as one title has a slight discount from Indigo this week.