the SUPER-BELATED holiday brag: a picture story of the 2008 gifting experience

[Butt3rCooki3]

hey smart canucks!
over the months that I've been hanging around online and learning from all the kings and queens of savings, I've really grown A LOT!
it is beyond saving 50 cents on cookie or a dollar on icecream, but learning how to make the most from what I've learned during the time when I usually spend the most. I'd like to share my 2008 holiday gifting experience through a series of picture-ful posts, to thank everyone who've inspired me and hopefully to inspire others for the future : )

here is the first post: the basket of gift baskets.


this was on the recommendation of value village, the baskets are either 99cents or 1.99 only!

the second trip for when I had more stock than baskets, the orange ones are from zellers and only 50 cents and the other ones are from value village or salvation army, price between 99 cents and 1.99 as well

these two are my favourite, each 1.99 I believe : )

[Butt3rCooki3]

secondly, how does one make baskets without the proper supplies?

nothing exceeds a dollar of course, most are 50 cents and originate from dollar-store clearance (yes dollar stores have clearance too, post easter all the basket stuffing and a lot of pastel coloured tissue get discounted, and as some some of you know I've recently had a good load from hallmark after boxing week), ikea sale (go when you have time in jan or feb, a lot of mod/multi-seasonal wrapping, ribbons, decor)

[Butt3rCooki3]

now onto the best part, the stock I've acquired for my baskets all with coupons of course!! Most of the items do not exceed $1 each due to coupons, FPCs, sales, and all that knowledge I've acquired from the masters here on SC.

the cereals were handed out one day by the eatons centre, chocolates were from sales at sdm, and lindor bundles were 2.50 after coupon for 3 tri-pack with the lindt seal and ribbon from the lindt store in eatons centre with coupon, some of the chocolates were gifts that were just too pretty for me to eat myself, and the imported foods are lostly from winners at 50% off thanks to a post on sc here

most were free, the febreze candle was the most expensive item in the pic thanks to the glade/cottonelle/pledge/vileda/airwick starterkit), since most are acquired with FPC, high value coupons+sales

thanks to the smart canuck who shared an intuition pin with me, my kit came right in time for the holidays !


the countless olay coupons used, gift packs from wally clearance and zelly's 50% off sale, sometimes in conjunction with coupon, and some are gifted items that I simply will never use

[Butt3rCooki3]

and of course, the FINAL PRODUCTS!!!


(not part of stock, but made from a mahogony photo box with lid from the umbra factory sale for $3 and a chocolate scented bath/body set as a gift for my birthday, am only regifting because I cant stand very strong scents)

believe it or not, the total value spent is about $8.50, factoring $2 for the basket and $1 for tax and wrapping


both around $6



around $7, the st.ives set was $7 at zellers 50% off day and came in a plastic tube bag, but things just look nicer in baskets, everything additional were acquired free, and this one basket was lying around my house already

bought all the items in this pack in a set at wally clearance for $7, used a $4 venus coupon and added a loofa pom (3-pack for $1 at sweet dollarama), so about $4 for the items and $1 for the silver starry basket (considered seasonal at VV, so it was half off of 1.99)

nothing over $1 of course, and this metal container I also had lying around so the totaly value was around $4 ($2 for mr.clean wipes and liquid, $1 for vileda, and $1 for wrapping and taxes on the freebies)


probably the most expensive basket of the bunch, but the basket was for a picky host so mid-high end chocolate and imported foods seemed appropriate)

[Butt3rCooki3]

in conclusion, thanks SC!
and cheers for a more bountiful 2009!

[miztia]

Wow you've been busy! Great baskets!

[myguppy]

wow, beautiful! Great work!!

[seapotato]

wow they are beautiful

[leila2000]

great job!!

[Kitty77]

Nice Work!!

[ccmp1974]

Very inspiring for next Christmas!!Thanks!!

[zameluzza]

wow verry nice
thanks for sharing this

[redmouse]

I love your basket supply - I have to to see if I can find some baskets as nice as yours. The square baskets - the seem to fit the boxed items better!

Excellent job!!

[AmberLab]

I love how you made a little story out of it, and great pics! I was chuckling at the background of some of your pics, a sequence throughout your living room. Nice work, such a good job with baskets and color coordinating or food or bath coordination. I bet everyone enjoyed their gifts!

[leftie]

Great baskets/gifts - have fun collecting this year for Christmas