Christmas shopping?

[DD]

We cut out the exchanging of lame gifts and checks many years ago. In its place we took to sharing some top-shelf food and drinks with family and friends, maybe taking a vacation or two and, if absolutely sure, surprising someone with that "special gift" they REALLY wanted/needed.

The very youngest in our tribe are beyond believing in Santa, so we satisfy our "Santa urges" by shopping for children, elderly or Vets in need.

This year we're doubling our efforts to share with others because the need is so much greater. We're already carrying a pocket full of singles for donations; on the lookout for Angel Trees and picking up some extra provisions for Food Banks. For us, it's going to be the best Christmas ever!

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[JUL]

Cute! I used to hate Uggs but they've grown on me! I bought a pair of imitations mocs from target that I love.

They just feel so darn good!

 

[Minnie]

Someone I have done for several years that I will not give up is to randomly tip the server's in the drive thru windows. It absolutely makes my day. I make up Christmas envelopes and put a $5 bill in them and give them to some very friendly person at the local fast food drive thru.

I will cut back on something else before I give this up.

 

[Mango]

The coupons this year are great -- especially online. It helps to plan ahead to grab those November deals. I've been taking advantage.

We can't really "scale back" with three little ones and Santa's involvement and all, but I am trying to online comparison shop, etc. One great idea are the Shutterfly photo books. They are really nice and personal and about $30 each. I have a coupon code good for $10 off a $50 purchase (code HOLIDAY) through Nov. 10, and any additional photo books are 25 percent off at the moment. I'm thinking of doing a couple of these -- a really special gift for not much $$.

I am an internet scour shopper -- once I figure out what I am looking for I can usually get a much better deal than the price that I saw in, say, a catalog that got mailed to the house.

The idea of leaving the house to shop for gifts gives me hives.

I love those photo books, especially when they are personalized to the receiver. My sister and nephews made one for me and they took shots of things we like to do together, like gardening, playing ball, etc; and then put them in a storybook. One of the best gifts I ever got.

Most of y'all know I do Black Friday with family and friends. The mere mention of not doing this year was met with the OMG, you have to be kidding. Although we won't be spending nearly what we used to, it's still something we look forward to doing together if for nothing but the laughs and the good feeling we get finding great toys, heavily discounted, for Toys for Tots, our last stop on our run.

 

[SHELLY]

Someone I have done for several years that I will not give up is to randomly tip the server's in the drive thru windows. It absolutely makes my day. I make up Christmas envelopes and put a $5 bill in them and give them to some very friendly person at the local fast food drive thru.

I will cut back on something else before I give this up.

... Thanks for this "tip" about tipping--I like it! I'm not a "drive thru" person but will probably work just as well with the counter staff.

(Maybe passing out $5 Wally-world gift cards will work too...that way I can rack up some reward points on the credit card.)

Anyone else got any more ideas?

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[Beach Runner]

Just before Christmas hubby went to a farm supply store to buy kerosene for a garage heater for our Weimaraner, an outside dog for protection after a home invasion. In front of him in line to pay was a family that was literally counting pennies to pay for kerosene to heat their home. My husband paid for their kerosene and told the owner to charge their future bills to an anonymous donor.

 

[Matt J]

An old favorite is to pay for the person behind you in line at the drive thru or the person behind you in line. It's just a fun way to spread the holiday spirit. Beware the minivan though. I did this one year and the lady behind me had 6 kids. It came to something like $40.00 at a Burger King. The cashier couldn't stop giggling.

If you don't do the drive thru thing, tip your servers extra and simply write Merry Xmas on the receipt. I've also done this and waiters will remember you the rest of the year.

 

[Beach Runner]

An old favorite is to pay for the person behind you in line at the drive thru or the person behind you in line. It's just a fun way to spread the holiday spirit. Beware the minivan though. I did this one year and the lady behind me had 6 kids. It came to something like $40.00 at a Burger King. The cashier couldn't stop giggling.

If you don't do the drive thru thing, tip your servers extra and simply write Merry Xmas on the receipt. I've also done this and waiters will remember you the rest of the year.

You are lucky you weren't at Chick-Fil-A. That place is SO expensive. It would have been twice that!

 

[JUL]

I love those photo books, especially when they are personalized to the receiver. My sister and nephews made one for me and they took shots of things we like to do together, like gardening, playing ball, etc; and then put them in a storybook. One of the best gifts I ever got.

Most of y'all know I do Black Friday with family and friends. The mere mention of not doing this year was met with the OMG, you have to be kidding. Although we won't be spending nearly what we used to, it's still something we look forward to doing together if for nothing but the laughs and the good feeling we get finding great toys, heavily discounted, for Toys for Tots, our last stop on our run.

You just gave me a grayt idea for an inexpensive stuffer for my tote bags...Thank you.

 

[JUL]

Just before Christmas hubby went to a farm supply store to buy kerosene for a garage heater for our Weimaraner, an outside dog for protection after a home invasion. In front of him in line to pay was a family that was literally counting pennies to pay for kerosene to heat their home. My husband paid for their kerosene and told the owner to charge their future bills to an anonymous donor.