I've met a few people, Rachel, who enjoy Black Friday. They make a big production out of joining with friends and shopping together. I would personally prefer to claw my eyeballs out than shop on Black Friday. Once, thirteen years ago, I went to a fabric store because I was making a quilt for a Christmas gift, and the fabric was pennies on the yard. After those 13 years had passed, I had forgotten the intensity of the torture. Much like childbirth, where you tend to forget really how much it hurt. Which is why we have more than one child. Which is also why I tried to participate in Black Friday again last year. While I did go on to have three children, I feel confident in saying I will only have endured 2 Day-After-Thanksgiving sales in my lifetime.
So. In the upcoming spirit of goodwill towards men, I would like to offer my top ten tips on an affordable Christmas with ABSOLUTELY NO shopping on Black Friday.1. Shop early. By "early", I mean "all year long."
2. Buy books. If you have school children in your home, you have access to the Scholastic Book Orders. They are cheap, and you will have smarter kids if they read more.
3. Overstock.com. My 6 year old daughter is into Fancy Nancy right now. I found the books at Borders for $16.00 a pop. I found them on Amazon.com for $6.99 each. Overstock.com? TWO BUCKS A BOOK. She's getting the entire collection.
4. Clearance. Pick a few of your favorite stores. Mine are Old Navy and Kohls. Sign up for their email ads. When their clearance sales start, buy stuff. End of season clearance clothing can be bought one size larger for next year's wardrobe.
5. Google promo codes. I just went to Kohl's clearance sale online, and ordered 6 outfits for the kids for about $50. Then I googled "Kohl's Promo Code" and up popped some websites offering that top secret info. I got a code for 20% off my total purchase, and another one for free shipping. So I paid thirty five bucks for well over $200 worth of merchandise.
6. Downsize. Your kids probably don't need as much stuff as you feel obligated to buy them.
7. Reward points. Our debit card offers reward points. We make all our purchases with it. In return, they have given us a HUGE mall to shop from. Every major retailer you can imagine is on it. That is how my children will get a Wii.
8. Donate to a charity. This year, our extended family is pooling the money we would've spent on neckties and WWII novels, and donating it to the Wounded Warrior foundation.
9. Draw names. If you have a sizable extended family, gift giving can be ridiculous. Draw names to prevent burdening each other.
10. Convert to Jehovah's Witness.
There you have it. What are your tips for frugal festivities?
20 comments:
#10 is too funny!!
I just buy things on sale or online. Love it!
I love your number 8. I have never thought of that.
#10 made me laugh. Since the church is true I will not be converting, but it would make life a lot easier during the holiday season.
I am with you...I would prefer to be horse whipped than shop on Black Friday...but I need a new camera so I may just have to risk life and limb this year.
Very good tips. I always forget about looking up those promotion codes. Poop.
I'm glad my kids are young haven't figured out the entire Christmas consumerism spirit. That being said, with Jackson in school and surrounded by other product-savvy children, our season is going downhill fast.
Oh come on Andrea!!! Come to Utah and join me in all the fun.
Thanks for all the suggestions though, I think I will use some of them.
I love all of your tips...I live by all of them! There is no way my girls would get Nintendo DS's otherwise...
A couple of years ago my me and my siblings bought goats for a family in Africa it was way better than a picture frame.
HATE black friday, love this post. I checked out the Fancy Nancy on overstock for future use/gifts. Thanks!
Love #10. And, I'm headed to overstock for Fancy Nancy. I just love hearing my 4 year old use big words she learns from Nancy. :)
Nice list.
I say AMEN Sista to the Black Friday. But my girls L.O.V.E. it, and wouldn't miss it.Yes they are nutso.
I love your idea list,especially #10. Won't give up the truth we have though.
You make me laugh out loud,so hysterical! And nothin' says crazy like a gal laughing out loud in a room by herself! you go girl....
Good tips. I'll start googleing codes.
I don't go out shopping for Christmas at all. Yuck.
My kids don't need much, nor do they expect much and I don't want to teach them to. My kids are happy with a balloon, know what I mean? So why would I get them more than a couple of things? Now Dad on the other hand has a harder time not Christmas shopping...
We haven't done family presents for years, not since the twins gave everyone Babe and Stetson cologne. We always pool the money and give it to somebody else. This year it is my cousin. She, her husband and her 3 kids are loosing their home in Michigan. Have you heard about Michigan? Michigan=no jobs. A $100 to Anthropologie or a place for my cousin to live? Tough one.
We are shopping soul sisters! (I still use the Retail Me Not link you sent me.)
I hate a lot of useless/broken crap around my house, so I am very selective in what I get my kids. Books. Items that develop talents (art supplies, musical instruments or sports stuff). We also have a growing collection of Legos which we add to at Christmas. I like to spend more time creating memories and being with my family during this season instead of running around shopping.
My kid said she wants nothing this year and just wants to do stuff for people. She is getting a giftcard at Thanksgiving to do all her good work.
Seriously, how can she be my child? I like to do service but I still want presents. Of course she will get a few gifts...and be translated.
you are right on! I think we may convert this year... being we have no money for christmas :)
I get to be o the other side of it this year. I'm working at Crate & Barrle but we don't do the ridiculous early morning thing!! I jus have to park off sight! ugh!
thanks for a good laugh!
My sister and I were just talking about Black Friday.
I too, would rather claw my eyeballs out then participate.
There is also Yugster.com, Woot.com and 1saleaday.com to help with holiday gifting. I love getting a good deal!!
I sleep in on Black Fridays in a warm bed in a warm house inside. As I rouse from my sleep, I think to myself, all snug in my bed, "Oh yeah, there are crazy people who have been up for 5 hours standing in the cold and battling crowds." I don't understand it at all.
Great list! Another wonderful resource we've recently found (and love) is BetterWorldBooks.com -- great deals on used and new books, always free shipping no matter how big or small your purchase, and a portion of the proceeds goes to literacy efforts around the world. LOVE that site.
I do the promo code thing too. And I am one of those sad people who gets way too excited about coupons.
My mom and pop are coming to visit us for Thanksgiving, and when I was talking to my mom on the phone she said, "Ooh, we can wake up early on Friday and go shopping!"
I was like.... ....... ........
I'm afraid. I'm very afraid.
Let me just start with FACEBOOK ... k, moving on. Love your tips, the next size up, good one. I have shopped on black Friday ONCE. Learned my lesson, won't happen again. You were brave to attempt number two.
My greatest source of pride is that I have never crossed the threshhold of a store on black Friday. I don't like to shop when the peasant folks go out. I'd rather pay more and shop later.
Converting to the J-Dub's might be a better option.
Black Friday is lame-even the name is lame. If I do any shopping it will be from the comfort of my computer chair. Free Shipping is the best! Thanks for the tips especially #10-I've considered it.
I love your list, but have to say THANK YOU on behalf of those that receive the benefits of the donations to the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Seeing my husband IS one of the Wounded Warriors at this time, I truly KNOW the generosity of others can really impact the lives of the service members and their families.
I'm not a Black Friday shopper either. Why when I can find awsome deals online and my kids have NO clue I'm shopping. Boxes arrive while they're at school...and I saved gas money, my stress level stayed down, and it's way faster to switch websites then to drive to this store or that (and living in the middle of nowhere half the stores I love aren't even HERE. ugh.)
Here's to NOT getting out on black friday!!
I must say I hate black friday! But I did buy 2 copies of the BBC's Planet Earth complete series this weekend for 19.99 a piece. Hastings advertised it with none in stock, and Wal-mart will price match, how wonderful. Usually the 2 day sales are better unless you want a TV that will break within the year.
I actually begin shopping in August. Most everything comes from Steepandcheap.com or tramdock.com. They have one outdoor gear item on the website at a time for 50-80% off. Or given that my husband works in retail look for gifts that can be purchased with his company discount. Anyone up for hydroskin this year?
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