Tips on Tuesday

I know so many people hate thinking about Christmas right after it happened, but it seems to me to be one our biggest expenses for the entire year. So besides budgeting for it, I look for expensive things at a cheap price, and nothing beats free.
See these boxes were sent to my office on December 28Th. Everyone dug into the goodies inside I looked at the boxes. All I could think was that they were nice a nice size for small items. So I took them and left the goodies. I know next year they will make great gift boxes and I'll also be recycling. I guess my tip is look for unusual shaped boxes and keep them. I don't know a Christmas that hasn't gone by when either my brother or I had received a gift in a box that checks were sent in. Sometimes laughing at the box is just as much fun as the gift.
If you live in Alabama you will find this funny - This year for Christmas I received gifts in boxes from Gayffers and Parisians, both department stores that are longer in business and haven't been in years.

Hobby Lobby

I love Arts and Crafts. I have ever since I was a little kid. Making things has always facinated me. So one of my favorite stores is Hobby Lobby. The one thing I don't like about it is that it closes at 8 p.m. I can deal with the not being open on Sunday, but closing at 8 just kills me.

I did have time to run in their one night when they had their Christmas 80%.

All the items in this picture came to $13.17. More Christmas presents for next year.

This ribbon is for my grandmother in law. She needs new bows to go on all of her wreaths at her house. She has 7 wreaths across the front of her house and 2 in the back so I was lucky to find 9 rolls of ribbon all the same color. These were orginally $9.99 a roll with 80% off.

Michael's

Some of these items were 75% off and some were 80% off. So I will just give you the total and some highlights. Total spent $20.39.

Highlights - Scrapbook paper was $9.99 and then the lady gave me 80% off making it $1.98 for 60 pages. Can you believe that?

Plush Floppy Animas were - $0.50 each.

Target

More Christmas Items - 75% off at Target. I have set a goal of filling 10 boxes for Operation Christmas Child next year, and I know that if I purchased all of the items to fill it then I would never be able to afford it. Luck for me Target has the best stocking stuffer section for little kids which fit perfect into shoe boxes. So for $11.84 I got all of these items. The Christmas ornaments will be part of some family members gifts for next year.

Hallmark

I don't know why I got these sickers I guess I just liked them. I can't remeber how much they were, but they couldn't have been that much.
I really wanted the Turkey pin. My mom had one like this when I was growing up and when I saw this I had to have it. It was only $0.50.

After Christmas Sale

I won't say who each ornament is for because some people who read this blog may end up with them in their stocking next year.

Kohl's - $27.66

Northcutt's On Main (I love this store!) - $15.77
The purple striped ball is for on my tree it is part of Christopher Radko set of 4, but one broke and they broke up the rest of the set. Then it was marked half off so I got it for $2.25. Can you believe that?

JC Penney - $4.88

Merry Christmas

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.