Showing posts with label Christmas and holiday season. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas and holiday season. Show all posts

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Time to enjoy the Christmas Lights!

Here are some videos of wonderful light shows this year for Christmas.  I don't recommend trying this yourself, unless you have plenty of money and lots of time to work on it.















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Friday, October 28, 2011

Black Friday Specials are starting to be announced!

BURBANK, CA - MARCH 02:  (L-R) Cyma Zarghami, ...Image by Getty Images via @daylifeJust got this in my email and wanted to share it with you here. 

Posted: the Kmart Toy Book

It's official...The holiday season is starting! We got our hands on a copy of the Kmart Toy Book and posted it on our website right away. There are 64 pages of toys, with sale prices available both in-store and online. The sale begins on Sunday, October 30th and continues until Wednesday, November 23rd. The Toy Book is packed with popular toys like Bratz dolls, Transformers action figures, Dora the Explorer, Elmo, and many more.
Some of the highlights of the Kmart Toy Book are:
  • $10 off the LeapFrog Leapster Explorer ($59.99)
  • $5 off Justin Bieber Singing Doll ($19.99)
  • Furreal Friends Cookie, My Playful Pup for $44.99 with coupon
  • Free Nerf Ammo 16-pack with purchase of any Nerf Blaster (in-store only)
View the entire Kmart Toy Book here.
We're just getting warmed up. We can't wait to see which ads and sales break next...
Thanks for reading!
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Friday, October 14, 2011

I did find this Carol Duvall show episode about decorating your table for the holiday season, so here it is for your enjoyment.


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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Heads up!!

Just wanted to remind you that there is officially less than 6 months left before Christmas.  Now if you get paid monthly, that is less than 6 opportunities to buy Christmas gifts early.  If you get paid every other week, there are less than 12 opportunities.  For those lucky enought to get paid weekly, you have less than 24 weeks. 

Christmas is coming--no doubt.  You might as well be prepared as not!

Hope you get ready so you can enjoy the original concept for this hoilday.  Christmas is not about hype and shopping.  It is about reflection and thankfulness.  It is about family time.  It is about joy and hope.

You don't have to be Christian to be able to celebrate this holiday.  Every religion is about these things.
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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Cover of "Gifts for the Family"Cover of Gifts for the FamilyHere's an interesting article I found on About.com that gives you numerous ideas for your holiday gift giving this year.  Check it out and maybe something on one of these lists will be just what you have been looking for. 

This particular list is from the Fatherhood category on About.com.  There are more categories and many other lists to check out.
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Great Gifts for Moms

Irresistable Mom Gifts
About.com's Working Moms Guide Apryl Duncan has this great list of gift ideas that will warm any mother's heart. For that special gift for your favorite mother, check this list out. Ideas for Surefire Working Mother Gifts
This list of gift ideas for working mothers, including pokcet camcorders and a day at the spa, will give any dad a set of good ideas for the working mom in his life.
Top Gifts for Crafters
If the mom in your life is crafty (meaning that she enjoys doing craft projects--not that she is sneaky), then this list from About.com's Family Craft Guide Sherri Osborn is one you will want to check out. Focused specifically on crafts a mom can do with her kids, this list is sure to please any mom who enjoys craft work.
Gifts that Moms of Multiples Will Love
If that special mom in your life has twins, triplets or more, this list from About.com Multiples Guide Pamela Fierro will help you find just the right idea for her. From jewelry to books to items that will pamper this special mom, it is all here.

Gift Ideas for Preschoolers

Classic Toys for Today's Kids
If you remember some of the classic toys from your childhood like Etch a Sketch and Lite Brite and wanted to find them for your kids, then this list will be a great source. Check out all the old favorites and find out how to bring them home for your little ones. DVD Gifts for Kids
Carey Bryson, the About.com Guide to KIds Movies, has prepared this list of the top DVD's that will appeal to your preschoolers. The list also includes links to Carey's own reviews of these popular movies.
Top Toys for Preschoolers
About.com Preschooler Guide Amanda Rock has a great list of toys for your favorite preschool kids. An incredible puppet theater, a dollhouse, puzzles and Tinkertoys are among the gifts that my grandkids just adore. Any one of these gifts will help you be a savvy and popular gift giver this holiday season.

Gifts for Tweens

Tween Gifts That Rock
Sometimes buying a gift for that in-between age - not quite a teenager but too old for the school aged kid stuff - can be the toughest of all gifts. About.com Tween Guide Jennifer O'Donnell has put together a list of gift ideas for the tween crowd. Electronics Make a Great Tween Gift
Jennifer has also assembled a great list of electronic devices that appeal to the tween in any family. If your tween is into MP3s, digital cameras and cell phones, this list will give you some super ideas.

Gift Ideas for Teenagers

Christmas Gift Ideas for Teens
Teenagers are also a challenging group to buy for. They are so varied in their interests and often a bit moody and unpredictable. Denise Witmer, the About.com Guide to Parenting Teens, has put together an idea list of 50 gift ideas for your teens. This list is sure to include something for your teen, or perhaps will generate an idea or two beyond the list. Gift Ideas for Teen Boys
Specifically for teenaged boys, this gift idea list is spot on for them. Having two teen boys at home right now, I can tell you that their gift list would certainly include many of the ideas on this list. Magazine subscription, a watch or a DVD would be on any teen guy's favorites list.
Gift Ideas for Teen Girls
If you have a teenaged girl at home, Denise's list for teen girls gifts will certainly make you a popular dad this holiday season. Jewelry, perfume and makeup top the list.
Coupon Books
One of my favorite gift ideas for teenagers is the gift of time. I put together these printable coupon books, one for teenaged boys and one for teenaged girls, that you can print out, assemble and staple together and give to your teen. They keep on giving throughout the year as the kids redeem them with you.

Christmas Gift Ideas for College Kids

Stocking Stuffers for College Kids
College kids are usually into gifts that meet their needs but also create conversation among their peers. This list from About.com Guide to Young Adults, Jackie Burrell, has something for just about everyone. Thumb drives, beanies, and an iTunes gift card, among many other ideas, can be found on this list. [link urlhttp://youngadults.about.com/od/familylife/tp/Twilightgifts.htm]Gifts for Twilight Fans
College aged girls (and some guys) are dedicated followers of the Twilight series of books and movies. This gift guide for the Twilight fan has ideas that will delight anyone who is a committed fan of Stephanie Meyer's Twilight work.

Gifts for the Whole Family

Nice But Cheap Gifts This Holiday Season
Looking this year for some inexpensive gift ideas for your whole family? Katherine Lewis, the About.com Guide for Working Mothers, has prepared this list of great cheap gifts for the family. And who doesn't need money-saving ideas this Christmas season? Family Board Games for Dads and Kids
Every dad wants quality time with his family and playing board games can be a great way to interact. Here are some board games that I recommend for a fun evening at home with the kids.

Gifts for Dads

Finally, I have assembled a list of gifts for dads at each stage of life and for each special interest. If you have a dad with any of these interests, or are a dad described here, then check out the list to buy a gift or leave a gentle hint for your gift giving family members.

Top 7 Gifts for the Do It Yourself Dad
Top Gifts for the Gadget-Hungry Dad
Top Ten Creative Gifts for Dads for Christmas
Top Ten Gifts for the History Buff Father
Top Ten Gifts for the Golfing Father
Gift Ideas for the Cookout King Dad
Gifts for Dads Who Travel
Gifts for Grandfathers
Gifts For Dads Who Love Cars
Top Gifts for a Single Dad]
Movies for Fathers
Top Digital Cameras for Dads
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Monday, March 28, 2011

How To Avoid Overspending At Christmas

Well, the first quarter of the year 2011 is about to end and that means Christmas is closer than you think.  One of the ways you can prepare for Christmas is to start early and make a list.  The summer sales is a wonderful time to find items that you want to give but at a reduced price.

Below is an article from Forbes talking about how to curb your holiday spending.  I hope you enjoy.  Please don't procrastinate.  Christmas will be here before you know it!

The article below has several related articles that you can visit, so please go to the site.

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The best gift you can give your family is often sound finances for the new year.


image

In Pictures: How To Avoid Overspending At Christmas


Unemployment is high this year, and savings accounts are low. But that won't stop Americans from filling shopping carts with gifts this Christmas. With shopping a firmly entrenched holiday tradition, the average American will spend an average $715 this season--even if for some it's spending they can ill afford.
Before you head out to Target , Best Buy , Nordstrom or your local mall this holiday season, give yourself a big gift: restraint.

The reason so many people fail to show it is the intense social pressure to go out and spend this time of year. Plus the legion of ways people justify overspending. That's according to Shawn Young, creator of Bootstraps Asset Building Education, an organization that uses elements of behavioral economics to teach average Americans how to better handle their finances.

In his previous career as a manager at Wal-Mart and Starbucks , Young, now 41, saw many colleagues become overwhelmed by financial troubles that it distracted them from their work. The stories led to Young developing an interest in financial education. In 2007 he moved to Louiseville, Colo., and founded Advocates for Young Adults, a nonprofit which has since been renamed Frontier Asset Building. It has five employees, a $300,000 budget and, says Young, helped 10,000 people in 2010 through its various programs.

One is a class on spending. In it, Young works primarily with people who have low and moderates incomes and are at risk of overspending in ways that can have devastating effects on their finances. If a student in one of his classes overspends at Christmas, that student might have trouble paying the January electric bill. People of greater means rationalize excessive spending in similar ways but generally face less devastating consequences, Young says.

Temptations are so great leading up to Christmas that some of Young's students this year suggested he offer a class addressing the season's shopping. While Young ponders the idea, he suggest others slow down while hitting the malls.

To read the rest of this article, click here.
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Monday, January 31, 2011

What will you do for Christmas 2011?

Christmas in the post-War United StatesImage via WikipediaI know.  I know.  It's only the start of 2011 and I am talking about Christmas.  What's up with that?  Well, today is the last day of January 2011.  One-twelvth of the year is already gone.  The way I look at it is if you plan and prepare for this big holiday season, it doesn't have to have such a large impact on either your psychological well-being or on your pocketbook.

Now is the time to make a list of all the people you want to buy for this Christmas.  Make a tentative list of what you plan to spend on each person.  If you have ideas for personal gifts, write that down too.  Carry this list with you when you go shopping.  That way you can take advantage of bargains and sales throughout the year and as you mark off each name you can guage your readiness for the season.  Who knows, maybe by Thanksgiving you can be totally through with seasonal shopping and focus more on enjoying the social activities of the holidays.

There is no time like the present to get started.  My list is ready.  Is yours?
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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Hot Christmas Toys – Toys”R”Us Announces Latest Toy Trends For Christmas 2010

If you need some help deciding what to buy your kids this year, why not take advice from the number one retailer of toys in the US?  Here is their latest trend announcement for Christmas 2010:


Toys”R”Us recently announced the latest toy trends which are expected to dominate kids’ wish lists as well as the purchasing decisions of individuals purchasing gifts during the upcoming Christmas season. These trends and lists were compiled following an extensive review of data regarding the popularity of toys, which were obtained from Toys”R”Us stores throughout the United States as well as from Toys”R”Us stores in over thirty other countries in which the company operates. Amongst the toys that were expected to be popular this season were cute collectibles, 18-inch dolls, as well as train sets, which have recently regained popularity.
Commenting at the release of these latest toy trends, Karen Dodge, who is the Senior Vice President as well as Chief Merchandising Officer of Toys”R”Us, Inc., said: “As the world’s leading global specialty toy retailer, Toys”R”Us has unique insights into the types of toys that are capturing kids’ interests. It’s no surprise that the trends we’ve identified are also reflective of some of this season’s hottest toys, such as Squinkies, Disney Princess & Me dolls and Tomica trains. Understanding what makes a toy magical to a child and will have them saying, ‘WOW,’ on Christmas morning is the first step for parents and gift-givers as they prepare for the holiday shopping season.”

Found at Star Global Tribune
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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

A Christmas tree inside a home.Image via Wikipedia
Here's a video I found that helps you understand how to plan for the holidays in advance.  This is just the first video in the series, so I suggest you visit the site and watch the rest.  They are pretty good, but not all inclusive of the planning that you need to do.  Overall, these videos are a good beginning spot.  Enjoy!
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 Christmas is a time for family and rejoicing, for celebrating the good things we have in life. Christmas is also the time during which retailers and advertisers bombard the senses, desperate to get those dollars you've worked so hard for. But unless you're okay with losing a few friends, and possibly being ignored by a few family members, you are hopelessly obligated to get something for everyone you expect to speak to for the next year or so. Shopping for Christmas gifts can be source of extreme stress, trying to stretch your limited budget and still pay the bills. But Expert Village offers these free videos to help you create and execute a holiday spending plan that won't leave you eating nothing but black eyed peas for the entire month of January. Expert Melissa Schenk will teach you how to budget your holiday spending, first by making a Christmas shopping list, setting a limit on Christmas spending, and how to fine-tune your budget by brainstorming for gift ideas and separating your gift spending from your other holiday expenses. You'll also learn how to resist the temptation of buying for yourself when shopping for gifts. Skipping the expensive Christmas cards and fancy gift wrap are also great ways to save money this holiday season.




How to Crate a Holiday Spending Budget -- powered by eHow.com
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Monday, July 12, 2010

Strategies For Planning For Early Christmas Shopping

Christmas decoration at a shopping mall in BrazilImage via Wikipedia
Here is an article I found on Barbieinablender, which is a site that posts information about women's fashion and issues affecting women.  The actual article can be found here.  I think there are several really good tips for those who want to be organized and who want to shop early.  What do you think?  Will this work for you?

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Shopping early for the Christmas is always a good idea because you will find yourself ahead of vast majority of the crowds that only start their shopping when Christmas is just days or weeks away. Shoppers and other people generally will be green in envy this holiday season knowing that you are way ahead of them in your shopping for the Christmas and in fact, already finished your shopping by then. Having said that, you do not need to worry about getting stuck in the traffic jam on the way to the shopping centers and malls that are crowded with mostly last minute shoppers days before the Christmas day.

For those of you who appreciate the advantages of getting ready for your early Christmas shopping, I am certain that you have developed your own means of planning and accomplishing for your Christmas celebration. Meanwhile, for the rest of you who belong to the last minute shoppers group in organizing the Christmas shopping, you will be provided with some tips on early Christmas shopping for this year.

Planning for the Christmas shopping for the following year right after the Christmas this year is an excellent strategy that you can attempt to allow you to start and finish your Christmas shopping early. These methods have been adopted by many with extra disposable income. The pros about shopping few days just after the Christmas are twofold: Firstly, shopping right after Christmas can be enjoyable in the Christmas atmosphere. While the shops and shopping malls and centers may still be very crowded on these days, nevertheless, you can slow down your pace to enjoy the shopping in a more relaxed manner. Secondly, with grand sales still going on, you are in it for shopping big times and very likely, a great saving for your shopping.

The next big thing about getting your Christmas shopping done earlier is through purchasing online at the comfort of your home. Imagine that you can make purchases for the variety of goods and gifts online ranging from toys, fruits, wine, gift baskets, flowers and so forth at a click of your finger and the gifts will be wrapped brilliantly and delivered according to your instruction. The convenience of shopping online removes you of the need to worry over the wrapping process or long queue wait at post offices at some reasonable charges for the service. Therefore, if you like the idea of online Christmas shopping, remember to commit yourself to perform your purchases early in order to avoid disappointment due to short of stock or late shipment.

The other way to approach planning and shopping for your early Christmas this year would be purchasing at least two gifts for each of the person on your name list for their coming birthdays. The idea behind this is that while one gift serves as a birthday gift for the intended recipient, the second gift would be set aside as his or her Christmas gift. Not only would this allows you to break away from the crowd that swamps the shopping malls and stores near the Christmas seasons, sometimes, early shopping allows you to grab better and ideal gift which is difficult to come across at certain times of the year. I come across people who get agitated and stressful when it comes so close to Christmas that they have troubles finding the perfect gift for everyone in their name lists after hitting the shopping malls times after times. There is really no need to be in such a rush for the Christmas shopping should you have prepared earlier for your Christmas shopping and would have finished your purchases when the Christmas season arrives. Despite this, if you happen to encounter people on your name list with birthdays in December, that may mean some last minute shopping but what you can do is to mark down these people and plan the purchases of their birthday and Christmas gifts a month or few months earlier.
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Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Are you ready for the Holidays? They will be here very soon!

I hate when the Christmas holidays arrive and I am not ready.  I don't enjoy the holiday; I don't feel festive.  All I really feel is angry and frustrated.  Especially since I hate shopping, the crowds make me crazy.  So this year, I have a plan that I thought I would share with you.

On June 25th, there will be exactly 6 months until Christmas.  So I am making a shopping list--presents, decorations, food, etc. that goes with Christmas.  I will split my list into two week sections, so every pay period I will get something to prepare myself this year.  If I start now, I may just be ready for the season and be a little less grouchy to boot!

My list so far goes something like this:

List of family to buy for
List of friends/co-workers to buy for
Decorations still needed or to be replaced
Craft items needed
Holiday cooking menu and grocery list

These lists, in turn, will be broken down by pay periods and then I can plan to spend a little each check to get what I want to get for Christmas this year--all while avoiding the crush and rush of that season's shopping.

I hope this inspires you to try this or come up with your own way to get ready so you, too, can have a festive holiday this year.
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Sunday, December 6, 2009

Avoid buying pets on a whim this Christmas





Avoid buying pets on a whim this Christmas
Lonely pet . . . avoid impulsive buying a pet for Christmas.
Although this is an article written and published for the Australian public, I feel that the information is absolutely correct and important to be considered when buying for your loved ones this year.
Pets are not good gifts. Period.  Pets are like an adoption, not like a buying spree.  Pets are non-refundable usually--hence the extra large number of unwanted pets deposited at pounds and shelters across the world.
Buying or getting a pet should be a family decision and should be discussed in advance.  Everyone needs to be in agreement about the introduction of a pet into the family.  Responsibilities need to be identified and assigned.  Remember, if cared for correctly, this is a commitment that will last 15-18 years.

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 *  03 Dec 09 @ 09:50am by staff writer

BRISBANE: Families should avoid impulse buying of pets as Christmas gifts to reduce the number of animals which end up in shelters, a veterinarian says.

Dr Mark Perissinotto, head vet at online retailer VetShopAustralia, said many pets that are bought as Christmas presents end up unwanted in refuges and the decision to become a pet owner should be carefully considered.

“Cute and cuddly puppies or kittens can be hard to resist buying when you see them in a pet store, but they quickly grow and lose their innocent charm,” Dr Perissinotto said.

“During the first few weeks of the New Year animal shelters are inundated with cats, dogs and other animals that were given as Christmas presents.

“Pets should be given only to people who can look after them for the lifetime of that animal, not just on Christmas Day, and taking on a pet shouldn’t be an impulse decision.”

Dr Perissinotto said before buying a pet, it was important the intended recipient wants and gets along with the animal, agrees to accept responsibility for it and is willing to provide care.

Avoid giving a pet for Christmas unless you are sure the entire family welcomes the new addition, and that includes any established pets the family may already have,” Dr Perissinotto said.

“Pets are an expensive addition to the household and costs, including food, council registration, micro-chipping, desexing, vet bills, vaccinations, grooming, boarding kennels and bedding, must also be met.”
Dr Perissinotto said families which had agreed to take on a new pet should wait until after Christmas to introduce the animal to their home.

“During the holiday season people are so busy that they don’t have the time it takes to fulfil a puppy’s or kitten’s demands and responsibilities such as walking or feeding a new pet can easily be forgotten,” he said.
“Instead of the actual pet, give pet supplies or pet toys as Christmas gifts in anticipation of the new arrival.”
Dr Perissinotto also encouraged families to adopt their new pet from a shelter or refuge.

“Adopting a pet is ultimately saving a life,” he said.

Read the original article here
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Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Holiday shopping guide suggests gift ideas

G.I.Image via Wikipedia
The Daily Beacon
Justin Joo - Staff Writer
2009-11-30 19:34:44
With the notorious Black Friday having come and passed, the Christmas shopping season can now begin in earnest.
From now until Dec. 25, people across the United States will be frantically scouring Wal-Marts, shopping malls and jewelry stores trying to find the perfect gift for their friends and family.
But what does one do when they have no idea what to buy? With the ever-growing trends and fads, it's hard to keep up with the many things that loved ones would like to find under the Christmas tree.
Hopefully this guide will help give confounded shoppers some hints.

Teenage Girls

For the 15-year-old niece or preteen sister, there are only two words you need to know: Twilight Saga. With the recent movie release of "New Moon" bringing in over $300 million at the box office, there are books, action figures, the DVD release of "Twilight" and teen magazines featuring the eternal question: Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Any Man Younger Than 35

If there is one gift that will always make a man smile, it is electronics. They are simple creatures that love toys. A new iPhone 3GS may set the buyer back $199, but it will put a grin on his face.
Three major video game systems -- the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Wii -- have all dropped their prices recently. Both the Xbox 360 (Elite Holiday Bundle) and Playstation 3 (120 GB) are selling for $299 at Best Buy.

For the Ladies

Women can sometimes be hard to buy for, and purchasing a gift for them is usually a challenge.
"I really don't want to be (shopping) at all, so I'll probably try and grab the first thing I see," Chase Wunder, freshman in business, said. "I also make sure to give my girlfriend the receipt, so if she wants, she can return and get what she actually wants."

Of course, grabbing her a Snuggie ($19.95, plus shipping and handling) just because everyone else says they're awesome is not always the best approach.

But there is one fail safe solution.
Everyone has heard the phrase, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend." As clich'd as that might sound, the male shopper may be surprised how effective a pair of earrings can be at spreading Christmas cheer. Jewelry is the ticket to go from the nice to naughty list.
He can go the expensive route with something like the Tiffany & Co.'s Snowflake pendent for $25,000 (but only if he really loves her) or something cheaper like a sterling silver link bracelet from Jared at $59.99 (if he loves her but doesn't "love-love" her).
Of course, it's always good to go with a gift that has a personal touch: something that has meaning for both the giver and the person receiving the gift.
"I'm getting (my boyfriend) a Wii because of an inside joke we've had," Marvyl Cockrell, freshman in psychology, said. "He's never going to see it coming."
The beauty of these gifts is that they don't have to be too expensive. The goal beyond them is to give something that will make the gift receiver think back fondly on inside jokes or times shared. This can be anything from a Nintendo Wii, a G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra Snake Eyes Sword & Mask with Ninja Stars ($24.99 from Hasbro) or just going to the mall and making a Build-A-Bear together. (A memory can be made with this gift, and it is a fact that women love cute things.)
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Thursday, November 26, 2009

Will there be enough stock to last until Christmas?

It seems that everywhere you look, you will find someone or something telling you that stores have a short supply of items this year due to the recession.  It's in every newspaper you read, on every computer screen where you read news, or on the television nightly news.  What you hear is that if you haven't already bought your Christmas items, you may be out of luck.

So, with Thanksgiving here and only 29 days left until Christmas, you may succumb to suggestion from the press and run right out to buy, buy, buy!  What you really should be doing is taking a long look at your Christmas list and giving careful consideration to the likes and dislikes of those on it.  If indeed store's stocks are limited and we are in a recession so money is tight, then you need to tailor the gift to the recipient, now more than ever before. 

If you are buying for a student, a scholar,  someone who commutes, someone who reads a lot, or just a book lover this year, then consider buying The Kindle Reader from Amazon.

One of the hottest items this season is the electronic reader.  This is a device that holds entire books, newspapers, magazines and such and can fit into small spaces for easy toting.  The news has been telling us about a shortage of these readers since before Thanksgiving.  Maybe you need to look into the original reader from the source, Amazon.  This is a company that prepares for the holiday season as they ship all over the world. 


For more information about this item, please visit The Kindle reader, or stop by Christmas Shopper's Delight now to order yours before these are all gone, too!
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Black Friday Deals: Do You Know Where the Sales Are?

 In two days it will be BLACK FRIDAY and everywhere you go or look will be having huge sales in preparation for Christmas.  The crowds will the large and possible anxious because the news has been telling everyone that there may not be enough stock to go around this year due to the recession.

Because so many people look to this day for price-slashed deals to do Christmas shopping, it is necessary that you be prepared and know exactly what you need to do.  This article shows you some tactics to use in your preparations.

Go to the original article to read the other stories as well.  You can get more useful information to make this Christmas season a great one!

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Mellody Hobson Brings You the Best Deals, Online and Off This Holiday Season

By KATE McCARTHY

Nov. 24, 2009—

Millions of shoppers will hit the stores this weekend in search of the best Black Friday deals. This holiday season the average household is expected to spend $683 on gifts, according to the National Retail Federation.
But where should you head to find the best buys?
"Good Morning America" financial contributor Mellody Hobson tells you where you can find the best holiday sales on black Friday and beyond.
Do You Have a Black Friday Strategy? Share Your Story With ABC News.
Hobson suggested Best Buy's "Doorbusters," which offer deals on everything from laptops to digital cameras. For instance, there is a 10 megapixel digital camera for $49.99, down from $99.99
Or try Walmart, which is offering a $78 blu-ray player.
But if you prefer clothes to gadgets Hobson suggested looking at Target. It is selling men's jeans, khakis or dress pants for $8.
But Hobson cautioned that because retailers have cut their inventories this year there may not be as many discounts as last year and some items may be hard to find.
For example, Hobson pointed to one of this year's most popular gifts, a Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster. It is a battery-operated toy hamster which was selling for $8. But because of its popularity most stores are sold out and now these Hamsters are being sold upwards of $60 on E-Bay or Amazon.
Hobson said that although some retailers will have those popular items in stock, she warned that they might only be available in the store, not online, and quantities could be limited to one per person.

How to Keep Track of the Sales

Retailers have been advertising their black Friday sales in newspapers and online, but keeping track of all of them can quickly become overwhelming.
Hobson suggested a few helpful Web sites which compile the information for you.
CyberMonday, Black Friday Ads and BlackFriday.info all post ads, special offers and other helpful shopping information for a variety of major retailers. For example, Hobson said shoppers can search more than 550 retailers on CyberMonday by item to find the best deals.


How to Brave the Black Friday Crowds

If you decide to fight the crowds Hobson has a few suggestions on the best way to shop.
First, be sure to read the fine print in the circulars. Some items may come with a caveat such as "while supplies last" or "one per person."
Hobson said it can also help to team-up and arrive early. Stores such as Best Buy hand out tickets for their most popular items in an attempt to control the post-Thanksgiving chaos.

Cyber Monday is the New Black Friday for Online Retailers

If you decide to avoid the crowds and stay home to shop online you should know that Cyber Monday is to online retailers what Black Friday is to traditional stores, according to Hobson.
The Monday after Thanksgiving is considered the kick-off day to the online holiday shopping season. But Hobson cautioned that if you shop online for popular items that have limited quantities you may receive an e-mail after you place your order that your item is on backorder or that it's out of stock.
CLICK HERE to return to the "Good Morning America" Web site.
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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

10 reasons you should do your Christmas shopping online

Walmart on Black FridayImage by joanieofarc via Flickr
For your pleasure, here is an article about reasons to shop online--as if you really needed to see reasons in black and white!  There is a good point here, I think at #6.  With all the ruckus about H1N1 and Flu season, who wouldn't want to avoid all that unknown exposure?

Anyway, read the article and then get crackin' online.  Time's a-wasting!
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By COUPON SHERPA
http://www.couponsherpa.com/
The crowds, the fluorescent lights, the sales clerks who ignore you and the lines, lines, lines. Some people love Christmas shopping. I assume they also like sleeping on a bed of nails.

Here are 10 reasons you should consider shopping online.

1. Unique gifts: You can find the coolest and most unusual stuff online. From remote-controlled Ferraris at hipstergifts.com to Gummi Army Guys at stupid.com, it's all out there. You just have to look. And as with all shopping, looking is half the fun.

2. Find exactly what you want: Need a Hello Kitty purse for your niece or a Transformer action figure for your nephew? It's all there and Google makes it easy to find. The "toy of the year" may be sold-out early on toy sites, but check eBay and you'll probably find it. Of course the eBay price will be higher than retail on that hot item, but your daughter won't be disappointed come Christmas morning - if that's your goal.

3. Crowds: IMHO, not having to fight overzealous crowds is the very best part of shopping online. Plus, you can cook dinner while sitting at your computer, so no pizzza dinner after an exhausting day of dealing with overzealous shoppers.

4. Sleep in: It's beyond my understanding why anyone would camp out in front of Best Buy on Black Friday, only to find the five rock-bottom-priced laptops advertised in the Thanksgiving newspaper were picked off by employees before the doors opened. Online shopping allows you to sleep in and leisurely stroll to your computer at a reasonable hour. Heck, you can even shop at midnight, after the kids are in bed and you have some private time.

5. Keep it secret: Have your gift-wrapped purchases delivered close to Christmas and you don't have to worry about hiding them from inquisitive little fingers (or the bigger fingers of nosey spouses).

6. No germs: How many people ignore a cold and still go shopping, where they spread all those yucky germs? There's no chance of catching swine flu (sorry, H1N1) from your computer, although you can catch a virus.

7. No snarky clerks: Sure many of the clerks have a reason to be irritated. Shoppers can be nasty, aggressive and cheap. Worst of all, many clerks know they'll be canned immediately after post-Christmas sales. Blessedly, there are no clerks online and, thus, no one to hassle you.

8. Dress code: You can shop online in your pajamas or sweat pants. Need I say more? And that coffee your drinking is homemade - not an expensive mocha drink from Starbucks that you waited half an hour in line to buy and the "barista" got it wrong.

9. Better deals: Super hot deals offered by brick-and-mortar stores are picked off by the first 10 people in line. You can easily compare prices and find great deals online without the chance of being trampled.

10. Shipping: Have your gifts shipped directly to your home or to the recipient; whichever works best for you. If you like, online stores will even gift-wrap presents and slip in a personalized card. You'll reduce your holiday stress and avoid the lines at the post office. Many online stores offer free shipping.

(Coupon Sherpa is the penny pinching, coupon clipping, deal digging, Himalyan haggling, he-man of bargains. Visit http://www.couponsherpa.com/ for more shopping advice, insider tips, and coupons.)

© 2007 Belleville News-Democrat and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.belleville.com

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Sunday, November 22, 2009





 

Ready or not, it's here

Posted by Jill Boynton November 20, 2009 11:11 AM
It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but the Christmas season is in full force as evidenced by the commercials, ads and catalogs I’ve seen in the past two weeks. Retailers are hoping that consumers will not scrimp on holiday giving, as this time of year often determines a company’s profit, especially small companies. Many families are on tight budgets or feeling financial constraints, but no one wants to disappoint their family at Christmas. If you’re on a budget this year, here are some tips for keeping the holiday giving in check:

1.Determine an overall budget for the holidays. Make a list of everyone you will be buying gifts for as well as expenses associated with parties, meals, etc. Set a limit on what you’ll spend on gifts. If the total cost is too much for your paycheck, adjust the budget until you’re able to pay for everything from your current income, instead of putting purchases on a credit card and worrying about the bill next year.

2.Consider group gifts. This works really well in large families. I have 6 nieces and nephews on one side of my family. My siblings and I decided years ago to assign one sibling to each niece/nephew. We purchase one gift on behalf of all the aunts and uncles at a reasonable cost, such as $50 or $75. That is less than the cost of 6 gifts, and the child gets one nice gift instead of 6 small ones.

3.Set expectations with your children. Let them know the gifts will be smaller, or less in number than previous years. Talk about things you can do together to celebrate the holidays that doesn’t involve buying “stuff.” You might be surprised at what your children come up with.

4.Pay with cash or a debit card. Leave the credit cards at home.
Let’s here from you – what ideas have you come up with to reduce the budget, but increase the fun for the holiday season?

Even with finances tight, I hope everyone will find one extra dollar here or there to stuff into the Salvation Army kettle, or buy a toy for Toys For Tots. We all need to remember to be thankful for what we have.
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Friday, November 20, 2009

Buyer Beware: Holiday 'Must Haves' Could Fly Off Store Shelves

Black Friday, 5am, Best BuyImage by John Michlig via Flickr
Here is an article that explains what to expect this year when you think about Christmas shopping.  It's a good thing I started my shopping early because, as this article points out, if you wait much longer you may not be able to get the gift you wanted to get and will be stuck trying to find something else instead.

Read this article and then get out there and get busy shopping!  Maybe you need to check out all the bargains online too.  Visit Christmas is coming too soon! for some ideas this year.


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Price Cuts, Reduced Inventory Could Create Shortfalls on Hot-Selling Gifts

By TROY MCMULLEN

Nov. 19, 2009 —

The holiday season won't be very merry for Americans hoping to give -- or get -- Amazon's Kindle, Apple's iPod Touch or a top-of-the-line LCD television.
Electronic gadgets are always a big holiday favorite.
But this year, with retailers slashing prices in a tight economy, popular gift-giving items like electronics, video games and TV's are expected to clear store shelves well ahead of Christmas, say retail analysts.
"It's been a very difficult year for retailers and the holiday season isn't expected to be strong," says Nancy Koehn, a professor at Harvard Business School.
Koehn says the harsh sales environment is forcing retailers to slash prices to get buyers in the aisles.
But many big top retailers also are cutting back inventory levels on higher priced items to prevent unplanned markdowns at the end of the season.
"By tightening inventory, stores will be creating demand for popular items, particularly those in a higher price range so you should expect to see a lot of early buzz for popular items in some stores," Koehn says.
Last year, holiday sales were essentially flat and fourth-quarter earnings for many retailers tanked amid a widening U.S. recession.
This year, top stores like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Sears are well into "Black Friday" price-cutting mode, and the heavy discounts likely will accelerate by Thanksgiving, when items are likely to be marked down 40 to 50 percent.
(Google Trends has been showing strong public interest in Black Friday sales events since Halloween.)
All of this means shoppers looking to scoop up some of the season's most popular items could find themselves out of luck if they wait until weeks before Christmas to venture into stores.
"There may still be good deals if shoppers wait until late December to shop," says Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst with NPD Group, a retail consultant firm in Port Washington, N.Y.
"Stores like to create a bit of frenzy on top selling items, but this year they may actually have a real one."
So which products are expected to fly off store shelves this season?
Amazon's Kindle is the clear favorite among many who follow retail trends. The wireless device downloads books, magazines, and newspapers to a high-resolution 6-inch electronic ink display that looks and reads like real paper.
Amazon says the device, which retails for $259.00, can store more than 15,000 books and magazines. And this week, Amazon announced Kindle for personal computers, which allows users to read the 360,000 Kindle books on their laptops or PCs.
Like the Kindle, the iPod Touch is expected to do well this season. Apple boasts that the pocket-sized computer will do almost everything a regular-sized personal computer will do. Users can download movies, music, surf the Web, send e-mail and play video games.
The iPod Touch starts at $199 for an 8 GB model. A 64 GB model costs $399.
Netbooks, the small, portable personal computers, will also be at the top of shopping lists this season. The lightweight, wireless computers allow users to surf the Web and create documents on the go. Retailing for about $200, these devices also are more affordable.
LCD televisions are expected to sell quickly despite a still shaky economy, say experts. Ranging in size from 52 inches to pocket sized, LCD TV screens are already top sellers at places like Best Buy, which have been selling them all year.
Video games have been a hot seller that past few years and this year Activision Blizzard's "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" is already breaking sales records.
It took in a record $550 million worldwide during its first five days on sale. That tops the previous record of just over $500 million set by "Grand Theft Auto IV" last year. The latest in the "Call of Duty" video game franchise went on sale Nov. 10.
Retailers and industry experts say the simplest way to avoid being shut out of the hottest items is to shop early, of course. Going online is one way to do that, but the National Retail Federation reminds shoppers that many retailers will gladly hold in-stock items for consumers via a phone order.
Modifying expectations this season also will be helpful.
"Let's face it; some of these items well certainly be gone well before Thanksgiving," says Jeff Sweenic, a manager at the video game retailer Game Shop in Denver, Colo. He advises shoppers to pivot now and begin thinking of suitable back-up gifts.
"If we sell out of something like "Call of Duty" there are still plenty of other games people will gladly take as a gift."

Retailers Struggle

The struggling economy has meant that this year Black Friday is shifting from a one-day sale event to a month-long stretch of promotions, as retailers work hard or early holiday sales.
Retailers from Wal-Mart to Amazon already have launched ad campaigns boasting of dramatic discounts.
Kohl's annual pre-Christmas flyer went out last week and Wal-Mart is releasing its Christmas catalog early. Meantime, Amazon is set to unleash an ad blitz for holiday sales this week.
Koehn, at Harvard Business School, says retailers want to avoid a repeat of last Christmas when many sliced prices aggressively just before the holidays, hurting sales margins.
"This environment will certainly force retailers to cut prices early," she says. "What remains to be seen is if this strategy will actually work."


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