Search Results for: blog the christmas shopping blues

Paying for (next) Christmas

Yes, this could be the blog of great depression. After all, it’s only just past Boxing Day and I’m talking about what? Paying for Christmas? Christmas 2011? Well, yes. And you can close your eyes and plug your ears now if you wish. I won’t tell. However, as Tristi mentioned in her recent blog, paying for Christmas with cash just feels good. It does not feel good to wake up on December 26th with a load of squeaking toys and a big, big balance on the credit card. How can you avoid that morning after the day before budget? Reduce … Continue reading →

The Holiday Blues

Nearly every Christmas, I experience a form of the holiday blues. It generally hits on Christmas night, after all the wrapping is cleaned up and the kids are in bed, and it’s just me and the Christmas tree. I start to feel a little sad that the miracle I’d hoped for didn’t happen that year or I didn’t get the gift I’d really wanted, or I wish I’d been able to see a certain relative – the cause varies from year to year, but its arrival is pretty predictable. I generally salve it by purchasing the item I wished I’d … Continue reading →

Shopping the Catalogs: Pet Lovers Paradise

‘Tis the season when catalogs clutter our mailboxes. Unlike some people who immediately toss them, I shop them. I never know what I might find, and this year I found a ton of cool stuff for pet and animal lovers and owners as well as for pets themselves. I don’t know if it’s because I’m paying more attention this year or if the catalog companies have caught on to our passion for pets. Whatever it is, it does seem like every catalog this year offered a bunch more pet products than ever before. Whether you’re a dog person, cat person, … Continue reading →

Who Needs a Husband’s Help Christmas Shopping When There’s the Internet?

Last week I griped about how I’m married to a Scrooge and lamented how I’m responsible for making Christmas happen at our house every year by myself. I guess I was feeling sorry for myself when I wrote those because I was stressed. Most of the time everything’s done by now. Decorations have been hung, gifts have been ordered, and this week cards would have been mailed. But I got sick at Thanksgiving, right when Wayne started his three week sabbatical between jobs so we could travel and spend some time together. So instead of doing Christmas I’ve been either … Continue reading →

The Christmas Shopping Blues

Is anybody else having trouble finding gifts this season? Living out in the country already means shopping is limited, but this year, it’s even worse. With early predictions that it would be an unremarkable Christmas shopping season, retailers seem to be playing it cautious. Simply put, they aren’t ordering enough of anything to keep shelves stocked, apparently afraid that they’ll get stuck with merchandise that will have to be sold at huge post- holiday discounts. Of course, I do love a good after Christmas sale, but right now, I could use a little pre-Christmas help. I guess I’m going to … Continue reading →

Nationwide has Tips to Avoid Car Break-Ins

According to Nationwide Insurance, it takes less than a minute for a thief to break your car window and steal the stuff that you stowed in your car. All those Christmas presents that were in your car could disappear while you were shopping another store. Nationwide has some tips on how to avoid car break-ins. This is the time of year when people spend a lot of money on Christmas gifts for friends and family. Unfortunately, thieves are aware of this. Often, a person will stuff their filled Christmas shopping bags into their car, drive to the next store, and … Continue reading →

Back to School on a Budget

The summer is coming to a close which means if your little ones haven’t already started back to school they will be soon. This is an exciting time as your children are starting on their new school adventures, but it can also be a very stressful time as it adds some pretty significant expenses on to an already tight budget. Stores everywhere are advertising their notorious back to school sales and it’s time to start collecting those ads! I am a bargain shopper. I’m all about getting the most bang for your buck. As a single mom, money is always … Continue reading →

Home Week in Review: December 10 – 16

Here are this week’s articles. The After Christmas List Start making your list early for the after Christmas shopping you want to do. You’ll have a better idea what to look for when you scan the ads for those post holiday sales. Gifts for Gardeners Here are some nice ideas for the gardeners on your Christmas list. Tour the HGTV Dream Home They call it a dream home for a reason… Is this what your dream home would look like? Two Weeks until Christmas! One minute it’s Halloween and before we know it, Christmas is here. The Christmas Shopping Blues … Continue reading →

Special Delivery: Green Options for Packing Gifts

Forget the traditional and Earth un-friendly styrofoam for packaging delicate gifts. Instead, check out these innovative and Earth friendly ideas. Have you read Sherry’s post about shopping for holiday gifts? I have to confess that I am way behind in my shopping. What makes it worse is that I’ll be shipping some of the gifts myself. Other gifts that will be given in person will still need to be carefully packaged so that they survive long drives home. But, I have never been a fan of styrofoam. It fills up the oceans and the landfills, and has a half life … Continue reading →

A Candle Lover’s Dream Destination

A few days ago I listed some of the best places in the country to view the fall foliage. Naturally, Massachusetts was one of them. This time of year the popular northeastern state becomes a magnet for leaf peepers, pro-football fans, and… candle lovers. Even if you don’t live anywhere near Massachusetts, I’m sure you are familiar with the Yankee Candle Company. They have locations in malls throughout the nation along with a website that ships products anywhere in the world. This time of year the company’s flagship store in Deerfield, Massachusetts is bustling with holiday shoppers. And it’s no … Continue reading →