Day 2 of 12 Days Of Christmas Blog Challenge

Day 2 -Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks

I don't usually shop on Black Friday because I'm SO not a morning person. So I don't have any tips for Black Friday.

As for general shopping tips and tricks...

1. make a list of people that you ABSOLUTELY need to buy for.
i.e. your kids, your spouse, your nephews, your nieces, your Secret Santa's, etc.


2. make sure you take cash with you and plan ahead so you don't spend more than you want to. 


3. set a limit as to how much you should spend on each person


4. don't buy for EVERYONE, your neighbor doesn't need those fuzzy slippers at wal greens that you keep eying. 


5.  shop from the heart. sometimes its the cheap sentimental gifts that are more special than the ones you spend lots of money on.


6. save money all year for these holidays. some banks even let you do a Christmas Bond after the 1st of the year that matures close to Christmas. This is VERY helpful.


7. don't go overboard with wrapping paper, tissue, and bags. Go to the dollar store to get these items. They are MUCH cheaper and to be completely honest...no one cares about the tissue paper. We usually take the funny paper and use that as wrapping paper. Not only is it environmentally friendly but it's cute too! 


8. bargain shop! check the advertisements for prices and check online before you go.


9. DO NOT buy that hot item on eBay. If you happen to get that hot item that everyone wants, buy two. (if you can afford it) and sell the extra one on eBay. It's not worth all the extra money you will have to pay by auctioning on that AWESOME MUST HAVE gift. Just wait a little bit, save the money you would have spend on it and buy it when it's not so popular anymore.


10. get your shopping done EARLY. Holidays are supposed to be for rest, relaxation, and spending time with family. Going out every night to get gifts is not family time. (unless you take your entire family, which I WOULD NOT recommend)

Day 1 of 12 Days of Christmas

It was kind of a hectic night last night so I didn't get this posed on time. But better late than never right?

Day 1: Christmas/Holiday traditions

The last three years that Derek and I have been together we have done Thanksgiving at my Grandma Marge's house for lunch then dinner was at his Grandma Mona's house. There are always SO many people at both places. This year we are going to have to change it up a little bit. We are still doing lunch at my Grandma Marge's house but we will be going to Derek's dad and step-moms house before that to eat another lunch.

For Christmas we pretty well have it down to an art form going to see all of the family. Usually a week or so before Christmas we do rob your neighbor at Derek's step-Aunt Christy's house. Everyone brings a $25 gift and we all cget to snack and eat while we are there. On Christmas Eve we usually go to Derek's dad's house and open presents then go to St Andrew Church for the midnight candle service. (I would highly recommend going to a midnight candle service if you never have. It's SO beautiful.) Christmas morning Derek and I wake up early with Stratton and open our presents to each other and get to watch Stratton open his up. This year should be really fun. After that we head over to my Grandma Marge's house to open MORE presents and eat a brunch. Grandma Marge always makes the best breakfast casserole. I can't wait to have some of it. After Grandma Marge's house we head over to Derek's Grandma Maxine's house to have the last bit of presents opened. Then it's home for a nice LONG nap.