Heads up if you have Zhu Zhu pets on your shopping list this year... you will be able to get them super cheap at CVS this week. By combining a buy one get one sale with a buy 2 Zhu Zhu pets get one free coupon (just enter your email to get the coupon) you can get FOUR the price of one (should work out to be about $2.50 each). For more information, see The Bargain Sleuths post about the deal here.
Speaking of Zhu Zhu pets if anyone wants a Toys R Us $5 off Zhu Zhu Pets featuring the Wild Bunch or Kung Zhu video game (for Wii or DS) let me know. I have 5 of them that I won't be using. :)
December 4, 2010
Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas
Want to save some money this Christmas? Try making a few gifts yourself! Here are a few ideas to get you thinking! [To see any of the photos below a bit larger...just click on it!]
Photo Calendar
My favorite gift for grandparents is a photo calendar. They are available online at sites like Shutterfly or Snapfish. I make mine using iPhoto on my Mac and then take the .pdf file to Office Max to print out. Or you can just bring in 12 photos of your choice (printed or on a CD) and they'll do everything for you.
Family Recipe Book or Box
Put all your recipes in one place! Type them up and put them in a binder (or put them on recipe cards in a box). While you're at it make a couple copies to share with a daughter, sister, or friend. I love tried and true recipes! My sister still uses the recipe book I made for her many years ago.
Bible Verse Name Frame
This could be for a first or last name. Pick several verses that reflect the person or family you would like to give this to and print it off on nice paper in an appropriate font then place the printout in a frame. Dollar Tree has quite a selection for $1. Here is an example of the one I made for our family:
Books!
Make a book for a toddler/young child by getting a blank book and writing a story yourself. If you aren't a writer, make it a book of favorites (colors, food, etc.) or educational (numbers, letters, etc.). Below is a page from the book I made for one of my boys.
You can get blank books at Bare Books or at a local teacher supply type store (like The Schoolhouse). If you're not up to making a book... books in general are still a great gift! Join Paper Back Swap! When you first join you list 10 books and get 2 free.
Toys
Last year I made this play kitchen for one of my children. I call it a Fold-Up Fabric Kitchen. I saw the original idea here but modified it a bit and made it my own. The whole thing cost around $5 to make even if you have to buy fabric and assembly took just a few hours.
What's a kitchen without food? I made this little set of felt food to go with the kitchen. There are patterns all over the internet. Just google "felt food".
Fleece Blanket with crochet edge
Can you crochet? If not, it is easy to learn! Really! Google instructions or watch You Tube if you are a visual learner! I made this blanket as a baby gift but it could easily be modified for anyone depending on the fleece and yarn you choose. It is a fun twist on the no sew fleece blanket. And since it requires very minimal crocheting you can make one in just a couple days.
Don't want to make a blanket? Check out the Lion Brand Yarn website for free patterns. There are so many cute things to crochet. I really like the Amigurumi patterns for little animals and play food.
If you need a simple gift for an adult they have a pattern to crochet a towel topper. If you bought a towel with a cute design and cut it half you could make two very inexpensively and quickly.
Dishtowel Angel
This is made from a towel/washcloth/potholder set. I got this one from one of my friends a couple years ago. You can get these matching kitchen sets at many stores. I haven't made one myself but here are instructions.
Potpourri Light Jar
I have made many of these and everyone loves them. A mason jar stuffed with potpourri and a short string of (20 count) lights. Let the cord hang out and cover the top with a piece of fabric cut in a circle tied with a ribbon.
Potpourri and lights are usually available at the dollar store and check thrift stores for mason jars if you don't have any on hand.
Little Wreath
I made several of these a couple years ago using dollar store (again!) wreaths. A simple ornament in the center with some fabric scraps and buttons hot glued around the wreath as well. You can make little cinnamon ornaments or use cinnamon sticks as well on these. Which are cute and make it smell nice too.
Washcloth Lolly
How about something sweet? But not to eat! Again, I made these for a baby gift but you could use a regular size washcloth and give it to an older child or adult. Maybe with a cute shaped bar of soap or free from CVS body wash?
Gifts in a Jar
These are always nice. I like that you use them and they are gone. No clutter! There are several recipes available online. This site has recipes for layered baking mixes, brownies, cookies and bath salts. There are also several recipes for mixes on this site with printable tags included.
Gifts in a Mug
This is a twist on the above. There are many recipes for hot chocolate or spice teas online. Put a bag or two of one of these mixes in a mug. Maybe with a plastic spoon dipped in chocolate to stir! Or how about these recipes for cake in a mug...a great gift for a single person or college student!
Christmas Potpourri
This recipe is best fresh BUT if you have a dehydrator to dehydrate orange slices you can package up a dry version in bags to give as gifts. It smells wonderful!
Dish Towel Apron
A dish towel is the perfect size to make an apron for a small child.
I have made a few with a towel (from...you guessed it...the dollar store!) and bias tape trim but this pattern makes it easier. A larger towel would make a larger apron for an older child, teen, or adult. If the dish towel is too long for your little one fold up the bottom and make a few pockets.
Ornaments
We have a family tradition of giving each child an ornament every year. My mom did this for me and now I have all the ornaments from my growing up years on my own tree. Instead of buying an ornament this year...make one! The dollar store (wow...again!) usually has little cross-stitch ornament kits that are quite cute. I found a nativity scene kit a few years ago and made several. Here are several free patterns. Most of these would just take an hour or two to stitch.
Can't cross-stitch? How about these?
Get a package of old style clothes pins and make a snowman or angel. These are super easy...even the kids could make them! And they are unbreakable which is the only type of ornament we had on the tree two years ago :) Fill your tree with several and as you have guests throughout the Christmas season give them an ornament off your tree!
If you are feeling a bit more ambitious try these light bulb ornaments. I got the instructions out of craft magazine several years ago. They take a bit more time but are really fun! Here is a similar pattern for a snowman and a penguin.
Well, I hope that gives you a few ideas. If I come across any more in my internet searches I'll try and post links to share! Feel free to share any ideas you might have in the comments!
Note: This was originally posted on my personal blog in fall of 2008. I updated it with a few new ideas but didn't check the old links. If you find any broken links please let me know. Thanks!
Photo Calendar
My favorite gift for grandparents is a photo calendar. They are available online at sites like Shutterfly or Snapfish. I make mine using iPhoto on my Mac and then take the .pdf file to Office Max to print out. Or you can just bring in 12 photos of your choice (printed or on a CD) and they'll do everything for you.
Family Recipe Book or Box
Put all your recipes in one place! Type them up and put them in a binder (or put them on recipe cards in a box). While you're at it make a couple copies to share with a daughter, sister, or friend. I love tried and true recipes! My sister still uses the recipe book I made for her many years ago.
Bible Verse Name Frame
This could be for a first or last name. Pick several verses that reflect the person or family you would like to give this to and print it off on nice paper in an appropriate font then place the printout in a frame. Dollar Tree has quite a selection for $1. Here is an example of the one I made for our family:
Books!Make a book for a toddler/young child by getting a blank book and writing a story yourself. If you aren't a writer, make it a book of favorites (colors, food, etc.) or educational (numbers, letters, etc.). Below is a page from the book I made for one of my boys.
You can get blank books at Bare Books or at a local teacher supply type store (like The Schoolhouse). If you're not up to making a book... books in general are still a great gift! Join Paper Back Swap! When you first join you list 10 books and get 2 free.Toys
Last year I made this play kitchen for one of my children. I call it a Fold-Up Fabric Kitchen. I saw the original idea here but modified it a bit and made it my own. The whole thing cost around $5 to make even if you have to buy fabric and assembly took just a few hours.What's a kitchen without food? I made this little set of felt food to go with the kitchen. There are patterns all over the internet. Just google "felt food".
Can you crochet? If not, it is easy to learn! Really! Google instructions or watch You Tube if you are a visual learner! I made this blanket as a baby gift but it could easily be modified for anyone depending on the fleece and yarn you choose. It is a fun twist on the no sew fleece blanket. And since it requires very minimal crocheting you can make one in just a couple days.
Don't want to make a blanket? Check out the Lion Brand Yarn website for free patterns. There are so many cute things to crochet. I really like the Amigurumi patterns for little animals and play food.
If you need a simple gift for an adult they have a pattern to crochet a towel topper. If you bought a towel with a cute design and cut it half you could make two very inexpensively and quickly.Dishtowel Angel
This is made from a towel/washcloth/potholder set. I got this one from one of my friends a couple years ago. You can get these matching kitchen sets at many stores. I haven't made one myself but here are instructions.Potpourri Light Jar
I have made many of these and everyone loves them. A mason jar stuffed with potpourri and a short string of (20 count) lights. Let the cord hang out and cover the top with a piece of fabric cut in a circle tied with a ribbon.
Potpourri and lights are usually available at the dollar store and check thrift stores for mason jars if you don't have any on hand.
Little Wreath
I made several of these a couple years ago using dollar store (again!) wreaths. A simple ornament in the center with some fabric scraps and buttons hot glued around the wreath as well. You can make little cinnamon ornaments or use cinnamon sticks as well on these. Which are cute and make it smell nice too.
Washcloth Lolly
How about something sweet? But not to eat! Again, I made these for a baby gift but you could use a regular size washcloth and give it to an older child or adult. Maybe with a cute shaped bar of soap or free from CVS body wash?
Gifts in a JarThese are always nice. I like that you use them and they are gone. No clutter! There are several recipes available online. This site has recipes for layered baking mixes, brownies, cookies and bath salts. There are also several recipes for mixes on this site with printable tags included.
Gifts in a Mug
This is a twist on the above. There are many recipes for hot chocolate or spice teas online. Put a bag or two of one of these mixes in a mug. Maybe with a plastic spoon dipped in chocolate to stir! Or how about these recipes for cake in a mug...a great gift for a single person or college student!
Christmas Potpourri
This recipe is best fresh BUT if you have a dehydrator to dehydrate orange slices you can package up a dry version in bags to give as gifts. It smells wonderful!
Dish Towel Apron
A dish towel is the perfect size to make an apron for a small child.
I have made a few with a towel (from...you guessed it...the dollar store!) and bias tape trim but this pattern makes it easier. A larger towel would make a larger apron for an older child, teen, or adult. If the dish towel is too long for your little one fold up the bottom and make a few pockets.Ornaments
We have a family tradition of giving each child an ornament every year. My mom did this for me and now I have all the ornaments from my growing up years on my own tree. Instead of buying an ornament this year...make one! The dollar store (wow...again!) usually has little cross-stitch ornament kits that are quite cute. I found a nativity scene kit a few years ago and made several. Here are several free patterns. Most of these would just take an hour or two to stitch.Can't cross-stitch? How about these?
Get a package of old style clothes pins and make a snowman or angel. These are super easy...even the kids could make them! And they are unbreakable which is the only type of ornament we had on the tree two years ago :) Fill your tree with several and as you have guests throughout the Christmas season give them an ornament off your tree!
If you are feeling a bit more ambitious try these light bulb ornaments. I got the instructions out of craft magazine several years ago. They take a bit more time but are really fun! Here is a similar pattern for a snowman and a penguin.Well, I hope that gives you a few ideas. If I come across any more in my internet searches I'll try and post links to share! Feel free to share any ideas you might have in the comments!
Note: This was originally posted on my personal blog in fall of 2008. I updated it with a few new ideas but didn't check the old links. If you find any broken links please let me know. Thanks!
December 3, 2010
Save Big on Melissa and Doug Toys
UPDATE: Hope you got in on this deal while it was available! It ended early because they sold out!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hot online deals aren't my normal thing (I leave those to The Bargain Sleuth!) but I just HAD to share this deal! I love Melissa and Doug toys and I had several of these items on my shopping list. This morning I'm really glad I procrastinated ordering because Amazon has several Melissa and Doug toys on sale 50% off today only!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hot online deals aren't my normal thing (I leave those to The Bargain Sleuth!) but I just HAD to share this deal! I love Melissa and Doug toys and I had several of these items on my shopping list. This morning I'm really glad I procrastinated ordering because Amazon has several Melissa and Doug toys on sale 50% off today only!
Most items are $10 and several are even less than that! Don't forget to sign up for the Amazon Mom (not just for moms!) program and to get a free three-month Prime membership. Prime membership gets you free 2-day shipping with no minimum! If you don't have a Prime membership most items still ship free when your order is over $25.
Here are a few of my favorite deals:
Home Depot Kids Workshop 12/4
The Home Depot Kids Workshop for December is the 6th. Head over to make a picture frame. These workshops are free and no registration is required, just show up between 9am and noon. All Home Depot stores participate in the workshop. Participants are also given a little Home Depot apron just like the employees wear and a pin to show they completed the project.
December 2, 2010
Larry's Piggly Wiggly Holiday Open House
Larry's Piggly Wiggly stores are having a holiday open house this Saturday. Times vary by store location. There will samples, activities, and deals throughout the store, including free cookie decorating for the kids!
If you do a lot of shopping at Piggly Wiggly you might want to take advantage of this deal: Save 5% when you buy Piggly Wiggly gift cards ($25, $50, and $100 amounts).
Here are the details for the DePere location:
Come and get your picture taken with Santa 10:00 - 1:00
Kid's decorate a cookie FREE 9:00 - 1:00
Hey Kids! Enter our Coloring Contest!
Get ideas for holiday parties & gifts
Many drawings throughout the store
Many demos throughout the store
For the details at other locations click here.
If you do a lot of shopping at Piggly Wiggly you might want to take advantage of this deal: Save 5% when you buy Piggly Wiggly gift cards ($25, $50, and $100 amounts).
Here are the details for the DePere location:
Come and get your picture taken with Santa 10:00 - 1:00
Kid's decorate a cookie FREE 9:00 - 1:00
Hey Kids! Enter our Coloring Contest!
Get ideas for holiday parties & gifts
Many drawings throughout the store
Many demos throughout the store
For the details at other locations click here.
December 1, 2010
Copps Coupon Booklet
In today's paper is a Copps coupon booklet--prices good Thursday, December 2 through Saturday, December 11. Limit of one (1) unless otherwise stated. Extra special thanks to GB Savers reader Dolly for taking the time to type this list!!
$0.98 Gold Medal Flour, 5 lbs.
$1.48 Nestle Morsels
$0.38 Imperial Spread
$1.18 32-oz. tub Yoplait Yogurt
$0.98 Joseph Campione Garlic Bread, Toast or Bread Sticks
$1.28 Thomas' Original English Muffins 6 ct.
$4.48 Roundy Ice Cream or Sherbet - 5 qt. pail
$4.98 Sara Lee Mini Cream Puffs or Chocolate Eclairs
$0.78 Creamette Pasta
$1.68 Prego Pasta Sauce
$0.98 Fresh Express Salads
$1.48 Santa Sweet Grape Tomatoes
MC $0.60 off 3 boxes Jell-O Gelatin or Pudding
MC $1.00 off 2 Betty Crocker or Cake Mate Decorating Products
MC $1.00 off one Ensure Multipack
MC $1.00 off any Goody Hair or Styling Accessory
$0.98 Butterball Turkey Bacon 6 oz.
$2.88 Jennie-O Turkey & Gravy in Roasting Pan
$5.88 Roundy's Jumbo Coconut Shrimp 12 oz.
$8.88 Roundy's Lemon Pepper Tilapia or Lemon Butter Salmon 40 oz.
$4.98 Rotisserie Chicken 3 lbs. or more
2/$4.98 Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges 6 oz.
BOGO Fresh Baked Cookies
$0.88 Mars 8-Pack Candy Limit 3
$1.98 Orbit, Eclipse, Doublemint, or Juicy Fruit Big-E Gum Bottles
$2.98 Pantene Shampoo, Conditioner or Styling Products
$0.98 Colgate Toothpaste 6.4 oz. Limit 4
$8.09 Pampers Jumbo Diapers, Baby Dry, Swaddlers, Swaddlers Sensitive, Cruisers or Overnites
$2.98 Playtex Gentle Glide or Sport Tampons
$5.18 Icy Hot Patches
$8.18 Prilosec OTC 14 ct.
$1.00 of 2 Hallmark Greeting Cards
$3.98 Rayovac 12-15 pk. AA or AAA, 4-pk. C or D or 2-pk. 9-Volt Alkaline Batteries
$0.88 2-liter bottle 7-Up, A&W or Sunkist
$1.88 Townhouse Crackers
November 30, 2010
Walgreens Friends and Family Discount
Walgreens has a "Friends and Family" coupon available to use tomorrow, December 1st. This coupon will get you 15% off everything you buy and 20% off Walgreens brand items. Be sure to give this coupon first since they will process your order like you are receiving an employee discount.
November 29, 2010
Free Christmas Devotional
If you are looking for a wonderful way to make Christmas meaningful I highly recommend a Jesse Tree. Our family has been doing this for several years now and we love it!
You can download a free Jesse Tree Advent Devotion when you subscribe via email or RSS to Ann Voscamp's blog (which is wonderful by the way!). The download includes readings for each day as well as printable ornaments.
Our Family's Jesse tree
(from a couple years ago)
What is a Jesse Tree?
It's simply a Christmas countdown. You can start with Advent (first Sunday of Advent was yesterday) or you can just start on December 1st. Each day read a short Bible passage and devotional then hang an ornament. There are many websites out there to give you ideas and there is no "right" way. Each family does it a bit differently.
There are "kits" you can buy, but it is easy to just make your own. The ornaments can be printed (like from the download above) or if you get real creative you can buy items to hang as ornaments that are a bit more three dimensional (like a mini-globe, twine, etc.). The tree itself can be a branch that is secured in a pot or you can use a mini-Christmas tree. That is what we do and it works well. Some people just put the Jesse tree ornaments on their regular Christmas tree.
If you are interested, here are some additional links:
Jesse Tree Instructions, Devotions, and Printable Ornaments
Jesse Tree with Printable Ornaments
Additional Advent Resource (including Jesse Tree)
Freebie link via Money Saving Mom. Her post can be found here.
You can download a free Jesse Tree Advent Devotion when you subscribe via email or RSS to Ann Voscamp's blog (which is wonderful by the way!). The download includes readings for each day as well as printable ornaments.
Our Family's Jesse tree (from a couple years ago)
What is a Jesse Tree?
It's simply a Christmas countdown. You can start with Advent (first Sunday of Advent was yesterday) or you can just start on December 1st. Each day read a short Bible passage and devotional then hang an ornament. There are many websites out there to give you ideas and there is no "right" way. Each family does it a bit differently.
There are "kits" you can buy, but it is easy to just make your own. The ornaments can be printed (like from the download above) or if you get real creative you can buy items to hang as ornaments that are a bit more three dimensional (like a mini-globe, twine, etc.). The tree itself can be a branch that is secured in a pot or you can use a mini-Christmas tree. That is what we do and it works well. Some people just put the Jesse tree ornaments on their regular Christmas tree.
If you are interested, here are some additional links:
Jesse Tree Instructions, Devotions, and Printable Ornaments
Jesse Tree with Printable Ornaments
Additional Advent Resource (including Jesse Tree)
Freebie link via Money Saving Mom. Her post can be found here.
CVS 20% off Entire Purchase In-Store
"Like" CVS on Facebook and get a pass for 20% off your entire IN-STORE purchase (offer good through 12/3, coupon good through 12/5). This offer is similar to the free item coupons they've been sending out. To get this coupon emailed to you click on the "Holiday Pass" tab and fill out the form with your Extra Care Card number and email address. There are some exclusions so read the fine print.
November 28, 2010
Red Gold Tomatoes Giveaway Winner
Thank you to everyone who entered the
and special thanks to Red Gold Tomatoes for providing the prize!
I used a random number generator to pick the winner.
The number chosen was #26, so the winner is...
Joe P.
Congrats!!
Thank you for reading GB Savers.
We are almost at 200 "likes" on Facebook!
Spread the word and tell a friend!
The more people we have looking for deals, the more we'll all save!
Ordering Gifts Online?
If you plan to do any shopping online this holiday season here are a few must have sites to help you save some money...
RetailMeNot--before you order from any website at least just stop by this site and put the retailer site name in their search box. You will find all sorts of coupon codes for everything from a % off to free shipping. (They also have printable coupons and deals on gift certificates from Restaurant.com)
Amazon's Free Super Saver Shipping--Amazon carries just about every product under the sun and has great deals. If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for Amazon Mom (not just for moms!) program and to get a free three-month Prime membership. Prime membership gets you free 2-day shipping with no minimum! If you don't have a Prime membership most items ship free when your order is over $25. Some items that don't qualify so keep an eye out. If you need to get to that magical $25 mark and don't know what to get head over to this site to see what filler items you can get for your remaining amount.
Swagbucks, MyPoints, or Ebates--all of these sites give you a little "rebate" back when you order online. They all have a huge list of online retailers. MyPoints gives you "points" which you can turn into gift cards. Ebates gives you cash back. Swagbucks earns you SwagBucks which you can use to purchase items for gift cards. You can combine the money back rebate programs with coupon codes (see above) and sales to get the best deal possible.
RetailMeNot--before you order from any website at least just stop by this site and put the retailer site name in their search box. You will find all sorts of coupon codes for everything from a % off to free shipping. (They also have printable coupons and deals on gift certificates from Restaurant.com)
Amazon's Free Super Saver Shipping--Amazon carries just about every product under the sun and has great deals. If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for Amazon Mom (not just for moms!) program and to get a free three-month Prime membership. Prime membership gets you free 2-day shipping with no minimum! If you don't have a Prime membership most items ship free when your order is over $25. Some items that don't qualify so keep an eye out. If you need to get to that magical $25 mark and don't know what to get head over to this site to see what filler items you can get for your remaining amount.
Swagbucks, MyPoints, or Ebates--all of these sites give you a little "rebate" back when you order online. They all have a huge list of online retailers. MyPoints gives you "points" which you can turn into gift cards. Ebates gives you cash back. Swagbucks earns you SwagBucks which you can use to purchase items for gift cards. You can combine the money back rebate programs with coupon codes (see above) and sales to get the best deal possible.
CVS Deals 11/28 - 12/4
If you took advantage of the Black Friday deals at CVS you probably have a few ECBs to spend. I hope the next couple week's deals are better than this week!Complete Multi-Purpose Solution $9.99 (Limit 1)
-9.99 ECBs
=Free
Dawn (Regular and Hand Renewal) $.88
- $0.50/1 Regular or $1/1 Hand Renewal from P&G HomeMade Simple Mailer
=as low as FREE
Revlon Cosmetics or Beauty Tools psa $1.99 (Limit 1)
-$5 ECBs
=Free plus overage (depending on what you buy)
Suave Deodorant $.89
-$0.75/1 (11/14 RP)
=$.14
Puffs $.97
- $0.25/1 (10/31/2010 P&G)
=$.72
Infusium 23 Hair Products $5.99 (Limit 1)
-$2 ECBs
-$2/1 coupon from the December ALL YOU
=$1.99
There are a few candy deals:
Spend $10 in Nestle Candy products get $3 ECBs - $1/2 Nestle Candy (bag) printable
Hershey's, Nestle, Mars novelty candy $.50
Possible Hidden Deal:
EOS Lip Balm $2.99 (limit 1)
-$2.99 ECBs
=FREE
If you're new to shopping at CVS, you might want to read this CVS shopping guide and you'll need to know:
ECBs= Extra Care Bucks
RP= Red Plum, Sunday newspaper insert
SS= Smart Source, Sunday newspaper insert
P&G=Proctor and Gamble, Sunday newspaper insert
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