[aflmom]

I know some people start after the holidays, but I'm starting now. I'm thinking about a keurig coffee machine for my dh since he's a coffee person. I know they come on sale periodically, but I wasn't sure about the expense of the cups. Thoughts anyone?

[babyfordawn1983]

Certainly not! I have already started Christmas shopping!

[dealsonwheels]

I usually start the day after Christmas for the next year, but have not been able to the last few years.....money, ya know. But, I have been really getting items on clearance at Target and using coupons as well. It is never too early....you will enjoy seeing what you are getting and looking at all your haul later. I know I do.

[angelasykes]

Halloween is my favorite holiday
I plan to get married on October 31st, not this year of course but I can just hear the thoughts of people reading this "weirddo.." .

I hear a lot of good things about the Keurig, except for the reviews that says it doesn't brew a full cup of coffee. So it might get expensive with the little cups that you have to insert into the top.

I have an expresso machine but I don't use it often since I have insomnia and I don't need the extra kick to keep me awake, . It works great though

[babyfordawn1983]

We have a Keurig and my hubby loves it! Ours has an option for 3 different sizes. The only problem I ever had with it was with the cocoas. Those didn't flavor too well with the larger cups.

[coffeeclatch]

In my opinion it's never too early to start talking about Christmas
I'm anxious to get started on my shopping, but my family is not very forthcoming with their lists yet and my kids are past the age where I can surprise them with toys.

I have a friend who has the Keurig and she really likes it, but it is quite expensive and a "cup" of coffee isn't what we normally think of...we are used to big mugs of coffee and these just make a little petite cup of coffee.

[aflmom]

So far I've picked up (3) Transformer toys for a nephew, a six in one solar powered kit set for another nephew. He may be a little young, but his dad is an engineer. I also got a couple Kodak picture frames. I'm looking at an i-tune gc for a niece (when they go on sale) and put it in a bathroom caddy that has Olay stuff. Some of the things I picked up are from 1 sale a day. You do have to check their prices. They are cheaper than Amazon but no where near what they "list" the retail price at.

[MaryG1959]

I've started shopping as well!

[babynicksmom]

It is never to early to start shopping or talking. I want to start, but I have to shop around a 3 yr old

[mclaroc]

I've been knitting a Cabbage Patch kids wardrobe for my daughter's dolls , so I had to start early to have the time to finish enough pieces. So, no, not too early for me ! A big part of the Christmas fun is the planning : recipes, gifts, decorations.

[JeanneF78]

Originally Posted by aflmom

I know some people start after the holidays, but I'm starting now. I'm thinking about a keurig coffee machine for my dh since he's a coffee person. I know they come on sale periodically, but I wasn't sure about the expense of the cups. Thoughts anyone?

I've been itching for a Keurig! My SIL adores hers and is always raving about it. My bday is coming up and about 2 months ago I'd mentioned to my mom I wanted one....she said not to buy one she'd keep her eyes peeled for a good sale and might get me one for my bday! Even though I'm 32...well almost 33, my mom still spoils me for my birthday (only child!)

As for christmas....I've been keeping my eyes peeled for some clearance deals.....I have 4 male cousins all college age...so they are easy, razors, shaving cream, Old Spice BW and Spray...things like that...I'll make them up a nice gift set and they'll love it...and we all know how cheap I can get that stuff for..so they're easy. I really don't know what my problem is, every year I'm such a last minute shopper, I always say I'll start early and I never do...This year I'm aiming to be half done before Thanksgiving!

[momtoaprincess]

I have recently started christmas shopping, trying to find some great deals this year. I traded for some Kohl's coupons Ive been using to pick up a few things from toy section.

I've heard Bed Bath and Beyond is a great place to buy K-Cups because you can use the 20% and $5/$15 coupons on them, but Im not sure how the price compares to other places!

[preciousgirl1120]

I love talking about Christmas! I started shopping in August when I got the guitar Hero for the WII. I have 2 more items to pick up for DD 8, then I am finished with her. The older girls just want money to shop after Christmas. I am still looking for items that I know they like too.

[missdanalu]

We've started!

Bought Razor scooters for each big kid clearanced to $2.88.

Bought little digital cameras for the big kids and nephew for $2.99 each plus shipping.

I've been setting aside makeup I get cheap/free for my sister and teenage cousins.

[aliviasmom]

I already started Which I never do I always wait til the last minute. As far as Keurig goes I LOVE MINE! If you have a Kohl's by you I suggest buying it when they offer their sales. Spend $50 get $10 kohls bucks. Then you can use the money back to buy the kcups. I also just found coupons for kcups. Target has 2 coupons that can be used anywhere. One for Folgers and one for Millstone and Facebook has coupons for Millstone too. So you can stock up while they are on sale and then give the Keurig as well as a ton of coffee If you didn't want to use the Kohls bucks for coffee you can use it for other Christmas presents. I used my kohls bucks to buy Christmas presents that would have cost almost $130 but were marked way down.
Rebecca

[aflmom]

You're doing great! I never seem to find clearance items. When I go shopping it's with a list and I don't look for other things. I know I miss out on deals because of that. Even when I hear about things on clearance, I don't have the patience to go look--just in case.

Originally Posted by missdanalu

We've started!

Bought Razor scooters for each big kid clearanced to $2.88.

Bought little digital cameras for the big kids and nephew for $2.99 each plus shipping.

I've been setting aside makeup I get cheap/free for my sister and teenage cousins.

[missdanalu]

Originally Posted by aflmom

You're doing great! I never seem to find clearance items. When I go shopping it's with a list and I don't look for other things. I know I miss out on deals because of that. Even when I hear about things on clearance, I don't have the patience to go look--just in case.

I am 100% the same! Thankfully my husband is not he's the clearance guy.

[aflmom]

So any of the cups will work with the Keurig machine? I've seen the racks/holders with the cups. The machines seems to rung $99+. I haven't priced out the coffee to know what is or isn't a deal.

Originally Posted by aliviasmom

I already started Which I never do I always wait til the last minute. As far as Keurig goes I LOVE MINE! If you have a Kohl's by you I suggest buying it when they offer their sales. Spend $50 get $10 kohls bucks. Then you can use the money back to buy the kcups. I also just found coupons for kcups. Target has 2 coupons that can be used anywhere. One for Folgers and one for Millstone and Facebook has coupons for Millstone too. So you can stock up while they are on sale and then give the Keurig as well as a ton of coffee If you didn't want to use the Kohls bucks for coffee you can use it for other Christmas presents. I used my kohls bucks to buy Christmas presents that would have cost almost $130 but were marked way down.
Rebecca

[Satori]

I started planning xmas lists a month ago. If I don't start planning/buying months in advance xmas doesn't happen. For me this is my panic month, kids need winter clothes and new shoes (good supportive shoes which are $$$) and were flat broke, next month will be ok, this month? We are sooo screwed with everything going on.

[famofthree]

I started last year 12/27. I am big on clearance shopping, I shop all year long.
I put all of my rebates in a savings account from December till Nov. That money is taken out in Nov and used to purchase the NEXT years gifts all year long from clearance.
I have been able to get a few thousand saved all year just from rebates. Ive been doing it that way for a few years. Once I withdraw it...I start over again.

I also save the pre-paid cards from various rebates and that gets counted in.

[Wrangler_Gal]

I already have 2 gifts for my son and one for my neice!

[famofthree]

Originally Posted by missdanalu

We've started!

Bought Razor scooters for each big kid clearanced to $2.88.

Bought little digital cameras for the big kids and nephew for $2.99 each plus shipping.

I've been setting aside makeup I get cheap/free for my sister and teenage cousins.

awesome deal on the scooters, our walmart had them but they never went below $15.00 and then next thing I know..they were gone.

Digital cameras will be fun!! Where did you find those??

[aflmom]

Famofthree, awesome idea with the rebates! I'm going to start doing that. Thanks for sharing.

[missdanalu]

Originally Posted by famofthree

awesome deal on the scooters, our walmart had them but they never went below $15.00 and then next thing I know..they were gone.

Digital cameras will be fun!! Where did you find those??

They were on 1saleaday.com. I opened one of the boxes when they arrived and they are so cute, perfect for little hands!

I love the rebate idea! It's funny because I never take advantage of after Christmas clearance because I've spent everything on before Christmas shopping we tend to go overboard.

Honestly, these kids will get so much from family that I feel the scooters and cameras are enough, but I hate not seeing the tree overflowing with gifts. I know that is the worst excuse.

I did want to get them the Nintendo 3DS but DH is pretty much not in agreement on that.

[JoanJosephine]

I agree will all the above! I have a large family, but even if you are single I bet most of us would like to give more than we have money for. How fun is it to have a gift closet stocked. My problem is I end up squirreling so much away I have to be careful not to forget or overbuy things. But, really, there are always people who can use the extra these days--it is heartbreaking when I hear a child say they don't have money for a tree for instance.

To the Halloween wedding lady--go for it. Hope you find a great guy. I am reading more and more about how people love Halloween because it is fun with low stress. I think many of us have good memories too.

Hope everyone has a good Sunday!