xmas shopping today...

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
xmas shopping today...
2
Sun, 11-20-2005 - 11:14am

Hi everyone! I am happy because the day off that I've been waiting for has finally arrived! LOL DBF and I are going christmas shopping today, we dont' have much money to spend but at least we can spend some time together which is rare and hopefully we can get something accomplished for christmas. I balanced the checking account and I have 359 dollars until Friday...so that means I can spend 200 on christmas presents etc. That will leave some money so we can enjoy dinner together at a nice restaurant tonight and then about 100 dollars to live on for the rest of the week (that's about all I need for gas and necessitites, maybe even a little more than I need if I am careful). So with that 200 dollars I have a few things to try to do today: Gifts for dbf's parents, his sister and brother in law, and possibly his 2 neices although I know exactly what to get them so I might wait a little bit until more money becomes available. Same situation with my mom, I know what to get and where to get it so I might wait on that. Today is basically the stuff that I need dbf's input on. lol. bf also wants clothes for christmas so I might see if I can get him to pick out some things and I will get them for him for christmas. I also need to look for a nice dress for two fancy holiday parties coming up. One is for dbf's job and one is for mine. I am looking forward to the parties as a nice chance to get dressed up and hey, they have an open bar, but the expenses of getting ready for them are crummy. At least I can probably just buy one dress and wear it to both parties. (But I am going to raid my closet first and see if there's anything I can wear, I doubt it though because I've gained weight and my nice dress clothes are all small sizes) But the cost of getting my hair done for those parties will be a lot. I may just get it done for one of the parties and try to do it myself for the other one. It stinks though, they are both really fancy parties and most women will probably have their hair done up in and updo and I don't know how to do it myself so perhaps I will spend the money. Oh well...

Wish me luck today on staying within my budget for the day. Anything I feel I need to buy today that doesn't fit within the 200 dollars would have to go on the cc. The only thing that might happen with is my christmas party dress, depending on the cost, and I should be able to pay it off on Friday of this week so...

                          

             

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Mon, 11-21-2005 - 12:52pm
Hi, aerandel. Gosh, holiday shopping already! I havent even started. I am doing everything on the internet this year, but am looking for those that have discounted or free shipping. Hair: What about a beauty college? Am going to check into it. Or, go back to the place that cuts hair cheaper. DH said he could have done a better job with my hair. (sigh). Go to Walmart and check out the sparkly barrettes,etc. Clothes: What about consignment shop or rentals? (like they do for the proms?). Dec. is going to be challenging for me also--2 BD, DH parents' anniversary, one confirmed baby shower, a belated wedding present for co-worker's DS, two parties, etc. Whiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 11-21-2005 - 2:39pm

Congrats on your frugal Christmas shopping so far!

I wanted to mention something about holiday dresses. My dh has a holiday party with his company every year, and last year I had the best dress I have ever had for it. I bought it at a yard sale for $1! I started looking in July or so, and I see formal dresses at yard sales all the time. So I waited until I found one I really loved for a price I loved even more, and bought it. It's a violet stretch velvet dress and it looks fabulous on me. The next Saturday after I bought it, I found a fabulous pair of pumps in a matching shade of violet! LOL I thought I'd have to spring for new shoes, but noooo...

Anyway, so far I'm coming up empty handed this year, but only because I'm being picky and I refuse to pay as much as $15 for a dress! LOL I may have to head to a consignment store and spend as much as $30 if something doesn't turn up soon, though.

I just wanted to mention that party dresses are easy and fun to find used, because rarely do people wear the same formal dress twice, so they're usually extremely lightly used and in terrific condition, not to mention easy to find in recent styles.

Of course, it helps that I'm a very average size, but I've seen a good range of sizes too.

Good luck with shopping. Keeping my fingers crossed for staying within budget!

Blessings,

Heather