Thrifty Christmas Gifts Series - Gift #5

People of all ages are wearing scarves including myself.  I found an awesome deal this year on nice scarves and purchased several for gifts and added a couple to my gift closet.

Dollar General has scarves for just $5.  I was able to find prints, stripes, and solid colors.  If you are looking for a last minute thrifty gift, check out your store.  I was able to purchase mine for $4 each.

Purchased:
5 - Scarves at $5 each = $25
Used $5 off $25 purchase coupon
Final Price - $4 each

Thrifty Christmas Gifts - Gift #4

Sign up for email offers and mailing lists with department stores you shop at most often.   They often include great coupons in their emails and sometimes send you coupons in the mail.

My favorite coupons to receive from department stores is JCPenneys and Kohls.  Earlier this month, I received a $10 off any purchase from and Kohls and JCP in the mail.

The picture on top is an outfit for Payton that I got for absolutely nothing from Kohls.  It is a pair of yoga pants and shirt that she can wear to school or dance.  It was on sale for 9.99 (regularly $32.00) and with my coupon I paid nothing and also received free shipping (would have been $5.95).  Thats a total savings of $37.95.  

The second picture is a warm up suit that I purchased at JCP for Bryson.  The jacket was on sale for $7.99 (regularly 24.99) and the pants were on sale for $5.99 (regularly $19.99) plus I received an extra 20% off.   With my $10 coupon, I got his outfit for $1.27.  Thats a total savings of $ $43.71.

Thats 2 outfits I purchased as gifts for my children for $1.27!!

If you don't want these emails coming to your primary email account, set up a second free email account and use it for emails offers. 

Thrifty Christmas Gifts Series - Gift #3

Payton wanted to give her classmates something for Christmas this year.  Thats a total of 20 kids.  I was able to give each a child a goody bag for only .61 each.  I purchased everything at the Dollar General Store.  Below is what each goody bag contained.

Goody Bag - .25 each
Snowman Straw - .20
Candy Cane - .08 each
Christmas pencil - .08 each
Tootsie Roll - FREE - Candy from Christmas parade
Sucker - FREE - Candy from Christmas parade

Total Spent Per Bag - .61 each = 12.20

I went to Payton's Christmas party at school.  All of her classmates were so excited to receive their gift.  I am so glad I did this and was there when she passed them out.  Once again, I was shown that its the thought that counts.   I loved seeing each childs excitement and smiling face.

Thrifty Christmas Gift Series - Gift #2

Teachers are truly a blessing.  Payton has 2 wonderful teachers this year.  I really wanted to give them a nice gift this year.  I saw something similiar to this on Pinterest and decided this would be wonderful.  Plus, I love to put together gift baskets.  Teachers spend so much money out of their pockets each year in supplies.  I hoped this would be greatly appreciated and it was.  They loved it and both thought it was a clever idea.  I was shocked with how much I was able to give for so little.  Below is what each basket contained and how much I spent total.

Basket - $1 Dollar Tree
Notebook - .15 each - Purchased during Back to School Sales
(2) Packs of Pens - FREE - Purchased with coupon last year
Crayons - .25 each - Back to School Sales
Glue Sticks - 5/$3 - .60 each x 3 -= $1.80
Post It Notes - $1 for a pack of 6 = .16 each x 3 per basket Dollar Tree
Kleenex - .67 each with coupon at CVS
Pencils 12 pk - $1 - Dollar Tree
Dry Erase Markers - $3.52
Erasers 40 pk - $1 Dollar Tree
Pack of Paper - FREE - This was given to me and I never have used it so I decided to include in gift basket.
Small Stocking with (2) Mechanical Pencils and (2) Highlighters - .25 each for stockings clearance last year and FREE pencils and highlighters that I had purchased for FREE during back to school sales
Personalized Notepads from Vistaprint - $3.86

Total Spent - $13.98 plus tax


What do you give teachers for Christmas gifts?

Thrifty Christmas Gifts Series - Gift #1

I have decided to share with you some awesome deals that I have gotten while Christmas shopping.  It never ceases to amaze me how much money I save each year.  I always make my Christmas list in July.  I list each name along with an amount and any ideas I may have for a gift.  The next thing I do is go through my gift closet and pull out any things that I have purchased throughout the year that I have found on clearance, on sale or even gotten for FREE with a coupon.  I usually find 2 or 3 gifts in my gift closet.  I update my list and place any gifts that I find in my Christmas tote box.  This way all gifts are kept together and I always know what I have.

This year I decided to do something new or at least new for me.  I have never given baked goodies before as gift.  This year I am giving small loaves of Omish Cinnamon Bread.  It is wonderful.  I am giving one as a hostess gift on Saturday.  I gave one to my daughters bus driver.  I gave three to the front office employees at her school.    I am also giving one to my mail lady.

I was given the starter from a friend and I already had almost everything needed to make.  I did spend right at $4 when for the remaining ingredients needed.

Do you give homemade goodies as gifts?