My Thrifty Gift for Kids

We have family stopping in for one night this weekend.  They are travelling to be the beach and stopping by on their way.  We are so excited.  My children will get to meet their 3rd cousins that they have never met before.  I wanted to have them a little gift to take with them to the beach.  They are both boys ages 2 and 4.  I headed to Dollar General this morning, my go to store for last minute items.

Here is what I found:

1 Beach Bag (Also works for my gift bag)
2 Beach Towels
2 Sand Buckets with Shovels
2 Sand Toys Bags
2 Ball Toys

Mom gets a cute beach bag and the kids get beach towels and beach toys to play with.

Total $29

York Photo - $1 Eco-Grocery Tote Bag

 

 Order your Eco-Grocery Tote Bag from York Photo for $1.  Shipping and handling starts at $3.99.  I think these would make a great gift.

York Photo - $1 Photo Mug

 

Order your custom photo mug for only $1.  Shipping starts at $5.99.  Use coupon code ONE.

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?

FREE Nursing Pillow

 

Do you need a baby shower gift or maybe a great Christmas present for an expecting mom?  If so, this would be great. 

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York Photo - Pillowcase for Only $5

 

Here is a great deal on a customized pillowcase.  It is only $5 with coupon code PILLOWCASE. 

This would make a great birthday or Christmas gift.

York Photo - Customized iPhone Case for Only $10

 

Order a custom iPhone Case for only $10 with Coupon Code MYIPHONE.  This would make a great birthday or Christmas gift.

Personalized Travel Mug - $4

 

A great thrifty gift for Father's Day!! 

 Travel Mug only $4! 76% off- save $12.99 Use code: HOTDRINK Expires June 8

York Photo - FREE Poster, Custom Photo Book or Magnet

 

Order yours today - FREE poster, custom photo book or magnet with coupon code - WONDERFUL.  Just pay shipping and handling.  Great gifts for Father's Day.

$4 Travel Mug - Great Gift for Father's Day!

 

 Travel Mug only $4! 76% off- save $12.99 Use code: HOTDRINK Expires June 8

My Thrifty Gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week.  Teachers are remarkable people who work long hours and do not get paid anywhere close to what they deserve.  To all teachers ..... thank you for doing what you do!!

To celebrate at Payton's school this week the principal had a theme for each day describing teachers and gifts suggestions to go along with the theme.

Monday - Compassinate - Be compassionate and send in a pack of unique and/or colorful sticky notes.
Tuesday - Loving - Show your loving nature by sending in a dessert or special treat for staff to enjoy.
Wednesday - Inspire - Inspire relaxation with hand cream, lotion, bubble bath, or other relaxation items.
Thursday - Motivate - Motivate staff for the long hours they work by sending an item to boost their energy.
Friday - BEST - Send the very BEST gift of all - your child with a handwritten note or card of thanks.

As with anything I do I was try to purchase gifts at the lowest price possible. I knew I wanted to participate each day so I started thinking last Saturday of things I could do for each day.  I explained to Payton about Teacher Appreciation Week and she was very excited to participate in the themes for each day.

I was able to send gifts every day for less than $6.   Here is how I did it.

Monday - Sticky Notes
I didn't have any sticky notes but luckily Staples had a 6 pk on sale this week for $5.  I had $7 in staples rewards so I purchased (2) 6 packs at $5 each = $10 - $7 Staples rewards = $3 total.  I was able to send sticking notes to office personnel, art teacher, media, music teacher, PE teacher, guidance, computer teacher, and Payton's teacher and teaching assistant.  The sticky notes were regularly - $7.97 so I saved $12.94.

Tuesday - Dessert or Special Treat
I ran by Lowes Foods on Monday while doing errands and found a box of Strawberry Turnovers (20 each) for $2 in the bakery.  I couldn't resist this deal.  There was plenty for the teachers to share if they wanted to.  I don't think I could have baked anything for $2.

Wednesday - Relaxation Items
I had Bath and Body Works lotions in my gift closet.  I sent one to Payton's teacher, teaching assistant and bus driver.  Nothing OOP.

Thursday - Item to Boost your energy
My fruit bowl was full so Payton decided to take an orange to her teachers.  Nothing OOP

Friday - Handwritten Note or Card
Payton made a card for each of her teachers last night.  She was very excited to make them and the cards turned out great.  I already had everything needed to make them.  Nothing OOP

Total OOP - $5.35 includes tax

Thrifty Teacher's Gift Baskets - $46 worth of items for only $12

 

I am very proud of the gift baskets I made for Payton's teachers. Planning ahead definitely saved me lots of money.  I was able to put together a $46 gift basket for only $12.   Here is how I did it.

Christmas Container - Dollar General $2

Starbucks Tumbler and Starbucks Hot Cocoa - $15.98 - Used a Starbucks gift card that I won from another blog giveaway

Tiny Prints Personalized Notepads - $16.99 - Used a gift card I had earned

Bic Pens - $1 - I got these for FREE with a coupon during the year

Staples $10 gift Card

Planning ahead saves me money plus takes away a little stress during the holiday season.  I already had the ribbon and the basket bag.  I think they turned out great and I can't wait for Payton to give them to her teachers tomorrow.

Did you make any gift baskets as gifts this year?

Personalzation Mall - Personalized Ornamenets Make Great Gifts

Huge selection of exclusive Christmas ornaments - all personalized free!

This Weeks Shopping Was Done From Home

Besides picking up milk and some produce, I didn't make any trips to shop.  I do a little shopping from home.

I received a $30 Starbucks gift card several months ago for doing a sponsored post.  Since I am not a coffee drinker, I decided to checkout their online store.  Here is what I purchased for $5.63 after gift card.

2 - Roasted Marshmellow Hot Cocoa
2 - Scratch It Tumblers
and a FREE sample

I thought these would make great gifts for girlfriends or great gifts for teachers.

Also, I went through Ebates and earned 3.5% back = $1.25

Vistaprint - FREE Valentine's Day T-Shirt

Vistaprint is offering FREE Valentine's Day gifts all week.  Day 1 - FREE T-Shirt.

Celebrate Valentine's Day by creating a FREE custom T-shirt for someone special! Crafting a thoughtful and original Valentine's gift for your loved ones is quick and easy. Simply browse online design galleries and customize with text, or upload a favorite photo. Design a one-of-a-kind T-shirt! Shipping starts at : $4.41