Merry Christmas

Christmas is tomorrow!

I wanted to wish everyone a very  

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I apologize I haven't been posting many great deals this week, it gets so busy around the Holidays. I have been shopping (of course) and I managed to make stockings for our family.   They were so easy to make, but very time consuming. Tonight starts our traditional Christmas Eve festivities.  We will be making pizzas, spreading out reindeer food, bake cookies, open one gift, take a trip to check out the Christmas lights, and wait for Santa!

What are your plans?

Toys R Us - Post Christmas Sales!

Thanks to Coupon Clippin' Mommy for compiling this list!

Here are some of the special deals available at Toys“R”Us stores from Saturday, December 26, 2009 through Saturday, January 2, 2010, while supplies last:

BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE on all Leapster Software
BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE on all V.Smile and V-Motion software
BUY ONE, GET ONE HALF OFF ALL Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 video games
BUY ONE, GET ONE HALF OFF ALL Nintendo DS video games priced at $19.99 or less
BUY ONE, GET ONE HALF OFF ALL video game accessories priced at $19.99 or less
BUY ONE, GET ONE HALF OFF ALL DVDs priced at $19.99 or less
50% OFF ALL Alive Cubs – Was $19.99 to $59.99; Now $9.99 to $29.99
BUY ONE, GET ONE HALF OFF on ALL Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Accessories
BUY ONE, GET ONE HALF OFF select preschool board games
SAVE $30 on LEGO Star Wars Home One Mon Calamari Cruiser – Was $109.99; Now $79.99

Toys“R”Us store hours:
Saturday, December 26: 8 am – 11 pm
Sunday, December 27 – Wednesday, December 30: 10 am – 9 pm
Thursday, December 31: 10 am – 6 pm
Friday, January 1, 2010: 10 am – 9 pm
Saturday, January 2: 9 am – 9 pm

Toys“R”Us Return and Exchange Policy
Toys“R”Us makes it easy for customers to return and exchange holiday gifts at its stores across the country. Customers wishing to return an item should follow these guidelines within 90 days of the purchase of their item:

• Customers must show original, dated receipt or a gift receipt for all returns or exchanges.
• Customers have 45 days from the date of purchase to return video games, accessories, systems, computer software, VHS, DVD, music electronics, radio control cars, trading cards, collectibles, consumer electronics and breast pumps.
• The original dated receipt is required for a refund or exchange, and the item must be returned in its unopened and factory sealed package. If the item has been opened, it can only be exchanged for an identical item when accompanied by a dated receipt. Refunds and exchanges will not be given without a dated receipt.
• To help stores quickly process returns, customers should bring all original packaging, accessories and instruction manuals back to the store, along with the products.

FREE downloadable patterns at You Can Make This!

For Free downloadable patterns, visit You Can Make This!

Free Patterns include:

Oven Mitts

Pettiskirts

Receiving Blankets

Burp Cloths

Headbands

Doll Clothes

And Many more!

In addition to the Free patterns, they also have patterns for sale.  They have a ton of boutique style clothing, which I find adorable.  The greatest thing about an "e-pattern" is that once you purchase the pattern, you can keep a copy on your computer and print out the pattern every time you need it.

I LOVE this pattern!

Celebrating Home - Year End Clearance Sale

Home Interiors and Gifts & Home and Garden Party

have joined together to become

They took the best products from both companies and added some great new ones. All the new products along with the remaining Home Interiors and Home and Garden Party products can be found online.

Celebrating Home offers over 600 items, using the highest quality materials, for you to choose from. Their products include hand turned stoneware pottery, spice mixes, candles, bake ware, beautiful framed art, and decorative accessories to enhance the beauty of every home.

You may order online at Celebrating Home and help me earn Hostess rewards by using my party code at checkout, CrystalRamaker65565

Host your own party and receive 20% of your sales in FREE products and ½ Price Items. PLUS, receive a FREE 2 Party Booking Gift when two of your guests book their own parties at your party.

Some of the best deals that they are currently running can be found in the Treasure Chest and the Year End Clearance Sale.  To look through all the products choose the Products page.

I will be hosting a party in my home on January 8th at 7PM, if you are interested in seeing the quality of the products Celebrating Home offers or have any questions, please contact me.

Our Celebrating Home designer is:

Simone Devore

90% Off Site-Wide at Vistaprint!

Save up to 90% Off Site-Wide at Vistaprint! Plus, get FREE SHIPPING on orders over $50! Limited Time Only

Turn $40 cash into $50 in gift cards!

I just got really excited to learn that my change jar, sitting on my dresser… is actually accumulating interest :)

Ok not really, but it might as well be. Check out this deal!

If you have $40 in change lying around in your home, you can get an extra $10. You can take it into a local Coinstar machine* (find one here)and turn your cash into a certificate for Lowe’s, Amazon.com, iTunes, and more. There is no fee for the exchange or the card.

You just can't make up a better deal that this...  What a great way to stretch your Christmas budget.

Hint:  Take $40 to your bank and get quarters.

More information can be found here. *At participating machines

Snapfish, BOGO Calendars!

Two days left for this deal at Snapfish!

Buy one photo calendar, get one FREE, with code RACHAELRAY. Within two days of your order, you will also get a credit in your snapfish account for a free 4x6 flip book. 

You can end up with two calendars for $9.99 (starting price) and later a free flip book.

Plus, if you are new to snapfish, you can get 50 free 4 x 6 prints with your first upload.

Toys "R" US - Deal of the Day!

Every day through December 24, Toys "R" Us will be offering a Deal of the Day. Check here each day to see the Deal of the Day or register to have it emailed to you.

Kraft Rebate: Get $10 back wyb 10 items

Kraft is offering another rebate. Purchase 10 participating products between 12/01/09 and 1/31/09 and get back $10.00 by mail.

CVS Deals and Coupon Match Ups 12/13/09-12/19/09

3 Day ECB DEALS (Sun/Mon/Tues Only)

$2.99 ECB wyb Merry Brite Holidays Bows 12 ct. @ $2.99 Limit 2
Free after ECB

$1.99 ECB wyb Merry Brite Holiday Gift Tissue 20 ct. Red and Green @ $1.99 Limit 2
Free after ECB

$1.99 ECB wyb Merry Brite Peel ‘n Stick Gift Tags 35- 50 ct. @ $1.99 Limit 2
Free after ECB


Weekly ECB Deals

$.99 ECB wyb Advil PM 4 ct. @ $.99 Limit 1
Free after ECB

$4.00 ECB wyb Bic Disposable Razors Comfort 3 Advance or Soleil 4 ct. @ $4.99 Limit 1
$.99 after ECB

Monthly ECB Deals

$9.99 ECB wyb Complete Multi-Purpose Solution @ $9.99 Limit 1
$1.00/1 Complete Multi-Purpose Solution RP 10/25/09
Free plus $1.00 overage after coupons and ECB

Old Navy 30% off

Print this coupon to get 30% off any item at Old Navy!  This same coupon was found in the Old Navy ad on 12/13.  The coupon expires 12/19 :)

If you don't feel like facing the Holiday crowds, you can do some leaisure shopping online at Old Navy and use code ONSAVE20 to get 20% off your order.  Shipping is always a $7 flat rate or FREE with $50 purchase.

With Ebates, you can get 10% cashback for your purchase.
With Sunshine Rewards, you can get 1% cashback for your purchase.

See Here - $6.49 Photo Mug shipped overnight!

If you missed out on the $5 Photoworks custom photo coffee mugs the other day, you’ll be happy to know there’s an offer that’s almost as good available from SeeHere right now. These make a great gift!

See Here is currently offering a great deal on an 11 oz Photo or tiled Photo mug. You can get it shipped for $6.49 - $6.99 per mug! And what's better is shipping is overnight! You can make these today and get it tomorrow!

Here’s how to get your personalized coffee mug:


Create an account with SeeHere or login to your existing account. (New members will also receive 100 FREE photo prints upon registration!)

Click on Photo Gifts>Mugs and create an 11-oz. plain or tiled mug. Plain mugs will run $6.49 and tiled mugs will run $6.99.

Use the code nicolesnickels (case sensitive) at checkout to receive 50% off your order and FREE shipping! Expires 12/13/09.

*This promo code expires on 12/13 so don't delay*

(I'm patiently waiting for a mug someday ;)

Amazon's Big Toy Sale!

It's time for Amazon's amazing Toy Sale, just in time for Christmas!!

Board Games- Save up to 75% on Select Hasbro Games

Gather everyone for Family Game Night and get up to 75% off select games from Hasbro. Also, for an even greater value, take advantage of FREE Super Saver Shipping (restrictions apply) and Amazon Prime (restrictions apply).

Pixos & Chixos - Save up to 60% on Pixos & Chixos!

Save on these creative fashion crafts for your little designers. Also, for an even greater value, take advantage of FREE Super Saver Shipping (restrictions apply) and Amazon Prime (restrictions apply).

Learning Resources Funny Phone Family Game
List Price: $34.99 Price: $9.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. You Save: $25.00 (71%)

Little Mommy Baby Ah-Choo Doll
List Price: $39.99 Price: $14.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. You Save: $25.00 (63%)

Crayola Undersea Adventures Color-Matching Board Game
List Price: $14.99 Price: $4.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. You Save: $10.00 (67%)

Spinmaster Micro RC Terrain Titans Hornet Black
List Price: $17.99 Price: $9.00 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. You Save: $8.99 (50%)

Caring Corners - Mrs. Goodbee Interactive Dollhouse
List Price: $84.99 Price: $46.70 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. You Save: $38.29 (45%)

Little Leaps SW: Play & Move ONLY 4 LEFT!
List Price: $17.99 Price: $1.99 You Save: $16.00 (89%)

The Grinch - Sing Your Heart Out!
List Price: $24.99 Price: $4.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. You Save: $20.00 (80%)

Crayola Glow Station can create with Light!
List Price: $39.66 Price: $17.98 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.You Save: $21.68 (55%)



These deals GO very fast and prices can change, so don't delay!  I will keep updating as I find more deals!

Walgreens 4 Day Sale

December 9 - 12, Walgreens is running a great 4 Day Sale.

They are offering a $5 Register Reward when you spend $25, before tax.
Here are some of the other hot deals:

Buy 1 Neutrogena Men's Skin Care at $4.99, Get $4.99 Register Rewards
Use $2/1 coupon in the December All You magazine
Free plus $2 overage after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 Just For Men Touch of Gray Hair Color at $6.99, Get $6.99 Register Rewards
Use $2/1 printable coupon here
Free plus $2 overage after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 Renu Multi-Purpose Plus Solution Twin Pack at $9.99, Get $9.99 Register Rewards
Use $2/1 printable coupon here
Free plus $2 overage after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 Stayfree Feminine Care at $1.99, Get $1.99 Register Rewards
Use $1/1 printable here
Free plus $1 overage after coupon and Register Rewards
Buy select Conair Brushes or Scunci Hair Accessories at $2, Get $2 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 Stim-U-Dent (100-pack) at $2, Get $2 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

A couple of scenarios!

Scenario # 1


1 Just for Men Touch of Gray Hair Color

2 Sudafed Triple Action at $9.99 each
Total $26.97

Use 2 $4/1 Sudafed coupons
Use 1 $3/1 Sudafed in-ad coupon (will take off $6)
Use 1 $2/1 Just for Men coupon
Total $10.97

Get back $6.99 & $5 Register Rewards!
Scenario # 2 (After first Scenario)

1 Renu Multi-Purpose Plus Solution Twin-Pack at $9.99
2 Theraflu at $5 each
1 Stayfree Feminine Care at $1.99
1 Conair Brush or Scunci Hair Accessory at $2
1 Stim-U-Dent (100-pack) at $2
Total $25.99

Use the $6.99 Register Rewards earned in the above transaction
Use 1 $2/1 Renu coupon here
Use 1 $1/1 Stayfree printable
Use 2 Theraflu $2/1 printable coupon
Use 1 $2/1 Theraflu coupon from the Walgreens Healthy Savings Booklet (will deduct $4)
Total $9.99 (If you choose to use the $5 RR from the previous transaction to lower your OOP, you will not receive one in this transaction)

Get back $9.99, $5, $3, $2, $2, & $1.99 Register Rewards

You will have spent $20.96 out of pocket and leave with $28.98 in Regist Rewards... plus all your freebies!
You can either keep your Register Rewards for the next occasion, or you can use them for Stocking Stuffers!

Thank you, A Thrifty Mom & Money Saving Mom for help in compiling these deals.

Target Trio Castle - $9.99

At Target get the $79.99 TRIO King's Castle for as low as $9.99!

Target is sellign this toy for $79.99 this week, but buy price matching Kmart and using a Target and Manufacturer coupon, you can get it for $9.99 - $14.99!

Here is how you do it!

1. Go to Target with Kmart ad in hand.

2. Price match the Fisher-Price 214-px Trio King’s Castle deluxe building set for $29.99

3. Use $10/1 manufacturer peelie coupon – found on the bottom right corner of the Trio sets. Alternatively, print out this $5 coupon just-in-case.

4. Use $10 Target coupon here. Click "toys" to find it faster.

5. Pay only $9.99 plus tax ($14.99 if using the alternative coupon.

Thank you, Queen Bee Coupons!

Big Dogs - Extra savings on Pajamas and Loungepants

Better than Black Friday Deal - BOGO 50% plus an EXTRA 20% off all Pajamas and Loungepants.

Currently at Big Dogs you can get an additional 20% on top of BOGO 50% off savings on all Pajamas and Loungepants. The more you buy, the more you save. Plus FREE shipping with any $100 purchase. No coupon code necessary. Expires December 14, 2009.

Free Duracell batteries!

Buy a 20-pack of Duracell batteries and get 100% back in Staples Rewards
Limit 2 per customer per week


Pay $12.99 and get back $12.99 in Staples rewards in January

Who doesn't need batteries??

Santa likes to leave batteries in our stockings too!

$40 Free at 1-800-Flowers.com

1-800Flowers.com is offering a 40 Fresh Rewards points (up to 400 points maximum) for each reminder you add to your Fresh Rewards account. 400 Fresh Rewards points may be redeemed for $40 Fresh Savings pass for use at their store.

1. https://ww12.1800flowers.com/templat...ate4&page=2008
2. Click on the "Get paid to get organized" banner
3. If you do not have an account, create one, otherwise log in
4. Add 10 gift reminders, one at a time
5. Your rewards will be deposited into your account within 48 hours

FYI - the $40 can be used for ordering flowers, cookies from Cheryl & Co, and for Shipping too
Your points will show up on the 10th of the following month.

$5 coupon at Hallmark!

You can get a coupon for $5 off your total Hallmark purchase here.

Tips & Tricks for Getting your Kids to Bed on Time

This morning I was greeted with an email from TwitterMoms and www.DramaU.net, it really got me thinking about a problem many parents have: Getting their children to bed.  While I do struggle with this problem, I find it easier on Christmas Eve, because of the activities we do during that day.

Here is the question at task:

"As a parent, you know how difficult it can be to get your child to go to bed at night and stay in bed all night - especially during the exciting holiday times! We would love to hear from you. What are your five tips & tricks for getting your kids to bed on time and getting them to stay in bed? Do you have special routines or rituals? Any tricks on getting kids to slow down and become sleepy? What do you do if they wander out of bed during the night? What works for your family?"

That is our Christmas Eve routine:

1. The first thing I do is wear them out :) Once I get home from work, we start making our own pizzas.

2. After dinner a good game of bowling or a movie is fun.  We can spend time together as a family, before we have to spend the next few days with extended family.

3. We then head over to "Candy Cane Lane" to view the lovely lights. (At this point some may already be asleep.)

4.Then we head home and the children get to open one present, selected by mommy.  It just happens to be jammies (who knew??).

5. Then its bath time and then get to put on their new jammies.

6. The girls then put out cookies, milk, and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.

7. We conclude the night with a few books and if it isn't too late maybe a movie playing.

With years of bedtime dilemma's, I have found that a routine works best.  This is how we prepare for bedtime throughout the rest of the year.

1. Homework, Dinner, & Clean-up

2. Family time, whether we play a game, with toys, or watch a show.

3. Bath time & Jammies

4. Snack & Glass of Water

5. We then conclude the night with a book... and maybe play a movie.

So either plan is a basic of following a routine.  Sometimes we get out of swing of things, but most of the time, it works.

Cyber Monday Sales!

With so many awesome Cyber Monday deals going on, it’s hard to just pick a few.

But I will try :)

Here at Amazon.com I have found WowWee Wrex the Dawg Robotic Dog for $39.99 including FREE Super Savings Shipping.

This normally costs $149.99! You can’t expect to find it any cheaper this Holiday Season!

Last year, all my girls asked for was the Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker.  So of course, Santa brought it for them.  Well this year I have been thinking about getting them the Girl Gourmet ice Cream Sandwich maker... and for this price, I can't pass it up!

Another toy my girls have had their eyes on is the Rose Petal Cottage. Amazon has the megapack on sale for $99.99.  The megapack includes ROSE PETAL Cottage (with stove), ROSE PETAL Nursery, ROSE PETAL Sink, ROSE PETAL Washing Machine, ROSE PETAL Lounge Chair, & ROSE PETAL MAKIN MUFFINS BAKING SET. This is a very good price for all the items included! Plus with purchase, you can get a 1-year subscription to one of the following magazines: Parenting Early Years or Parenting School Years (a $9.97 value) included with your purchase or a rebate instead!

More deals to come as I find the best ones :)

FREE 20-Page Hardcover Photo Book!

FREE 20-Page Hardcover Photo Book!


Hurry! Be among the first 25,000 people to get a FREE Glossy Hardcover Photo Book (11 1/2” x 8 1/2”) from American Greetings Photoworks when you use the promo code BONNIE. This is a $39.95 value. Just click the light blue “As Seen on Bonnie Hunt” box to get started on your photo book. This offer is good through 12/7.

You can also save 20% site-wide on photo gifts through 12/1 at American Greetings Photoworks when you use the promo code GIVETHANKS.

Save 20% on SeeHere & Help "Home For Our Troops"

They Have Helped Protect Our Way of Life, Now It Is Time To Help Improve Theirs.

SeeHere by Fujifilm, in partnership with Homes For Our Troops, is working together to raise money that will go towards the build of specially adapted homes for our severely injured veterans. SeeHere is offering attractive promotions to consumers who purchase Home For Our Troops stainless steel travel mugs, hooded sweatshirts and canvas totebags. Plus, for every purchase made of these products, Fujifilm will donate $2.00 to this well-deserved organization.

Home For Our Troops - 20% Off Travel Mugs Sweatshirts, & Totebags with coupon code: homesforourtroops now through 12/31/2010.

This would make for some great Christmas presents for Grandparents, New Parents, or hard to buy for people, plus $2 is donated to Home For Our Troops.

Black Friday Sales: Menard's

Menard's has some excellent deals and freebies for Black Friday and this weekend. Check them out here.

Black Friday Sales: CVS

CVS is notorious for some really great Black Friday deals and even freebies, this year is no exception!  Check out the list here.

Black Friday Sales: Walgreens

Walgreens has some great deals offered for Black Friday and also this weekend.  You can check them out here.

Amazon $3 FREE in MP3's!

I have to admit... I am really loving Amazon.com right now!
Amazon.com $3 in MP3's for FREE

Amazon.com new Denim Shop: Cheap Jeans!

When you purchase $100 worth of jeans on Amazon's new Denim shop, you get an instant $20 off your order, plus FREE shipping, plus FREE returns.

 There are some restrictions, but here are the details.

• The promotion is valid for a limited time only. Amazon reserves the right to cancel it at any time.
• If you do not purchase the qualifying items added to your Shopping Cart when the free shipping promotion is in effect, you may not receive Free Super Saver Shipping and Free Returns on Jeans.
• The free shipping promotion applies only to qualifying items purchased from the seller indicated in the offer message. It does not apply to the same products sold by other sellers. For example, if the promotion applies to cookware offered by Amazon.com, the same cookware offered by other sellers on the Amazon.com website (e.g. Macy's, Target, etc.) do not qualify.
• The free shipping promotion applies only to orders shipped via Free Super Saver Shipping to a single address.
• If you qualify for FREE Super Saver Shipping but your order also contains one or more ineligible items, you'll be charged shipping fees for those ineligible items.
• If you are returning items that do not qualify for the promotion with your qualifying product, Amazon may deduct the shipping costs for the non-qualifying items from your refund amount in accordance with Amazon's general returns policy at www.amazon.com/help/returns
• Free Shipping applies to U.S. delivery addresses in the 50 states only, including Alaska and Hawaii. Applies to APO/FPO addresses when using a United States ZIP Code only.
• Free Shipping does not apply to orders placed with 1-Click.
• Void where prohibited.

I haven't seen any black friday sales that would beat this sale.

Cheap Diapers at Diapers.com

From Wednesday, November 25 through Wednesday, December 2, whenever anyone uses coupon code DISNEY, they will get $10 off their first order of diapers or formula at Diapers.com*.


Here is a scenario that will get you some Name Brand diapers for Cheap!

1. Select 5 Packages of Huggies Snug & Dry Diaper - Jumbo Pack $9.99 ( you can choose other sizes/brands as long as your order reaches $49)

2. Mark the box that says Instant eCoupon! Save $1.50 off any Huggies Diapers and add to cart

3. Search for "Wet Ones Sensitive Skin - 15 Count Travel Pack and add to cart ( I have added this to my order because my total went down $1.50 due to the eCoupon, so free wipes!)

4. Go to View Shopping Cart and notice you received FREE shipping.

5. Go down to Promotions and Referrals and type in coupon code DISNEY

6. It will then show your balance of $39.94.

7. Click on the banner stating "Parenting subscription included with your first order..."

When the form pops up, it will explain about the free subscription with your order. If you want the subscription to Parenting magazine, do nothing. If you would like the $14.97 rebate, print out this form, attach proof-of-payment of your Diapers.com purchase and mail in both pieces.

If you do opt to receive the rebate, you will pay a total of $4.99 per package of diapers!!

*$49 minimum total order. Coupon codes can only be used by new customers. Limit one per household. Parenting magazine rebate or subscription for new members with qualifying purchases only.

Free 2-Day Shipping On Orders Over $49.00

5 Favorite Fun & Frugal Activities to do with the Kids during the Holidays

With Thanksgiving just a few days away and Christmas not far ahead, I have been considering fun and frugal activities to do with my girls around the Holidays. When TwitterMoms and Nickelodeon introduced this blogging question as part of a Dora Christmas Carol Contest, I couldn’t resist sharing my thoughts.

Here are 5 things our family does throughout the Holiday season:

1. Who doesn’t like playing games?

My favorite thing growing up was, all the kids would gather together and we would pull out the board games and play. We could play though all the games, one by one.

With all the deals on board games lately, I have been interested in expanding our games closet with all the fun games I remember playing (Battleship, Monopoly, Connect 4), along with all the new ones they create (Elefun, Connect 4x4, Partini).

2. Who is in charge of placing the angel on top of the tree?

Of course, the day after Thanksgiving is our traditional day to put up our Christmas tree. Although, it does take a lot of self control for me to not break down and put it up earlier than Thanksgiving.

I love this time with the family. It seems like it is all smiles as everyone works together to make this beautiful addition to the family room décor. Then you get the next month (maybe two :) ) to be in awe over it.

3. What is your tradition on Christmas Eve?

I have heard the most wonderful Christmas Eve traditions throughout the years. Some traditions are passed along generation to generation and some families create their own traditions.

Our family traditions are no exception. When I was growing up, we would beg and beg my parents to let us open just one present on Christmas Eve and so I have integrated this tradition into our family. The children open one gift every Christmas Eve (which happens to always be pajamas – shhh – I’m sure they will catch on one day), they change and then we all work together to make our Christmas Eve pizzas, for dinner.

4. Do you think all the children will pose with Santa this year?

It is always a lot of fun to head down to the mall and get pictures taken with Santa (and one of his reindeer last year!!) The girls are so excited as we finally get up to Santa. They are picture perfect in their best Holiday dresses, hair in ribbons and pig tails. They hop up on Santa’s lap, with a sparkle in their eyes, tell him just how wonderful they have been this year and pose with the biggest smiles on their faces and off we go…

…. Yeah right! Usually they are impatiently standing in a line (which has 200 other families with their kids nicely behaving) pulling their hair out of their pigtails (which took 2 hours to get them all finished) all to get up to Santa… and one runs off screaming, the other one has a “I don’t have to look at him, talk to him, or smile… but I will stand by him, as long as its 8 feet away” attitude, and then finally my oldest (who has already been through all of these stages) will actually get on his lap and I might get a picture, but it’s nothing to write home about. But we do this every year, not because it ever works out how it’s supposed to, but because the children do get really excited about it.

5. Santa makes a list and checks it twice, have you?

Of course I saved my favorite fun and frugal activity for last… writing letters to Santa. Each year we collect the toy books from Target, Walmart, and Toys R Us. The children then each get a different colored crayon and go through the catalogs and pick out their favorite toys (not very often that EVERY SINGLE TOY isn’t circled).

Then, we begin writing our letters to Santa. I usually print out the formal greeting, “Dear Santa,” on some adorable Christmas bordered paper and let them write out their lists. Of course it has always been a jumbled mess of letters and scribbles, but I reassure them Santa can read their letters. In the past, we have cut out a few of the toy pictures from the catalogs and pasted them on the letters or they have even drawn the pictures themselves.

I find this my favorite activity because we spend time together being creative, the children talk about Santa, the best… the don’t fight and argue about who has which color crayon… because Santa will know they are being bad.

When they are finished, we then send the lists off to Santa (or sometimes bring them to him at the mall).

So what are your fun and frugal activities with your children?