So after my not to pleasing experience grocery shopping, I decided I was going to try & do as little store shopping as possible, especially without Pat.
So last night I was meddling around online... & before I knew it I had figured out what I wanted to get everyone & where I was getting it from. Now I didn't purchase anything right away because I know I am an impulse shopper so I slept on it. Well until at least 4am when I woke up, started making lists of who & what & how much & decided that what I had come up with the night before was perfect. But I still didn't buy anything.
I know I said in a prior post that I was going green, but one I don't have the green to "go green" & two I don't have the time or patience.. so maybe next year.
So there were a few who are just impossible to buy for.. so I knew what stores they frequented & decided gift cards. This was perfect because you can buy almost every kind of gift card at shop rite now & I had to go there anyways to get stuff to make cupcakes & brownies for Alyssa for school.
Then I was looking at the toys on walmart for the little ones, & decided I would head there because their shipping costs are nuts & figured if I went early enough it shouldn't be that bad. I only picked walmart because I have made it through 9 years of my daughters life without EVER stepping foot inside a toys r us & I don't plan to break my record now that & its right near shop rite & I don't have to venture to UGH Middletown. So I found what I think to be the perfect gifts for all the kiddies.
So its 7:30am & I am antsy, I have a plan & a course to follow this morning & I want to get it done... But Alyssa doesn't go to school till 8:15... Yes but that is when the bus comes... School itself doesn't start till 9 & if I was to leave now. I have been up planning this for 3 hours already.
OK get the kids dressed, tell Lissi I am driving her to school but we have to run to the store first so she maybe a little late. Get Taylor & her stuff ready, wash my face, brush my teeth & hair & we are out the door. 7:45.....
Into shop rite directly to the gift cards... Scott, Mom & Joe, Dad & Noreen -check check check
A visa gift card in case I cant get to the bank to transfer monies & I need to buy something else online (its a sickness people) food coloring for the icing, holiday cupcake cup thingies, brownie mix, vanilla cake mix & we are out. The baking isle was conveniently located at the foot of the gift cards... Express lane, no line... NICE!! 8:30....
Over to the dollar store... Wasn't on the plan but I always have to go there. Tissue paper, boxes, labels, tape, toy for Lissi for dealing with her crazy mother, 8:45... she can be 15 minutes late.
Had to get gas cause Alyssa freaks out if it is anywhere near the E, so $10 & almost a full tank, got to love the beater for that.... Onto Walmart
In walmart, 3rd spot from the door.... Sweet, cart in front of the car, wonderful, b-line to the toys... This is going awesome & then ... They have NOTHING on my list... CRAP. They have what I want for Mia & Sophia but it is like $15 more in the store. Now I am not cheap but if I can get it cheaper I will... So no toys... OK furry clog things for Aunty... Got them, Slide on shoe things for Pop that he is always asking for but I can never find in plain colors. (think he is too old too pull off the cool skull ones).... they have them... & in his size.. beautiful.... sweater for Nan who states she is putting on weight & needs new clothes... Sweaters are on sale... fantastic... Gift card for uncle Jim to buy his Cd's... express register with no line, walmart gift card for me in the amount of the remainder of the gifts I do have to buy online for the kiddies so once again I am not using the bank account.... 9:20
Off to Dollar General in Port for the pajamas my mom wanted when I was in there with her.... Pull in get cart, find size, pay & back in the car... 9:40...
Drop Lissi off at school... Apologize to Taylor for all the in & out... Sit in car & check my list... Everyone is done that I need to go out for. To the house to do our online shopping....
Home about 10:15 after getting milk & mail... Taylor is sleeping, & I am online... Kev,Em, Meg, Ant, Kris, Dan, John, Nick, Liz, Krissy, Mia, Sophia, Jocelyn, Riley, Jesse, & Little Kev.... done done done done done done done done done done done done done done....Only people left to get are my mother & father in law... 1 of which I know what to get but Pat has to pick it out & the other... no clue yet but I am thinking of stuff...
So in the matter of 2 hours I bought gifts for 24 people & I wasn't stressed out even once... The best Christmas shopping EVER!!
That is until Pat & I go to shop for Lissi & Tori & Taylor this weekend... but at least we have each other to calm the other down or hype the other one up.. Either way I wont be alone.
Come to think of it we need a tree too... Oh well I guess saturday after santa & cookies at Emily's!!
No comments:
Post a Comment