Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Christmas Gifts that don't break the bank!

Kaley over at Cha-Ching on a Shoestring is posting a series about how she'll be spending less than $50 on Christmas this year, basically by using all the great resources she's accumulated through the year. This has really inspired me to start looking for ways to save without scrooging this Christmas. Here's what I've done:

Search & Win
  • Cashed in my Swagbucks for Amazon gift cards. Swagbucks is a site that allows you to search and earn "Swagbucks" just for searching the net! If you're not yet a member, I encourage you to join by clicking on the banner above. You'll be on your way to your own Amazon gift card in no time, and I'll get a little bonus in my Swagbuck account too. (Thanks.)
  • Cashed in my "MyPoints" for Amazon gift cards. MyPoints is a site that lets you earn points by reading emails that they send and visiting various sites. You can also earn points through shopping with MyPoints and even printing coupons! I like that I can not only earn points, but that I also learn about new websites that I might not otherwise have come across. (If you join through the link above, I'll get a one time referral bonus. Thank you.)
  • One of those new sites that I found through MyPoints, was Early Moments. They are offering membership into their Baby Einstein Playful Discoveries program. You pay only $4.99 for shipping and receive 2 high quality board books, a cloth book, music CD, tote bag and Playful Discoveries Cards. There's no obligation to buy anything else. I ordered this for our little guy a few weeks ago, with every intention of putting it under the tree for him. I received the package today, but half the contents were lost in transit! I called their customer service department and they said that they will be sending me an entire new package. They were easy to deal with and I have high hopes going forward. I know that there is some controversy around Baby Einstein, but we enjoy their DVDs *sparingly*. We also have another Baby Einstein touch and feel type board book that baby T enjoys. If you have a baby on your Christmas list, this is a $5 gift that will feel like a lot more! By the way, I don't get anything if you order from the above link.
  • I am seriously thinking about buying a Leap Frog Tag Junior system for baby T. Coupon Carol has the details on how to get one at Target for under $15. It seems like a good price, but I don't know a whole lot about the toy itself. Anyone else know anything about this toy?
What are your plans for the holidays? How are you making the most of every penny this year?

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for the link, Jamie! Glad to hear that you are finding ways to save this year as well.

    I have not purchase the Tag Jr., but we have the Tag Reader System for my four year old and he LOVES it. I took both of the boys on a trip yesterday (1 1/2 hours each way) and found myself thinking how GRATEFUL I am for it. It kept my son occupied for a good deal of the time. My one year old enjoys it as well...he just doesn't know how to use it correctly yet. =)

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  2. these are great ideas, thanks! my plan this year involves a pact with my parents, brother, and sister, to only exchange homemade gifts. we did it last year, and it was tons of fun- the "gifts" were maybe not the fanciest items, but we all had a very good time! i will be doing my best to supplement other gifts with homemade items, too- good for the environment, the wallet, and fun for me! speaking of, i need to get started!

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