This Holiday Season See How Sears Can Help

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Danskin 55 cm. Core Ball, Swirl with DVD - Burst Resistant
Stamina Products Pilates Premier
The Four Agreements by Ruiz, Don Miguel
Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Millman, Dan
The Mastery of Love by Ruiz, Don Miguel
A New Earth by Tolle, Eckhart
Cook With Jamie by Oliver, Jamie

This prize pack includes one of my favorite books. it's called The Four Agreements. I read this book when I was providing hospice care for Alice. It really changed my perspective. I am happy to see he also included A New Earth by Tolle, Eckhart. I just finished reding this book a couple of days ago.

I loved his blog post because he also mentioned about how Sears is working with the Heroes at Home Program As an Army mom I can't thank him enough for mentioning that program.

Check out what Chris bought at Sears and see how you can win too.

CHRISTMAS GIFT RECIPIES FOR THE COFFEE ADDICT IN YOUR LIFE

Although I don't drink coffee, I know that many people do and some people are willing to even pay $4 for a small cup of coffee. Want to give that coffee drinker in your life a special gift? I've included some made to order coffee recipes below:

Less Bucks Cafe Vienna

Ingredients:
1/2 cup instant coffee
2/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup nonfat dry milk

Directions:

Stir ingredient together.
Process in a blender until powdered.
Pour in decorative jar or small plastic container and attach the following instructions: Use 2 teaspoons to one cup of hot water. 35 calories each


Less Bucks Morning Mocha Expresso

Ingredients

1 cup instant coffee
1 cup sugar
4 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk
1/2 cup cocoa

Directions:
Stir ingredients together.
Process in a blender until powdered.
Pour in decorative jar or small plastic container and attach the following instructions: Use 2 tablespoons to one small cup of hot water. Serve in demitasse cups 60 calories each.

Less Bucks Alpine Mocha

Ingredients:
1/2 cup instant coffee
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup nonfat dry milk
2 tablespoons cocoa

Directions:
Stir ingredients together.
Process in a blender until powdered.
Pour in decorative jar or small plastic container and attach the following instructions: Use 2 tablespoons for each 4 ounce cup of hot water. 40 calories each.

Less Bucks Cappuccino

Ingredients
1/2 cup instant coffee
3/4 cups sugar
1 cup nonfat dry milk
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel

Directions:

Stir ingredients together.
Process in a blender until powdered.
Pour in decorative jar or small plastic container and attach the following instructions: Use 2 tablespoons for each cup of hot water. 40 calories each.

Less Bucks Butter, Nut, & Rum Coffee

Ingredient:
1/3 cup ground coffee
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon butter, nut, & rum flavoring

Directions:
Blend coffee and dry ingredients in a blender.
Blend in flavoring and extracts.
Scrape sides of blender and blend 15 seconds more.
Place coffee mix in a filter. Place filter on a square or plastic wrap. Draw together with a ribbon. Make this gift extra special by placing the wrapped filter in a coffee cup. Bonus points for a personalized one. (Remember that's why people pay $4 for coffee at Starbucks because they write your name on the paper cup)
Makes an 8 cup pot of coffee.

Make your gift special by branding it. Starbucks does with their little mermaid. Use your computer to create a logo and attach it to the gift. We call mine Less Bucks but I'm certain you can come up with just as good a name for yours. Perhaps your logo can include a picture of your family and something like: Copeland's Coffees a pleasant morning jolt of inspiration. It's all about presentation.

Now go get busy because Christmas is just a few days away.

What's Free Under The Tree

Like so many others, we’ve cut way back on spending this Christmas. Then again I’ve always been able to buy super gifts that have the Wow factor for the recipient without the Oww factor for my wallet. Let me share what’s under the Thrifty Maven’s tree this year.

For hubby there is an 11x14 collage photo poster from Snapfish. I bought it when they were running a special for free shipping and I was able to use a credit I had for a free poster. Mr. Thrifty and I have been married for seven years now and I thought he’d appreciate a collage of happy moments we have spent together. The other gift he will be opening come Christmas day is a mouse pad which features a photo of us taken on our last vacation. This was another free credit I had earned on Snapfish and I ordered it when I ordered the poster. I was also able to take advantage of a promotion advertised on Oprah for a free 8x10 hard covered photo book. Hubby and I had won a weeks’ vacation at an all inclusive resort in St. Lucia and I used the pictures from this vacation to create a unique gift. Out of pocket for hubby this year? ZERO dollars but don’t tell him because he’ll think I spent a fortune.

Hubby has learned a thing or two because I do know that I’m receiving something from Victoria’s Secret. He’s not as good at keeping secrets and besides I had to go with him to pick my gifts out. I’m really big on shopping for gifts all year. This is a HUGE savings. Twice this year Victoria Secret sent us a coupon for a free pair of panties. They even put the panties in the cute pink bags and I’ve spied them under the tree.

The grandkids reaped HUGE benefits this year from my sweeping hobby. They received those Indiana Jones Lego sets. Altogether these Lego sets were valued at over $300. I won them though but the grandkids won’t care if I won them or bought them. Total out of pocket for their gift, $20 and that was for shipping.
Speaking of wins I sent the boys gift cards that I won. Dan, my oldest received a $100 gift card from AMC Bowling Centers. Michael received a $25 gift card from Barnes and Noble and a $25 gift card from iTunes. Total cost of their gift under a dollar for stamps.

The big gifts this year haven't arrived yet and are free!!!!!!!! I won FOUR computers. Hubby will be getting a new touch screen, the boys will each be receiving a new HP notebook computer, and I will be gettng a new notebook computer and printer. This was an amazing blog contest and as soon as I receive this prize I will tell you more about it.

I realize not everyone enters sweepstakes and contests but if you are interested I will be posting articles about sweeping.

Do You Regift?

Today’s Thrifty Moment is a touchy one for some, it’s regifting. Surveys show a slight majority of people believe that regifting is acceptable. Which means that the rest of those surveyed think regifting is, well cheap.

So how can you regift without appearing tacky?

My first suggestion is don’t regift a gift to the original gift giver. We’ve all heard horror stories about such events. I remember going to a bridal shower once and the bride opened the gift to find a pair of silver engraveable goblet’s. As she pulled the goblets out of the box a small card fell to the ground. The card revealed the proof that this was a regift. On it was a card that said “Best of Luck always to you both Elizabeth and Bill. Love Alma” The problem was Alma, the bride to be had originally given the goblets to Elizabeth who had not only regifted the goblets but forgot to remove the original card before wrapping.
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You can avoid this faux pas by keeping a notebook for this purpose or even sticking a colored 3 x 5 card in the box with the name of the gift giver and the date given written right on it. Make sure you TAKE THE CARD out of the box before wrapping.

In the same vein don’t give partially used gift cards. Some gift cards say clearly they are for $50. Even if you still leave $25 on the card it still looks tacky. Unused gift cards can be nice gifts but make sure they are for things that the recipient would like. I certainly doubt that my seventy year old father will be buying anything from the Express store in the mall.

One of the worse gifts I ever received was a perfect example of regifting gone awry. I was given a vacuum cleaner for Christmas by a relative. Now perhaps the fact that the gift was “wrapped” in a trash bag should have signaled to me the quality of the gift. Now I’m no vacuum connoisseur but even my untrained eye could tell that the vacuum had been used before. I thanked her for her thoughtfulness but to this day I will remember that I had to change out a full vacuum bag before I could use it the first time.

While I’m at it let me suggest that you wrap the gift with fresh paper. Nothing screams regifting so loudly as torn is torn or crinkled. Oh and trashbags? Not always such a great idea.

So do I regift? Yes. As a matter of fact that’s what we are going to take a look at right now. The other day I received this cute little door hanger. I really don’t have any use for it, but like many regifters, I’m hoping that it will find a nice home elsewhere. This regifting is the perfect kind. The person who gave this to me does not even know the recipient. It’s also a perfect regift because I can use the original packaging. Talk about being green.

As a matter of fact as long was we are talking green let me show you the next gift. I’m using a Starbucks bag. I love these little bags because they have the handles and Starbucks SCREAMS indulgence. In this gift I’m placing a small cosmetic case that I won. The case had an ARV of $10 so just throwing that someone’s way might be nice enough if you were doing a secret Santa. Because I actually work directly with the recipient I’m adding some special touches. I’m enclosing some lipstick that I got as a free sample earlier this year. It’s a full-size sample and most importantly it doesn’t say sample. I’ve also placed

So Merry Christmas and a Regift New Year.

Hooked on Reading

Hi I'm Cathy and I'm addicted to reading. I can't go anywhere without a book. If I'm without a book for too long a period I go through withdrawals.

Perhaps you know someone like me. Is this person on your Christmas List? Not certain just what book to buy your bibliophile? Well have I got good news for you. Thrifty Jinxy turned me on to a book club after my own heart.

It's called Book Swim. You can rent hardcover and paperback books and the best part is they are sent directly to your house. My husband and I have netflix and this works the same way. You request a book you receive a book. You read the book. You return the book.

Worried about shipping? Don't be shipping is FREE both ways!!!!

Late fees? NOPE There are no late fees or due dates.

What about choices?

They're all here, best sellers, the classics, new releases and so much more. As a matter of fact on the home page one of the featured books is a book I read last month. The Black Swan. Very interesting book, oh there's some math involved but this book really gets your mind working. For example, what are the odds of flipping one coin 50 consecutive times and having it land heads up each and every time. No I'm talking about a real coin with a heads and a tails. Why is this worth knowing? Read the book and find out.

What about price?

You can get your first month of unlimited books (3 books at a time) for only $9.99

Thrifty Jinxy is my Secret Santa

Since I'm a subscriber to Thrifty Jinxy I've been getting great emails every day about exciting Christmas gifts and GIVEAWAYS!!!!

As some of you know I have an absolutely beautiful Granddaughter. Since I'm Queen of my own little Universe that makes her my Little Princess. Finding just the right gift for my royal grandbaby was a bit difficult but I think I've found it.

Princess Debut

It's a game that's great for your gammer in training. It's easy to learn but it's challenging enough so you don't tire of it quickly.

Right now you can get it for $28.99 with free super saving shipping.

So check it out. Click here to be taken to the GIVEAWAY.

Oh one more exciting thing. This is the second time I've blogged about Thrifty Jinxy and how I really like the site. Well today I noticed that I, that's right me me me, MY Site was listed as a link to the post. It was in the number one position no less. You know they say don't you? You're judged by the company you keep. Well I'm really excited about the company I'm keeping.

Check out Thrifty Jinxy and the 25 Days of Christmas. There are great gift ideas for everyone. The right gift for your special someone might be right under your nose.

A Gift That's Uniquely Yours

As a Grandma, I can say with a great deal of authority that the gift I'm hoping I will find under my tree this year will be ANYTHING with photos of my grandkids. (IMHO the most beautiful kids in the world).

I just love Shutterfly. You can create great gifts like mugs, tees, aprons, and more that would rate a TEN PLUS on the happiness scale for recipients.

This Christmas I am giving my husband several gifts I purchased from Shutterfly. One is a collage poster. I incorporated photos of some of the happy times we've spent together over the years. I also made him a mousepad with a special photo taken at our wedding. I can't wait to see his face when he opens it. He always said he loved that photo and now it will always be right there for him to see.

I've always included family photos with our cards and this year is no different. I know my Mom and Dad just love getting photos. Guess that's where I got it from.

Anyway. If you haven't already opened an account now is the perfect time. Just by joining you get 25 FREE (that's as in no cost to you) photos. Already have an account? NO PROBLEM. There are two more great deals going on right now.

You can get Free shipping on $50 with code SHIP50.

For everyone: Buy an 8x8 photo book, get 30 free 4x6 prints with code AF73-SAVE through this link. This deal is good until January 6, 2009. I love their photobooks and I recently made one with photos taken on our last vacation. We went to St. Lucia and stayed at an all inclusive resort. It was AMAZING. Now our photobook will help us treasure these memories.

A Very Etsy Christmas

Etsy and it's sponsors are giving you a chance to win over $750 in prizes.

So how can you have a Very Etsy Christmas and an Etsy New year? What kind of prizes are they offering? Well read on and you may just be able to tell Santa, "That's OK we already have everything for Christmas this year."

First

The Sponsors:

Children
This and That - $20 gift card
Red Pajamas - Little Man's Tie ($8)
Baby Luv Gifts - Cute Custom Beanie ($15)
Baby Bears - $25 gift card
My Custom Baby Boutique - $25 gift card
Baby Goin Places - PocketChanger Diaper Changing Pad ($25)
Layla Legs - $15 gift card & free shipping
Second Story Window - $10 gift card
Inspiring Color Tie Dye - Youth pullover hoodie rainbow diagonal or swirl ($30)
Baby Peas - boy or girl cloth play blocks- set of 4 ($18)
Abby Chase Designs - Lotus Hair Flower ($13.50)
Tadpoles and Tutus - $20 gift card
Make it and Love It - onesie/bootie set of choice (14.99)
PiggyTails Boutique - Christmas tutu and snowman wand with a matching personalized bow ($26)

Jewelry
Four Dog Day - Cute Pink Key Ring ($8)
Jupita - $20 gift card
Zeba - Coin Pearl Earrings ($20)
Jodi Horgan - $25 gift card
One of a Kind Custom Jewelry - $20 gift card
Across The Pond - choice of any vintage button ring ($14)
Kerstin Hanson - $20 gift card

Bath and Body
Krug's Eco-Logic - $15 gift card
Indulgent Creations - Soy candle travel tin, soap and lotion ($16.50)
koko candles - holiday brownie cupcake candles ($25)
Dazzle Dott - $20 gift certificate

Especially for Mom
Mary Zoom - Pink Polka Dot Glam Cleaning Gloves ($10)
Maggie Sue Designs -A cup cozy and coordinating set of Tame Your Mane ponytail holders ($12)
Gaia Conceptions - "My Everything" piece (clothing, $40)
BoojiBoo - apron of winners choice (only ones in stock, $28.75)
Stones of Healing - $20 gift certificate

Yummy Treats
A Sugar Affair - $10 gift card
Cakebox Cookies - $20 gift card
A Thyme 2 B Comforted - $25 gift card
Double Dipped Sweets - $20 gift card
KE Cookies - One dozen chocolate chip cookies ($8)
AngelPie Cookies and Cakes - One dozen decorated sugar cookies ($18)
Meg's Creations - 2 pack of cookie and brownie mix ($24 including shipping)
Cookie Art by Sarah - One dozen sugar cookie snowflakes and $25 gift certificate ($53)

Paper Crafts
Paper Treasures 4 U - 2 page 12''x12'' Christmas layout ($9)
Inkspot Workshop - 1 Set of 6 Snowman Gift Enclosures 1 Set of 6 Tree Bird Gift Enclosures ($12)
Take Note - 1 set of personalized notecards ($15)
Articulations - 6 lunchbox love mini cards ($5)

Now How you do you win? Well check out the Busy Mom Blog

Then you can take a look at some of my favorite sites like:

1. Baby Bears which specializes in personalized items for your baby.
2. Across The Pond where you can Buy any two items in my shop and get one of equal or lesser value free
3. Indulgent Creations where EVERY order receives a FREE SAMPLE of a different scent!!!
4. boojiboo specializes in vintage inspired aprons for adults and children. We even have reversible bibs for the little ones in retro prints.
5. Cakebox Cookies has DELISH Gourmet, Hand-Iced Shortbread Sugar Cookies
6. Take Note has this great offer BUY ANY 3 NOTE CARD SETS AND YOU'LL GET THE 4TH SET FREE!! They make great stocking stuffers, gifts for friends, teachers, coworkers and hair stylists.

When I was typing up my favorite stores from each category I could just hear Julie Andrews singing "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things.

So don't miss out on this great contest and buy some great gifts from some really super ladies.

It's Christmas People

Please remember that there is nothing....NOTHING at the worth your life.

There is NOTHING at the Walmart worth hurting others!!!!

There was just no reason that a Walmart store employee should be killed or a pregnant woman be thrown to the ground to miscarry. People shouldn't be shooting each other at the Toys R Us or at the Mall

It's Christmas people. It's supposed to be a time of good cheer. Everybody get it together and try to love one another right now.

(click links to view the tragic holiday news)

More free christmas music

http://www.bacardi.com/#/us/en-us/holiday_dvd/holidaymp3

doesn't just have a contest for Bacardi holiday recipe DVD (ARV $10) it also has several free music downloads for christmas.

enjoy

free christmas music

I think this is a sweet home made gift. people say that they like home made gifts and in these troubled economic times I'm sure we'll see more of them.

For FREE christmas music that you can download to I-Tunes check out

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20081118_tows_holiday/2

It's good for Thanksgiving day only so hurry.