This is the best time to buy holiday wrapping paper. Credit: bonnipink/Flickr
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Judee shared a quick tip:
FIY the Christmas gift wrap at Target is about .30 cents a roll right now. Great time to stock up for next year :O)
The post-Christmas holiday deals only last so long before they sell out or get cleared out to make room for new merchandise. Get on it if you haven’t already (myself included!)
Got a hot tip? Email us.
I wonder what this person received. jessamyn / flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Okay, so you didn’t get exactly what you wanted for Christmas or Hanukkah. So what’s a cheapskate supposed to do? Below I share five options to deal with unwanted Christmas gifts and gift card.
Re-gifting
I’m not a fan of re-gifting because I’ve received really bad gifts. But, I confess I’ve done it – the right way. The trick is to make sure you pass the gift to the appropriate person that will appreciate it. When done properly, it
Happy holidays!!! Credit: cassie_bedfordgolf/Flickr
This weekend I’m looking forward to making gingerbread men, whipping up a batch of my Mother’s chocolate crinkle cookies, and opening presents.
My adorable husband has been asking everyday if he can open his presents and I’m not sure how much longer he can wait!
With warmest holiday wishes,
Julia
Aka Bargain Babe
Are you ready for Christmas? Credit: boneandjay/Flickr
I’ve divided all our Christmas and holiday-related posts into five categories: presents; stocking stuffers + gift tags; things to do; extras; and post-holiday.
If you are still finishing your shopping, good luck! Got a last-minute holiday dilemma? Let the Bargain Babe help!
Presents
Best holiday gifts: gift cards + more
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Soda bottle lantern/Things Deb Loves
I LOVE holiday crafts! They are so sparkly and fun to make with kids of all ages.
Here is a list of 8 of my favorite holiday crafts.
- Soda bottle lanterns. Cut the top off a 2-liter soda bottle. Take off label. Decorate with tissue paper put on with watered down Elmer’s glue. Punch two holes on top and string wire or string for a handle. Put a battery operated tea light or glo-stick inside. This is more beautiful than you can image. (more…)
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
aaron13251/flickr
The holidays bring so much wonderful food and drink…all of which can be spilled, splatted, dropped and oops-ed. Knowing how to remove stains needs to be part of your Holiday Survival Guide.
The cardinal rule of stain removal is that the sooner that you can get to a stain, the better the chance that you can fully remove it. Therefore, knowing what household items will remove which kind of stain will make you the hero of the day.
BaconThenEggs / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Want to save even more money on Christmas? Here are eight homemade stocking stuffer ideas you can make if you are on a tight budget. The best part is that you don’t have to be super crafty to make them.
Send a silly Diwali Gram!
You’ve heard of Elf Yourself, the popular Office Max campaign where you can turn anybody into a silly, dancing elf.
But have you heard of Diwali Gram? It’s even sillier than Elf Yourself because you can turn anybody into a shimmy-ing Bollywood star. You can change the type of dance, the music, which body parts are moving, and the costume. I’m a fan of the belly dancing outfit. It’s a great time waster.
Note, if you are looking at this at work, the Diwali Gram page automatically plays music!
Diwali is a Hindu festival of lights that is sometime between mid-October and mid-December each year. Read more about Diwali on Wikipedia.
Thanks, Katherine!
Free shipping day is Dec. 16!
There is scant time to finish your Christmas shopping online! Most retailers require online purchases to be completed by Dec. 16, 2011 to guarantee Christmas Eve delivery.
If you do not finish your online shopping by tomorrow, you have two options.
1. Pay a ton for expedited shipping.
2. Fight the crowds at the mall, then package your gifts, wait in line at the post office, and pay for Priority or Express shipping.
If you shop tomorrow, thousands of online merchants – 2,339 to be exact – are participating in Free Shipping Day. What that means is that these 2,339 merchants all offer free standard shipping AND guarantee your gifts will arrive by Christmas. Some have minimum spend requirements, others don’t. Most allow dollar off or percentage off coupons on top of free shipping, which is hot.
If you need gift ideas, check out the 10-day Bargain Babe Hot Holiday Gift Guide for unique gifts, electronics, gift card deals, and a lot more.
If you are having a hard time coming up with a gift or finding a good deal, let the Bargain Babe solve your holiday dilemma.
When you shop online, get a cash back rebate on every purchase by shopping through Ebates. Don’t leave money on the table!
Can't wait to make a Buche de Noel! Telephone Melts / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Tis the time to haul out the bakeware! I love baking, especially in the cold weather months, as it warms up our home. It’s been really cold in L.A. lately! Below are a few dessert recipes I’m planing to make for our different Christmas celebrations.
Gingersnap Pear Cheesecake – In my post about non-traditional Thanksgiving desserts, I said how much I love cheesecake because of it’s versatility. For Christmas, try one with pears and a gingersnap crust. The flavors complement each other wonderfully. Best thing is that if you know how to make a basic cheesecake, you can have this done in no time. Another thing I like is that it travels well to parties and it can be made ahead of time.
My eye! Credit: Nieve44/La Luz
Are you having a hard time finding a great deal on a particular present?
Can’t think of what to buy for your _____?
Not sure where is the best place to buy a particular gift?
Struggling with how much to spend on a friend?
Unsure how to cross everyone off your list without going over budget?
Need help setting a Christmas and holiday shopping budget?
Let the Bargain Babe figure it out! Ask your question by leaving a comment and we will respond within 24 hours, if not sooner.
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Romantic Crafts/flickr
I love homemade holiday gifts the best. Anyone can go to the store and buy something, but it takes time and thought to give someone a gift that you made.
Here are 7 unusual frugal and homemade holiday gifts. For more gift ideas, check out the Bargain Babe Hot Holiday Gift Guide.
- Firewood. With all the recent storms, it is possible that you are now in possession of lots more wood than you need. Bundle it up and give it as gifts to those you know with fireplaces. Include a couple of mugs, hot chocolate mix and marshmallows. (more…)
Since we finished the Bargain Babe Hot Holiday Gift Guide Friday, I’d love to know your thoughts! Your feedback will make next year’s gift guide even better!!!
I was surprised by how creative this lady from CreditCards.com wraps her gift cards. Very inspiring!
Gift cards make a great gift!
Phew! Today’s post on the best overall gifts brings the Bargain Babe Hot Holiday Gift Guide to a close. After 10 days, I’m all shopped out! We’ve also suggested electronics gifts, gifts at Sears, toys for kids, mens’ shavers, gifts for teens, unique and quirky gifts, All You mag gifts, restaurant gift certificates, and gifts for men and women.
Gifts cards are a thoughtful gift that is easy for the giver and receiver. No guessing what size or brand; no returns. You can make it a thoughtful gift card by picking a store the recipient loves to shop at, and by wrapping it in a special way. (This video has three great ideas for creative gift card wrapping.)
Kindle Fire is HOT!
The most sought-after gift cards,
