And So It Begins!

[Merry Sage]

There's a wee card shop next door to where I work. Unfortunately, their closing down, however the stock is all going for half price or less. I've scooped wrapping paper (seasonal and all purpose), gift bags, two boxes of gorgeous Christmas cards and a special card for hubby!

Anyone else got started yet?

[Jinglebelle]

I guess I've started... more like I never quit! cheesy

Merry, I bought a ton of the cutest cards last year, after Christmas for 90% off.... and I won't need any for a few years! But I tell you... if I see any that I can't live without, I'm sure I'll get them.

I did stop by a novelty shop a couple of months ago that had left over ornaments and were selling them for a quarter each... I bought every one they had. Some had been 6 and 7 dollars each.... I got a GREAT deal!!

I also look for decorations at yard sales, and thrift stores... I got a pre-lit 7ft tree for $10.00, it's nice.... a battery operated dancing Santa... and some other cute stuff.

:sparkle:

[dominick]

After Christmas sales are always a great deal.

[Merry Sage]

After Christmas sales are always a great deal.

Helps if you have some cash after the holidays. Being on a tight budget all the time is a real pain.

[dominick]

I hear ya, but if you're the type that buys a few new decorations every year during the season, don't. Instead, save your money and wait until after Christmas and you can easily get three times as much stuff for the same money. Plus, then it gets packed away immediately and it's like opening presents when you go to take your decorations out!

[Merry Sage]

I keep me eyes peeled year round. Interesting what you sometimes find in the Summer months.

At the mo, I'm happily printing off and organising my Holiday planner for the three best months of the year; October, November and December. :yahoo:

[Christy Carol]

I buy alot of my Christmas decorations, gifts and knick knack stuff right after Christmas, the stuff that I want to give co-workers, neighbors, etc. Then yard sale season comes along and I pick up more decorations. Amazing the stuff that people buy and then don't use or don't want after one season.

[dominick]

You have to figure a lot of them were gifts (the newer stuff). It may just not be their taste.

[Merry Sage]

They don't do yard sales here. Car boot sales (stuff out of the back of the trunk), but you have to drive miles out into the country and squish around some farmer's muddy field. I keep a weather eye out in the charity shops and you never know what gem you might find in the small specialty shops in the off season. I found a gorgeous Christmas themed peg dolly in an artisan shop in a market town about half an hour away. She was less than half price. I was sorry they only had the one.

[sarahelizabeth]

I live right down the street from a Hallmarks store(located inside a strip mall), and it is the BEST place to go when you're feeling the Christmas blues. I was there not long ago to get gifts for my brother's graduation, and they had a few Christmas things about! I resisted the temptation, as I don't have the money, but boy was it tempting! It won't be long before they start stocking up on Halloween goodies! :D

[Merry Sage]

Hallmark do some nice decorations for Christmas.

[Minta]

I bought my cards, wrapping paper and name tags last year after christmas so I am set for this year. I did however buy 3 gifts over the weekend at 75 % off.

[Merry Sage]

Most of the stores here have their "End of Season" sales on already. Is that the case over there too? I've noticed the sales start earlier each year. At this rate, the Christmas stuff will be in the shops in September so they can put it all on sale in November.

[Merry Sage]

I was feeling a bit fractious. I popped on Merry Christmas radio. Got to hear Vince Guaraldi's O Christmas Tree. The Charlie Brown Christmas version. :grin:

Much better!

I also spotted Season items, still in the boxes but by the shelves, in the local craft shop. I popped in for some straight pins. Ever tried to get a sneaky peek w/o attracting sales clerk's attention. cheesy

[caseydbell]

It's only early July, yet Christmas is already going up in some stores

[Minta]

Most of the stores here have their "End of Season" sales on already. Is that the case over there too? I've noticed the sales start earlier each year. At this rate, the Christmas stuff will be in the shops in September so they can put it all on sale in November.

Actually the gifts I bought the other day were winter clothes. I got a snowman turtleneck and 2 fleece shirts for my mom and paid less then $7.00 for all 3. They are starting ti mark down the summer clothes to make room for the fall and back to school stuff.

[MarthaK]

Yesterday in the mail I got the Terry's Village "Holiday Preview 2007" catalog!!! I love it!! The front says "Order Early! Save 20% plus free delivery!"

No end of season stuff here!!!!

HoHoHo, 2007 is off and running!!!!

[SnowMaiden1018]

Its funny, cuz my kids JUSt got out of school and I walked into my local walmart and there staring me right in the face is big ole 'Back to School" sign!! WOW. What a way to remind me that there is still 2 whole months left til they go back!!! But Anyhoos, right behind it was a big pile of boxes marked with CHristmas trees and the like, and whoo hoo!!! Forget back to school, put out some tinsel, and stuff!!! LOL

[Minta]

They have started putting out the back to school stuff in our walmart too. Next it will be halloween stuff and then Christmas.

[HoosierChristmas]

I went to Hallmark the other day and they had their ornaments out but we couldn't buy them until next weekend. So we're going back!

[SnowMaiden1018]

Theres a post on here somewhere that said that Hallmark is Unvieling thier Christmas Ornament collection this weekend!!! Im excited to see it!!!

[dvdguy]

yes somebody posted it

[SnowMaiden1018]

Im sorry lol...DVDGuy Posted it in another thread!!

I was searching for the post so I could update the last one I posted...Sorry!

:)

[dvdguy]

its ok, with so many people these days its hard to keep track

[SnowMaiden1018]

Thank you :)