Shopping in Advance

[leasmom]

This year I decided to start early since I have my daughter's birthday, mine, my niece 4 days later and my nephew a month after that to worry about. I decided to shop in advance and get it all out of the way. For my daughter, I placed a few items in the layaway, that way its still held there, just in case they sell out of an item and I can pay on it a little at a time. I also purchased something off amazon.com. Actually, I won a gift certificate that came to my email. I used it for a gift for dd and didn't have to pay but for the shipping and handling. For my niece, I purchased books off of amazon.com and will be doing the same for my nephew. All of this is several months in advance. I will be working on Christmas in September. My sister and I are already planning what we will be buying for xmas. My sister is going to have her sister-n-law send some toys she left at her home to her as 'new' toys for her kids.

I was going to purchase birthday supplies at the Goodwill but found that the prices were pretty much the same as a regular store, so I can't avoid the cost of that. As far as food goes, my daughter's birthday falls upon Labor Day, so we're having a regular cookout that day and buying a small cake with cupcakes and keeping the 'party' between the family members. We are also taking dd to the zoo as apart of her birthday and we are combining professional family pictures to mark the birthday of all of the children.

[ajrsmom]

Hi Leasmom, Welcome to Family Corner!

You are doing a great job preparing for things in advance!! Every year I say that Im going to do the same thing but I end up buying at the last minute. This year, Im kinda making plans for our tax refund check. We are going to use some of it to buy a big Christmas gift for my son. At least that will be one gift out of the way!! His birthday is in Oct. and I dont even know what to get him yet!! He starts school this year so this will be the first "real" party he has had. Im frugally trying to plan it.

Do you have a Dollar Tree Store near you? They have some nice party supplies.

I like the idea of going to the zoo too. My Ds would love that.......HHMMM......could be the begining of a great theme birthday party!!

[leasmom]

The prices are higher, but I found some good backpacks for $5. I bought two more with supplies for my nieces. My sister will be buying underware and socks and sending it off to them for school.

This is the first year I ever did things in advance too, I really, really like it, so I'll be doing it early every year. It feels good to know you don't have to worry about anything cause its already done!

[motherof2]

I try to catch things on sale and buy early if the money is there but sometimes I forget and get caught buying at the last minute as well.