Traditional Valentine’s Day gifts – What do you want?
Sometimes I have super interesting and random conversations with my daughter and today, like many other days, we had one of those conversations. We began by talking about Valentine’s Day and all of the different Valentine’s Day gifts people give and receive. She is sure that her valentine gave her the VERY BEST gift ever; it is a HUGE stuffed puppy dog. It is super cute, super fluffy and very sweet. We then turned to talking about all of the other traditional gifts people give and somehow we started weighing the pros and cons of them. She suggested the topic would make a fun blog, and she’s right! I think I have a budding blogger here and I am proud. When it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts, what do you give and what do you want to get?
Flowers
Flowers are one of the most classic and popular Valentine’s Day gifts. So many people love getting them and so many people love giving them. I love getting flowers, I think even simple flowers are beautiful. I love getting them all year round except for around Valentine’s Day. The frugal shopper in me cringes every time I see the prices of flowers during the years Valentine’s Day gifts push by retailers. I usually encourage my husband to think beyond flowers for Valentine’s Day. But if he finds a good deal, I’ll be happy and love getting flowers for Valentine’s Day.
Stuffed animals
These Valentine’s Day gifts are a favorite, especially among the teenage crowd. Stuffed animals range in size and price making them an affordable choice for almost everyone. Most people I know don’t mind an occasional stuffed animal but there are some households who feel overrun with them. If you feel that way about stuffed animals, think twice before grabbing them for your kids as Valentine’s Day gifts.
Chocolate and candy
This is probably one of the oldest and most long running Valentine’s Day gifts traditions. Chocolates and candy hearts have been popular for generations. Today the choices are many and the cost can vary from candy conversation hearts costing under a dollar to gourmet chocolates costing over one hundred dollars. Candy becomes a bad idea if your sweetheart is dieting, has allergies or other diet restrictions.
Jewelry
Although it is a pricier option, jewelry is still another one of the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts. Rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets all seem to be big hits when it comes to Valentine’s Day. Just like the other options, you can spend a few dollars or even thousands of dollars. When buying inexpensive jewelry watch for imports with potential lead content. Make sure jewelry for children is safe and not a choking hazard. If you are going to spend a lot of money on jewelry for Valentine’s Day gifts, be sure you know the jewelry tastes of your sweetheart.
Does one of these Valentine’s Day gifts sound just perfect to you? Do you have another favorite? Let us know! We love to hear from you!
Grab those Christmas clearance items!
Remember when we talked about how much I LOVE Christmas? I absolutely love this holiday. I love the the family fun, the decorations, the happy kids, the gifts, the candy – all of it! It is just so much fun. I’m guilty of buying too many funs things for Christmas. But I am also guilty of buying lots of fun Christmas things for AFTER Christmas. I love Christmas clearance items!
I know some of you are shaking your heads in agreement. You know exactly what I am talking about. But I am sure there are some of you wondering what I could be talking about. Why would I want a bunch of Christmas stuff when the holiday is over? Why would Christmas clearance items excite me? What could I be doing? The answer is easy – LOTS of things, a little bit of everything and anything. Sound intriguing? I think it is.
The truth is there are Christmas clearance items in so many departments. Items you have thought of and others you have not thought of – they are Christmas themed and go on clearance. The discounts can be huge. And most of the items have uses beyond December 25th. These are just a few of my favorites:
Gift Wrap and Cards
This is my favorite item to grab when I spot a good sale with Christmas clearance items. There are so many different uses for cute gift wrap. Wrapping paper, bows, gift bags, tags, tissue paper and more – there are so many great items on clearance now. Grab year round colors for use around the year and grab some cute paper for next Christmas. Pick up blank, non-seasonal cards for use year round or pick up next year’s Christmas cards. You’ll be glad you did!
Candy
I remember talking about Christmas clearance items and candy with an old neighbor one time. I was shocked when she talked about buying the candy and putting it away for next year. No, nope, eeewwww, icky, that’s not what I mean here. No way. Candy is candy and it can be used for lots of things past Christmas. Think of upcoming birthday parties, classroom parties and other places you’ll need some sweets. Grabbing cheap clearance candy now can be a huge money saver later. Grab Christmas colored M&Ms and use them on Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. There are lots of candy items that can be used beyond December 25th.
Clothing
There are lots of Christmas clearance items in the clothing department. I love to watch the sweaters and pajamas go on clearance. There always seems to be some at our local WalMart and lots of solid colors or designs. That’s not just for Christmas! Another of my favorites is socks. There are often packs of socks/stockings/tights that are in colors, patterns or prints that work beyond Christmas.
Toys
These Christmas clearance items are great finds! There are two kinds to watch for and finding both is awesome. There are lots of little toys that are used as a non-candy alternative to stocking stuffers. Those make great birthday and classroom holiday party handouts. The other toys to watch for are regular toys packaged with a Christmas theme. These make great gifts and often it is just the wrapping that is Christmas themed.
Décor
There are lots of décor items out around Christmas that can be used all winter. Winter décor involves the same snowflakes and snowmen. Watch for items to use all year too. Also watch for Christmas clearance items to decorate with next Christmas. Sometimes you are lucky enough to snag that décor that was just too pricey before Christmas.
Grocery items
There are lots and lots of grocery items packaged for Christmas. Cookies, cake mix, brownie mix, frosting, marshmallows, cereal, the list goes on and on. Most of these are no different than the regularly packaged items. Grab them when you see them with the other Christmas clearance items.
Paper products
Plates, napkins, cupcake liners, party décor – there are so many Christmas clearance items to choose from in the party supply aisle. Save some Christmas themed items for next year. The prices are low and no one will care if you serve next years’ treats in goodie bags you bought this year. Grab some solid colored items to use at other events. Red plates and napkins work well for Valentine’s Day. Green plates and napkins will be fun at that St. Patrick’s Day party.
See why I love the Christmas clearance items? They have so many uses. Do you grab some Christmas clearance items that we forgot to mention? Let us know!
Hershey’s Candy Assortment (Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, Whoppers, Kit Kat and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups), 100 Pieces – $9.99!
Perfect for trick or treating!
Hershey’s Candy Assortment (Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, Whoppers, Kit Kat and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups), 100 Pieces
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Hershey’s Snack Size Assortment Bag (Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Whoppers, and Milk Duds), 140 Count
Price: $7.63
Eligible for free shipping on $35+ orders or on ANY order with Amazon Prime.
Don’t have a Prime membership? Get a one month free trial! Click here for details!
Halloween Candy On-Sale Online from Walmart!
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Cadbury Easter Creme Eggs 48 Count Only $21.26
Cadbury Easter Creme Eggs 48 Count Only $21.26
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Don’t have a Prime membership? Get a one month free trial! Click here for details!
HURRY!! $2/1 Brach’s Candy Coupon – Possible Money Maker!
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Candy Basket Salted Milk & Dark Chocolate Caramels or Pumpkin Assortment, 32oz $23!
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Leftover Halloween Candy Traditions : The Switch Witch
Although I love candy, I have never really thought about it being in my home as much as I have in the past year. Last December my oldest son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. This has changed how we perceive food as a family. I was surprised to find out how healthy we ate after attending nutrition and wellness classes with my son. So my shopping routine has not changed so much but I have become very aware of the food I stock in my pantry.
On the day after Halloween I’m pondering how to rid my house of the goodies my children collected last night. I’m not opposed to candy and I don’t tell my diabetic son he can’t eat it. He’s a regular kid and likes his treats too. It just takes a lot more thought and timing when it comes to the food he puts into his mouth in order keep his blood sugars in a heathy range. (I’m sure all parents of diabetic children can relate.)
In keeping with the Halloween fun, I think I might start the tradition of the Switch Witch. After Halloween she comes to gather all of the uneaten candy. The kids can pick a few of their favorite candies and then pile the rest on the kitchen table. During the night the “ Switch Witch” will come and collect the candy. In exchange she will leave a non edible treat for them. I’m hoping this will help take the sting out of limiting the overall candy consumption in our home, especially for our younger children.
Please share your tips for handling leftover Halloween Candy in the comments below. 🙂
Image courtesy of [digitalart] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Top 10 Favorite Halloween Candies
As a child I remember bringing home a pillow case full of goodies that I gathered from the neighborhood on Halloween. After my parents sifted though my loot and gave their stamp of approval my work began. Beginning to sort through the candy, I placed my treats in categories, digging for my favorites first. Reese’s and Snickers were always on the top of my list. They must have been on my mother’s too because I vividly remember her digging through my candy for the same favorite candies. Now that I think about it I’m pretty sure she was establishing a tradition that I need to carry on as well. Tonight I will sift through my children’s candy and ask to share in the sweetness too!
My children love to trick or treat and are always excited about the treats they gather. When you send your kids out what do you hope they come home with? Halloween Candy polls that ask , “What’s your favorite Halloween Candy,” all come to the conclusion the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are the most popular Halloween candy among trick or treaters in 2012. Candy Corn hit the bottom of the list as the least favorite Halloween candy.
Here is a list of the top 10 Favorite Halloween Candy
1.Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
2.Hershey’s Chocolate Bars
3.Milky Ways
4.Kit Kat
5.Snickers
6.Twix
7.Skittles
8.M&M’s
9.Nerds
10.Twizzlers