On my to-do list today was to wrap presents. Part of my weekend to-do list is to clean out the room where all of the presents are, so I wanted to get them wrapped and out of the way before Lily accidentally peeks at them.
This year was supposed to be a really small Christmas. We are going to Disney World a few weeks after the holiday and were going to take Lily on the Pirate and Pals Firework Voyage, which was going to be her big gift, running us about $160. Well, after looking into it further and talking with a wonderful Cast Member at Disney, we decided that Lily is a little too young to really enjoy all that it has to offer – especially for that price! So, although I thought in October I was done shopping, I decided to spend a little more! Realistically, she needs none of it!
I love to spoil that kid! She plays with all of her toys and loves them. There are certain things she is very into – she is very much a girly-girl, so I carefully selected every toy I purchased! Something I don’t love is how much toys can cost. Those suckers add up so quickly! Lucky for Lily, I never ever buy anything full price, so I was able to get some phenomenal deals. I tell you, shopping early is the key!
Without further adieu, here is Lily’s Christmas Gift List… totaling $104.93! If I would have had to pay for it all, it would be over $300 and that was at sale prices!
Doc McStuffins Table and Chairs – $20
Little People Aladdin Flying Carpet – Free
Doc McStuffins V-Tech Clipboard – Free
Doc McStuffins Microphone – Free
Vegetable velcro cutting set and boards – Free
Rapunzel high heels – Free
Melissa and Doug Cookie Sheet Set – Free
Rapunzel doll – Free
Sleeping Beauty DVD – $23.99
Goofy Stuffed Animal – Free
Belle and Beast Little People Set – $4.99
2 pair of Disney Pajamas – $4.99 each
Doc McStuffins Operation Game – $19.99
Gone Fishing Game – $4.99
Sophia Tea Party Game – $4.99
Hook Playset – Free
Ariel Pajamas – Free
Cinderella Shirt – Free
Little Critters Book – $6.00
Disney Jr. Book – $6.00
Stitch Ornament – Free
Sophia the First Ornament – Free
Total – $104.93
As you can see, this kid is not being neglected, is still getting her favorite characters and toys, and I didn’t have to break the bank!
So how did I get all of those free things? Well first let me tell you that only two things on this whole list did I pay full price for: The Doc McStuffins Operation game and Sleeping Beauty on DVD. I will also tell you this, I *thought* the operation game was only $8.88 on black Friday, but apparently the Doc version was not included. The signage was terrible and I tried to get Wal-Mart to honor the fact that the game was in the $8.88 section, but they would not. I almost did not buy it, but knew it would be a big hit for Lily so I went ahead and purchased it. I will also tell you that I only shop at Wal-Mart once a year for their Thanksgiving sale, but after this year, I don’t think I will be back. I didn’t feel their sales were anything spectacular! The Sleeping Beauty DVD came from our Disney Move Club membership and truthfully we only got it because I forgot to decline it. I knew Lily would love it, so I kept it for her! Everything else, including the free items, I got on sale!
The Doc McStuffins Clipboard is my favorite deal because I “worked” for it! I used my swagbacks rewards to accumulate Amazon gift cards and ordered it there. The Goofy doll and Hook playset were BOGO at the Disney Store and everything else free was because I used gift cards we got for Lily’s Birthday that I saved!
To top it all off, I am getting $7.50 back from E Bates for ordering everything – so basically for all of the free things I got, I am making $7.50! Now that’s my idea of shopping!
Stay tuned for how to make money and save money on your every-day life and especially at Christmas! If you aren’t doing these things, you are doing it wrong!!!