Sometimes shopping for gifts for stockings can be the most fun. This year’s guide features everything from musical instruments to books.

Something Everyone Could Use

One of my goals for 2011 is to keep my office desk more organized so I was happy to receive this custom made calendar from Tukaiz http://www.tukaizproducts.com/  The desk calendar stands 5″W x 7.5″H with a built-in easel and costs $14.99. The wall calendar is the classic 11″ X 17″ hanging calendar with double-wire binding and costs $19.99.  

 Blooming Buddies

No stocking for the children would be complete without a book and this one really caught my eye-

 Blooming Buddies in the Garden, A Book of Blooming Verses, by Deborah Donner and Wendy Peterson $16.96 http://www.bloomingbuddies.com/  (they also have stickers and decals that make perfect stocking stuffers too) 

 For the Fitness Enthusiast

When I belonged to a health club one thing that always concerned me was the germs that might be lingering on the handles of things like bikes and weights. PhitGrip http://www.phitgrip.com/  is the solution. They’re a anti-microbial workout grip and available online at  for $9.99 per pair, and will soon be available in gyms and fitness centers throughout the United States.

Learn to play a musical instrument for under $10

One of my childhood ambitions was to learn to play piano and here’s a gift so inexpensive that just about everyone in the family can learn to play. They look like ceramic animals but are actually musical instruments. The Killer Whale Ocarina http://www.stlocarina.com/k1.html and Blue Dolphin Ocarina http://www.stlocarina.com/k2.html each retail for $9.99.  And while you’re on the site check out the Teacarina, they’re on sale for $18 and seem like loads of fun!

Call Someone For Christmas

Many of us  have family members who live miles away or perhaps have someone serving overseas in the armed services. And maybe like me, dropped your long distance service in favor of calling cards check out Nymgo www.nymgo.com, They offer low prices for international calls. For example, calling the U.K. costs $0.008 per minute compared to Verizon’s $0.06 per minute on a landline and $0.26 from a mobile phone. 

 One for the Guys…maybe the girls too

During the economic downturn there’s been lots of talk about people learning to cook to save money so this gift seems ideal. It’s a book called Food Stories by Denny Stanz who out of necessity learned to cook for himself. $14.95, www.dennystanz.com  

Something We All Need To Read

Health care costs are set to rise yet again so this book is a must read and the ideal stocking stuffer for us all. It’s Healthcare on a Budget $15 www.docforall.com It contains plenty of tips on how to save on medical bills and services. And Dr. Petter will be offering us more money saving tips on the site in 2011.

Holiday Gift Guide #4

Here is the last of this year’s holiday gift ideas. Some of these items are not only a budget friendly price but a few of the companies are donating part of their proceeds to various charitable causes.

Next week it’s the Annual Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide featuring as always items under $20.

Saves Energy

I love gifts that are practical and if they save me money too so much the better. This one fits the bill-forget the tangled mess of cords and the need for multiple outlets – charge all of your family’s devices and gadgets in one place; stay organized and clutter free.  By providing kids (and husbands) a simple, convenient place to keep their gadgets magically charged and ready to go, Powermat is mom’s answer to the time-honored question “where’s my stuff?” 

And Powermat stops sending power when a device is fully charged, which saves energy and that also means you don’t have to worry about batteries being worn down by overcharging.  And it’s safe – it helps reduce the interaction of kids with electrical outlets and it’s completely harmless to touch. http://www.powermat.com/ Prices start at $39.99

Picnic Fare

I love gift baskets and packages and Go Picnic has some containing lots of goodies for $24.99 – 29.99. They also have a wide assortment of snacks that I think would be perfect if you wanted to make up your own gift baskets this year. They’re available at Amazon and also at their own site www.gopicnic.com

Fun and Good For You

This next gift idea looks like it’s fun and educational too.The Good Thinking Kit price $19.99 features over 100 activities to help improve memory, critical thinking, coordination, visual perception and word skills. It’s available from Marbles, the Brain Store and if you have one near you; check it out. One has just opened at my local mall and it has lots fun things, most of which aren’t that expensive. www.marblesthebrainstore.com   

Sweet Treats

I always have to include one sweet treat in the guide-Biscoff cookies are made with all-natural ingredients, no artificial colors or preservatives and contain no trans-fat or butter (and 30 calories per cookie). Biscoff Holiday cookie tubes are available online at http://www.biscoff.com/

Pricing: Each flavor-packed tube comes with two extra large Biscoff cookies –$14.95 (plus shipping) for a set of six tubes.

Also check out their other gift packages which are all reasonably priced.

( Lotus Bakeries will donate 10% of each purchase of the Biscoff Holiday Cookie Tubes from October 1 to December 31, 2010 to Teach For America (www.teachforamerica.org))

Book and Stuffed Toy Combo for under $15

Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales children’s educational board books illustrate the lives of two rescue dogs…Val is a Hurricane Katrina survivor and both are now pet therapy dogs. Their book and stuffed toy combo is just $14.95 and a portions of the proceeds is donated to animal rescue operations around the country. Visit www.brandyandval.com. And they wanted me to tell you that now through December 15, if you order from them and mention Help Save A Stray, they will send you a free mini-Brandy or mini-Val toy.

Training Socks

This one is not only cute for children but practical too and lots of designs to choose from-

EZ Sox are the world’s first training socks for toddlers. http://http://www.ezsox.com/ Price-$4.95

Stop Wasting Money

This one really caught my attention. It’s a book titled Stop Wasting Money by Carol and Norm Coots. I’ve seen a copy of it and while I haven’t read the whole book yet, it looks like it’s full of great tips about ways to improve our spending habits. The authors also have a money saving blog (In fact, I’ve asked them to be interviewees for Budget Smart Girl in 2011). Check out their site and book at http://www.stopwastingmoneybook.com/. It’s $24 and they send you a free e-book with more money saving tips. You can also purchase the book for $21.55, plus shipping from Amazon http://http://tiny.cc/2qhlq

100 Ways to Save Money

Many financial books seem unrealistic for the average person to follow but every once in awhile I find one with some practical tips that we can all use. Check out 100 Ways to Save and Grow Your Money: Financial Fitness for Regular People by Peter Sorrells (who will also be an interviewee on Budget Smart Girl in 2011) Price is $18.21 at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=100+ways+to+save+and+grow+your+money&x=13&y=20

Help for Just About All of Us

Every now and then problems with our computers puzzle all of us. Sometimes finding outside help can be expensive and most of the time the answer is simple. I’m sure everyone on your list would appreciate this book. Is This Thing On: A Computer Handbook for Late Bloomers, Technophobes and The Kicking and Screaming by Abby Stokes. Price $15.95 visit http://www.abbyandme.com/ and the book can also be purchased at Amazon.

Cookbook for The Budget Minded

The author (Woodrow Wilson) of this book sent me an e-mail that started with the words ‘do you have champagne taste and a beer budget?’ He went on to say a great meal doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. I think we all agree with that. The author has put all his great meal ideas into a cookbook. The Champagne Taste/Beer Budget Cookbook. I haven’t seen the book but recipes such as pork medallions stuffed with bleu cheese sound like gourmet cuisine. http://http://www.booklocker.com/p/books/4255.html?s=pdf

Price e-book $8.95 print book is $12.95 plus $3 shipping

More ideas for Holiday gifts…

Christmas Cookie Care Package

 It wouldn’t be the Holidays without cookies and I thought this was a novel idea from The American Lung Association. The Cookie Care Package ($25) includes three Christmas-themed cookie cutters, the Christmas Seals apron and an 11 oz package of sugar cookie mix with red sprinkles. And everything is packaged in a festive white box so no gift wrapping is required.

They also have their 2010 Christmas Seals Collectible Ornament ($7.95) which is shaped like a present with a festive red bow, features Santa’s very own reindeer.

Visit www.shoplungusa.org/xmasseals/   (I’ve seen both of these gifts and I think anyone would be happy to receive them).

Kits for the Children

It’s not always the computer games that get and keep the children’s attention but sometimes things they put together themselves are the biggest hits. The Museum of Craft and Design Store in San Francisco has a whole bunch of great kits to check out including Knit it Monkey kit, is $23, Stitch it Flowerly Handbag Kit is $25,Ann Albers Jewelry Studio Kit is $15, Build it Bird Café Kit is $23

www.shop.sfmcd.org.

More Toys for Children

Here are some more ideas for the children…

Sakar International- www.sakar.com   has teamed with many exciting brands of children’s toys to offer such items as Leapfrog Camera: The Leapfrog camera (SRP: $49.00) talks and gives kids a way to document their world. Afterward, simple but creative software lets them manipulate their creations and mold them into their own. And Hello Kitty (SRP $19.99) introduces new light up boards- a creative way to leave that little morning note for your daughter, or her to you.  The back of the light up boards feature four powerful magnets, and an opening to allow them to be placed anywhere.

Feel Like Royalty at a Budget Smart Price

Don’t know about you but getting a message or facial is a wonderful luxury. Check out Massage Envy who offer gift cards starting as low as $49. They have 640 locations in 42 states. Massage Envy gift cards can be purchased online and e-mailed directly to the recipient. Go to http://www.massageenvy.com/ for locations and additional information.

For Our Four Legged Family Members

I have to admit I’m one of those people who can’t resist buying a gift for my cat. It’s usually something inexpensive like a catnip filled toy and if you want to put something under the tree too, check out these products from Hartz  http://www.hartz.com/holiday/index.html) (various prices)

Something for Everyone on Your List

Here are some ideas that I think will take care of most people on your list…best thing is none of them will break the bank.

The TagAlong™ Portable Boombox (MSRP: $59.99) and PurePlay™ Portable Speaker (MSRP: $69.99) or Wake Up in Style with a Clock Radio Dual Alarm (MSRP: $69.99) and Clock Radio Mini Alarm (MSRP: $49.99)

Products are available for purchase at www.Amazon.com, http://www.bestbuy.com/  Detailed product information may be found at http://www.memorex.com/.

IKEA

You know how much I love browsing the kitchen gadget department at IKEA so I couldn’t put together this gift guide without telling you about a couple of ideas from them.
The IKEA Soft Toy program, which launched in 2003, is designed to help spread joy to and make a positive difference in the educational needs of children across the globe. FOR every soft toy purchased from now until December 24^th, IKEA will don’t 1 Euro to UNICEF and Save The Children. Prices range from $.49 to $19.

And another IKEA product that might make a great gift is the Sunnan solar desk lamp. It runs on solar cells that transform sunlight to electrical energy, combining low-energy LED technology with solar panels.  Just charge the solar panel for 9 -12 hours in the sun or on a window sill and get four hours of full light. It’s available in assorted colors for $19.99 at IKEA stores nationwide. www.ikea.com

Mommy and Me

And for the ladies and little ladies on the list, check out all the cute things including Mommy and Me slippers at www.judiflowersfootwear.com (various prices) 

Book Ideas

I don’t think you can ever go wrong giving someone a book and here are two titles that were brought to my attention and both are in my pile of ‘to read’. The first one is Rise Above by Ralph Braun an inspirational story detailing his triumph over a physical disability. Here’s what Tom Brokaw said, “This is a wonderful story of how one man’s disability and ingenuity led to a better life for those unable to walk especially military veterans. Ralph Braun found another way to serve his country.”  The book is hardcover and costs $24.95. Readers can buy the book off of the Braunability website at: http://www.braunability.com/rise-above.cfm or at Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Above-Search-Mobility-Helped/dp/0984338004/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1288895318&sr=8-7

All proceeds from the book go to The Ralph Braun Foundation whose mission is to help provide accessible transportation to those without the financial resources to purchase BraunAbility products.

The second one is THE CHRISTMAS GIFT by R. William Bennett, $14.95 Hardcover. It’s a powerful and moving fictional story about compassion and forgiveness.www.rwilliambennett.com

Here is the second of the annual holiday gift guides-

Etsy

I was going to mention Etsy www.etsy.com  in my upcoming article on last minute gift ideas but then two people contacted me telling me about their Etsy stores so here they are. The first one is Minor Obsession featuring one of a kind jewelry, and second one, Spritely Moon offering some cute hats and accessories (various prices)

http://www.serena1394.etsy.com

http://www.spritelymoon.etsy.com

Post Holiday Workout

Don’t know about you but when January rolls around, clothes start to feel snug. Giving the gift of a personal trainer is probably out of reach for most of us but this 6 Week Workout Program is a fitness book could be the next best thing to give to someone. It tells you everything you need to do while at the gym: a picture and description accompanies each exercise, when to do the exercise, and even how much rest to give yourself while working http://sixweekworkoutprogram.com   $25

More Fun Ways to Get in Shape

And if the gift recipient hates exercising, how about dancing away the extra pounds? This DVD looks lots of fun and the whole family can get involved too. $28.95

www.muve.com

For Your Pets

I have a few pet related items to tell you about and here’s the first. Old Mother Hubbard snacks for dogs. These products are natural too and they offer over 15 varieties including Wheat-Free, 5 Calories and Classics. (various prices)

www.oldmotherhubbard.com

Games for the Family

When I was growing up one of my favorite things about Christmas was the games I received and the fun time we had with everyone sitting around the table trying them out. This one fits the bill ($29.95)

http://TelestrationsEffect.com

Thoughtful Gift

Sometimes gifts that are practical are the most appreciated. If someone on your list has stiff fingers and joints or just does lots of writing these pens are perfect. A set of 3 is $25.

www.ugleepen.com

For the Hobbiest

One of my new pasttimes is flower arranging and if someone on your list shares that hobby this is ideal. I’ve seen an actual copy of it and it’s not only beautifully illustrated, it’s packed with ideas and simple steps to follow too, print book is $15.95 and the e-book version is $12.95

www.flowersmadesimple.com

For the Cook

I received information about a lot of cookbooks this year and narrowing them down was tough. You know how much I enjoy a trip to Trader Joe’s so these got my attention. The brand new Cooking with Trader Joe’s Cookbook: Dinner’s Done! $24.95 hardcover, the cult classic Cooking with All Things Trader Joe’s, $29.95 hardcover, and the new Trader Joe’s Companion, $13.95 flexibind). 
www.cookingwithtraderjoes.com.
 

Being Budget Smart Means Being Safe

Seems every time I sign up for a newsletter, shop online, etc. I have to create a new password. Experts say you shouldn’t use the same one twice, but oh, does it get confusing with so many to remember. I often forget them, have to search through my files or ask to be sent my password. When I saw this product I knew I had the answer and I’m sure anyone on your list will appreciate it as much as me.

The SplashID Key Safe (www.splashdata.com/splashid/keysafe) is software stored on a USB thumb drive in the shape of a key. Insert it into any computer’s USB port and you will have secure access to all your most secret information: passwords, account numbers, PINs, web logins, frequent flyer numbers, etc. When you remove it from the computer, not a trace of data is left. And there’s much more room on the USB drive than what is required for SplashID, so you can use it to store any other kind of data too. The SplashID Key Safe, based on the software for Smartphones, PCs and Macs The SplashID Key Safe retails for $29.95.

Artwork

What better gift than a piece of art someone can look at every day and think about you. The following artist has mix of landscapes and stills with some prices as low as $45.

www.melodytheartist.com/landscape.html

Here is the first of this year’s BSG Gift Guides. These are items that are also being offered as a giveaway prize too. Rules are simple-either e-mail me or leave a comment on the site telling me what giveaway you want to win. Winners will be picked at random. Giveaways are open to US residents only and will be mailed to you by the sponsoring company/business. You have until midnight Eastern time on November 30^th, 2010 and I’ll announce the winners on the blog the following Monday. Good luck to everyone and don’t be shy about entering.

And a big thank you to all of the following companies for offering these prizes.

Giveaway #1

A Fine Romance…

If you’re a fan of romance fans you probably already know about bestselling author Debbie Macomber. Last year one of her classic reads, Mrs. Miracle (Avon mass market paperbacks) ($7.99) was not only reissued but also made into a TV movie, Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle, which became Hallmark Channel’s highest rated movie of 2009. The sequel, Call Me Mrs. Miracle, was released in book form as a gift hardcover Sept. 28, 2010, and Hallmark Channel is premiering Debbie Macomber’s Call Me Mrs. Miracle November 27 at 8 p.m. EST/ 7 p.m. CST.What better holiday gift for the whole family than the DVD of Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle ($20.95) coupled with the gift hardcover of Call Me Mrs. Miracle ($16.95) for the reader or readers in the family? Who knows, perhaps watching both movies together will become a new family holiday tradition! One winner will win a copy of the DVD and hardcover book. If you’d like to purchase any of these items, visit a retail vendor, in person or online, where books and/or DVDs are sold.

Giveaway #2

As a cat owner, this one got my interest straight away-

If It Weren’t For the Laughter, Life Would Be a Scream $9.99, is a collection of life experiences that the author, Kathryn Olszonowicz, that there is much humor in life, in ordinary and extraordinary circumstances. Her second book, My Cats’ Christmas $13, is written in Seuss-like verse that tells children the tale of an adopted feline family that celebrates their first Christmas together — and how they actually create their own holiday tradition that makes everything that much more special. One winner will win a copy of the book of their choice. If you’d like to purchase either of these titles visit… 

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=kathryn+olszonowicz&x=18&y=17

B&N:

http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=kathryn+olszonowicz

Giveaway #3

Here Comes Sonic…

SEGA‘s upcoming release, Sonic Colors, is Sonic The Hedgehog’s new high speed adventure for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. The game prices for 49.99 and 29.99 on the Wii and DS.  “Sonic Colors” releases on November 16th in perfect time for holiday shopping. The game is rated E for Everyone and is a great present for the entire family.  One winner will win a copy of Sonic Colors and if you’re interested in purchasing it, visit http://www.gamestop.com/gs/landing/soniccolors/?loc=wiirt_sonicc.

Giveaway #4

Games Galore….

MumboJumbo has a great assortment of family-friendly Nintendo DS and PC games that retail for around $20 and make a fun addition under the tree for almost anyone on your list.  For the Nintendo DS player, check out MahJong Journey Quest for Tikal, Midnight Mysteries The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy, and Samantha Swift and the Hidden Roses of Athena—all are available at retailers nationwide.  Whether you’re looking for a good puzzle or a fun mystery to solve there’s also a great assortment of PC games including Pure Hidden, Nancy Drew/Samantha Swift 2 Pack, Games4Girls Volume 2, and Midnight Mysteries Salem Witch Trials that are now available at Walmart stores. And, exclusively for the holiday season at Target and Best Buy, MumboJumbo has full PC games for only $4.99—the ultimate in fun little stocking stuffers or handy white elephant exchange gift. These are full PC games that previously retailed for $20, but are offered at this special price for the holiday season. There are eight titles to choose from, and they can be picked up at any Target or Best Buy store nationwide.  To cap off the holiday season, MumboJumbo also has shipped in cute holiday Stockings Full of Games to Sam’s Club and GameStop stores.  These stockings, available in green and red, each contain an assortment of five full PC games, and they retail for under $20.  With so many options ranging from $5 to $20, these games fit any holiday budget and offer up family-friendly entertainment with ratings ranging from E for Everyone to T for Teen.  Visit http://www.mumbojumbo.com/ to find out more information about the developer, or check out online retailers like http://www.amazon.com, , or www.target.com to score these fun holiday gifts.  One winner will receive MumboJumbo’s green Stocking Full of Games along with an assortment of stocking stuffer titles so that they can give the gift of games this season!

Giveaway #5

Convention Tickets

One type of gift I love to receive is one that you can enjoy later in the year, this one fits the bill-

Comicpalooza is the premier comic book, sci-fi, fantasy, anime and pop culture convention of Houston, Texas, and features three days of activities, events, and attractions. Artists, writers, Hollywood celebrities, voice actors, directors, stunt men, astronauts, athletes, and many other industry professionals will be on hand for autographs, panel discussions, and workshops. Play laser tag against stormtroopers, enter costume contests, step into VR pods to battle your friends mech-to-mech, game all night, discover rare finds in the dealers room, watch a zombies vs. super heroes roller derby scrimmage, enjoy  a concert, and participate in many other activities for you and the whole family. Comicpalooza will be held May 27-29, 2011 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Box office admission is $45 for an adult 3-day pass, but can be purchased throughout November for only $30, and 3-day child passes for only $12 each http://www.comicpalooza.com/ Two winners will each win a free pass.

Not A Giveaway but…

And thought I’d squeeze this one in here, not a giveaway but Home Depot sent this to pass along to you, seems like they have some sales and deals on appliances-

http://homedepot.shoplocal.com/homedepot/default.aspx?action=entryflash&THD_LOCSTORE=2679%2bSouth+Bay%2fBoston+-++Boston%2c+MA%2b39&THD_MINICART=

Don’t know if you’ve started your holiday shopping yet but here are some sites you might like to check out, one, for comparing prices, two, gifts with proceeds going to good causes, and three, ones where I found some interesting products and/or free shipping. I didn’t quite know how to fit them into the Gift Guides so here they are-

Once in a Blue Moon

You might remember me mentioning this online thrift store www.gone-tomorrow.com  awhile back. They have some great finds and the owner, Sharon asked me to point out the military survival bracelets that support those people serving our country. Just $5 and made by an army wife.

What’s a Special Deal?

Sometime a price looks good until you do some research. I was sent information about this site and thought I’d pass it along to you-

The holiday shopping season is upon us but deciding what presents to buy friends and family during this heavy spending season can be difficult when there are so many product promotions touting “special deals.” How can consumers wade through the madness and really tell what gifts will be the best investment? Introducing http://www.consumersearch.com/ ConsumerSearch an award-winning website that does the homework for consumers, helping them to make the best, most informed shopping decisions. The site’s team of professional editors analyzes a mix of expert and user-generated product reviews and recommends the best products to purchase based on their findings. Editor-in-Chief Christine Frietchen has many years of experience evaluating product reviews and advising consumers about smart ways to shop. She is a recognized consumer expert and was recently featured on NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128516251.

Price Deals and Budget Calculators

Here’s another site I was sent information about and the best thing is it has a holiday budget calculator and money saving tips-

http://www.offers.com/  provides consumers in the U.S., U.K. and Canada with a one-stop-shop for the best deals on the web sorted by categories ranging from travel to fashion/beauty, home goods, electronics and more. Each year, Offers.com features a special Holiday Savings Center featuring the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. It also has a holiday budget calculator and money-saving tips developed by the Offers.com editorial team. The site compiles coupon codes, free shipping offers, as seen on TV offers, free trial offers and more.

 For Some Good Causes-

 World Wildlife Fund

WWF’s Gift Center on Facebook allows supporters to make a donation and select a symbolic animal adoption from a list of more than 100 species, ranging from favorites such as tigers, pandas, and polar bears to a new barn owl, brown pelican, and a tub of cubs among many others. 

All symbolic adoption donations made through the gift catalog come with a formal adoption certificate, a color photo of the adopted species and a species description card.  Adoptions of $50 or more come with a soft animal plush of the adopter’s choosing and are shipped free to anywhere that the United States Postal Service delivers. Symbolic adoption donations levels range from $25 to $250, with gift proceeds directly funding WWF’s  on-the-ground conservation work addressing threats such as animal poaching, pollution, climate change and habitat loss http://www.worldwildlife.org/. 

Mom’s Best Naturals

A company that’s been a friend of Budget Smart Girl from the beginning sent me this- 

It’s the season of giving – and for Mom’s Best Naturals, that means giving back to the community. For the month of November, we’re donating a serving of cereal to Second Harvest for every new “like” on our Facebook page, in honor of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 14-20. 

For just a few seconds of your time and the click of a mouse, we can help fight hunger. We’d love your help in getting the word out, so that our donation can make a bigger impact.  http://www.momsbestnaturals.com/  

Kraft Foods

Also, helping to fight hunger and giving you a $5 coupon is Kraft Foods, go to http://www.kraftcheese.com,/ print your coupon for $5 off your next purchase of five Kraft cheese products and when you redeem it Kraft Foods will donate five meals to Feeding America.

Interesting Site

Someone sent me a link to this site that has various inventions people have made-

www.inventhelpstore.com

Follow Those Sales

And here’s an interesting site someone set me and they’ve done some work for you, listing on sale items under $100 on this one page- http://www.followsales.com/l/h/100  

Check Out Prices at-

Here are three sites I often visit when I compare prices-

http://www.pricegrabber.com/

http://www.bizrate.com/

www.nextag.com

L.L Bean

http://www.llbean.com/ is offering free shipping, no minimum order and if you spend $50 you get a $10 gift card. I love stores that offer me something too when I buy a gift!

Some Fun Stuff

Every year I receive a catalog from this company, http://www.bitsandpieces.com/ I haven’t bought anything yet, but they have some fun stuff you don’t see in the stores.

I Spy Santa

And finally, someone sent me information about this very cute site. If you have a child who just can’t wait until Christmas Eve to look out for the man in red, check this out-

http://www.ispysanta.com/ launching in mid November, children will explore the North Pole, play reindeer games, write letters to Santa and watch elves makes toys and Mrs. Claus will be reading a story to the children each night. The site is $9.95 for an unlimited membership from launch through Christmas Day, with Santa making his first appearance on Thanksgiving Day. 10% of all proceeds are
donated to charity and if a non-profit uses our business as a fundraiser, they receive 25% of all proceeds directed by them to the site.