Getting Ready for Jesus's Birthday

We got our Christmas picture done today. Thanks Carrie (nice neighbor that has kids Josie & Asher's ages) for running over before church!

I did most of the Christmas shopping. Just one or two more things to get. We have our fake tree up in the basement. We were going to get a new tree as well for the main floor in our big window, but I think it will only be up 1-2 weeks before we leave. So that is a lot of work for not much enjoyment. We have our Christmas lights up. And Dave just has to decorate the living Christmas tree outside. We do lights and ornaments. :)

So, here is my insider tip for Christmas shopping. I use MrRebates.com. I think every store that I buy from is a member. I even get basics from drugstore.com. And here is why I think drugstore.com is so great. I get all my diapers, wipes, vitamins, toothpaste, deoderant, shampoo, handsoap, handgel, etc, etc. So I don't have to go to Target or Walmart with 3 babies, especially when it is so busy. We just have to order about 5-7 days in advance. I haven't found laundry detergent on there. And tonight I tried to get toilet paper, but since I get the big ones it eliminated the free shipping. Oh, yes - FREE shipping over $49. And you can earn drugstore.com dollars. And they have sales. And coupon codes pop up when you are in between MrRebates and the store you are going to. No taxes either. So it is really way cheaper. About once a month I go to Target and get stuff but that is better than every week. I just log on and get stuff and that takes 5 minutes. They have a box on the homepage that has things you buy and you just click through and throw them all in your shopping bag. I also occassionally get $5 off orders of $50 or $10 off orders of $100. And obviously the rebate from MrRebates.

So now with clothes orders, regular drugstore.com orders, Christmas presents, etc, I have over $100 in rebates coming back. This is all going into the adoption kitty. And I think if you enter my email when you sign up (which is free) a small percentage of your order also goes to me. My email is lotsahughes@att.net.

MrRebates has a product search too so you don't have to look all over the internet. They have sale prices, then the rebate percentage on top of that.

I did buy a bunch of clearance wrapping paper last year after Christmas at 75% off. So I just had Dave stop by the Dollar General right by our house and get some Christmas labels. All of the presents bought are already wrapped.

The kids are just dying with excitement already.