Let me share what I have been doing for the past 2 weeks.
Planning for Chrismtas 2011.
Yes!
It sounds silly I know.
It sounds silly I know.
But doing it this way saves mucho time and money later on.
I am shopping all the terrific sales this time of year in stores that are really quiet to meet all our needs for next Christmas….at 60% to 75% off.
There are two types of buying that I do for Christmas:
1-Things bought every year like boxed cards, special cards, Christmas crackers, wrapping paper and stickers.
2-Things bought every 4-5 years to change things up a bit or to replace what has been broken or damaged or tired looking.
1-Things I buy every year for our Christmas Celebration:
Christmas Crackers. 50% off =$3.94
Mini-crackers for $1.44.
Boxed Cards 50% off=$3.00.
75% off these cards-
Stickers for .69 cents.
I love using stickers for decorating packages that go in the mail!
Special cards for family members…these are Carlton cards that ranged in price from $3.39 to $6.99 regularly…I got them for $1 each.
2- Things bought every 4-5 years.
2011 is the year for some NEW decor.
{Can I blame this on my 14 yr. old daughter?}
You see, we have NEVER decorated for Christmas in red and green.
NEVER in 15 years of marriage.
When Hunter and I were decorating the tree this year, she said she would like to have a “Who-ville” tree next year.
And when I think about how she’s 14 already and in a few short years she could be out of the house…well…we are going to HAVE A WHO-VILLE tree next year…and that’s that.
Our WHO-VILLE TREE will be FUN, COLOURFUL and WHIMSICAL..full of candy and treats
and ALL 75% off. This entire lot cost around $40.
Who-ville looking trees for $2.00 and $3.00 each.
A felt tree skirt $6.74.
Fun ornaments in candy colours for $2.49 a container.
Lollipop garland for $2.49 each.
Felt ornaments for .50 cents each.
And candy-inspired ornaments…
Love these felt snowflakes with a hand-stitched look…
And my most favourite of all….these silver glass ornaments from Zellers at 60% off at $1.99 each.
So exquisite and pretty….
Come next November, I will be ready to start Christmas decorating knowing that I have everything we need.
I will still keep all my blue and green ornaments…they will just be part of my own little decor store in the storage room. I packed everything away this year in recycled shopping bags sorted by colour so that next year I can take whatever colours I plan to use without having to dig around. I have silver ornaments together, blue together and so on.
So here are my secrets:
Make a list of what you buy every year for Christmas and what needs to be replaced and shop the sales and take advantage of deep discounts.
Come November 2011, you will be so happy with yourself for doing this!
Here’s another secret…for maximum shopping happiness, do not tell your husband. Yes…telling your husband will result in sighing and eyerolling…just take your bags quietly to the storage room and give yourself a pat on the back!
So please take advantage of post-Christmas sales.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Share the Love!
You hit some great sales, Angie! The only thing I have planned it my head for next Christmas is that I want it simpler and I think I'll be having a lot more greenery, less little things, natural elements like pinecones and more white. I think. At least that's how I feel now in January, just after packing all my Christmas decorations up! : )
Still enjoying my Christmas decorations here (we always leave them up well into January, just love 'em!) but you have some good tips for how to make things easier next year. I especially want to organize and get rid of some items when I do de-decorate. Can't wait to see your Who-ville tree in November – it will be here before we know it!
DD
How smart are you planning so far in advance? I bet your whoville tree will be beautiful!
I completely agree – but it is soooo hard to get into the spirit here with 70 degree days! I did manage to get a few ornaments to add to my collection of "one of a kinds" – 90% off at Tarjay. (: I will definitely formulate a decor plan in advance and go thru the remaining very deeply discounted stuff!
Thanks for your post! I absolutely LOVE the idea of a WHO-VILLE Christmas tree!! SO pretty!! And I love the idea of changing up the tree and decorations every few years. ~ Blessings!
Congratulations on finding such awesome sales. You are all set for next Christmas with all kinds of pretty new things.
What a fun "Who-ville" Christmas ya'll will have! 🙂 That makes me laugh about not telling the hubby–so true, so true!
Angie, seriously you are a woman after my own heart. I LOVE shopping after Christmas sales!!!! Can't wait to see your Whoville TREE!
Wow! You really hit the jackpot. I didn't really do any after Christmas shopping this year. 🙁 Our 2010 Christmas was all red and glittery. I am with Kathy, I want to do a more natural look next year with more greenery and white.
After holiday sales are the BEST! I always have so much fun finding bargains and then I love finding them again a year later. It's like getting presents! And yes, don't tell the husband. You just pull it out the next year and he won't even know it's new : )
Great buys! I blogged this week about what I have purchased. Question – how do you keep your ornaments from breaking if you keep them in bags?
Your last comment made me laugh. Last Friday night I was out with friends when I saw the "perfect white Christmas tree" for my bedroom next year at 75% off. Of course I could not pass it up. As I was taking the holiday decorations out to storage on Saturday afternoon, I just 'discreetly' unloaded the new white Christmas tree box too! My husband will find out next Christmas…but no need to listen to him complaining about buying more decorations until he sees how pretty it will be!
Your tree is going to look beautiful next year! I love the decorations you bought and love the silver too.
I can only imagine what your storage closet looks like…total Martha organized!!!!
I can't plan for next Christmas because I don't know where i might be. When I am finally in my forever home then I am going to tackle all my Christmas stuff!!
Too bad you didn't live closer you could help me lol !!
Pamela xo
Wow! You hit the jackpot! I wanna shop where you did. All the stores around here sold out so quickly after C'mas ~ some even before. I like the Who-ville inspired tree. A friend of mine wanted to do one this past year. I think I may be getting the itch to try one myself.
Thanks for sharing your great buys. I enjoyed seeing all the pretty C'mas stuff after C'mas!
Angie,
Good for you!
I planned for next year's Christmas by donating 8 boxes full of Christmas decorations that I haven't used over the last 5 years. Our home decor does change direction and off went those I haven't used for others to enjoy!
You should see all the vacant spots in my storage area!
Thanks for sharing this great tip idea for upcoming celebrations!
Fondly,
Pat
Wow you got some great stuff! I love doing this too, so many great deals. love it!