November 30, 2008

More Free Christmas Gift Ideas

One idea for free Christmas gifts (or any other occasion) is to make gift certificates either by hand or on Microsoft Word (there are a few templates on there). Here are some services you can offer to do for someone for free:

-One night of free babysitting (I have received this twice this year and it was one of my favorite gifts!)
-One free manicure or pedicure (Hand and arm massage included)
-Three hours of housework (cleaning, laundry, ironing, etc)
-Mow your front and back yard one time :)
-One free car wash and detail
-One free errand
-One homecooked meal delivered to your door (including dessert!) any night of your choosing
-Girls Night Out (board games, movie and popcorn at my place)

Do you have a special skill? Cutting hair? Photography? Scrapbooking? So many skills can be made into gift certificates.

Here's one more idea: Do you own a fruit tree? Make a fruit basket for someone using fruit from your tree.

If you have any other ideas please leave a comment here!

Another Great Gift Idea (for Cheap!)

A friend of mine had one of these on her counter and I thought it was so beautiful. She is giving them away this year as Christmas gifts and said they only cost about $3-4 each (if you already have a bottle of wine). This is a pretty bad picture, but it is an empty wine bottle that she put a string of lights in (about 50 lights). She then ran the end of the cord out of the top of the bottle, put the cap back on it (or a cork), a strand of plastic grapes (she picked up at the Dollar Tree) and she is going to tie the top with ribbon. You can buy bottles of wine at the .99 cent store if you don't drink wine (or even if you do, some people I know have bought $40 bottles of wine there before). Look for one with a pretty or unique label to make it even more special. Here is the finished product:


Here is all you need for this project:


Enjoy!

November 27, 2008

Free Christmas Gifts!

Today I was checking out Bargain Hunting Mom's website and found her Black Friday deals.  One of my favorites was the 10 free holiday offers over at VistaPrint.  I have used VistaPrint for my own business and have loved their products.  Since my family is not buying gifts this year, my goal is to either make them or obtain little gifts for free.  This is a GREAT place to get some free gifts for family or co-workers.  All you have to pay is shipping!  Here is what you can get for free:

-250 Free Business cards (know someone starting a business or that has a side business but may need some cards to go along with it?)
-1 Free Photo or Wall Calendar (perfect gift for a family member or someone that has a pet who they love!)
-1 Free T-Shirt (perfect for the guy in your life!)
-Caricature Return Address Labels (I love creating these caricatures for friends and then surprising them with labels!)
-Notepads (Personalize it with their name for a great gift!)

I am not sure when this offer expires, so be sure to visit their site soon!

Think Before Over-Spending...

November 21, 2008

Free Dr. Pepper!

Apparently Dr. Pepper made a promise back in March that if Guns N Roses album "Chinese Democracy" came out in 2008, they would give everyone in America a free Dr. Pepper. SO, grab your coupon for a free 20-ounce soda beginning on Sunday, November 23rd at 12:01am. Visit Dr. Pepper to get your free soda!

November 13, 2008

Free Photobook!!!

Get your FREE photobook through Snapfish, courtesy of Oprah!  Just click on this link and go down to "get your free book".  You can only get your coupon until midnight on Friday night (as in tomorrow, Nov. 14th), and you have to use it by Sunday, Nov. 16th.  Act quick because this is a GREAT deal!!!

Here is the fine print:

This offer is only good for one standard 20-page 8" x 11" custom-cover photo book per household. Coupon dispersal ends at 11:59 p.m. PST Friday, November 14, 2008. Free photo book must be redeemed by 11:59 p.m. PST Sunday, November 16, 2008. Offer does not include customary shipping and handling changes or additional pages. Offer applies only to mail-order delivery to U.S. customers. Offer cannot be combined with other coupon codes. Coupon cannot be resold or otherwise transferred and is void on the earlier of redemption or the offer end date.

November 9, 2008

More 99 Cent Store Bargains!

Okay, I know I have raved many times about my love for the .99 cent store. But this is why! Check out what I got tonight:


Ben & Jerry's cherry chocolate chip ice cream cones, Bertolli pasta sauce, and Coca-Cola Bottles!

Individual packets of Kraft Light Ranch dressing, Chewy Granola Bars (18 of them!) and Health Valley Organic Split Pea Soup.  (Did you know they have a whole organic section?!)

And here's what I picked up a few weeks ago - Dinner for 4 for only 99 cents!


A friend of mine found out that our local 99 cent store gets weekly deliveries on Thursdays. Just ask your local store manager when they deliver, and go a few hours later. Then you will get first pick to all of the best fresh and frozen items!

Eddie Bauer SALE!

Right now (the week of November 9th), Eddie Bauer is having a huge clearance sale - save 50% off of clearance!  I just picked up some cute sweaters for only $14.99 that are regularly over $60 each.  

If you can't make it to the store, visit their clearance center online.  This store has a ton of great gift ideas, including this purse for only $19.99!


More Great Restaurant Deals

If you like a certain restaurant and frequent there often, you should visit their website to see if they allow you to sign up to receive their online promotions. Pick Up Stix's Dragon Club will send you coupons almost every month, and you receive a coupon for a FREE combo meal just for signing up! Other restaurants, like Marie Calendars, will send you a postcard for your birthday and anniversary where you can get 50% off your meal along with a free slice of pie. There are too many to mention here, but just do a search for your favorite restaurant and see if they have an e-club to sign up for.

This is also a great time to buy your 2009 Entertainment Book. Right now you can get $5 off the 2009 edition and free shipping when you go to this link. Hurry, because this offer expires on November 30, 2008. If you do not already know, the Entertainment Book has editions all over the U.S., with hundreds and hundreds of coupons good for "Buy One, Get One Free" meals at restaurants, as well as huge discounts on attractions, rental cars, hotels, theme parks, and even grocery stores (There is a $5 coupon good at Ralphs for every month of the year). In addition, if you create an account online at their website (with your entertainment book card number), you can print even more coupons.

Another great website to save big on meals is at Restaurant.com. Here you can buy gift certificates to restaurants in the amount of $25 for only $10 each. Some of them are even cheaper! I found one restaurant in my area selling $10 gift certificates for only $3 each. The only catch was that you could only use one gift certificate per visit. Check it out first next time you're about to go on a date. You might be able to save BIG!