TO SHOP FOR ALL CHRISTMAS ITEMS… ON THE FREAP…..WITHOUT BREAKING THE WEEKLY BUDGET…. BEFORE DECEMBER…. WHILE MAINTAINING OUR SANITY.
Can you do it? I’m sure you can! Last year I gave 3 of the below baskets to sisters and mother in law – retail value? Around $130.00. You can see the contents HERE.
It’s definitely not too early to start planning for Christmas……. especially with all the great deals we have been getting lately.
This week, you can score FREE Pert Plus at Wags, FREE Nail color, inexpensive Dove Hair Care too – add in the great deal on Oil of Olay at Wal Mart or Target, FREE Trial Size of Tide, and so much more…..All these sales are prime opportunities to get your stockpile up, on the Freap. It’s also a great time to “forward think” to Christmas – This year will be the third year that I will give Health & Beauty Baskets to the gals, AND GUYS, in the family. They are always a hit.
The baskets are relatively easy… as long as you start early! Starting early ensures that you don’t break the budget – last year, and this year, my budget for groceries, health and beauty each week is $25 – so by “portion control” so to speak, I can get those baskets done well before December, and still keep my checking account “on track”.
What are some great ideas for gift baskets? Lets see what we’ve gotten the last month or two……
- Right Guard, Dove Men+Care, etc.
- Febreze Set & Refresh
- Gillette Deodorant, Body Wash or Dove Mens + Care
- Olay Bar Soap & Shave Gel (see HERE)
- Olay Cleansers
- Nail Polish
- Nivea Lip Care
- Toothpaste
- Razors – Fusion, Venus & more
- Dove Haircare
- Toothbrushes
- Nail Files & Revlon Beauty Tools
- McCormick Grinders, BBQ Sauce, and Marinade!
- Aussie/Herbal Essence
And much, much more! I took pictures this morning of my “bottom” bathroom cabinet shelf (it goes back a ways) – but it gives you an idea of what I have accumulated towards my baskets this December. I have 4 ladies to shop for, and 4 men, so everything I get in groups of 4 (if possible). If not, then I will give one person (usually Grandma) something a tad bit different to personalize her basket more. Some of the stuff below is actually even from last year…..I ran out of basket space last December so it got carried forward!
During the year, and every time I shop, I always have my eyes peeled wide for things that I think would make great, unique additions to a gift basket. I buy them for cheap (and sometimes free), and stuff in my bathroom closet on the bottom level – right now I am halfway there to gift baskets at Christmas. I then grab a nice containment device (Target has them in the dollar spot for $1, and Dollar General had buckets for the men for $1) and stuff away, I stuff the tissue inside, fan it really beautiful… then use the cellophane wrap from the Dollar Tree, tie with a big bow, and POOF! Home-made, Frugal, and FABULOUS! Oh… and FREAPY too!
Hi Sheryl,
That sounds like an awesome idea! What is the free nail polish deal this week and the trial size of tide?
Thanks!
The search function on this website is great. Here is the information I found…
https://www.thecentsableshoppin.com/2011/08/walgreens-revlon-nail-enamel-free-2-01-mm-week-of-0814/
From the Wal-Mart match ups…
Tide Trial Size $0.97
$1/1 Tide Detergent 7/31/2011 P&G Insert (exp 8/31/2011)
= FREE
Hope that helps.
just a heads up the travel size tide isnt working at all walmarts. its up to the cashier.
Nail Polish free at Wags:
https://www.thecentsableshoppin.com/2011/08/walgreens-08140820-free-pert-plus-reach-revlon-nail-expo-more/
I’ve gotten 3 1/2 Christmas presents the last few weeks with coupons/coupon codes! Super happy to have some people crossed off my list!
I love this idea!! Thanks Sheryl!
Great idea for gifts! I have to ask how u include the health and beauty with groceries for $25 a week? I have a family of six. I’m not sure how big your family is, but no way I could imagine only spending $25 a week for groceries and health and beauty. Lol
Between the super freapy AMC movie tickets you pointed us to, the freapy wine, and the Pier 1 coupon for $10 off a $10 purchase I got items for a “dinner and a movie” basket for my sister and her boyfriend. Total cost? About $7.00 if I’m recalling correctly. For 2 movie tix, a bottle of wine, a nice wine stopper from Pier 1, and a set of really nice chopsticks. They’ll have to fill in the dinner part themselves but I’m still calling it that. :D I used one of the free 8 x 10 prints to print out a photo of my parents and I’ll find a cheap Dollar Tree frame, snazz it up with some paint to match, and there’s a $1 gift. Ideas in case you have family members who are picky about their h & b products like mine are. :)
Now that is a great idea. I have 3 bottles of wine and neither of us drink. So that is a great idea!!! Brandye, take a picture of the gift – and email to me, and I will do a post with all of our ideas!
Will do! I don’t have a container for it yet, but I’ll find something (I keep containers so that will be a zero cost item) and get you a shot Sheryl!! :)
I did the gift baskets for my Bunco prizes and everyone loved them :)
I did survival kits for my sons teachers last year- they would work for christmas too. pic are on my fb.
Wow impressed by those prize baskets! You may enjoy checking out http://www.blackfriday.org/ . They list some some awesome deals that stores are having. I’ve been doing a lot of shopping based on their postings.
I actually did start this. I snagged OPI nail polish at CVS for $2 each! I also bought Bath & Body works items at Arizona Mills Outlet and had an outlet coupon they sent me. I haven’t started the actual baskets yet, but so far so good. These items are for my mom, sister and neice who live in Indiana. I mail them their gifts every year.
Thanks for the links! I have started working on my baskets for Hanukkah this year. I’m also going to be making goats milk lotion and soap to include. Plus some freaky arbor mist wine and candy in there as long as its free! I’m making one basket for my mom and her husband and another for my sister and her husband. Thanks foe the great idea Sheryl!