Sunday, November 26, 2017
A Truly Happy Thanksgiving
We recently celebrated Thanksgiving 2017 and it was truly a wonderful celebration. This year, it was just me and my family, just the six of us enjoying quality family time and it was amazing. There was good food and good fun, amongst good company and it could not have been a more perfect day.
Black Friday In Costa Rica
Black Friday and Black Friday deals have gotten better over the years in Costa Rica and that's good news for consumers, like myself, who look for deep discounts on gifts for the holiday season. A few years ago, Black Friday didn't even exist and now not only is Black Friday a big deal in this country it has expanded to more than just Friday. A lot of stores have Black weekend, where their deals last the entire Black Friday weekend. Some stores take it even further and have discounts the entire month of November.
In my opinion, that is good news for customers who want to shop but are on a limited budget. It means we can buy much more for around the same price due to the savings. Some merchandise can be discounted as far as 70%. That is a significant savings when you're shopping for a large family.
I decided to try my luck at the Black Friday sales again this year and it did not disappoint. Not everything I was looking to purchase was included in the sales, but I was able to save 20% to 40% on a couple of items I was planning on buying anyway for Christmas. That means I was able to get the gifts I wanted at a discounted price. Who doesn't love a good deal? The princess of bargain hunting does (yes, that's me).
Now, the negative Nancies will say that they jack up the price beforehand so they can pretend to lower them to fool the customers into thinking they are really getting a good deal. Maybe so, maybe that really is the case. But when I see a fur vest my daughter has been lusting over a few weeks beforehand for $50 regular price and I purchase that exact same vest a few weeks later on Black Friday for $30, I will take it. A deal is a deal and paying $30 is way better than paying $50. That's $20 in my pocket I can use for something else, which I did. With that extra $20 savings, I was able to buy a Casio watch for my husband that was $30 regular price down to $20 in the Black Friday sale. SCORE!!!
However you look at Black Friday, whether you love it and all the money you can save or you think it's a ploy, it is still a good way for businesses to get customers through the door. In these times, you have to do whatever you need to do to make that money and make that sale. And it that means slashing prices up to 70%, so be it. Customers will be happy and people like me can get the most bang for their buck on a budget.
In my opinion, that is good news for customers who want to shop but are on a limited budget. It means we can buy much more for around the same price due to the savings. Some merchandise can be discounted as far as 70%. That is a significant savings when you're shopping for a large family.
I decided to try my luck at the Black Friday sales again this year and it did not disappoint. Not everything I was looking to purchase was included in the sales, but I was able to save 20% to 40% on a couple of items I was planning on buying anyway for Christmas. That means I was able to get the gifts I wanted at a discounted price. Who doesn't love a good deal? The princess of bargain hunting does (yes, that's me).
Now, the negative Nancies will say that they jack up the price beforehand so they can pretend to lower them to fool the customers into thinking they are really getting a good deal. Maybe so, maybe that really is the case. But when I see a fur vest my daughter has been lusting over a few weeks beforehand for $50 regular price and I purchase that exact same vest a few weeks later on Black Friday for $30, I will take it. A deal is a deal and paying $30 is way better than paying $50. That's $20 in my pocket I can use for something else, which I did. With that extra $20 savings, I was able to buy a Casio watch for my husband that was $30 regular price down to $20 in the Black Friday sale. SCORE!!!
However you look at Black Friday, whether you love it and all the money you can save or you think it's a ploy, it is still a good way for businesses to get customers through the door. In these times, you have to do whatever you need to do to make that money and make that sale. And it that means slashing prices up to 70%, so be it. Customers will be happy and people like me can get the most bang for their buck on a budget.
Monday, November 20, 2017
Decorating The Tree For The Holidays
I know it's not yet Thanksgiving but the tree is already up, as well as most of our Christmas decorations and it just feels right. The house looks and feel so festive and the kids are all excited as it's starting to feel a lot like Christmas. I do still have my Thanksgiving decor out on display but because time is flying by so fast, December will be here before we know and it will be soon be Christmas. I just want to enjoy our holiday decorations for as long as I am able so we put our tree up yesterday to the sounds of Christmas music playing from the tablet. It was a merry good time.
Saturday, November 11, 2017
In The Christmas Spirit
Thanks to library playgroup, we've been elbow deep in making Christmas crafts for the holiday season. So far, we've made a Christmas tree out of a toilet paper roll, 6 pieces of an egg carton, paint, sequins and glitter. A Christmas star out of popsicle sticks, paint and glitter. And Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer out of popsicle sticks and foam pieces.
My house will be overflowing this year with festive handmade crafts, worth more than any decor I could buy at a store.
The holiday season is upon us and to celebrate, every week at playgroup is a new craft for the kids to make for Christmas. All the crafts, music and story time and activities are Christmas themed to get the kids ready and excited for the holiday.
The library program ends in November, just in time for kids to go on summer break. For our group however, this is the very last year the kids will participate in the early stimulation program, which is a bittersweet moment for me. My son started the program at 6 months of age and we have rarely missed a day. The program has been so beneficial for us in so many ways and I am sad that this will be the last year we can participate. All the kids will graduate with a formal ceremony the first week in December and so I am soaking up all the program has to offer in these last few weeks before it all comes to an end.
My house will be overflowing this year with festive handmade crafts, worth more than any decor I could buy at a store.
The holiday season is upon us and to celebrate, every week at playgroup is a new craft for the kids to make for Christmas. All the crafts, music and story time and activities are Christmas themed to get the kids ready and excited for the holiday.
The library program ends in November, just in time for kids to go on summer break. For our group however, this is the very last year the kids will participate in the early stimulation program, which is a bittersweet moment for me. My son started the program at 6 months of age and we have rarely missed a day. The program has been so beneficial for us in so many ways and I am sad that this will be the last year we can participate. All the kids will graduate with a formal ceremony the first week in December and so I am soaking up all the program has to offer in these last few weeks before it all comes to an end.
First Batch Done
I finally wrapped up all the gifts I'll be giving to extended family and a few friends this Christmas as I was just itching to get it all done.
No, I don't go crazy buying for everyone and I don't spend a ton of money either. I keep it simple and buy for a few 'special' people each year, if the budget allows. Basically, if you live within walking distance to me and I like you a lot, you most likely will get a small gift from me for Christmas.
I love to shop and buy for others as giving is just in my nature. And I give gifts that I myself would love to get. I don't expect anything in return, of course, as that would defeat the purpose of the gift giving spirit but I do hope the people I gift to over the holidays appreciate my efforts as it is the thought that truly counts.
No, I don't go crazy buying for everyone and I don't spend a ton of money either. I keep it simple and buy for a few 'special' people each year, if the budget allows. Basically, if you live within walking distance to me and I like you a lot, you most likely will get a small gift from me for Christmas.
I love to shop and buy for others as giving is just in my nature. And I give gifts that I myself would love to get. I don't expect anything in return, of course, as that would defeat the purpose of the gift giving spirit but I do hope the people I gift to over the holidays appreciate my efforts as it is the thought that truly counts.
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