Holiday Tips from Mom

14 fun and frugal gifts for the holiday season - TODAY Holiday Guide#TDY_Holiday09_Vinick#TDY_Holiday09_Vinick

Since I’ve started this blog there’s the Christmas holiday season has been approaching fast and furiously. I’ve seen so many wonderful tips and ideas about having a fun and low cost holiday that I can’t write quick enough.  That’s why I’m writing this post, I’ve decided, if I can’t write it, I can definitely pass on an idea, theme, budget suggestion, solution, etc., whenever I come across one. Sometimes it maybe once or 6 times a day or not at all; but, I will keep you posted.  Don’t worry, I will keep writing. 

Here’s the first of many ideas, 14 Fun and Frugal Gifts for the Holiday Season, from my favorite morning news show the Today Show. 

Tell me what you think or add your own frugal Idea.

14 fun and frugal gifts for the holiday season - TODAY Holiday Guide#TDY_Holiday09_Vinick#TDY_Holiday09_Vinick

How to use Social Network Sites and Microblogs to Find Deals

Social Networks and Microblogs are a great place to find deals.  Facebook and Twitter are examples of both of these.  Twitter  is especially a great place to find real time targeted deals.  While using Facebook to find deals can be as  simple as signing up to be a fan.  Twitter is all about the follow. There are similarities and differences in both. 

Similarities are that you search your interest  or person and sign up to be a fan or to follow the person, newsletter or product.  Once you become a fan or follow a product, company or person, they will keep you posted on the lasted deals and news.  The differences are on Facebook, you have more control over whom, you, chose as a fan or  friend.  People do not see who fans of a product service or group are but, they do tell your friends you have become a fan.  On Twitter, you just request a follow and you can follow person, retailer, product , service, etc.  You have to proactively check to see if people you don’t want to follow you are following you from following someone else or searching your tweets.  But, you do have the ability to block them.  Here are a few interesting ways companies, info-groups, people, etc. use Twitter and Facebook.

On Twitter

Travel.  United and JetBlue announces all of their last minute travel deals, straight to your to your mobile device. 

Coupons.  Advertisers of products , services, Blogs, and retailers offer printable coupons.  Don’t forget to type in the coupon , product, or service you’re interested in to find the accounts with deals you would like to follow. 

Products.  If you are in search of a special product, blog, websites, and people in the know have twitter accounts to announce specials,  arrivals to warehouses, stores and/or rumors. 

But the danger of real-time and a large community you may not be the only one who is following . 

On Facebook. 

Being a fan is how you get, in the know.  The announcement and deals come straight to your Facebook account.  Announcements are often made in the middle of the day ending at the end of your business day.  The difference in Facebook is you don’t have to search as proactively as you do on Twitter, Facebook gives you suggestion of these groups  that might be of interest to you occasionally based on friends and personal demographics.  Still, it’s often important to find a specific  group and become a fan of the department store, boutique, charity or community that can help you find a deal. 

Don’t forget once you join many website s they give you an option to register from their announcements via Facebook, Twitter or both.  I’d love to hear about your experiences, fan-sites and deals this holiday season.

Now that the season is on, I’m afraid I might not handle all the topics or tips you want to hear.  So email me.  I will try to prioritize the topics that you want to hear.  I can’t wait to hear from you.

 

 

E4PETAPNVFKN

Finding Deals and Ideas Using Blogs and Websites

Have you started looking for deals yet.  The first thing to start doing is visit the websites of  the department, grocery, or craft store you have an interest.  There are also boutiques, charities and communities that have online presences, too.  All of these resources with  information for gift ideas, sale items, recipes, and coupons that will be emailed directly to your inbox.  If you sign up for their e-list you may get previews on sales that are only for the site visitors.   Remember just because a site has a blog presence it may not have a website and vice versa. 

Here are a few Blogs and Websites I like with links to their current promotions. 

Walletpop  This is a great Blog and Website loaded with tons of information, coupons and deals of the day, week, month, etc.  They are often a resource for many Twitter and Facebook accounts, as well as staple for AOL.

Ice Mom's Adventures in Figure Skating I love this blog because my daughter is an aspiring Figure Skater.  Ice Mom’s blog has a great article on Gifts for Figure Skating Coaches.  I was wondering what I needed to do.  She’s a great example of finding a blog that you have an interest in that give you ideas.

Oriental Trading It’s a great site with party, decoration and gift ideas including instructions on how to make gifts.    

Michael’s It’s the perfect craft store but its website has instructions for a wealth of gift ideas.

Martha Stewart There’s no one like Martha and her website has tons of ideas and information that will help all plan the perfect party, make the perfect gift, etc.   

Your local grocery store.  I used several but if yours has an online presence, there be coupons, recipes, crafts, decorating ideas, and menus available.

This is just a start I’ll put a few more up as the month continues.  Please don’t hesitate you share your favorite website links and why? 

Tomorrow, finding deals using Twitter and Facebook. 

Get Ready the Holiday is Here

Hi I’m Michele the single mother of a 7 year old who is too smart and busy for me which can make parenting difficult at times.  I’m currently an unemployed yet soul searching writer, coach and project manager.  However, I’ve found a few things to take up my time in the midst of my life change.  I’m very involved in the HSA, Home School Association, at my daughter’s school.  There’s no PTA at this parochial school,  and I'm a fixture in everything from teaching afterschool when needed, to chairing committees and events.  I think that's why, I decided I needed some help to keep it together for the holidays.   

Are you in a panicky yet?  Well I am a little. I started this blog for the l person who feels that there are not enough hours, time, and money to do everything we need to do in this economy. "Me." So I’ve decided to take it upon myself to find the bargains, the perfect gift, for my child, colleague, teacher and friend in the crazy world I live in and share them with you.  I will also venture to discuss how to make an extra few dollars and possibility take a vacation.  I will let you in on my adventures and party planning tips, too.  They may or may not help; but, at least you will know you are not alone in this journey.  So let’s start with the Holiday calendar:

Holiday - Event	Dates	Count Down/Thoughts
Artyss Party	December 4 at 6:30	I’m throwing a party for to sell Support Garments. Extra Xmas Money
Hanukkah - Gift Wrapping at Barnes and Noble for my daughter’s school.	Dec. 11, 2009 at Sunset Friday	11 Days – I’ve celebrated this holiday once with friends.  It’s beautiful. I’ll be doing volunteer gift wrapping at Barnes and Noble for my daughter’s School.  I’m co-chairing that event.
Winter Solstice	Dec. 21, 2009 Monday	21 Days - I didn’t realize this was  such a serious holiday
Christmas Eve	December 24, 2009 Thursday	24 Days – It’s almost over for me.
Christmas Day	Dec. 25, 2009 Friday Federal Holiday	Merry Christmas
Kwanzaa December 26th - Jan. 1	Dec. 26, 2009 - Jan. 1, 2009	I celebrate this holiday to give my daughter more cultural and familial meaning during the holiday season.
New Year's Eve	Dec. 31, 2009 Thursday	Party-Party-Party!

Wow!!! December is a busy Month.  Don’t forget Cyber Monday starts tomorrow!!!

We are going to get through this together.