A key way to do all of this is to have my people make a Christmas list. Simple. My siblings and I have been doing it since, I don't know, forever. It always had to be posted on the fridge by Thanksgiving so that family could see it when they came to dinner. Now I request lists sooner because I have three small children and everything in my life takes longer. I would love to have them in September (yes, I am one of those people) but we usually get them around the beginning of November. This gives me time to hunt for the things on the lists and stay within my budget.
One of the places I tried out this year was Hollar (https://www.hollar.com/share/fce83c). I had seen those very persuasive videos floating in my Facebook feed and decided to give it a try. And then I couldn't post about it because I had bought gifts and didn't want to spoil surprises.
Anyway, here's what I got with my first order:
(Yes, there should be a picture here. Or even multiple pictures. But my old phone did a system restore before I got the pictures downloaded. So we will see if I can get them back. And then you can see pictures!)
I've ordered another time and again was mostly please with what I got. Every once in awhile something isn't the best quality but it has all still worked. It had more to do with me not reading all the details. Like on a back massager that only has a one foot cord so you have to use batteries, or a book light that does plug into a USB but doesn't charge so it actually has to be plugged in the whole time to work. Know that just because it is on the site does not mean it is a good deal. I have seen some of the same stuff that Dollar Tree carries listed at $2. Obviously it is a better deal locally for $1. But then there are name brand things like Melissa and Doug and As Seen on TV (that's a brand right?) that are better deals here. And I've never seen anything more than $15. Most things are less than $10. I keep stuff in my cart and edit it out frequently. Then when I want to order for things like Christmas stockings or Easter baskets, the cool things I wanted to get are added to my order and I don't have to pay shipping.
Follow my link and we'll both get $2 to spend when you order! Love free money. :) For the month of March Hollar is doing $1 a day deals for March Madness (but you do have to order that day). And shipping is free if you order $25. Like name brand stuff. Check it out by clicking the link below.
