Christmas Shopping

Well, we finally got out the door, after what seemed like forever. Nick's family are big bargain hunters like I am, and love Goodwill, so before we did any serious shopping, I took them to the cheap Goodwill here in town- which they loved. I found a few things to add to various piles of clothing, and some items I plan to take over to the consignment shop, to see if I can make anything from them.

After that, I realized I had both my phone, and Nick's, so we drove back home and dropped one off (Raegan was keeping an eye on the kids, and it was her first time watching them for that long, but it also gave me a chance to check up on them), then went and had lunch. Heck, by then, it was almost 4!

It was 4 by the time we got into Lansing to do any serious shopping. We actually only went to 2 places- Steve & Barry's, and Big Lots, because they don't have access to either of those places up there. I wasn't doing any of my own serious shopping today, so that worked out just fine with me. I love both stores, so I wanted to go to them anyway.

Actually, I was teh one who suggested Steve & Barry's, because Raegan needed a new winter coat this year, and I wanted to check there before going anywhere else. One thing I love about Steve & Barry's is the low prices. On thing I hate about Steve & Barry's is that they fluctuate prices all the time. Last time I was in, nothing in the store was over $7.98, period. Winter coats and all. Sure, they always run some deals where things might be 2 for $$$, but individually, they are not more than a set price. Sometimes it's as high as $9.98.

On the other end of town is a Steve & Barry's right across the street from the Michigan State U campus, and that one has ALWAYS been a $24.98 or under store. But the other two in town (one of them was a casualty of the recent 150 store closing cut) were always much cheaper, but with less of a collegiate selection.

Anyway, we walk in, and immiedatly are inundated with racks and signs 2/$8 for shirts- everywhere. I'm thinking, YES! They lowered their prices!

Not so. They turned this store into a $24.98 or less store. GRRR! That ticks me off. I found a cute coat in the back for Rae for $24.98, but rejected it- it wasn't all that stylish, nor was it a color she would like. It was an adult XS, which would be a tad baggy on her, though. I looked at the kids coats- $14.98 & $12.98. I picked up one and put it in the cart- I wasn't in love with it, nor would Raegan be, but she needed a coat that would fit her, like NOW.

We walked around, and I grabbed some PJ's for Chris for $4.98 for his Christmas Eve gift. I found some pants for him on sale 2/$4, as well. I also found some cute jackets up at the front of the store that I knew Rae would LOVE. They were adult sizes, so back to the $24.98 price tag, but it was thicker than the other one I had, and one she would actually like.

It's a cropped jacket, so that it only comes to her waist, but it's a huge style in this area now with the teen girls. It's thick and puffy, and has a fur trimmed hood on it. The only thing I didn't like is the lack of colors- white, dove grey, olive green, or brown. I opted for an XS dove gray. It did fit, and she did indeed love it, though.

While looking at them, I found a style I loved as well. It's actually similar to the ski-jacket style jacket I have now. I got it last year at Walmart on Black Friday for $15, and it's white. Downside- it gets dirty fast, but the material is cheap, and with the constant bleaching & washing, the seams were worn out, and there are holes in the cuff with batting coming out.

The jacket was similar, like I said, but also had a fleece lining (yay, soft!), a hood, and the top part when you zip it up all the way is knit, and comes up to your nose, to cover your nose, mouth, and neck- yay! They had it in a pretty shade of pinkish red that I loved. They did not, however, have it in my size. Grr!

I settled on white- I know, I'll still be stuck washing it, but it actually feels like a thicker material than the one I have now, and I think it will hold up better to the washings. So I carry it around for a while, then, inevitably, talk myself out of it. After all, it's almost Christmas, I have a coat I just got last year, and another from before last year that I could wear if I need to, right?

At $24.98, I felt I couldn't justify it just now. I figured maybe when we get our Christmas bonus, I'd come back. So I go to put it back, after having verbally talked about why I wanted it, and explained that the one I had was falling apart (more to talk myself into it than anything, though it was truthful). As I put it down, Nick's Grandma told me I needed a new one, and that was all there was to it, and if I wasn't going to get it for myself, she'd get it for me as a Christmas gift, so she did. Then, of course, promptly offered to let me bring it home immediatly. I turned that part down, assured her I could get through till Christmas, and that I could get it then.

So I will have a nice new coat right after Christmas, so that's fun!

After Steve & Barry's, we went over to Big Lots, where we shopped, shopped, and shopped. The Big Lots we used to have up there, where they live, closed down because TJ Maxx offered the leasing agent more money per month to rent it out, so Big Lots was given the option, declined it, and closed up shop. That was back probably close to 5 or 6 years ago, I would guess.

At Big Lots, I got a few things for Nick, a bra & boy short set for Rae, and some nice isotoner gloves for me, all for Christmas gifts.

I didn't do nearly as much of the shopping today as everyone else did, but it was nice to get out, and go into Lansing. I helped all three of my in-laws to decide on things for the kids and Nick for Christmas, too, so that was helpful.

I got home and I am one tired girl.