I was up early in the morning, and went to Walmart at about 4am (wasn’t really on my list of places to go, but they were open when I was awake and waiting for the sale to start at toys r us). Walmart wasn’t that bad as long as you avoided the electronic section (which I did), checkout line was surprisingly short. Bought toilet paper and knitting supplies (none of which were on sale). Then I went to toys r us at 5am and bought a doll, hula hoop, and got a partial refund for a truck I had previously bought that went on sale. Probably saved only $20 or so, but that’s okay. It’s much easier for me to do my Christmas shopping at 5am when the kids are still asleep, then I don’t have to explain where I am going and why they can’t come. And there were no crowds at toys r us at that time (probably more employees gearing up for the sale than customers). Now the only items for my children left to buy are from Amazon (was hoping those items would go on sale, but so far, they haven’t). I haven’t figured out what I am buying my husband and parents yet, but I have that groupon from Nordstrom’s Rack too, so I’ll probably make my way down there sometime this coming month (probably go to the mall on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds as much as possible). I don’t mind shopping, but I don’t like long lines, especially with two young kids in tow.

Toots- sorry to hear about the job loss, hope he finds something soon.