Finally Getting Started!!!!!!!

 Well yes, I am finally getting started on the Christmas gifts I will buy.  I have made salsa, relish, and will be making jelly soon.  I also have a few other homemade goodies in mind!!! (cookies, pie filling, etc.)

So yesterday I went to Aldi - I went to look for gifts and to get boxes (for donating).  

That is my story, and I am sticking to it!!!!!!!!  LOL

Aldi has so many specialty items, especially starting this time of the year.   I just looking around and there are many, many fun options.  You know I am a food basket giver!  So many just expect it now and they love getting so many things they may not buy for themselves.  I really enjoy giving them.

Well, I did buy a few goodies for me too!  Yep, I did.  I couldn't resist!!  I got a pack of 2 huge fresh broccoli crowns for 2.29!!  They are lovely.  A few items for snacks, a couple bottles of wine, a cheese I love, and socks!  They were packaged as Halloween, but I see nothing Halloween about them.  2 pair/1.99 - new markdown price.  They are so soft and actually quite thick.

I was tickled to get them.  I do tend to wear socks out a lot.  So yes, I bought myself a gift too.

Aldi recently had an article out that they are reducing the prices of hundreds of items between now and the end of the year - making it easier for folks to purchase holiday supplies.  I did see many items that were marked reduced (and actually were).

They also had a big freezer bin FULL of Butterball turkeys.  Not cheap yet - but there were turkeys already.  

OH, I did get several boxes too!  They put them in a bin for people to take what they want!!!!!

I digress, on to gift giving.  I got canvas totes for 4 of the gift recipients.  They will hold the goodies I buy/make, and they can use the tote as well.  I usually do cheaper reusable grocery bags - but I figure, how many do we all need???  So, these cost a bit more, but are part of the gift.  I got boxes of an assortment of fun crackers (for those holiday meat/cheese trays).  Mixed nuts/berries.  These folks all like healthy snacks - so those were perfect.  Got a couple packaged soup mixes for sis/brother (broccoli/cheese), and sis gets a box of 50 zip lock baggies!!!  LOL - she is always sending food home with her company and uses those bags - so I know she will use.

So much more to do.  The totes will be full to over-flowing when done.  I will be getting more and making more.  I also got chopped dates to make a type of cookie that I know my brother hasn't had in years and years.  Date nut bars were always a favorite of his, mom made them.  He will get some this year!

I plan a trip to Ollies soon as well.  They also have so many neat items - both food and things.  You never know what might be there, so you need to get what you want when you see it.  It is kind of like Big Lots.  They just have so much variety.  It is really fun going through Ollies.

I got lots of ideas yesterday going to Aldi, and I will get several other items a little closer to holidays.  Not that my family is big on it - but I was watching the 'best by' dates as well.  Just trying to keep dates off as far in the future as possible.

I love going to the stores that are a bit off the wall!!!!!

I sometimes add the oddest items to baskets!  Zip-lock bags, books, herb seeds & small pots, a Farmers Almanac, Ramen soup (one loves it), stuffed olives, you name it.  I listen to what people like or need and try to add those little tid-bits to the gifts.

It always brings a smile - because I remembered!!!!!  I hear a lot of "how did you know?".  I listen.

So think outside the box a little and have fun.  All people need to eat - so I find food, store gift cards, or even gas cards are the best gifts I can give.  It is something we all use and need.

I just like to have fun with it!!

Have fun with the gift giving this year!!!!!  All will enjoy your efforts!