Cleaning Up Christmas

Friday morning Hubs and I decided to go out for breakfast. We hit our local I.hop where I was treated to pecan pie pancakes, and Baby Bean got another pancake all to herself. Hubs got a couple of gift cards to Lo.wes for Christmas, and he had already decided he wanted to use them to buy outside Christmas decorations for next year, but he wanted to do it after the first of the year when everything went on deep discount.

I had told him back at the end of November that next year I wanted to decorate the outside of our house. Baby Bean would be old enough to appreciate it, and I thought it would be fun. We decided not to do it this year because finances were tight, and the baby wouldn't notice or care anyway. Surprisingly, Hubs was on board. Not only that, but he took my idea up a notch. I just wanted to string lights in the trees, throw some in the bushes, and maybe buy a lawn deer or three. He wouldn't have it. He said if we were going to do it, we were going to do it right! That means we will have lights hanging from our roof. I am all for it... as long as I'M not the one on the ladder!

I can't wait to see those lights up there though. ;)

So, after breakfast we went to Lo.wes, but they had already been almost completely cleaned out of all of their Christmas stuff. (I did, however, manage to find those Christmas candles that go in your window on sale for 75% off. I've wanted those for years now, but wouldn't justify spending the money on them until today when they cost just $1.12 each!) They told us to try Wal.mart instead, so we did. The pickings were slim, but we made out like bandits. We bought a ton if icicle lights, two sparkly crystal lawn angels, a few other decorations for inside the house, three garlands, four boxes of marshmallow chocolate covered santas, and a foot spa with paraffin hand treatment. All of it was discounted 75%. (My favorites are the foot spa [$7.50! Hello! I've been wanting one for years] and marshmallow santas.)

Shortly after arriving home, all of it was packed into my last empty Christmas bin (green bin with red lid), and shoved out in the garage not to be seen again until next November. I do want to mention, I also cleaned up at Tar.get earlier this week. I bought six gorgeous Christmas stockings at 60% off. Why six? Because I plan on growing our little family and want all of them to match. I don't care if we never use all six, but it is nice to have them. The dogs will get stockings for at least the next few Christmases now.

As for all of our existing Christmas items, they were packed away first thing this week.

I really enjoy hitting the after Christmas sales. Sure you can't use the stuff until next year, but it is awesome to save so much money. Not only that, but we have brand new stuff to use next year and don't have to spend a fortune trying to build up our Christmas stock all at once.

Now I leave you with a couple of pictures from this year's Christmas. Remember how I said we had chocolate coming out our ears? Take a look at this:


There is a box of chocolate cut off from the picture on the left, and I forgot to include the huge can of Pir.oulines. Seriously, take a second to look at each item in this picture, then feel free to let your jaw drop. My plan is to either take it to work and share it, or eat it over the next 11 months.

And just so you don't think the dogs got left out, check out their stash!



I foresee lots and lots of walks in our futures!