Let's Not Make This Charlie Brown Christmas Too Obvious

Does this blast of chilly weather put you in the mood for snow, candy canes, and Christmas trees?  I love this time of year, with all the decorated houses and storefronts.  But there is one problem I’d like to address: gifts.  It’s awesome to receive them, but what about buying them?  Well, lucky for you, I’m the biggest bargain hunter you will ever find.  My close friends call me the Coupon Whore.  But that doesn’t bother me because I find a $60 pair of jeans for $8 or a $50 sweater for $10 while they pay full retail.

Bargain Shopping

Find a big present for a low price.  How do I do that?  First of all, check the sales flyers.  They come in the mail EVERY week, so it’s hard to miss them.  Then, go online and find coupons.  Google “JC Penny coupon”, and automatically a $10 off  or 15% off coupon pops up.  Try this with any of your favorite stores.  Believe me, it works. 

Hobby Lobby, my favorite store, always has great deals.  And here’s a little hint:  their merchandise could be presents for all ages and genders.  Want an example?  My dad’s a fireman, so I went to Hobby Lobby and found an entire display of fireman inspired decorations.  So he got coasters that looked like fire hoses, and no longer gets in trouble from mom for leaving water marks on the coffee table.  The same goes for any “manly” thing.  There’s police, military, football, etc.  I even found a baseball card display frame. 

Mom’s are easy to shop for at Hobby Lobby.  There’s tons, TONS, of decorations.  Pick-up frames, wall décor, or vases.  They have everything there.  And that’s not even the best part.  This store always has amazing sales.  I haven’t been there when the wall decorations weren’t 50% off.  Frames? 50% off.  Art supplies?  30% off.  If you do find something that’s not on sale, then make sure you visit their website and print the 40% off one item coupon.  And if you bring along a friend, and print off an extra coupon, you can sneak two gifts for 40% off. 

So maybe you aren’t a Hobby Lobby going Gorlok.  Well, there’s another way to save.  Bed, Bath, and Beyond can be cheap.  I always get coupons in the mail from them for $5 off my $15 purchase, or 20% off the entire order.  So take that coupon and go in store hunting.  Does someone you know like to cook?  They have Wilton (the good brand) cookie sheets for $10.  There are cheap monogrammed wine toppers for the drinker in your life, and a really cool blanket for you little sister.

But Christmas time isn’t all about the shopping.  I enjoy taking some time to chill and enjoy the season.  Luckily Webster U is located in St. Louis because there are plenty of activities to take part in.

Spread that Christmas Cheer

All Gorloks are a little bit artsy.  So how about going to the theater?  The Nutcracker is playing all over this city.  You can see it at the Fox or on UMSL’s campus at the Touhill Theater.  But that could get a little pricey, so I have an alternative option for you.  Find a kids dance school and see if they’re performing the ballet.  There’s December 10^th – 12^th at Dimensions Dance Center, and the next weekend at Dance Center of Kirkwood.

Want to see some amazing Christmas lights?  Seriously, like an entire street that goes crazy for Christmas?  Then drive to Candy Cane Lane, a.k.a. the 6500 block of Murdoch Avenue in St. Louis Hills. Walk down their street, view the lights, and get candy canes from adorable little kids.  It’s fun and free!

Lastly, don’t forget what Christmas is all about.  There’s more to this holiday than getting presents and stuffing your face with cookies and Chex mix (although these parts are quite nice).   Go to The Hill and see the Italian neighborhood’s Nativity Walk.  If you have more energy after that walk, and want to get a head start on losing those extra holiday pounds, run in the Chill on the Hill 5K. It’s on December 4^th, and starts at St. Ambrose church.  If you register ahead of time, you get a free shirt (and a trophy if you win). 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Gorloks!  There’s only three weeks til Winter break (and in my case, graduation.  Eek!) so good luck with finals, have fun finding bargains, and enjoy that holiday hooplah.

Brittney