Early Easter Basket finds
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
United States
January 26, 2011 2:10pm CST
So I ran some errands yesterday and I thought since I'm on this side of town I'll stop over at a thrift store over there as it's a quiet location. This chain of thrift stores gets in items from a dollar section from a mass merchandiser & often sells the items for .25 for the $1 items & .99 for the $2.50 items. Well outside of a vhs tape or two I found for .49 ea. I looked in the bin for the 4 for $1 and I found lots of lil items for Easter baskets. I spent like $12. Now I don't know if all the items I found will go into a basket this year or if they'll be saved for next St. Nick's. But I found various: flavored lip balms (my kids loose these like water & Aldi's is usually the cheapest @.49), flavored lip glosses, head bands, princess magnets, Hello Kitty pens, sitcky notes, stampers, mini note books, & pencils, crown hair clip (only one but really wanted 2 or more), snap bracelets, a Princess dry erase board(not quite 8x11, but for .25 I won't complain) ect. I think I did pretty good for all that I got. And yes I bought tons of lip balm for .25 you can't go wrong!
I wanted to hit the one closer to home but DS wouldn't have it, he was done running for the day. So DH & I went today w/ him & all they had were reindeer headbands in the bins & nothing more. SO I guess I hit the jackpot yesterday even if the one supervisor seemed annoyed that I wanted to check every corner of the large industrial laundry sized cart for doubles of whatever.
So do you plot ahead and snag things when you see them that you could use for an upcoming holiday or occasion?
2 people like this
22 responses
@thedaddym (1731)
• United States
26 Jan 11
I am not the Easter bunny in our house my wife is, but I did see that in her trunk she has already purchased the Easter baskets. I asked her why and she said it is because we are expecting me to get laid off soon and she did not want the kids to go without Easter baskets and she did not want to feel guilty about spending the money to buy them once I was laid off and she said she got them really cheap for like $1.00 each plus 20% off with a coupon. So I think she is being really frugal which is good. I admire her for that and I of course would not want my kids to have to go with out an Easter Basket either just because I don't have a job.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
27 Jan 11
That's the perfect sense..buy now while you can. My husband is in construction for 35 years...it is either feast of famine so you have to get what you need while in feast cause when famine comes along....you literally can't hardly afford the extras.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
26 Jan 11
That's also another reason the hours are good for now at my hubby's job when warmer weather comes we may not be so fortunate. SO I'd rather get them on a deal and while I have the money. Just like your wife I don't want the kids to go w/o getting a little something either.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
26 Jan 11
SOunds like me! I used to do that for my kids. When we were traveling I'd even look for something other than a basket...something that could be used as a basket but played with after since we were short on space. I'd get my daughter a new purse...filled with things like you mention. I'd get my son a toy dump truck with those things..only boy related. New shoes, new outfit with the pockets filled, bike helmet or other things that they would like and use after the bunny goes away! Unfortunately they are grown and their are the parents that get to do that great stuff now! Easter Bunny and Santa don't come to grandmas house and leave stuff for the kids!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169457)
• United States
26 Jan 11
@coffeebreak, I was the one who did alternative "baskets". One year it was a shopping cart, one year it was a sand castle kit. That makes it even more fun.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
27 Jan 11
I did it cause I had to (at first) we were traveling in a 35 foot trailer and space was extremely limited, but the 2 kids needed toys too. They always loved the "alternative basket". I explained to them that the easter bunny thought they'd rather have (whatever it was) holding their eggs and candy caz he knew they'd want to play with the toy or wear it. They thought it was great. Now I look at my grand kids and they get the traditional baskets and they take out the contents...and next day the basket is in the trash or smashed or something. It does make it more fun for the kids!
@GardenGerty (169457)
• United States
26 Jan 11
I do not have kids to buy for now, but I would do that if I did. I was in a thrift store today and got hubby an early Valentine's gift. He loves sudoku and there was a wooden sudoku set, with numbered pegs, etc. I got it for $1.00, and the pegs are red and white. New in package, with instructions. Perfect for him. Wise buyers shop when they see the steals of deals.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
26 Jan 11
I like Sudoku, too, and get my books from the dollar store. They have some great buys on puzzle books!
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
26 Jan 11
hi 3SnuggleBunnies i used to do that when I had an apartment but here in this 11 by 11 room I just do not have much storage space. To buy things ahead you do need some storage space more than the small space my roomie deigned to share with me, she has 3/4's of the closet and a bureau stuck in here she has taken all four drawers talk about selfish.
She does not think she is but she is, she has half the space on the was stand and all the space atop the toilet. I store most of my cosmetics stuff on my bedside bureau.She really has not a clue that she is so bloody selfish.You really do have a good eye for bargains. I love to shop thrift shops as I had got some great used furniture in them really was expensive stuff. A little loving restoration and they look like new expensive
furniture. 
furniture. 1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
2 Jul 11
Heck yes! Well I would, I don't really do that now as i don't have the money but you bet your bottom dollar any thrift store is going to get looked up and down and sideways just to make sure I've not missed any good deal! Why waste money when you can save it for something more important?
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
2 Jul 11
Well I had money at the minute I posted this so I bought all I could. I still have things left that I'll save for birthday's or for St. Nick's when that comes around again in December.
@Ichiru101 (284)
• United States
21 Feb 11
I live right next to the mall so my parents does not see the importance of trift shops. However right after christmas my parents run to store like sears and buy all the christmas decors. From five dollar wrapping paper to 19 cent. I would say that is a good deal.
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
2 Jul 11
The mall is fine if you buy on clearnce and know what you are willing to pay for things. But buying after holiday markdowns is the way to go if you can catch them.
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
7 Feb 11
I always am on the hunt for a deal. I check clearence racks in the stores I go to just incase my coupons will match up and make a better deal of it. I keep a closet at home full of random things I know I can use later. I did have to limit my self to the one closet because I can go out of control at times. I keep a small plastic tote of lip balm at the house since we go through it fast. I have yet to find it for $.25 though. I usually buy it at Avon.com when its onsale and has a match with a free shipping coupon. I use Mypoints and they give me points for the money I spend there. Id love to find a $.25 deal!
@housechaos7 (609)
•
27 Jan 11
Oh wow i would have been in heaven i love a bargain and a rumage and i always get things for later dates but the down side is family and friends know i do this and they will often say "Have you got a such and such"and 9/10 i will have it lol.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
26 Jan 11
I'm always on the lookout for bargains for future holidays! It's one of the many ways I save money on things. Especially now with all the prices going up, it's important to do things like you're doing. By the time Easter comes, chocolate bunnies might cost $5 or more! 
Of course, now that my sons are grown I include a lot of stuff like disposable razors, personal care items, camping or survival gear, music, etc. I usually only spend about $15 per basket.
Of course, now that my sons are grown I include a lot of stuff like disposable razors, personal care items, camping or survival gear, music, etc. I usually only spend about $15 per basket.@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
27 Jan 11
That's how I collect Christmas stuff. It is the only holiday I decorate for anymore. I went to Joane's Crafts and Michaels Craft stores and got those village ceramic houses...they were 70% off and got enough to make a really cute christmas village town, people and all. Then I went back the following week nad they were 90% off so I got more stuff. Didn't have to buy a thing this year!
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
21 Feb 11
Great finds! I have not ran across any great deals lately. Normally after Christmas or Valentine Day I go to the Dollar General and get some good deals but when I got there these past holidays the shelves were bare. The tons of lip balm for .25 is a huge deal!
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
2 Jul 11
I've noticed that too either the shelves are bare or they want too much still when you'd expect to find a deep mark down.
@sharlahodges (813)
• United States
27 Jan 11
My daughters always looks for things marked down to put in East baskets and also for Christmas stockings.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
29 Jan 11
I will most definitely snag things when I see them at a really good bargain price. After each of the holidays is typically one of the best times for me because the stores all have things on clearance then. I've been able to fill stockings with things left from after Christmas and I will also do Easter baskets that way as well. I love to say money any way that I am able to. In these times where every penny counts, they really do all count.
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
26 Jan 11
Oh yes that is the only smart way to go. As waiting for the last minute will cost way too high. I love the lip balm idea as I too go through it like water, guess I am still a kid..
, so I will be doing as you and looking out.
As for the baskets I also did the same where I loaded up way early and did not have to through the huge expense. This came to me after one year I spent a small fortune and although the baskets were cute, I was not content, as I knew I could do better and with lots less money. So I did learn!
, so I will be doing as you and looking out.
As for the baskets I also did the same where I loaded up way early and did not have to through the huge expense. This came to me after one year I spent a small fortune and although the baskets were cute, I was not content, as I knew I could do better and with lots less money. So I did learn!@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
27 Jan 11
lip balm and hand lotions and bath salts for my daughter were her favorites. My son...boys are a little harder to find things like that for, but he got lip balm and hot wheels and plastic army men. They both got their favorite candys, but they also got travel size TOOTHPASTE and a new TOOTHBRUSH in their basket too! They even thought that was cool! Their own little tube of paste!
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
27 Jan 11
Pretty much all the same similar items I too did for both my kids and I have one of each. Never thought about the toothbrush, so I have to thank you for that one.
@murtaza45 (173)
• India
27 Jan 11
once for time for early in the cricket for some for sundays to open the basket for not a interested for me. i am for some growth the plan for sundays to cricket to match for my friend team to early easter from to must to time pass to me.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
27 Jan 11
Wow, you found some great buys! I most definitely plot ahead for holidays or other occasions. As a matter of fact, I just bought three stocking stuffers a few days ago and tucked them away for next Christmas. It's an easy way to buy, it fits my budget and makes for a less strained Christmas.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
27 Jan 11
I pick things like that up, but I usually give them to my kids before the next holiday. Just today I picked up a few things for my daughter at Goodwill and she got them as soon as I walked through the door. I am always afraid that I will forget about them if I do not give them to the kids right away.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
27 Jan 11
What bargains you got. I would feel so happy and good about myself if I got those kind of bargains. I am not as good as you and we do not really have those kind of shops out here but if I have the time there are soem fund raising events and i feel so happy to get a bargain I know ans have experienced the joy you feel.
I know ans have experienced the joy you feel. 
@jodylee (946)
• United States
27 Jan 11
I wish I was able to shop ahead. I really am not a big fan at all of shopping. I go in with a list and I get out as fast as possible. I usually let my husband do most of the shopping for holidays and what not and he goes a day or so before. We also do not have a lot of storage space and two little curious boys to try and hide things from.
Good score for you though!
