Countdown to Christmas

I have been pretty good about not saving everything ’til the last minute… I have just about all of my shopping done, and my house is just about ready for my in-laws visit. I do still have to wrap gifts and bake some pies, but that’s the fun part of Christmas prep, right?

If you are any thing like the typical me, you like to put things off until the last minute. Well, you only have 3 full days left before Christmas, and now is the time to head out and grab those last minute gifts for the kiddos. To ease the stress of shopping, here are just a few quick ideas…

Did you know that Build-A-Bear has an e-gift card? You can customize your card just for your recipient in five easy steps, and it’s super easy to send your favorite kiddos just enough to purchase their very own Hal & Holly Moose, Lil’ Honey Cub or a High School Musical Bear.

My kiddos received Hal & Holly and were just thrilled! They will certainly be a fun way to be reminded of the Christmas season all through the year, as I’m afraid there is no way I’m going to be able to pack these babies away with the rest of our Christmas decorations, come next week. But, that’s okay – they are super cute!

Gift cards of any kind make the perfect gift when in a pinch. I know there is a whole lot of controversy around giving gift cards, with the way our economy is going, but if you purchase Visa gift cards, or even gift cards from Walmart, you can save yourself a big headache. Besides, wouldn’t you rather recieve a gift card then an item you’ll just tuck in the closet?

At Safeway (and its family of grocery stores – Vons, Dominick’s, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Pavilions, Carrs and Genuardi’s) they are helping Moms avoid stress and save time and money, by allowing us to earn double PowerPump Gas Rewards for every $100 in gift cards purchased with our Club Card at Safeway stores. You can pick up gift cards from over 300 retailers, restaurants, sports and entertainment companies (including Best Buy, The Home Depot, Macy’s, iTunes, plus many more!).

To find a participating store near you, go to www.Safeway.com/PowerPump and enter your zip code. Not only can you buy gift cards as presents this season, but they can also be great for personal use to receive the extra benefit of double gas rewards at the pump. The offer of double PowerPump gas rewards on gift cards will only be available through the holidays, so purchase those cards and save!

How about a little gift for yourself come the new year? I have two $25 Build-A-Bear gift cards and a Walmart $100 gift card to give to some of my friends! That’s right…. Stay tuned to find out how you can win!