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The Gifter :: Black Friday Ops

Black Friday. Just days away, it’s the biggest (and craziest) shopping day of the year. Limited “doorbusters” attract massive crowds and can create endless lines. In many cases bargain items are snatched up in the wee hours of the morning.

So what does one do to best navigate Black Friday Sales? This is the HomeGoods and POPSUGAR mission this week for #TheGifter.

black-friday ops #TheGifter

I’m not one for massive crowds, so when I hit the stores on Black Friday I plan ahead and so should you. Here are some of my strategies on how to best navigate Black Friday sales.

Create a List

Be organized.  It’s faster and less stressful to get in and out when you know what you are shopping for. Create a comprehensive list of specific items and how much you want to spend. This way you will avoid impulse buying and going over budget.

Check Return Policies

Make sure you read the fine print regarding returns before buying. Often times, deep discounted items are final sale and therefore not ideal to give as gifts.

Go Where You Know

Valuable time can be lost when shopping at stores for the first time. For this reason I only shop stores I know on Black Friday. Being familiar with the layout, helps you locate items on your list more quickly.

Say No to the Doorbuster

This may be a little controversial, but I find it’s much easier to navigate store aisles if I avoid the “doorbuster.” These items tend to be in limited quantities, yet attract the masses. I aim for less-coveted deals that still provide real value.

Shopping at HomeGoods gives you Black Friday deals  on ever-changing products anytime.  And during the holidays, they allow you to be the ultimate gifter by offering the best value on designer gifts for everyone on your list. Here are some of the remarkable in-store items I uncovered this week at my local HomeGoods…

acrylic bamboo style chair #thegifter

Acrylic is a huge trend in home decor and can be very pricey. This chic acrylic bamboo style chair caught my eye and the price stopped me in my tracks. It’s a high-end designer look, without breaking the bank.

large-scale zebra art #thegifter

Large-scale black and white photography or artwork is a perfect way to accessorize and elevate your interiors. It also makes a fabulous gift. This beautifully framed large-scale zebra art was a steal at $199.99 compared to $400 at department stores. Love it!

hand-painted serving dishes from Portugal - holiday gifts #thegifter

This exquisite hand-painted serving dish made in Portugal would make a fabulous gift for the cook on your list. Found at HomeGoods for only $20.90 … a HUGE savings from the original $60 price-tag! Now that’s a doorbuster!

It’s your turn to get in on the action and be entered to win a $500 TJX gift card!  Simply tweet your Black Friday tips or a gift idea to any of the TJX brands (HomeGoodsMarshalls and TJMaxx)  using #TheGifter.

Happy shopping!

Cristin

*Disclosure: This post was sponsored by TJX through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated to write this post about TJX #TheGifter, all opinions are my own.

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Read full story By on November 24, 2013 in Christmas, discounts, gift guide, Holiday, HomeGoods

The Gifter :: Outgift the Ungiftable

Every year there is a least one “has everything” person on my list that is hard to shop for. Finding just the right gift for them can be tricky and as I weigh through the options, the challenge seems to be greater – is it in my price range, is it too generic and does it have a personal touch? Sound familiar?

This holiday season, HomeGoods and POPSUGAR are putting a few bloggers (aka #TheGifter) to the test to uncover the best presents for the not-so-easy-to-shop-for people in your life. For the next five weeks we are tasked with a different mission and this week (you’ve guessed it!)  it’s “outgift the ungiftable”.

Here are just some of the fabulous gift ideas at amazing prices I found at my local HomeGoods store that are sure to please even the hardest to shop for person on your list. My secret? It’s simple; I select items I would only purchase for myself.

white faux fur throw #thegifter

Plush, luxurious and warm, faux fur throws are the must have home decor accessory this holiday season. When this designer faux fur throw at $39.99 (compared to $80 at department stores!) was spotted, I knew it would be a welcomed gift by the hard to shop for mom, sister or grandmother.

rare botanical candle #thegifter

Candles also make a great gift for the “ungiftable” on your list. This “rare botanic candle” is super chic. The same candle in a boutique would cost $50, but at HomeGoods it was only $24. Who wouldn’t be over-the-moon to receive this candle?

agate bookends // holiday gift // #thegifter

Timeless agate bookends make a great gift for the hard to shop for dads, bosses and teachers on your list, however they can be really pricey. These are similar to a pair found at a high-end department store, but for a fraction of the price.

foil initial notecards #thegifter

A handwritten note is always appreciated in our digital world. Beautiful stationary with a personal touch, such as this set with shimmery pink metallic initial (metallic touches are so hot this holiday season!), is always a welcome gift. The gold & white polka dot packaging is darling too!

For more fashion-forward gift ideas from HomeGoods that will satisfy all of the “ungiftable” people on your list, be sure to follow me on Instagram and Twitter. And I’d love your input too! Every week, you can join in on #TheGifter weekly missions by tweeting a gift idea or answer to the Weekly Mission using #TheGifter. In doing so, you could win a $500 TJX gift card! There will be one lucky winner each week.

Happy shopping!

Cristin

*Disclosure: This post was sponsored by TJX through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated to write this post about TJX #TheGifter, all opinions are my own.

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Read full story By on November 17, 2013 in Christmas, gift guide, Holiday, HomeGoods

Fabulous Hostess Gift Ideas for 2013

disclosure: This post contains an affiliate links, which means Simplified Bee receives commission if you make a purchase using this link.

As we move into November (can hardly believe it!), our minds quickly shift from spiders, cobwebs and witches to turkey dinner, holiday parties and hanging the stockings with care. Like many of you, the holiday season means large family dinners and cocktail parties with friends. If you’ll be heading to a Thanksgiving feast, Christmas party or holiday open house  in the next few weeks, bringing a thoughtful host or hostess gift is always appreciated. A favorite bottle of wine, homemade baked goods or a lovely bouquet of flowers are tried and true hostess gifts and will certainly be well received. However, if you are running short on time or want to bring something a little different, here are my favorite hostess gift ideas for 2013:

fabulous holiday hostess gifts - simplified bee #hostess #gifts

top to bottom:

pom pom throw (unexpected, yet always a winner) // wine tote (for the host’s fave bottle of champagne or wine)

 monogrammed cheese board (for the entertainer)

 personalized stationary (always well received) //holiday cupcakes (adorable right?!)

anchor bottle opener (for the cocktail party) // dried pomegranate wreath (great alternative to a traditional bouquet)

monogrammed drink coasters (for the host or hostess that has it all)

elephant place-card holders (love & a sneak peek from Nate Berkus’ Holiday Collection for Target due in stores 11/17)

What’s your favorite hostess gift?

Cristin

*some of these links are to affiliates of Simplified Bee, but product picks and opinions are my own!

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Read full story By on November 5, 2013 in Christmas, gift guide, Holiday, monograms, Thanksgiving

Father’s Day Gifts & $75 Gift Certificate Giveaway to UncommonGoods

Father’s Day is just around the corner and finding just the right gift for dad is not always easy. One place that has a ton of really fun, useful and unique gifts for dads is UncommonGoods. The online store store is one of my personal faves for sourcing creatively designed, high-quality and affordable items.

I’ve selected my top five Father’s Day gift picks at UncommonGoods (and it wasn’t easy to narrow down!)…

Father's Day Gift Ideas & UncommonGoods Giveaway1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Did you pick up on the baseball theme? 🙂 Both my dad and husband are big San Francisco Giants fans, so that’s what I gravitated to!

For Father’s Day, the nice folks at UncommonGoods would like to give one lucky Simplified Bee reader $75 gift certificate!

Here’s how to enter to win:

  • Simply leave a comment on this post (provide your email if I don’t have a way to contact you).
  • Extra Entry – become a new follower of Simplified Bee’s BlogTwitterPinterest or Facebook Page.
  • Extra Entry – mention this giveaway in a blog post, Facebook link, tweet or pin an image from this post, then leave a comment letting me know.
  • Please post a separate comment for each extra entry.

Entry period closes at midnight PST on Monday, June 10, 2013. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be announced on the Simplified Bee Facebook page on Tuesday, June 11, 2013.

Best of luck!

Cristin

 

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Read full story By on June 3, 2013 in Features, gift guide, Giveaways