Christmas Bargins (Good & Bad)

[Wuptdo]

Well folks, the Holidays are on us. Merry Christmas - and to Doug in Durham and all the PC'ers in Chapel Hill, piss-off!

I thought this would be a good thread for the Holidays. If you find a good deal or bad deal, please let the rest of us know. Find a place with great egg nog or cookies, pass it on.

Anyway, my first recommendation for the season. Unless you have money to burn, don't waste it at the NC Museum of Art's current expo of "Matisse & Picasso and the School of Paris." $12 dollars for adults, $9 for Seniors/Students. Had to wait 1.5 hours just to get in line (went on Friday, after Thanksgiving). Exhibition is way over-rated, and except for a few piece's, very boring. However, actually walking around the Museum without towing a group of kids around was actually enjoyable. I especially enjoy the "American Collection." :grin:

Please view Laurie's post below: The special times, and discounts then make the trip worthwhile. My major complaint is that there a too many "uncompleted" stecthes.

Moving on. This morning while listening to the wisdom of Clark Howard (WPTF-AM 680), he passed on some useful info. The Holiday Season is the biggest selling time for cell phone companies. In order to get you in the "door," most of the companies are offering great deals on phones. What they don't tell you is that they "jack-up" their rate plans prices and then commit you to either a one or two year contract. According to Clark, the only company not doing this is "T-Mobile." If I recall, he mentioned that .04 cents per minute on a 1000 minute plan was a good deal. Also, he mentioned to be wary of the "authorized" agents, as they may have "secondary" contracts, and they won't handle service troubles with your phone. It pays to be a smart shopper! :D

May not be true anymore, but a few years ago, according to Consumer Reports, that the last 3 Mondays in December is the best time to buy/lease a new car. I hoping Santa will bring me a grey Hummer H3! :-D

This Saturday (4 Dec), at the UU Church on Wade Avenue (about a mile inside beltline on Right) is having their annual Christmas Bazaar! All sorts of neat "homemade" things. Enjoy!

Wuptdo B-)

[Laurie]

Anyway, my first recommendation for the season. Unless you have money to burn, don't waste it at the NC Museum of Art's current expo of "Matisse & Picasso and the School of Paris." $12 dollars for adults, $9 for Seniors/Students. Had to wait 1.5 hours just to get in line (went on Friday, after Thanksgiving). Exhibition is way over-rated, and except for a few piece's, very boring. However, actually walking around the Museum without towing a group of kids around was actually enjoyable. I especially enjoy the "American Collection." :grin:

Our older son went to see this with a school group and thought it was nice. He did say that he enjoyed the museum's regular collection better. His group got in free, too. The Friday after Thanksgiving should have been half price between 5-9 pm. There is an online discount coupon you can print from the NC Museum of Art's website. It cannot be used on Thursday or Friday night.

Other discounted days are listed below:
Late Nights
Fridays, Nov. 26, 2004, and Jan. 7 and Jan. 14, 2005
Thursdays, Jan. 6 and Jan. 13, 2005
Museum open until 9 p.m.
$6 Exhibition admission offered 5–9 p.m.

Holiday Festival of France
Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Visitors may attend the exhibition for $6 during the festival.

[Wuptdo]

When making those holiday purchases this season, please consider this website:

http://boycottfrenchproducts.org/

I actually keep a list in the old pick-up truck. :D

Wuptdo B-)

[Wuptdo]

Hey folks, Check this website for Impact Athletics. Grand Opening on 13 Dec 2004.

http://www.impactathleticsnc.com/

What a great looking facility and it was built with "private" money.

Wuptdo B-)

[Wuptdo]

This Saturday, 11 Dec, from 11 am to 3 pm, Mort Kunstler will be at Ashley's Art Gallery on 701 N.Main Street in Fuquay-Varina. Mr. Kunstler is a well known "War of Southern Indepence" artist. He will be there to sign copies of his latest book and sign "prints" as well.

http://www.ashleyart.com/

While your in F-V, I would suggest lunch at "The Tea Room" (on Main Street - Old downtown F-V). Also, before you leave, F-V, about a block up from Ashley's is where the Aldi Grocery Store is located - check it out!

Of course, this is after we all attend the Cary "Dog Park" meeting at 10 am. :D

Wuptdo B-)

[johnb]

Wup,

I was going to suggest a Great Buy.

Denny Neagle, pitcher for the Colorado Rockies, had a guarantteed contract for $18 million. He gets caught by the cops with a hooker. One ugly scabby thing he paid $40 for certain services from.

The Rockies terminate his contract. He gets nothing. He's not a terribly good pitcher either so his chances of getting a similar deal from any other team are remote at best.

$18,000,040 for a hummer.

There's a Great Buy for you!

[Wuptdo]

JohnB - ROFL :lol: ! Just because they can play a sport, does not mean that they are also smart!

Wuptdo B-)

[Wuptdo]

Here are some great ideas for your friends that may be left of center: :D

http://www.cafepress.com/proGOPgear/

(I had the wrong link to start - sorry. :oops: )

Fiscal Democrats may enjoy these are well!

Wuptdo B-)

[Wuptdo]

Go over to Spensor's Gifts over at Cary Town Center (next to Hecht's and food court). They are moving out of the Cary Town Center and all items are 30% to 50%. Great gifts especially for teens and "secret" Santa gifts at your office. :D

Looking for Music. I have found that Sam's Club is about $1.50 cheaper than most of the Mall Stores for "newer" music request. They also have a great selection of "older" music and gift sets. However, be wary of there DVD stuff.

Come on folks, I'm not the only one out there shopping for Christmas -- share those savings with the rest of us! :-D

Wuptdo B-)

[washere]

Christmas bargains...

How's this: I think we've spent a whopping $50 on EVERYBODY'S Christmas gifts this year.

Sadly, I'll be burning the midnight oil to finish these last few gifts before Christmas :cry: .

[Wuptdo]

The perfect Christmas Eve dinner:

Bone-In Rib Roast (Rancher, $5.88 lb.)*
Bone-In Rib Roast (Angus, $6.88 lb.)*

* with you VIC Card! (Save $3.11 per lb.) :D

Wuptdo B-)

[washere]

The perfect Christmas Eve dinner:

Bone-In Rib Roast (Rancher, $5.88 lb.)*
Bone-In Rib Roast (Angus, $6.88 lb.)*

* with you VIC Card! (Save $3.11 per lb.) :D

Wuptdo B-)
Wup-
You're right! That's a FANTASTIC DEAL!!! Thanks so much for pointing that out.

If anybody's interested, I have an OUTSTANDING recipe for prime rib.

[Wuptdo]

In today's flyer from Best Buy they have some great prices on some good DVD's (page 8 & 9). They are selling them for $9.99 each (normally run for 12.95 to 16.95).

I'm on my way now before they sell out!

Wuptdo B-)

Later that day (CrossRoads was a traffic nightmare!)

I bought 7 titles for $9.99 and one that was $18.95, for only $11.95 (Wizards). Don't tell Mrs. Wup, as I plan on saving 3 for my birthday. :-D My DVD collection is probably over 100 titles ( I like to watch). 8-O

[Wuptdo]

Looking for something different to get the hard to shop for person. Music always works. This is one of my favorite country-western CD's. However, it may be hard to find (I got my at Borders).

Pearls in the Snow is the title; featuring the songs of Kinky Friedman.

http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/

Kinky's songs are sung by great artist like: Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, Lyle Lovett, and Delbert McClinton. Even if you are not a C-W fan, most folks I have played this CD for have really enjoyed it.
:wink:

Wuptdo B-)

[Wuptdo]

Ok, gentlemen, it is only a few days left and your spouse won't give you any clues to what she wants (your supposed to know already :oops: ).

Help is on the way! :wink:

1) Gift Certificates to local Day Spas (check in phone book);

2) Gift Certificates to local Nail or Hair Salons (check in phone book);

3) Weekend getaway Spas at either The Homestead or The Greenbriar;

http://www.greenbrier.com/

http://www.thehomestead.com/

(Major brownie points for the year!) :D

4) Tickets to upcoming "Broadway" type shows in Raleigh (include dinner)

5) Cooking lessons (for both of you; remember, she wants quality time with you!) I recommend this:

http://www.capriflavors.com/cooking_classes.php

(This may not be a bad night out for several couples of CP's to meet either.)

Things to avoid: applicances, gift certificates from Lowe's/Home Depot/Ace, "Beauty" Make-overs, jewerly (they upcharge during holiday season), free oil-changes at Frantz Auto, and stuff purchased at drug stores. And remember, always keep the receipt!

I hope this helps.

Wuptdo B-)

All other ideas and suggestion are welcome - please share!

[washere]

Wup-
Don't forget to include babysitting with the "Spa Day" gift.

So far, over the years I've gotten 3 day packages to local spas.

Have any of them ever been used? Of course not. I don't have anyone to watch my kids! :lol:

I definitely think the cooking class is a cute idea! We CPers should definitely get together for that.

[Wuptdo]

CharChar - why not do some bartering. Exchange some spa stuff for baby sitting or other services. I willing to bet that some of your deserts are worth a few hours of babysitting for someone. :D Then, again, I am sure you husband would appreicate some "quite" time with the kids, while you go pamper yourself. :wink:

Hhmmm, maybe we should add a "Barter" section to CP. An exchange of goods and services with other goods and services of the same value. No money changes hands and the government gets "zip" in taxes. I like it!

Oh, I just heard this author on the radio. Sounds like a great last minute gift.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/woods/woods30.html

Wuptdo B-)

[Laurie]

At Barnes & Noble and Ink there is a book called North Carolina 24/7 with photos from all over the state. Right now it is 50% off the regular price of $24.95 and members get an additional 10% off. But the best part is that you supply a photo and they will print you a custom dust jacket, but I don't think you will get it by Christmas. And there is a book for every state.

[Cathy]

A great gift for Christmas is Michael Crichton's new fiction novel "State of Fear"!
I have read it and highly recommend it. It's a '2-fer'. Not only is it an entertaining fiction novel, it's also full of little known facts about environmentalism.

Cathy

[Wuptdo]

Cathy - Got the book for the oldest son! :wink: Good Choice.

Michael Crichton has been putting out great books for years. Always a good read, especially on vacation. Too bad, the literary elites consider his work "low-brow!" :roll: Of course, they said the same thing about Mark Twain as well. :D

But you know the old saying, if you can't write, be a critic.

Under the tree this year, Mrs. Wup will find a copy of The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck ($7.92 at Sam's Club). Written over 60 years ago, it is considered to be a literary classic (cause Oprah said so). For a coffee at McCafe' or Ice Cream at Maggio Moo's who can tell the rest of us why this book is "very" special. :wink: (no goggle search's)

Wuptdo B-)

[Brent]

So, Wup, you're telling me that free oil changes at Frantz Automotive aren't going to melt my spouse's heart? Now's a fine time to be telling me! The next thing I know, you'll be telling me that she isn't going to appreciate that air compressor, socket wrench set and that Popeil "just set it an forget it" cooker thing from TV. :lol: :-D :lol:

[Wuptdo]

Brent - with those gifts you might find yourself in one of RonC stories.....


Cary News, 29 DEC 2004 - "......funeral services for Mr. Miller will be held at ....." 8O :D :D


Wuptdo B-)

News flash is RonC really RONCO? Ron Popeil (son of the famous Mr. Popeil) named his company RonCo (Ron's Company) so people wouldn't be confused with his fathers stuff.

[Karen]

Cary News, 29 DEC 2004 - "......funeral services for Mr. Miller will be held at ....." 8O :D :D

Have they paved the parking lot of the new Lowes yet??? If not I say we just bury Brent there and have them pave over him. :wink: :-D

Karen

[Brent]

LOL!

I think it's already mostly paved, but I'm sure that something could be arranged and in any case, it would make good folklore...kind of like Jimmy Hoffa in the Meadowlands end zone :lol:

[Wuptdo]

Ah, Christmas Eve at last. It was a busy day for all us, I'm sure. Anyway, a big thumbs up to Golden Corral for tonights Christmas Eve feast. (We were both to tired to cook).

With all the chores done, and presents tucked away, it is time for Wup to hit the special Christmas "sauce," 8-} and sit back and watch our traditional Christmas Eve movie - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

May the dreaded words "Some assembly required" not cross your path this Chirstmas eve.

Merry Christmas to all!

Wuptdo (and Family) B-)