Holiday Open House at the Gatehouse Shop, McLean, Thursday, November 17

This is a fun place to shop for Christmas gifts.  Read my review from last year for more information, photos, and video. The Gatehouse Shop Claude Moore Colonial Farm 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101  

Time to get your 2011 “Holiday Baubles” postage stamps

Do you send Christmas cards?  I do.  And I love the special Christmas stamps. Today, I picked up two books of the new U.S. holiday postage stamps, which were just issued last week. As you may know, each year the U.S. Post Office puts out a different secular holiday stamp design and a religious one [...]

5 Reasons to Complete Your Holiday Shopping Early This Year

I have a small gift list, so this is easy for me, but each year, I try to get most of my shopping done before Thanksgiving.  The benefits of shopping early are many! Shopping is easier.  The merchandise selection is definitely best in October and November.  If you are buying things like stocking stuffers, CDs, [...]

How to Avoid Compulsive Holiday Spending

How to Avoid Compulsive Holiday Spending. This video has great tips for keeping your finances under control during the holidays. My favorite tips include making a list and sticking to it and shopping early.  I also shop at a few stores, which reduces any tendency to shop on impulse. One of my favorite ways to [...]

Cool Yule Bargain Alert: 1/2 Price Colorful Trees at Sam’s Farm

I dropped by Sam’s Farm in Falls Church, Virginia on Leesburg Pike (address at the end of this post) and was impressed by the beautiful decorations and trees they had there, at very good prices, too. Half-off all artificial Christmas trees and artificial garlands Even though I have a lot of Christmas decorations, I could [...]

Bargain Fashion Finds for Holiday 2010 (women’s apparel and accessories)

What to wear…what to wear?  The One Party — evening event, lounge location, cold, damp night.  Christmas IPRA luncheon — mid-day, lots of Italian food.  And then there are the office parties, Christmas concerts, the Nutcracker ballet, afternoons of skating, and nights strolling around Old Town Alexandria… Like you, I want to look festive (and [...]

Mary’s Christmas Wish List

Tongue-in-cheek, okay?  Every year I make a “selfish” Christmas list of what I want Santa Claus to bring me. A tiara. A real one.  Not one of those party store jobs. I was shopping in Icing, which is like a slightly older version of Claire’s. They had all these gorgeous tiaras and it struck me, [...]

Holiday Tipping

If you have not already distributed presents and Christmas gifts to people who work for you, Boxing Day (December 26) is  traditionally a time when servants were recognized with gifts of cash and is a perfect opportunity to do it. Wondering how much to tip people who work for you? The postman isn’t supposed to [...]

The worst Christmas presents for kids

Okay, I hate to be negative around the holidays.  But I think presents should be special and fun.  Here’s my list of the worst presents you can give a child for Christmas.  What are your opinions?  Am I wrong? 1.   A pet. A dog, a turtle, a cat, a horse, and for heaven’s sake, not [...]

Holiday Shopping with Children

If the behavior of some caregivers I have observed at malls and area stores are any indication, there are parents, caregivers, and grandparents out there could use some helpful tips for managing their little ones during the holidays.  Here are a few reminders to make shopping with children easier. Shopping with babies and small children [...]