Christmas Steals & Deals All Week Long!

We're kicking off the end of the holiday shopping season with great deals on handmade and vintage for all the people in your life! Everyday we'll feature a new deal with both new and clearance products. See something you like? Grab it quick before someone else does!

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Home Security for $1

It'd be great if all rentals came with security systems but unfortunately they don't.  But for just $1 you can get the Intrud Alert from Dollar Tree.  The Intrud Alert comes in two pieces, one that attaches to your door and a smaller contact strip that attaches to your door jam.  When the door is opened, the Intrud Alert sounds a loud alarm letting you know the someone's breaking in and scaring off any would-be criminals.

We used the Intrud Alert at our apartment and it worked like a charm.  It comes with the batteries and mounting tape...everything you need to get started!  The on/off switch is on the side so you can easily control the alarm without having to remember codes everytime you come and go.  The best part is it's only ONE DOLLAR so you can buy one for all your entrances for just a few bucks.  If you don't have a Dollar Tree near you, you can buy the Intrud Alert online for $2.50.

While you're at Dollar Tree, make sure to check out the stationery section where I found gorgeous mini clipboards.  There are four different patterns to choose from but at just $1 a piece, you can buy all four like I did!

Christmas on the Cheap

So I forgot to tell you about the great deal I found on artificial Christmas trees. If you're landlord doesn't allow real Christmas trees because of the fire hazard, head on down to Family Dollar where you can get a fake tree for as little as $10!


Yep, $10 can get you a 4' tree. $15 gets you a 4' pre-lit tree, $20 a 6' tree and $25 a 6' pre-lit tree. How do ya like them apples? Jerome and I bought two trees from them: a 6 footer for our main tree and a cute little 4' pre-lit tree in a champagne color for the lounge...it's retrotabulous!

Not only does Family Dollar have super affordable trees, but they also have cheap decorations. Of course some of the decor looks as cheap as its price tag so you won't find everything you're looking for, but you will find the basics like Christmas lights for $2 and plain ornaments for $1. Can't beat that!

Another great deal: Old Navy's Christmas stockings for just $1!! They're not the cheap plain kind either...they have several different colors with all kinds of designs.  They don't sell them online so I can't provide a link or picture, but if you have an Old Navy close by, I'd recommend stopping by and grabbing one.

Let There be Fire!

I know it's Apartment Wanted time, but this deal is too good to hold on to. If you're looking for a firepit for your yard but don't want to pay big money, check out your local drug store.

A friend told us that Walgreens sells 24" firepits for $30. We didn't believe them until we checked it out for ourselves yesterday. Sure enough, Walgreens DOES sell firepits. To make the deal even sweeter, they're currently on sale for $15!!! Seeing as how most pits are $60+, I think $15 is a great deal! It's also small change that you won't mind losing if you move to a new apartment where you don't have space to use your pit.

We were so excited about our purchase that we used our firepit last night. It's great for parties, roasting marshmallows, or even grilling. We just sat there mesmerized by the fire.

I couldn't find the pit on the Walgreen's website but it looks just like this one from Target ($80). The only differences are it doesn't fold or come with the extra ice bucket...features that we don't really need.

Before buying a firepit, check with your landlord to make sure it's allowed. If they're worried about the risk of fire, you can always compromise and use gel fuel, which comes in cans and makes smaller flames. Gel fuel's a lot more expensive than fire wood so take that into consideration. 12 cans of fuel cost $37 (Amazon.com) versus $6 for a bundle of wood. If possible, use your pit on a stone patio to lower the fire risk and keep it a good distance from buildings.

Remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires!

Stay tuned for an Apartment Wanted post tomorrow.

Trees on the Cheap

It's the time of year where you pile in the car with your loved ones and drive to the nearest tree farm in search of the perfect Christmas tree.

I'm definitely a fake tree person. As much as I love the smell of fresh pine, the thought of the needles constantly shedding all over my floor stresses me out! I wouldn't be able to think of anything else!

For those who feel my pain, I have a fake tree shopping tip for you...slum it at Family Dollar. While browsing the isles for a giant bag of suckers (or lolipops as they call them here in Boston), I found a 6ft. Christmas tree for $20. If you're looking for something smaller, you can get a 4ft. tree for $10. Can't pass that up!

If Family Dollar doesn't work for you, head to Walmart where artificial trees are $25 and live Christmas trees are $35. Who said you have to go broke this Christmas!?

Target and CB2 have great ornaments to top it off. After everything's decorated, curl up with hot chocolate and a copy of The Nativity Story. Ah winter...