Bye Bye Black Friday. Hello Cyber Monday! In case you didn't know, today marks an annual shopping extravaganza where you can shop killer bargains without having to camp outside any stores or duke it out in the aisles against hungry pre-dawn shoppers. Instead, you can calmly power on your computer at home and shop your favorite stores online for all your holiday gifts (and a little something for you) for less!
Almost all online retailers are offering great lightning bargains today, many of which comes with free shipping. Take a leisurely lunch break to browse the sales and save $200 on a Samsung 40'' HDTV at Best Buy. Or open up your laptop after the stores have closed and fill your cyber shopping cart with gorgeous jewelry for up to 70% off at Amazon. And if you're shopping for presents for the kids, you can quietly check out the deals at Toys R Us and order all their favorite toys online after the little ones have already gone to bed.
If you plan on doing all your holiday shopping from home, without the hassle of parking, scrabbling for the last item on the shelves, waiting in checkout lines and dealing with limited store hours, then today is your kind of day!
Happy Cyber Monday, everyone! Let the holiday shopping begin!
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- Black Friday!
- Cold Weather Foods
- DIY Holiday Decorations
If you're like me and you love Black Friday prices but hate the crowds, I have good news for you. Stores are offering online sales that are just as juicy as some of the door-buster deals you'll find this Friday -- only you don't have to bust through any doors to get them! Just stay in your PJs, dodge the masses and save the tug-of-war and tackling for backyard football with the family!
Just to give you an idea of the kinds of pre-Black Friday sales going on right now, here are a few of my favorite things!
BEST BUY
KOHL'S
TARGET
TOYS R US
It won't be long before holiday parties start filling up the calendar! To help you on your way to a festive holiday season, HosueParty.com is offering a bunch of different 
themed party packs to help you throw a party for friends and family right at home.
Apply to be a host for a variety of different themed parties (not all of them are holiday-themed for those who still think it's too early to bust out the garland and X-mas music). If you are selected to be a host, a party pack chock full of goodies from your favorite brands will be delivered right to your doorstep. All you have to do is give your feedback on what you and your friends thought of the items and keep them for free!
To get the party started, simply follow a few steps.
- Check out the upcoming parties.
- Invite your friends in in return, receive exclusive access to try and share some cool stuff.
- Send in your feedback about the products you tried and keep all the goodies for free!
I just scrapped off the first layer of frost from my windshield this morning, so I think it's safe to say that any inkling of summer is now officially long gone. And while some of you are still morning the loss of sunlight 
and warm nights, it's time to start gearing up for the holiday season!
One of the best ways to do this is to get your house looking festive and cozy. After all, you're going to be spending a lot more time indoors for the next few months! I like to occupy myself with some fun DIY holiday decor projects for my home this time of year. From pumpkin carving to soft christmas lights, here are a few of my favorite (and cheap!) ways to get your home ready for the holidays.
Painted Twigs
I was inspired by these white branches from ApartmentTherapy.com and I thought, rather than spend money on them, why not let nature do most of the work for free! Simply clip a cluster of branches you've collected down to a length that can easily fit in a vase, sand the dirt and nobs off the branches and paint on a thick coat of white paint. Get 25% off Sherwin-Williams paints and stains.
Tissue Paper Ghosts
This classic Halloween decoration is cute and super easy! Have the kids help you place a cotton ball in the center of a sheet of facial tissue and wrap white yarn under the cotton ball to secure the "head." Use the same piece of yarn to create a string of tiny ghosts to display along a window sill or above the doorway. Save $0.50 on Angel Soft Tissue.
Sophisticated Pumpkins
I saw this display of pumpkins as I was surfing around for inspiration and I knew I had to try it! Rather than carving out a pumpkin face, simply drill holes to create a pattern on your pumpkin. The flicker of the candle will shine through the holes to create a beautiful design!
Softened Christmas Lights
I love the soft light of candles displayed all over my home (save $1.50 on glade jar candles). Another way to soften up the light around your house is to wrap little strips of tulle and lace around each little italian light. It may be a little time consuming, but the outcome is absolutely gorgeous! See for yourself.
Bowl of Candy!
Ok, this idea isn't exactly original, but in the spirit of Halloween, busting out the candy jar seems necessary! That is... if you have the self control to turn it down after the tenth piece of the day! Save $1 on Snickers, Twix, M&Ms, Milky Ways, 3 Musketeers and more.
