MelissaStuff

After a couple of epic Halloween parties over the last 4 or 5 years, we decided last year to make the party an annual event moving forward so everyone knew what to expect each year. My boys are ALL about it. They have helped me decorate and painted pumpkins. They're super excited about what they are dressing up as on Saturday. But the one thing I don't want them involved in yet . . . is the CANDY! But SourJacks and Little Secrets sent us some sample candies and we wanted to create something Halloween themed so we could enjoy looking at them and still have some left to share when company arrives. So Joey and I decided we could get crafty and decorative all on our own after the boys went to bed, and this is what we came up with . . . Those are some seriously funky monster jars holding amazing candy that will disappear when I allow everyone to open them up this coming Saturday. Sour Jacks are gluten-free candies that will pucker your mouth. We were sent sam...

Legacy ER and Urgent Care is compensating me for providing this post and coverage of their grand opening. Pneumonia. The Flu. Bronchitis. Strep Throat.  {sigh} It's that time of year. Everyone is getting sick. Kids are out of school for one thing or another and then they go back just in time to catch the next round of illness. Or at least that's the way I felt year after year.  But in the last few years, we have made a couple of changes that have really changed that cycle for us. 1.) We started using Thieves - Young Living Essential Oil in the house regularly and 2.) We make sure all of our boys get their flu shot. This year, they were able to go to Legacy ER and Urgent Care to get their shots. The wait was short. The attractive firefighter who gave the their shots did an incredible job and not one of them cried! How amazing is that?  The Allen location was the easiest access for our crew, but there are also locations in McKinney, Frisco, North Richla...

Yesterday, I stopped into Wendy's and was excited to see that they are offering coupon books that are good for 5 Jr. Frosties for just $1 . . . and $3 million from the sale of these coupons goes to support the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption through Wendy's. It's been a while since I have said much about adoption, but if you're a long-time reader of the MelissaStuff blog you know that adoption is dear to my heart. One of the biggest hang-ups for people who would potentially adopt is simply the overwhelming cost involved. Wendy's has worked for years to help offset that concern so that more families could bring a waiting child into their home. Currently, there are more than 20,000 children in foster care in the United States. We have friends who have adopted from the foster care system, and other friends who had long-term placements through foster care. We know firsthand how precious these children are. They all need homes and we want to do everything we c...

I am totally a procrastinator when it comes to holiday decorating and cooking. I have great ideas and life gets busy and then the holiday is over and I find myself wishing I had done more. So this year I am starting early . . . for me, at least. I am planning a big Halloween party and pulling together Pinterest boards for Halloween Treats , Halloween DIY Decor , and DIY Halloween Costumes . Check the boards out and if you have a link you'd like me to consider adding, please leave it in the comments!! Follow MelissaStuff's board Halloween Decor Suggestions on Pinterest.   Follow MelissaStuff's board Halloween Treats on Pinterest.   Follow MelissaStuff's board DIY Halloween Costumes on Pinterest.

So I bought two cart loads, spent less than $100 and saved more than $700 this morning at Target. Check out your local Target and see if they are at 90% off as well. Not only did I buy Halloween costumes ahead of time for next year, but I bought a stock of cookie and cake mixes at $.12 and $.16 each. I bought decorations - owl rug, owl cookie canister, glitter garland, pinecone lights, and more - that will work for any time of year. And I bought all of the pieces to do goodie bags for Halloween next year. This is my FAVORITE way to shop. LOL

I know, I know - I just disappeared with no explanation. I will get back to you on that.  But I did want to make sure you knew that NOW is the time to stock up for next Halloween! Went to Target this morning and costumes, decorations, etc. were at 70% off and candy was at 50% off. Watch carefully on the food, if your kids are like mine, they don't care one whit if they have granola bars, macaroni and cheese or fruit roll ups that are decorated like Halloween from now until Thanksgiving. Ha! But I also picked up several Funfetti cake mixes - you'll have to look closely, but some of them didn't expire until 2014 so for just a few cents I bought 2 cake mixes and 2 icings that I can use for next Halloween. CVS is also clearancing their Halloween stuff, but it's only at 50% off right now - and at the one store I stopped at, they had stuck it on an end cap.

Ran into Target this morning and caught all of the Halloween dropping to 90% off. Everything – costumes, makeup, candy, decorations . . . I loaded up. Check it out and see if it’s the same near you.

Run by On the Border for dinner tonight before the kids go trick or treating and your kids will eat for FREE! Children dressed in their Halloween costumes will receive a FREE kids meal from On the Border when an adult meal is purchased. (You will likely want to make sure your location is participating before you head over.) Have fun! And stay safe!

  Take your kids into IHOP any time today between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and get them a FREE Count Spatula Scary Pancake! No purchase necessary, but I’m sure you or your kids will at least want something to drink. Valid at participating locations. Thanks, TripleSmiles !

If you have procrastinated on finding Halloween costumes, I have a solution for you! This weekend – Saturday, October 29 only - in McKinney, Once Upon a Child is offering 50% off ALL Halloween costumes and accessories. If you have the vouchers that they offered not too long ago, this could be an incredible deal.

On Sunday the 23rd, CVS will be holding a FREE Halloween Costume party for the family. Bring your child in their costume and you will receive: $5 value of candy, toys, trick or treat safety items $10 in coupons for additional Halloween products A free 5X7 photo, supported by an in-store costume photo shoot The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. so you can go by any time. Sounds like a good deal to me. (By the way, that is my CRAZY child up there. He was supposed to be an old time football player, but running and crying was the best pic ever!) Thanks Couponing to Disney !

I have to confess that I really enjoy Halloween. That doesn’t sit well with some of my more conservative family and friends, but it is what it is. I don’t celebrate it as a dark art or as a way of making a “joke” out of Hell, demons, etc. It’s just a tradition in our family of dressing up, acting silly, fellowshipping with others and enjoying the beginning of fall . . . which means the holidays are right around the corner. And long ago my momma got me hooked on ghost stories and movies about things that go bump in the night . . . and still as a grown woman I gravitate towards the books, movies and stories that make me jump just a bit. If your family is like mine was growing up and looking for a classy way to celebrate Halloween that doesn’t involve chainsaws and fake blood, I think this might be a perfect solution. The Morton Meyerson Symphony Hall is holding a special “Monsters of Film Music” on Sunday, October 30 at 2:30 p.m. Today on Mamapedia you can get a family 4-pack ...

  How cute are these Boo! Popcorn tins from The Popcorn Factory ? Did you know October is National Popcorn Month? Yeah, I didn’t either. We received one to review and my husband and baby immediately dove in and ate almost half the container immediately. They especially liked the cheese and caramel flavors. If you’re looking for a special way to celebrate Halloween with someone near or far, you should considering ordering one of these tins or some of the other fun, tasty products over at the Popcorn Factory . This post was sponsored by The Popcorn Factory and 1-800-FLOWERS .

  $15 for $30 in Halloween Merchandise If you’re struggling to find the right Halloween outfit . . . or just too busy to get out to the store with your kids and fight through the masses – you might want to take advantage of this deal. Do note that this voucher is not good with sale or clearance items.

  It’s that time – time to grab Halloween costumes for all of your littles. If you are looking for a good buy – you pretty much can’t beat these $.99 Pirate Costumes . On sale at Little Tikes , you can get one costume for $.99 or a pack of two costumes for $1.98 ! Shipping starts at $7.98.

$12 for 2 Admissions to the Dallas Arboretum The Dallas Arboretum is always fun and during fall, it’s even more beautiful! If you’re going to pay to go to a pumpkin patch, I would recommend going to the Arboretum instead. For this price, you won’t be able to get into any of the local pumpkin patches for any cheaper. These tickets are just a little more than the last deal , but the vouchers will be good through the end of December 31. Not valid on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Valid only on weekdays. Not valid for Thursday night Concerts in the Park. If you are a returning Groupon customer , please use this link to make your purchase and help support MelissaStuff in bringing you the best deals .

$6 for Halloween Nail Shields Today SaveMore is offering Halloween Nail Shields for just $6. If you are a new customer at SaveMore , you will get a $10 credit and be able to get these for FREE! If you are a returning SaveMore customer , you can support MelissaStuff by using this link to make your purchase and you can refer your friends to earn additional credit to spend at SaveMore ! **NOTE: If you live in the state of Texas, you will be charged $.99 in sales tax upon purchase of the actual nail shields.**

  $5 for 1 Admission to the Dallas Arboretum The Dallas Arboretum is always fun and during fall, it’s even more beautiful! If you’re going to pay to go to a pumpkin patch, I would recommend going to the Arboretum instead. For this price, you won’t be able to get in to any of the local pumpkin patches for any cheaper. These vouchers will be good through November 14 (with the exception of Halloween weekend.) If you are a returning Groupon customer , please use this link to make your purchase and help support MelissaStuff in bringing you the best deals .

Be ready for Halloween with plenty of time to spare by purchasing one of these adorable infant costumes for just $3.88 from Amazon right now (and FREE shipping if the total purchase is more than $25).