This weekend I have a Holiday Party with some close family friends whom I've known for a very long time. I'm pretty lucky that my sisters and I have a lot in common, and we also have mutual friends. Some of them were in my wedding as bridesmaids and were later in my sister's wedding. We don't see each other as often, but when we do, we pick right up where we left off. Once a year we try to meet up around the holidays with or without our families. I had to run out this week to find some gifts for all six girls as well as a gift exchange for the kids without going over budget. Brea Mall asked me to do a holiday shopping story about my finds at their mall, and I had a couple of hours in the morning so here goes...

I stopped into Macy's and found a cute outfit for the holiday party. They have a great selection in a wide price range from generics to well known designer brands. They had a 25% sale that day so it was a total win. I also found some non-ugly Christmas sweaters. Here are some bold styles with holiday leggings.

The next store I stopped in was Bath and Body Works. Back in our college days, we used to give each other lots of body washes and lotions, because it came in pretty packaging and who doesn't want to smell great? We don't do it as often anymore, but I like that you can exchange the scent easily if someone gifts it to you even without a receipt. There are some fun holiday sets that are pre-made, but you can also build-your-own. I must admit I was in this store for a while looking for gift sets under $20, and well, the possibilities are endless here with candles, hand soap, lotions, body creams, hand sanitizers, etc. I found the gifts for my girlfriends though!


While I was in there I remembered they carried my favorite hand lotion at Bath and Body Works - the super soft hand lotion paraffin located in the True Blue Spa collection! At first I was like okay can I do it and stay within budget? Luckily they had a buy two one get one free sale so I was able to add a hand scrub and a nail filer to the gift set plus they gave me $10 off $30 coupons which kept me under budget. (It came out to less than $15 a person!) The store associate was very helpful, and she helped me save money too which I appreciated. They also gave me cello bags, ribbons, and tags for the gift sets. (See below). I might go back and add tissue paper as a filler if I have time.

One of my favorite things to gift the ladies during the holidays is pj's. They have a great selection at Victoria's Secret. Sometimes I can find really good deals on the gift sets in the e-newsletters with coupon codes and free shipping. Over Black Friday, I found a code to get free slippers with every pair I purchased and bought a set for my mother-in-law.

If you're looking for stocking stuffers, I found a great selection of beauty products in a wide price range at Sephora by the registers.

My husband works in IT and love gadgets. He is one of those guys that has everything and doesn't want anything, however, lately he has been asking for an Apple Sport Watch. I stopped into the Apple Store, and the store associate was kind enough to explain the different ones they carry. I later found out he wanted the black one so I came back to purchase it. (My favorite was the rose-gold for me). It's so pretty.

I wasn't just shopping for others that morning, I was working on my wish list too so I stopped into Michael Kors to check out their handbags and jewelry. I think I'm going to hint for a pretty watch or jewelry this year.

Santa was all smiles waving as people walked by. Our Photos with Santa at Simon Malls are usually one of the best. I will have to bring the kids back all dressed up to do this.

Another great feature at Brea Mall is the Indoor Play Area. Holiday shopping can get pretty hectic closer to Christmas, but luckily there's a great resting area at the mall. Not only do kids have fun running around, but there are padded seats for parents with charging stations!

Right next to the play area is Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory if you want a fun holiday treat.

Brea Mall is one of our favorite malls, because they have a great selection of stores, and it's family-friendly. I had a productive morning checking off people on my Christmas list. So here is the fun part, I get to send one lucky reader a $100 Visa Gift Card to shop at Brea Mall too! Enter below for a chance to win! For more information, holiday hours, or to find out what stores are at Brea Mall, please visit their website.
Have fun holiday shopping!
Mary
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Brea Mall
1065 Brea Mall
Brea, CA
(714) 990-2732

One lucky reader will win this prize. Please enter below for a chance to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
US Residents Only. No purchase necessary to enter. All fans have an equal chance to win, however, you must enter to win. A winner will be randomly selected via RaffleCopter and notified via email. No cash value. Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected the same way. Several different ways to earn entries (some can be done daily). Prize will be fulfilled by sponsor. One prize per household. Not liable for unclaimed prizes or fulfillment. Good luck!
I want to win!! I would be at Macy's or Origins.....I need some new moisturizers!!
ReplyDeleteI so want to win! I would be at bath and body works stocking up on fresh balsam candles!
ReplyDeleteWould love to win. I would be at Macy's for new clothes!
ReplyDeleteSo many great stores at Brea mall. Would love to get over there more often.
ReplyDeleteId luv to win! I'll probably be Macys getting me some new boots!
ReplyDeleteI like the Brea play area, which right next to the Chocolate Factory. But I really need some pants for my boys, so I will be at The Children's Place or the Gymboree stores.
ReplyDelete$100 Visa card will be great for holiday shopping.
ReplyDeleteI will be at Macy's getting some new clothes. I want to win to get more gifts
ReplyDeleteHot Topic for the new Dr. Who line for my boyfriend's daughter.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this for holiday shopping.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win for the Holidays and to get some nice clothes and other gifts for my niece and nephew!!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite store is sephora!!
ReplyDeleteEntered the Rafflecopter as “Wild Orchid"
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
I guess I want to win for the most obvious reason....to buy Christmas presents! :) thanks!
ReplyDeleteI guess I want to win for the most obvious reason....to buy Christmas presents! :) thanks!
ReplyDeleteI would have to say a shoe store for sure
ReplyDeleteI would shop at Bath and Body works.
ReplyDeleteI'd stay at Macy's.
ReplyDeleteNordstrom!
ReplyDeleteGreat for Christmas shopping
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this for holiday shopping.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win, go to a mall buy me and shop at The Gap!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this. I have barely begun holiday shopping.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely shop at Macy's - great selection and value!
ReplyDeleteYou would probably find me at a shoe store there -- I need shoes and so does my daughter!
ReplyDeleteid to go macys
ReplyDeleteI would buy some clothes for the kids.
ReplyDeleteI would like to buy some christmas presents with the gift card.
ReplyDeleteI would shop at Macy's.
ReplyDeleterounder9834 @yahoo.com
(Krystal) I would be at Macys!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win and use it at CPK or Macy's
ReplyDeleteI would love to win so I could do some shopping for the family. I would be at Macy's
ReplyDeleteWe go to Brea mall often. They have lots of kids store where do most of my shopping. I also shiop often at Macy's with their frequent coupons /sales.
ReplyDeleteWe shop at Brea Mall all the time. I would love to surprise my daughter with a mini shopping spree!
ReplyDeleteI would probably go to Nordstrom and get a gift for my sister.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely be at Nordstrom or GameStop buying something for my wonderful husband
ReplyDeleteI definitely need some clothes so I will be headed to the department stores.
ReplyDeleteI would want to win this so I can then figure out what to get my two sons for their birthdays in February-
ReplyDeleteWould love to win. I would be at Macy's for kid clothes and toys.
ReplyDeleteThis would be so awesome to win! Macy's has lots of great items...
ReplyDeleteNeed some shoes from Macy's
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this to buy stocking stuffers for the kids.
ReplyDeleteI would be at See's Candies getting Molasses Chips, Jamba Juice for a coldbuster and Nordstrom for some new earrings!
ReplyDeleteErika W. (on rafflecopter)
I would use the gift card to do some holiday shopping for my dogs.
ReplyDeleteThis would be so great to win to buy a new purse! so many great stores at this mall
ReplyDeleteI would go to Lush, so many things I want to try out
ReplyDeleteI would like to win this to buy a winter coat.
ReplyDeletethank you