// The Art of Gift Giving + a $100 Opry Mills Giveaway

So I totally went Black Friday shopping this year. Not the "wake up at 2am so you can be in the door by 6am" kind of Black Friday shopping, but still totally the "battle crazy traffic and hoards of people" kind. It was the first time I had gone shopping on that day in like... 10 years or more. And you know what? It was fun! I even had Mike and both boys with me... Haha I had a few errands I needed to run in Nashville anyway, so we decided to spend a few hours at Opry Mills on the busiest day of the year because the sales were calling my name. I partnered up with Opry Mills to do a blog post on gift giving, so I wanted to stretch my gift card as far as possible and this seemed like the time to do it! (Seriously, everything pictured below was at least 50% off. WIN!) Anyway, I managed to knock 5 people off my list during Black Friday, and below is what I scored. (Warning: If you're a family member, please skip this post! Or you know, ruin the surprise of your gift. No, but really. Don't.)

Up first is Toby! He was with us, so it might seem like the magic of the surprise is gone, but we let him pick out some pieces that he really wanted (and he's already forgotten about everything except his bear ha). He told us he wanted some new brown "dress" shoes since Mike had recently gotten some new ones. We picked up this pair at The Children's Place for all of $12! Then he saw the cardigan sweater at Old Navy and asked for it. He picked up a Linden-sized version and it took us until we got all the way home to realize it didn't match (That's why he asked to get it for Linden. He loves when they wear the same thing haha!) He had a couple of small Lego things that he had picked out, but I think they went in for an early wrapping haha. We also let him make his own bear at Build-A-Bear. He made a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle bear, complete with the theme song and all. He asked to spend the last bit on making Linden a bear and y'all, I about lost it. It was SO sweet to see Toby be so thoughtful. If that kid loves anything, it's being a big brother, and that makes my heart sing!

Then I picked up a few cozy things for my mom. I thought she might like some warm loungewear from Old Navy. Everything was 50% off so I got her a pullover hoodie and some super soft lounge pants. I love the coral color of the hoodie so much. I also picked her up a coffee mug from Bass Pro Shop to keep in the RV when we go camping/on vacation.

Mike was up next! He was with me, but I already knew what I wanted to get him. A new clinical bag. He had been saying for a few weeks that he would like a bag separate from his class bag so he didn't have to pack and unpack all of his books for each clinical day. I took him over to Fossil to find something he liked and he picked out this messenger bag. I love the navy and brown together. It was originally $148 but was 50% off! And since he's sort of into my whole coffee mug collection, I bought him this fun moose mug of his own. It was from Bass Pro Shop, too. (I totally got one for me and my step dad also. Matching RV mugs!)

I bought this gorgeous chiffon dress and infinity scarf for my sister in law, Laine. I was so jealous of the dress after getting home, I made a note to check Old Navy next time we were at Opry Mills so I could get my own. (Spoiler: It was last Saturday and I totally nabbed one. Is it weird to match your SIL?!)

And finally, the littlest Flynn! I know Linden can't really "appreciate" Christmas/gifts yet, but I had to take advantage of the sales at the mall that day. The two on the left are from Baby Gap and the two on the right are from Old Navy. Itty bitty tiny clothes are just so precious! So really, it's more like these are gifts to myself. Can you blame me?! 

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Overall I'm pretty stoked I was able to knock off so much of my shopping list in one day. I still have quite a few folks to buy for, but I'm working up the courage to face more of the holiday shoppers at the mall haha. I'm definitely going to be shopping for my step dad at Bass Pro Shop, and probably picking something up for my mother in law on the "fashion wing" of Opry Mills. Even though I risk sounding like a commercial, I'm just going to say it: Opry Mills has a crazy amount of stores, and they span every price point and "genre" you can think of. Legos, Disney, and a candy store for the kids. H&M, Forever 21, and Old Navy for the young adults. And Coach, Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren, etc. for the more upscale crowd. If it's Saturday, we're probably at Opry Mills haha! (Seriously though. It's a little alarming how often I find myself there...)

Now if you're local to middle Tennessee/Nashville/plan on visiting soon, check out the giveaway below. One of you will win a $100 Opry Mills giftcard to spend any way you choose!

To be entered to win, leave a comment below sharing who you'd spend the $100 on. Would you use it for some holiday shopping? Or would it be more of a "Treat yo'self!" splurge?

For additional entries, do as many of the following as you'd like. Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each! -- Like Opry Mills on Facebook // Follow Opry Mills on Twitter // Follow Opry Mills on Instagram

A winner will be drawn at random next week and contacted shortly thereafter. The winner must arrange for gift card pick-up at the Opry Mills mall! Good luck! xo

Congratulations Jana!

42 comments:

  1. What an awesome giveaway! I love Opry Mills - I missed the mall so much after the flood, so glad it's back (and even better)! I would definitely use the giftcard for Christmas shopping. My dad's a hunter so something for him from Bass Pro would be perfect, some nice clothes for my mom, Bath and Body for my sisters and something from the Disney store for my niece. Fingers crossed!
    jana_webb@yahoo.com

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  2. Liked on Facebook!

    jana_webb@yahoo.com

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  3. Following on twitter!
    jana_webb@yahoo.com

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  4. Following on instagram!

    jana_webb@yahoo.com

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  5. I'm not entering the giveaway - I don't live anywhere nearby and you're the only person I know who does so I'd end up just giving it back to you, haha - but I wanted to say that Toby's adoration of how Mike dresses is just the cutest thing. It's so fascinating to me that he wants to dress the way Mike does - I have a friend Scott with a four-year-old son Ben and he does the same thing! He wears pageboy caps because Scott wears them, and always wants them to have the same shoes and some of the same shirts. It's just really neat because Scott was the first person with a son I saw do that, and then I see yours doing the same! We will have to see if Linden also does that, haha.

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  6. i would love to treat my 2 sons to something gorgeous :)

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  7. Yes!!! Gosh, I haven't been to Opry Mills in so so long. It may be just in time to pick up my boyfriend something a little extra, H&M party!! brady.nicole.m@gmail.com

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  8. That chiffon dress totaly stole my heart! Great finds!
    x Angela // the-style-doll.blogspot.com

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  9. so many awesome pieces! love that chiffon dress.

    www.amoderngypsy.blogspot.com

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  10. I also followed Opry Mills on Instagram! hmoss@siu.edu

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  11. I love Opry Mills! My family has spent full days in there before. I think I'd definitely treat myself to a few lil splurges, but I would also buy some things for my parents since my dad practically lives and breathes Bass Pro and it's the same for my mom and Old Navy.

    jamielb96@hotmail.com

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  12. Liked on Facebook!

    jamielb96@hotmail.com

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  13. Followed on Instagram!

    jamielb96@hotmail.com

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  14. Jeggings at TORRID! I really need some new ones! Also, my little monkey could use a pair of overalls. XO great gifts!

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  15. Love that Old Navy dress. Wonder if I can shove my 28 week pregger belly in it!?

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  16. Oh, I bet if I won, that money would go straight to the Lego store for my hubby. :)

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  17. What a great giveaway! Black Friday shopping absolutely terrifies me! I would definitely use a gift card on my nieces and nephews. There are five of those kiddos, and they're all so choosy and full of personality. I spend months trying to find their perfect gifts.

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  18. I would totally splurge on myself ;)

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  19. I would use the gift card on my fiancée. He is amazing and really deserves a special gift. Probably so,etching from fossil.

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  20. I followed Opry Mills on Twitter :)

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  21. Oh, Opry Mills! I grew up right outside of Nashville but haven't thought of that mall in ages. Good to know it's still kicking :)

    Also, I totally bought that red dress from Old Navy when it was first came out. I felt a little ridiculous buying it full price when I knew I could wait for a sale or discount but whatev, it's adorable. And so comfy! I bought the best insulated vest at the same time and the combo has become by go-to for this season <3

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  22. Oooh, I'm loving your Black Friday finds! And, what a wonderful giveaway!

    My daughter and I love heading down to Opry Mills! She loves visiting the Rainforest Cafe as we wrap up our shopping adventures! I would definitely treat myself to a sparkly necklace from J. Crew - Perfect for the holidays! Then, we'd head over to the Disney Store and Gap where Madeline would excitedly pick out a dress or three! ;]

    KatherineRidgely@gmail.com

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  23. Following on Instagram!

    @KatherineRidgely

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  24. I liked Opry Mills on Facebook, too!

    :]

    KatherineRidgely@gmail.com

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  25. I would give the $100 solely to my Husband. He works hard every day to take care of me and our 3 children. He makes sure we have everything we need and some of what we want. He never complains about how tired he is and he sometimes goes without too make us happy. He never asks for anything in return except a home cooked meal. We love him endlessly.

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  26. I follow Opry Mills on Twitter and Instagram!! Faithfully

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  31. Love the clothes you got for Toby and Flynn! Adorbs.

    I would like to spend the $100 on my son because he really needs a lot of necessities like shoes, socks, more pants, underwear, jammies, etc. and I blew all of my money buying stuff for his new art corner and reading nook for Christmas.

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  32. heck yeah! we go to opry mills all the time! i would spend it on gifts for friends. or maybe taking a group out to dinner at Chuy's! We are there are couple times a month already.

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  33. I have to say, You do have good taste in clothes on sale, LOL and that is saying something as I can never find anything good when I go late to sales! You remind Me so much of My sister!!!!! Haha ^_^ and the little baby clothes are TOO. CUTE!

    -SJay
    The Chronic Dreamer

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB