Money is tight this year, so I've been scouring the Internet for deals on Christmas and birthday gifts, plus I'm always on the hunt for legitimate, free MP3s from trusted sites that won't give my computer a virus. I don't know how well these will work for people who don't live in the U.S., but figured it's worth a shot.
Free musicAmazon has more than 500 free songs in its database. The songs will play on any MP3 device, including iPod. You do need to install the site's MP3 downloader software to do the downloads (regardless of the songs being free or for purchase):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/dmusic/help/amd.html/ref=sv_dmusic_4Free songs are here:
http://www.amazon.com/b/?&node=334897011&pf_rd_p=469729471&pf_rd_s=right-3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=678551011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0E5MG1KG016KFPN6029PThe songs can be sorted in different ways. I prefer to sort by release date so the newest songs appear at the top of the list. You can also sort by genre using the links on the left side of the page. If you hear something you like, it's best to download it right away, as songs are regularly added to and removed from the list. The site has everything from rock to Christian to opera to death metal, and just about every everything in between, so there's something for everyone.
Since it's the holiday season, Amazon currently has 28 free songs in the holiday category. You can find them by clicking on the above link, clicking on Miscellaneous on the left side of the page, then clicking on the Holiday category. In addition, there is a free MP3 album called "Sampler Claus" here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002X20TY0/ref=sr_1_album_8_rd?ie=UTF8&child=B002X22RGS&qid=1259855422&sr=1-8Of particular note is the "Christmas Tree" song by Lady GaGa. I don't like her music, but the song is racy and kind of funny, in a perverted sort of way. It's worth a listen -- when the kids aren't around!
I love the "Mr. Heatmiser" song by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The song comes from the kids' TV special, "The Year Without Santa Claus," in case you're wondering.
Free and low-cost giftsUnfortunately, these will probably be good only for residents of the US. I found this great site called Hip2Save. A stay-at-home mom of three writes a blog that details all sorts of low-cost items, online coupon codes, printable coupons, and freebies. It's a good site to check at least once a day, since the offers don't usually last for very long. Over the past two weeks, I've managed to get a 12x12-inch hardcover photo book, two softcover photo books, two photo calendars (with different pictures for each month), 50 4x8 Christmas cards, a ceramic photo Christmas ornament, a Disney Princess MP3 player with a $5 credit for music downloads, and two Leapster games direct from the Leapfrog site -- for a grand total of $30 (including shipping)!
http://www.hip2save.com/If I see any new, really stellar deals, I'll post them in this thread.
