I always consider Halloween the official start to my holiday season.  It's starting to get colder, I have to start making Thanksgiving plans, and I have to start scheduling my time and money for holiday parties and gift purchases.  Bleh.  

However...this year I am anxiously awaiting one event - Shecky's Holiday Night Out (December 17-19).

Marisol originally posted about Shecky's Girls Night Out and this event is pretty much the same deal, but with a holiday twist.

I really love the atmosphere at these events.  I am by no means a girly-girl, but I find myself giggling and talking about boys and celebrities every time I walk into one of these events, and frankly, it feels good.  For the warm-fuzzy (dare I say pink?!) feeling I have after the event, plus the free drinks and goodie bag (usually valued at $100-$125), I think the price of the ticket is well worth it.  However,  right now tickets for the Holiday Night Out and goodie bag are being sold at half price!  Not too shabby for $15.  Plus, I've never felt pressured to buy anything, and I received a ton of free samples of products while shopping (a self-tanner mitten, Softlips, etc.)  My favorite purchase was a necklace made of an Austrian postage stamp from 1972.  Random, but awesome.

Check out my bag o' goodies below (the photos show 2 bags worth of goodies - from two separate Shecky's events)!

***Note: I did run into a snag at my first GNO - they ran out of goodie bags!  Never fear, I received my bag shipped to me about two weeks later, as well as complimentary entry and goodie bag tickets to another Shecky's event!  While it was disappointing to not get my bag right away, a Shecky's rep took my information at the event and contacted me to let me know my bag was on the way.  There was also an option to be reimbursed for the ticket price of the bag - but I wanted my goodies ;)  All in all, I think the situation was handled well, and I did get my fabulous bag at my next event with no problems!***

(Other Gals' Guide cities - Shecky's has events in your cities, too!)

Goodies Galore!!!Shower and skincare products (yes, those are full size bottles)Eyes, lips, teeth, nails, faceFood and supplements (Confession: I ate both bags of veggie chips before taking this picture. Too delicious!)Personal ItemsAnd last but not least!

Books and music