how do you make a Christmas tree look full w/ just a Playstation 2?

[imgoingtodisney]

DH will be getting his Christmas present from me early as our MAGICal cruise Nov 30th is our Christmas present!

However, DS10.5 will be getting a PS2 Christmas morning. How do I fill out the bottom of the tree w/just that? Anyone have any ideas on cheap items for a 10yr boy?

[ratsrule]

Maybe wrap up empty boxes

[shep]

Just put the PS2 under the back part of the tree and tell your ds he was bad this year...
Then go, wait, what's this back here???
Guess you weren't so bad after all...;)

[dmfuru]

Is your son getting anything from anyone else (any aunts/uncles, friends, etc)? Maybe that would help.

[wvjules]

I think the PS2 games you're getting him would also add more to the tree.

[minniecarousel]

Time to buy new sox & underwear! (My DSs always hated it when i wrapped up those things for Christmas!)

[Tiggeroo]

When I get the kids a big gift I usually add a few inexpensive items. Some fun socks, some little cars, some art stuff, silly putty, gak, bath stuff, cologne...All things under $5. but it gave them things to open. I remember the first year that they asked for something that would be their whole Christmas budget, paintball guns. I just couldn't not add a few things even though I told them that was all they were getting. I probably didn't spend $50. extra on the two of them but it filled out the area under the tree.

[aahmom1]

I would rather buy a few extra inexpensive things also than have only 1 thing under the tree. I'm sure he's into to Pokemon or one of those things. A few inexpensive board games are a good idea too.

[aahmom1]

Also, books make wonderful Christmas presents.

[imgoingtodisney]

Im not sure yet if we are getting a game for the PS2 right away - most likely at last minute I'll pickup something. He has lots of Playstation games and there are about 7or8 DVDs coming for Christmas.
I have 3 new sweatsuits - new underwear/sox we already have because of our Nov 30th cruise. I was thinking of small things from the gift shops at St Marten/St Thomas/Castaway Cay. Bought him Harry Potter Uno that I will wrap and give DS once we leave for our cruise - to be used at airport, hotels, onboard ship, etc.
I bought myself (4) $2 hardcover bestsellers at the library book sale - great deal
As far as family, DH will take DS to his side of the family - it wont be at our house.

[wvjules]

Since you're not getting him any new PS2 games and he'll have to play his old PS1 games anyway, I wouldn't get the PS2 for Christmas. I would save it for when you could afford to get new games too. Also, you would be able to get him more for Christmas instead of just 1 thing if you waited.

[imgoingtodisney]

OK guess we'll be getting a new PS2 game to play. Youre right, how can we not add a PS2 game? Maybe I'll have DH get it for him. He always buys DS something besides what I get for him.

[gepetto]

Originally posted by wvjules
Since you're not getting him any new PS2 games and he'll have to play his old PS1 games anyway, I wouldn't get the PS2 for Christmas. I would save it for when you could afford to get new games too.

That's a good point. It's a waste to buy one and have no games for it.

[cinlee3]

I was wondering the same thing myself. We are getting the boys PS/2 and a couple of games, but compared to their sister they won't have much to open. The 17 yo is beyond little toys and such so I don't know about him.

DD's presents are big and cheap. Last year they didn't have much to open because we went to WDW and they got money to spend there.

[Rajah]

What about wrapping each part individually? Then it's a "hunt" to find all the pieces. Like the unit itself, the controller, the memory card, the game... What DH did to me last year when he got me the PS2 was had me unwrap the *game* first. Then I had to wonder did he get me the PS2 as well, or just mess up and get me a PS2 game for a PS1? ;) On one hand, doing that could be mean. On the other, it could make things more exciting ;)

[marlasmom]

Whoever suggested empty boxes is a downright sadist. How cruel can you be.

Jules is right. Why buy the PS2 if you don't get any games for it.

And sox and underwear are not presents for any little boy I have ever known. You might as well give them toothpaste.

[Midnightbulbs]

Consider the source of the empty box suggestion. I'm pretty sure he was just joshing. :lol:

[Grog]

If you want to get him a couple of games, but are looking to keep costs down, try some game stores like Electronique Boutique (if you have one nearby). They sell used games (which are every bit as good as the new ones) for about half the cost of a new one. You might be able to get some ideas from their website (http://www.ebgames.com)

[imgoingtodisney]

um I already have Harry Potter shampoo for his stocking! And you're right I couldnt wrap empty boxes and actually give them to him - that would be cruel. Last year I did put DHs 5day hopper inside a larger Disney box.

[SeaShelley]

A warning about Electronic Boutique used games: Be sure you have the clerk check the game BEFORE you purchase! My son saved his $$ for a PS hockey game he wanted and was thrilled to find it at EB for $7! Thankfully, we had a smart clerk who checked the game for us. It had a major scratch on it and did not play properly. DS had to find another game.

[snowball22]

Bionicles. They are under 8 dollars and are so cool. They are fun to build and come in so many colors and models. Other things to put under the tree: comic books, trading cards, gift certificates, lego mini sets like soccer or Star Wars, a Playstation cheat book(it will give hints on how to play the games) and maybe a watch.

[Grog]

A warning about Electronic Boutique used games: Be sure you have the clerk check the game BEFORE you purchase

I should have mentioned that. Sorry :o

Luckily, EB has a very easy return policy. I've purchased a few games (some new, some used) over the past few years that have had problems and I've never had a problem getting either my money back or a new game.

[ratsrule]

Originally posted by marlasmom
Whoever suggested empty boxes is a downright sadist. How cruel can you be.

This thread was entitled
“how do you make a Christmas tree look full w/ just a Playstation 2?”.

Now the poster DID NOT ASK how to give her son more gifts, just how to make the tree look fuller.

I merely suggested adding empty boxes that are giftwrapped to “”Christmas-ize’ the area.

I resent you remark about being sadistic!

[wovenwonder]

Barb ---- Kmart had pretty many PS2 games for $19.99 and so did walmart. You don't have to buy one of the $49.99 games right away if it doesn't work in to your budget.

Do you have a dollar tree nearby? You may be able to find a couple cute $1 gifts there that would surely help to fill out the empty space under the tree.

Do you generally rent movies/games during the month anyway? If you do -- why not include some Blockbuster gift certificates to rent some PS2 games. This way he can try them before any are bought. You could wrap the BB certificates in some bigger boxes to fill things out.

Do you often eat at fast food resturants? How about some gift certificates for McDonalds, Chuck E Cheese, Pizza Hut, etc. -- and let DS pick when he wants to go and use them and maybe even include a note that he can pick a friend to go along. This would divvy the expense out a little but give him something to look forward to.

How about getting a picture during the cruise of DS and saving it til Christmas. Something to help him remember the cruise by.
:D

[imgoingtodisney]

wow - thanks for the list
I was already thinking of buying the ships photos for DSs grandmother, godmother and of course us - didnt think about buying 1 of DS for himself for Christmas. Most likely he wont be browsing the photos anyways so this would be a surprise!
Already have Spiderman and 10week free rental card from Blockbuster for DS. Was going to put in his stocking but would take up more space in a larger box - lol
DS likes me to take him to Chuckees after he gets his report cards. Trip planned before we cruise as he gets his 1st 5th grd report card on my birthday next week. I get the token deal ahead of time and split them in $5s. I can put some of these in his stocking.
And yes we do eat fast food alot especially during the week w/work and school. So I can put these in his stocking.
Im usually ok once the wheels get turning but with the cruise in 23days my brain is going in another direction.
Thanks

[snoopy]

You also may want to consider bidding on some PS2 games on ebay. I got a bunch of games for my kids last year this way, for half of what I would have paid retail. They weren't new, and some didn't have the box or instructions, but my kids never read the instructions anyway.

[MerryPoppins]

You have some really good suggestions. I have a couple more to add.

My DS got some movie theater gift certificates last Christmas and that was a big hit. That might be a fun one to add, especially if you think the family might have a movie that you'd all like to see over the holidays.

I get my kids to give me their game lists early. Then I do searches on Ebay and buy them used. The kids don't care if they are new or not, as long as they work. They know that I can buy them more if I buy them gently used, and I have had pretty good luck. I've never tried EB. I'll have to check them out.

Go out and get some things at Walmart, like a yo-yo, playing cards, a frisby, etc that don't cost much. You wouldn't have to spend much to help fill the space. Does he like movies or music? Sometimes before the holidays they have great sales on DVDs and CD's. These can also be purchased used at great prices.

My son also loved the t-shirts from all of the islands on our cruise last year. You might want to consider hiding some if you think he'd be interested. Del-Sol shirts and hats that change color in the sun are really cool. They have shops at St. Maarten and St. Thomas. Not really cheap, but not terribly expensive either and my kids thought they were great!

[Lynn CC]

How about getting a strategy guide for the game(s) that go along with PlayStation 2. They sell them online at EBWorld.com
or a subscription to Nintendo Magazine My DS loves reading that every month to see about the new games coming out.

You could wrap those in big boxes!

[Kallison]

Disposable camera for your trip
roll of quarters for the game room
some funky sunscreen
new hat and sunglasses
socks ( I got them for my oldest DS age 11 last year as a joke and he loved them, he requested he gets more this year - lol)
fresh school supplies - pencils, glue sticks, construction paper, crayons, markers
Go to dollar store - Pokemon cards, playing cards, etc.
bag of his favorite candy - I always give my nephews cash but I usually wrap up a box of swedish fish or blow pops.

[Lucky4me]

I always wrap socks and underwear for my kids for Christmas. years ago it was filler for under the Christmas tree when we were broke, and they'd just laugh and toss them aside. ;) Now after so many years, they expect them and would think something was wrong if they didn't get any. I'll probably be giving them socks and underwear till they're 40. ;) It may be strange but oh well, that's me. :)

[abaldacci]

It doesn't have to be full don't worry about it my kids are only getting one or two things apiece and I am tring not to make a big deal out of it I have warned them I hope they don't expect more.
Goodluck. I bet he will like it and play it all day.:D

[The Mystery Machine]

I just wanted to add that you need to get him a Memory Card. Of course the PS1 card does not go with the PS2 system.

I thought of something that could be a filler and something my house needs...Pillows, no kidding. As I was putting on the pillowcases today I thought of your thread and decided to get some pillows for the family this Christmas.