5th Annual Christmas Shopping Thread

[bas71873]

Completely done with one kid. When you buy an AG doll and a few outfits, the budget is gone fast!

Yes it is! Which is why I can NEVER stick to my budget! And this year, I have gone WAY, WAY over. NOt so much money wise. I've done good shopping all year and grabbing stuff on sale, but "stuff" wise. I just like a ton of loot under the tree and all set up for Christmas morning. I'm pretty sure I love the presentation WAY more than DD does. Although, she's always happy and giddy over everything!

Funny story. DD wants Julie, so she's ordered (free shipping) and upstairs in my secret hiding place. Also on the list was Julie's car....which is $300!!!!!! I reminded DD when she was making her list from the AG catalog that Santa can't bring it all and then I slipped and commented about how expensive the car is and of course, her comeback was something along the lines of Santa's elves making it and not having to BUY anything. UGH! She's still not getting it. It's too big for Santa's sleigh!

 

[bitty246]

My son also asks for things that are waaaay outside my budget. He uses the old "Santa" card too. He's also noticing all the toy ads and catalogues coming to us. I told him Santa has a warehouse just like Target and those pricey toys may not be in stock!! So far he's buying it! Lol

 

[100AcreWood]

Funny story. DD wants Julie, so she's ordered (free shipping) and upstairs in my secret hiding place. Also on the list was Julie's car....which is $300!!!!!! I reminded DD when she was making her list from the AG catalog that Santa can't bring it all and then I slipped and commented about how expensive the car is and of course, her comeback was something along the lines of Santa's elves making it and not having to BUY anything. UGH! She's still not getting it. It's too big for Santa's sleigh!

That car was on my dd's list too. Oh well, she knows by now we don't always get everything we want. She is so excited about getting an AG doll. This is the first time she has ever shown any interest in dolls. My MIL came over and she showed her the catalog and told her about how much she wanted an AG doll for Christmas. My MIL told her she was being ridiculous and she would never play with any of that stuff. She made a big stink over it and told my dd she was definintely NOT getting her any of that stuff for Christmas. She wasn't asking her Grandma to buy any of it and I pointed that out to her but it really hurt dd's feelings. She keeps telling my dd she shouldn't ask for any more toys because she is 10 now.

 

[bas71873]

That car was on my dd's list too. Oh well, she knows by now we don't always get everything we want. She is so excited about getting an AG doll. This is the first time she has ever shown any interest in dolls. My MIL came over and she showed her the catalog and told her about how much she wanted an AG doll for Christmas. My MIL told her she was being ridiculous and she would never play with any of that stuff. She made a big stink over it and told my dd she was definintely NOT getting her any of that stuff for Christmas. She wasn't asking her Grandma to buy any of it and I pointed that out to her but it really hurt dd's feelings. She keeps telling my dd she shouldn't ask for any more toys because she is 10 now.

My DD9 NEVER touched any kind of doll, EVER, until she asked for an AG doll about 2 weeks before Christmas 2010. We got her one of the Target knock offs to see if she'd really play with it and she did. She and her friends play all the time and she quickly figured out hers was a "fake", but she still plays with her. She then got Kinani for her 8th birthday in 2011 and then a look like me doll last year from Santa. This year she wants Julie and I'm good with that. I say let them be little girls and play with toys as long as they want too! They grow up way too fast. We don't do a ton of AG accessories because I find stuff cheaper and still made well elsewhere, but she is getting a few things to go with Julie.

 

[taylor3297]

That car was on my dd's list too. Oh well, she knows by now we don't always get everything we want. She is so excited about getting an AG doll. This is the first time she has ever shown any interest in dolls. My MIL came over and she showed her the catalog and told her about how much she wanted an AG doll for Christmas. My MIL told her she was being ridiculous and she would never play with any of that stuff. She made a big stink over it and told my dd she was definintely NOT getting her any of that stuff for Christmas. She wasn't asking her Grandma to buy any of it and I pointed that out to her but it really hurt dd's feelings. She keeps telling my dd she shouldn't ask for any more toys because she is 10 now.

I think Grandma needs another topic of conversation. My dd will be 10 in a couple of weeks. She still wants AG stuff and toys. What is wrong with letting them be in children as long as they can?

 

[brendasol]

Does anyone know does the disneystore.com have a black friday sale or cyber monday sale regarding disney parks merchandise?! We are going to be in disney for christmas and would love to get a few things on sale prior to going lol bc i know down there it will not be on sale!!

Disney store has. 25% off park merchandise today ! Plus free shipping on orders over $75

 

[Cinderelly5507]

Has anyone ever purchased CHARM IT! charms or bracelets? I'm looking for a charm bracelet for my DD5. TIA!

 

[Ephany]

That car was on my dd's list too. Oh well, she knows by now we don't always get everything we want. She is so excited about getting an AG doll. This is the first time she has ever shown any interest in dolls. My MIL came over and she showed her the catalog and told her about how much she wanted an AG doll for Christmas. My MIL told her she was being ridiculous and she would never play with any of that stuff. She made a big stink over it and told my dd she was definintely NOT getting her any of that stuff for Christmas. She wasn't asking her Grandma to buy any of it and I pointed that out to her but it really hurt dd's feelings. She keeps telling my dd she shouldn't ask for any more toys because she is 10 now.

I say let them be little girls and play with toys as long as they want too! They grow up way too fast.

I think Grandma needs another topic of conversation. My dd will be 10 in a couple of weeks. She still wants AG stuff and toys. What is wrong with letting them be in children as long as they can?

Exactly! DD9's (will be 10 by Christmas) list is full of AG stuff and Lalaloopsy dolls. Her best friend, on the other hand, gave up dolls years ago. Each child is different and frankly, I'm sure in a year or two she'll be no longer interested in toys and it'll all be electronics or clothes. For now, I'm just glad that she still wants to play and use her imagination.

 

[moonpie85]

That car was on my dd's list too. Oh well, she knows by now we don't always get everything we want. She is so excited about getting an AG doll. This is the first time she has ever shown any interest in dolls. My MIL came over and she showed her the catalog and told her about how much she wanted an AG doll for Christmas. My MIL told her she was being ridiculous and she would never play with any of that stuff. She made a big stink over it and told my dd she was definintely NOT getting her any of that stuff for Christmas. She wasn't asking her Grandma to buy any of it and I pointed that out to her but it really hurt dd's feelings. She keeps telling my dd she shouldn't ask for any more toys because she is 10 now.

I didn't know you were married to my brother! lol...you just described my mother completely!

 

[moonpie85]

Yes it is! Which is why I can NEVER stick to my budget! And this year, I have gone WAY, WAY over. NOt so much money wise. I've done good shopping all year and grabbing stuff on sale, but "stuff" wise. I just like a ton of loot under the tree and all set up for Christmas morning. I'm pretty sure I love the presentation WAY more than DD does. Although, she's always happy and giddy over everything!

This is me!

 

[100AcreWood]

I didn't know you were married to my brother! lol...you just described my mother completely!

Too funny!

Too many girls in her class are hurrying to become teens before it's time. I'll enjoy Christmases filled with toys as long as I can get them.

Has anyone been watching the toy lightening deals on amazon yet? I bought the sight words zingo and Wow toys Flip N Tip Fred.

 

[la79al]

That car was on my dd's list too. Oh well, she knows by now we don't always get everything we want. She is so excited about getting an AG doll. This is the first time she has ever shown any interest in dolls. My MIL came over and she showed her the catalog and told her about how much she wanted an AG doll for Christmas. My MIL told her she was being ridiculous and she would never play with any of that stuff. She made a big stink over it and told my dd she was definintely NOT getting her any of that stuff for Christmas. She wasn't asking her Grandma to buy any of it and I pointed that out to her but it really hurt dd's feelings. She keeps telling my dd she shouldn't ask for any more toys because she is 10 now.

Wow, I didn't know there was an age limit on asking for toys. Thanks for letting me in on the secret . Is there any way you could get MIL some 'elderly care' type things and tell her that you thought she was at the right age to be asking for those?

 

[ladybug0506]

Has anyone been watching the toy lightening deals on amazon yet? I bought the sight words zingo and Wow toys Flip N Tip Fred.

I have been watching but nothing has come up yet that are appropriate for the toddler age crowd yet - until today There are several Melissa and Doug items that I may be tempted by depending on what the deal price is. Of course, the last thing DS2 needs are more toys but I can't help it, haha.

 

[bas71873]

Has anyone been watching the toy lightening deals on amazon yet? I bought the sight words zingo and Wow toys Flip N Tip Fred.

What are lightening deals and where do I sign up to keep an eye on them? I'm a prime member if that makes a difference.

 

[Pesky]

Too funny!

Too many girls in her class are hurrying to become teens before it's time. I'll enjoy Christmases filled with toys as long as I can get them.

Has anyone been watching the toy lightening deals on amazon yet? I bought the sight words zingo and Wow toys Flip N Tip Fred.

Argh! Wish I'd caught the sight words zingo. I would've made an exception for that one.

 

[ladybug0506]

What are lightening deals and where do I sign up to keep an eye on them? I'm a prime member if that makes a difference.

Being a prime member doesn't matter other than you can take advantage of the free 2 day shipping on top of what can sometimes (not always) be a great deal. The best lightning deals will happen on black friday and extending into the rest of the week following BF. You can find them by clicking on Today's Deals which is located at the top of the page near the left side of the screen pretty close to the amazon prime logo.

That being said, right now, if you click the little banner looking ad on the extreme right top side that says "Holiday Toy List" with a picture of a toy next to it, there are the special toy only lightning deals that are being presented this week as a special thing. It's only been a few toys a day whereas the week following BF usually offers a whole lot more.

I usually check the normal amazon price on the item I am interested in a little while before the lightning deal is set to start just to verify how good a deal it actually is. Also, if an item sells out you can join the waitlist. When you join the waitlist they tell you how likely it is that you will actually be able to purchase the item. Once on the waitlist watch your email like a hawk - if you get the opportunity to buy you will receive an email but you only have something like 10m to add it to your cart otherwise you will have to re-join the waitlist.

I hope this helps!

 

[Pesky]

A gal on a local board had a great idea (IMHO) for a gift. She's giving a globe and a 3 month subscription to this:
http://www.littlepassports.com/little-passports-world-edition


Thought that seemed really cute!

 

[Figment1990]

I so wish we could convince the ILs to draw names or only buy for the kids! It is so stressful, buying for them, and expensive. The expectation is at least $50-75 per adult! After a few years of me picking up things here and there that I thought they'd like- and them being rude/silent when they opened them- I swore I'd never buy anything they didn't ask for again. So it has turned into such a GIMME GIMME thing- they make a list of expensive things, we buy them. I don't get it, where's the fun? But that's just how they are, apparently MIL used to take a young DH and his sister (at about 8 years old) to the store, they'd pick out their own xmas toys, and she'd wrap them and put them under the tree. That's not what Christmas is about for me.

In other news, I ordered a Hexbug Nano- for my cats! It gets great reviews as a cat toy, and I think the kids will think it's hilarious to watch. Santa brings for the furry ones here, too.

Oy! This is my ILs too. What gets me is that I am supposed to buy the things on their list, but they never EVER go with anything we suggest for me, DH, or DS. And nearly every year, it's the same. I have quite a supply of winter gloves and pj's. I tried doing my own thing with them, and I put so much effort in, but it wasn't worth it.

Plus, we usually exchange with them over thanksgiving, and MIL always wants to get DS something he really wants but she wants "options" and I never know what she is getting him so I end up buying things to give him for Christmas and then returning them if she actually picked something from his list (which she usually doesnt). I would prefer we just do away with the pretense of the actual suggestions since she doesn't follow them anyway.

Not decorating until Thanksgiving weekend. DH will not allow early decorating. I understand, can't push Christmas too early like the stores, but I shop all year round looking for deals.

DS and DH are both telling me I'm not allowed to decorate until Thanksgiving. I told DH to do the outdoor lights when he did the halloween decorations because it was a freakishly warm day and he refused. I said, "then don't complain to me when it's below zero and snowing and you're out there stringing lights."

Ironically, DS wanted his Christmas train out yesterday so he decided it was finally ok for just a little Christmas stuff. He's four going on forty.

I work in retail, so I like to do my house early before I get tired of all the decorating from what I have to do at work.

 

[CopperWife]

Are the holes for hanging pre-drilled on the back?

The letters I bought did have the holes, but I have seen them without.

 

[prayx]

So excited. Went to three stores today to find the little people princess Cinderella coach. Got the only one in Walmart. It was released today! Dd2 is getting the entire princess set!

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