5th Annual Christmas Shopping Thread

[moonpie85]

Last night was Santa's arrival at our mall. They have a big celebration for it every year so we took DD2 and had a good time. Got picture with Santa, didn't turn out very well but at least that's done. She loved when it "snowed" outside Disney style.

After that I returned the Princess bedding to ToysRUs since I got it cheaper on Disneystore.com using the friends and family code. Am I the only one who goes through the constant cycle of returns getting ready for Christmas? I swear as soon as I buy something I see it cheaper elsewhere then there goes my happy butt into the return line

 

[Pesky]

After that I returned the Princess bedding to ToysRUs since I got it cheaper on Disneystore.com using the friends and family code. Am I the only one who goes through the constant cycle of returns getting ready for Christmas? I swear as soon as I buy something I see it cheaper elsewhere then there goes my happy butt into the return line

I'm with you. In fact, DS, in typical 3YO fashion, has moved from Doc McStuffins to Octonauts, which is more his style anyway. So back I'm going to return the little Doc McStuffins and just ordered Octonauts stuff the minute it dropped in price!

 

[100AcreWood]

Last night was Santa's arrival at our mall. They have a big celebration for it every year so we took DD2 and had a good time. Got picture with Santa, didn't turn out very well but at least that's done. She loved when it "snowed" outside Disney style.

After that I returned the Princess bedding to ToysRUs since I got it cheaper on Disneystore.com using the friends and family code. Am I the only one who goes through the constant cycle of returns getting ready for Christmas? I swear as soon as I buy something I see it cheaper elsewhere then there goes my happy butt into the return line

I totally do this. I keep a spreadsheet of every item I buy and the price I paid so I can easily refer to it if I see a sale.

 

[Deffenm]

I can't live without my spreadsheets during the holiday season. I have already returned a few things as well. Now that the BF ads are coming out I at least can see what items are going to be on sale for what price to determine if I should wait or pick up now. I have to say I am not impressed with the ads so far this year. Of course still waiting on the Toys R Us ad. However I am glad several stores are going to have Brave and a few other new release movies for really cheap (Blu Ray/DVD Combo packs for $8-$10 depending on store). So I will wait until BF to pick those up instead of now.

 

[Swirly girls]

I totally do this. I keep a spreadsheet of every item I buy and the price I paid so I can easily refer to it if I see a sale.

I keep track of every item I buy for each daughter, and stocking stuffers, including the cost.
It's easy to keep everything straight in my head this way, and keep the amount if presents, and amount of money spent on each daughter even.

I know at a glance what I've bought, and what I still need to buy!

 

[100AcreWood]

I'm running out of places to hide stuff!

 

[Pesky]

I'm running out of places to hide stuff!

LOL! I hear you. That is why I'm trying to start shipping boxes to distant relatives ASAP just to get rid of some of the stuff in my closet!

 

[Graciesmom77]

Luckily a lot of my stuff is still in layaway, but Heaven help me when I bring it all home. At our old house we had a place under the stairs with a door and a padlock on it that held all of our gifts. Here I am at a loss.

I am waiting for cyber monday to buy my 2 older girls some American girl items. I hope they have some good stuff. I got some really cute stuff off of e bay and I found a site called Katiescraftations.com that sells doll food for cheaper than AG. I think I am going to order some this week. Very cute and I refuse to pay 28 buck for a doll meal at AG!

Thinking about getting a fake tree this weekend if I can find a nice one without breaking the bank. We will get our real tree Thanksgiving weekend. I can't wait!

How is everyone's shopping and decorating going?

 

[brendasol]

I'm running out of places to hide stuff!

Me too!!

I made my list for each child yesterday, so I could "balance out", we have to be fair and equal. One child is DONE , and I'm taking my 2 oldest (they don't have school on Monday while the younger 2 will be in school) to try on jeans and shoes, then I can check them off as complete! In about a week I'm heading to the American Girl doll store to finish up my youngest....woohoo!

I have 2 quilts to finish sewing for a couple of my sisters, a collection of guitar picks to frame for a nephew, and a couple more skirts to finish. Then I'll only have one more "out-law" gift to finish, a great Aunt to buy for, and a couple of gift exchange gifts to buy (I might purchase something at Disney for a unique gift exchange item)! I even have our teacher gifts ready! I'm heading down the home stretch

We leave in 3 weeks for Disney! I've got all the souvenirs packed and even their new Disney tshirts! I've quietly been making arrangements with teachers and coaches....and so far it's ALL still a secret

No holiday stressing for me ! I don't even think I'm doing BF this year

 

[100AcreWood]

No BF for me either. I never do it anyway but this year I glanced at the ads and I don't see anything interesting. I am stuck on the preschool teachers though. I decide not to contribute to the group gift this year. I want to do my own thing.

So they had a list of places they like to shop and eat. I'll get gift cards but I need to find a fun way to present them.

 

[CopperWife]

I'm running out of places to hide stuff!

I haven't been able to close my closet properly in a week!

 

[tianna26]

Well i dony have kids but my lil brother is getting a galaxy mp3 player

My niece is getting fisher price table from the commercial with the pizza oven etc.

The big gift for everyone me,mom, sis,bro, niece is wdw in june my brother has no idea!

 

[weluvjasmine]

Finally created a list of things I have and want for my kids.

Dd 7
From us:
Want: 2 American Girl dolls- Rebecca and Caroline (already bought)
Read: Amazon gift card for her to buy kindle books (need)
Wear: 3 outfits that came with matching outfits for her AG dolls (bought)
Religious: not sure what she wants

From Santa:
*5 Lego Friends sets (have- Olivia's house, Emma's Splash Pool, Stephanie's cool convertible, and Mia's puppy house; need to buy- adventure camper) All wrapped together.
*American Girl scrapbook and supplies (need but waiting until they are half price at Michaels) all wrapped together.

From her brother:
*Sneaky Chef cupcake set (have) Will probably buy some cute cupcake liners and decorations. Will wrap together.
http://www.amazon.com/Sneaky-Chef-2060-Sweet-Treat/dp/B0026V497Q
*2 American Girl DS games (have) wrapped together
*Piggy paint set-Color Me Happy (need to buy)
http://www.piggypaint.com/nail-polish/color-me-happy-gift-set.html


DS(2 in Jan)
From us:
Want: train set and extra train (have) wrapped together
Train set: http://www.amazon.com/NameTrains-11...2664287&sr=8-11&keywords=maple+landmark+train
Extra train: http://www.ecomom.com/montgomery-circus-railway-6-piece-set.html
Read: Train books (need- will buy with a B&N girl card)
Wear: 3 train outfits (still need)
Religious: not sure yet

Santa:
*green Toys (have: dump truck, school bus, fire truck; need to buy: tugboat and a seaplane) wrapped together
* my first crayola items (have) wrapped together

From his sister:
*green toys blocks (have)
*Thinkfun Roll & Play game (have)
http://www.amazon.com/Thinkfun-Roll...1352665179&sr=1-1&keywords=roll+and+play+game
*radio flyer wagon (need to buy)

Both kids will have 9 gifts to open, along with a stocking from us with wrapped gifts. Some stocking stuffers will be an outdoors toy, DVD, tooth paste, small Christmas book. Santa will bring a family gift but I'm not sure what just yet. I'm leaning towards a gift basket filled Disney DVDs, fun popcorns and snacks, drinks, cute cups and pizza plates, and pizza gift cards. However, it maybe tickets to the zoo or science museum (may ask the relate to get these instead of individual gifts for us- we are trying to downsize our stuff).

 

[Mamakop]

I got my husband boxers and undershirts, a pair of sunglasses, the Avengers DVD and a Captain America t-shirt with a pair of jeans. His big gift will be from Acamdemy and it will do with "hunting". Maybe a new scope for his rifle.

Thanks for the suggestions. I definitely need to get the hubs underware and new socks

 

[Mamakop]

photo book and mug, lounge pants, calendar, headphones, probably game or two (including 2 really for the kids from iPieces for his iPad)

Thanks! I think I'm gonna get him a new mouse pad with a picture of the kids.

 

[Mamakop]

I think I'm just about done with my Christmas shopping. Yay!!

I got my Dh: season pass tickets to the cardinals games. A new laptop and I'm going to get him a couple medium priced things and some "cheaper" things. Lol

Dd4: American girl doll, NABI 2 tablet, new games for her leap pad, a new game for the wii, a dune racer from Walmart, Barbie laptop, Barbie RV, a couple DVDs, a couple books, a blue ferby, a scooter, some arts and crafts, a build a bear gift card, and pink UGGs from ugg.com......

Dd(will be 11 months):
An American girl bitty baby, a learning "laptop", a couple books, an Elmo DVD, a baby Einstein Mozart DVD, bouncing tigger, drumming Elmo, the push to ride puppy thing, the Disney "train"( with dumbo, dalmation, and simba) play set, Minnie mouse ride on, Barbie beetle, build a bear gift card, musical keyboard, puzzle, pink UGGs from ugg.com, abc blocks, and an orange ferby.....

My mom: bath an body works lotions, a gift card, a nana picture frame, not sure what else

My Gma: bath and body works lotions, christmas throw and slippers, not sure what else

My brother: a gift card, teenage ninja turtles complete series DVDs, not sure what else

My aunt: bath and body works lotions, a sweater from kohls, not sure what else

My uncle: Kennedy book, something Cardinals. Lol, not sure what else

My cousin: a marvel book, gift card, not sure what else

Ok.... Maybe I'm not as done as I thought

 

[Deffenm]

I took advantage of the Justice sale on Saturday and got my DD all of her "wear" items on her list. I only have to get her the Kindle Fire HD and she is all set.

Now I need to move onto the boys and DH.

 

[moonpie85]

I have a question regarding ToysRUs layaway I'm hoping somebody will know. I have some coupons that expire before Thanksgiving but won't be able to purchase the rest of Christmas until after the first. So if I do layaway now will they allow me to use coupons towards the total? Or no coupons with layaway?

 

[delmar411]

I have a question regarding ToysRUs layaway I'm hoping somebody will know. I have some coupons that expire before Thanksgiving but won't be able to purchase the rest of Christmas until after the first. So if I do layaway now will they allow me to use coupons towards the total? Or no coupons with layaway?

You can use the coupon and you need to use it when you do the layaway.

 

[moonpie85]

You can use the coupon and you need to use it when you do the layaway.

Great! That's what I was hoping. Thank you!