5th Annual Christmas Shopping Thread

[ehough]

I just bought my teacher gifts- walmart.com is having Olay (plus some other brands) gift sets 2 for $20, and you also get a $5 ecard. Shipping was only $1.94, I can handle that!

http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix...=29083083310718317677&wmlspartner=CY3NkS*Y9qw

Land's End had 30% off and free shipping yesterday, so I got BIL a nice sweater for only $18. I am left with 7 adults still to buy for, but most of them need to give me lists before I dare shop, so I feel pretty good right now.

 

[ladybug0506]

If anyone needs a Kindle Fire this year, Amazon has them on a gold box lightning deal right now for $129. At the top of the page near where the amazon logo is, click on todays deals. It will show you the current amazon gold box deal. This deal expires in about 2 hours (2:30 central) or when it sells out - right now they are only 25% claimed, so still time to grab one if you need one!

 

[Pesky]

woohoo! Shipped my first 3 boxes today. Bro and his fam (including niece's Dec birthday) are done now. Sister got one of likely 2 boxes. And finally a cousin got a box of ornaments really from my great-aunt who passed away in Dec. of last year (she had a stash of ornaments for this year's distribution). Only the box to my parents and remaining box to my sister (and possibly a box to DH's bro and fam) left to do. Whew!

 

[moonpie85]

woohoo! Shipped my first 3 boxes today. Bro and his fam (including niece's Dec birthday) are done now. Sister got one of likely 2 boxes. And finally a cousin got a box of ornaments really from my great-aunt who passed away in Dec. of last year (she had a stash of ornaments for this year's distribution). Only the box to my parents and remaining box to my sister (and possibly a box to DH's bro and fam) left to do. Whew!

You must spend a small fortune on shipping!

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

I ordered my mom a Winnie the Pooh sweatshirt jacket and an eyore nightshirt from the Disney store with the 25% off over the weekend. I'm debating getting my sister a new controller for our N64- Urban Outfitters has them brand new in the package! No clue where they came from, but it's hard enough to find them used on e-bay, and I think she would be thrilled to get a brand new one, since ours are ancient.

 

[Pesky]

You must spend a small fortune on shipping!

Man, it sure feels that way. I actually budget for that now as a sub-category for my Christmas budget because naturally no one lives close to us so we are usually shipping. I usually try to buy on-line so my shipping is taken care of so that makes the boxes smaller or, as with BIL, non-existent. This year I got screwed because I bought Calico Critters stuff for DD last year and she's just not into them that much so I'm giving them to a niece who is and my sister is buying some off me. Which means shipping.

ETA: I usually go to the UPS store. FYI, they will give all AAA members a discount when you show your AAA card. The savings can add up!

 

[moonpie85]

What are the newest Monster High dolls? Heading out to finish shopping and know my neice will decide she wants them after they become impossible to find!

 

[Cinderelly5507]

What are the newest Monster High dolls? Heading out to finish shopping and know my neice will decide she wants them after they become impossible to find!

I think they are Venus Mcflytrap, Rochelle Goyle, and Robecca Steam. HTH!

 

[ladybug0506]

My prayer group at church is "adopting" a family for Christmas and I am supposed to get a toy type item for a 10 and 11 year old girl. Since I currently only have a 2 year old little boy... I need some help! What are really popular with girls these ages? We have nothing to go on other than their ages at this point. Are the monster high dolls or something along those lines good? I really have no idea what I am doing so any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

My prayer group at church is "adopting" a family for Christmas and I am supposed to get a toy type item for a 10 and 11 year old girl. Since I currently only have a 2 year old little boy... I need some help! What are really popular with girls these ages? We have nothing to go on other than their ages at this point. Are the monster high dolls or something along those lines good? I really have no idea what I am doing so any advice is greatly appreciated!

I would go with something like a craft kit, that way it will appeal to the girls that don't play with toys anymore and the ones that do.

 

[bas71873]

So I updated my spreadsheet yesterday and I am really, really close to being just about finished. I do have a small list for my Black Friday shopping, but otherwise, I'm ready to wrap it all up I think. We go big for Christmas around here, especially with DD and honestly, I think it's ME who really like all the stuff around. I love a big pile on Cmas morning. So here goes:

DD9
On Cmas Eve - PJs, National Geographic's Amazing Things book, an Art Kit and Fashion Plates (the art kit & fashion plates she will get to open around noon and it will keep her busy while I prep for Cmas Eve dinner with the fam)

From Santa (she's stilll a believer)
Spa set (nail dryer from Justice, Kaboodle filled with nail & bath & body stuff, spa towel & hair wrap, new hair brush)

AG pile (clothes Armoire (not AG brand. I got a good deal elsewhere), Julie doll & her summer clothes set, Baking Table & accessories and 3 outfits I found elsewhere including an adorable Tap outfit because DD is a tapper)

Magician's Kit (DD went to a magic themed bday party over the summer and has been obsessed since) - I found a trunk at Garden Ridge and I filled it with a Magic Book & wand, a top hat & cape, some magic cards and book for that and I found a white rabbit webkinz

Gift card tree with a bunch of gift cards to her favorite places.

In her stocking is a necklace with her name on it, an new Ipod touch case and I'll find her favorite candies and the traditional Pez & Lifesave Book

From Mommy & Daddy - I will pick up some books at the school book fair in a few weeks, a new diary, some clothes, new ballet leo & skirt, tights, hot pants for jazz & tap and leg warmers, found some Mad Libs, getting the AG doll hair DVD & book and an AG doodle book. I also need to find her some new cami tops and socks. I need to check her sneakers too. It may be time for a new pair. We didn't need them at the beginning of the school year and she really only wears them on P.E. days, so I need to check those out.


On to the rest of the family:

Niece (7) is really into Monster High so she's getting Rochelle Goyle, a MH puzzle, MH diary and MH sketch book. I saw some walkie talkies at BJs and got a coupon yesterday for BF so I may pick those up too.

Nephew (4) is getting some books, puzzles and he's in to legos so those are on my BF shopping list. Spiderman walkie talkies might be picked up for him too.

Nephew (13) - just made his school basketball team and she needs practice clothes so I'll get those on BF

My cousins kids who we are close too will both get movie gift cards & candy

My BFFs girls - the 10 year old is getting a nail art book & nail polishes and a bracelet making kit. The 5 year old is getting a Disney Headbandz game and some jewelry (she's the little Diva)

My mom - new piece of luggage and a necklace from Origami Owl representing her 3 grandkids

My dad - some tool box thing from Northern Tool, new life vests for their new boat and he wants some new USB flash drives and BJs has some good coupons for BF

Also giving my parents a magnet and a nightlight of the artwork DD did this year and they sell as a fundraiser for her school's art program. DD also does them a scrapbook calendar too.

MIL - workout pants and car charger for her apple products.

FIL - garden hose and a tool set

Also giving the in-laws a new anti-squirrel bird feeder they want.

Grandma (DH's step granny) - she's difficult so I have no idea. She hates everything

Dance Teachers - spa kits in a jar (aloe infused socks with foot scrub & lotion from Bath & Body, stuffed in a large mason jar with some candies and a scrubby tied to it)

Teachers at school - not sure yet. I'm room mom so her main teacher will probably get a class gift. We did a gift card wreathe last year and that was a hit so may go that route again. There are a few other teachers that pop in and out of her class so I will just do goodie boxes for them. Bus driver gets a gift card to Panera and a box of goodies. Same for her speech teacher.

DH - hardest person EVER to buy for and so far I have him a vest for our January ski trip and I got him a new water ski/jet ski life vest too. He's always my last minute person.


Whew. Now to wrap it all!

 

[CopperWife]

What are the newest Monster High dolls? Heading out to finish shopping and know my neice will decide she wants them after they become impossible to find!

A previous poster already mentioned Robecca Steam, Venus McFlytrap, and Rochelle Goyle, I think! (it's early and my brain isn't fully functional yet lol!) Also, you can include Jackson Jekyll in that group, too.

Toys R Us carries the hard-to-find Werecat Twins set which includes Meowlody and Purrsephone. They are new-ish as well. Target carries the Scary Tales line of Monster High dolls - Frankie as Cinderella, Draculaura as Snow White, and Clawdeen as Little Red Riding Hood (although they cool "scary" names like "Snow Bite).

Happy shopping!

 

[Ashlander]

My prayer group at church is "adopting" a family for Christmas and I am supposed to get a toy type item for a 10 and 11 year old girl. Since I currently only have a 2 year old little boy... I need some help! What are really popular with girls these ages? We have nothing to go on other than their ages at this point. Are the monster high dolls or something along those lines good? I really have no idea what I am doing so any advice is greatly appreciated!

Crafts are a great idea. My kids really like the Perplexus Maze game - it is $16.28 on Amazon.com right now. Bop It is also fun.

 

[ehough]

Can anyone help me with some ideas for my MIL? Normally I flat out refuse to buy her anything she doesn't ask for, because I have bought her a lot of gifts over the years that I put a lot of thought into and then I literally have never seen any of them again. But, we asked her what she wants and she gave us ONE idea. DH insists that we can't just buy her one gift, and her birthday is coming up in December as well, so I need more ideas!

She is retired and well, kind of...reclusive. She doesn't go anywhere or do anything if she can avoid it- the one exception is that she does travel sometimes (though we have travelled with her and she is just as reclusive when travelling! She stays in her room!). I'm trying to think of something travel related I could get her, but she's kind of snobby about stuff and I'm not sure she'd use it- it would have to be something really new and different. But I'd be open to any travel ideas you have.

The one thing she asked for is a robe. Normally with someone so difficult I would start to think about the personalized, nostalgic stuff, but I've done a photo calendar before and one year I took the kids to one of those paint your own pottery places and we made her a platter, and I never saw the calendar or the platter ever again. I just have NO ideas for her whatsoever.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Can anyone help me with some ideas for my MIL? Normally I flat out refuse to buy her anything she doesn't ask for, because I have bought her a lot of gifts over the years that I put a lot of thought into and then I literally have never seen any of them again. But, we asked her what she wants and she gave us ONE idea. DH insists that we can't just buy her one gift, and her birthday is coming up in December as well, so I need more ideas!

She is retired and well, kind of...reclusive. She doesn't go anywhere or do anything if she can avoid it- the one exception is that she does travel sometimes (though we have travelled with her and she is just as reclusive when travelling! She stays in her room!). I'm trying to think of something travel related I could get her, but she's kind of snobby about stuff and I'm not sure she'd use it- it would have to be something really new and different. But I'd be open to any travel ideas you have.

The one thing she asked for is a robe. Normally with someone so difficult I would start to think about the personalized, nostalgic stuff, but I've done a photo calendar before and one year I took the kids to one of those paint your own pottery places and we made her a platter, and I never saw the calendar or the platter ever again. I just have NO ideas for her whatsoever.

I finally bought my MIL's gift yesterday, she's hard to buy for, too, but for different reasons. I went with a hanging toiletry organizer from Lands End and had it monogrammed. MIL travels alot and we don't think she has one.

 

[ladybug0506]

Can anyone help me with some ideas for my MIL? Normally I flat out refuse to buy her anything she doesn't ask for, because I have bought her a lot of gifts over the years that I put a lot of thought into and then I literally have never seen any of them again. But, we asked her what she wants and she gave us ONE idea. DH insists that we can't just buy her one gift, and her birthday is coming up in December as well, so I need more ideas!

She is retired and well, kind of...reclusive. She doesn't go anywhere or do anything if she can avoid it- the one exception is that she does travel sometimes (though we have travelled with her and she is just as reclusive when travelling! She stays in her room!). I'm trying to think of something travel related I could get her, but she's kind of snobby about stuff and I'm not sure she'd use it- it would have to be something really new and different. But I'd be open to any travel ideas you have.

The one thing she asked for is a robe. Normally with someone so difficult I would start to think about the personalized, nostalgic stuff, but I've done a photo calendar before and one year I took the kids to one of those paint your own pottery places and we made her a platter, and I never saw the calendar or the platter ever again. I just have NO ideas for her whatsoever.

I second the travel organizer - thta's a great idea. I do have one other idea based on the comment about her being reclusive There is a company called Bebe Bella Designs and they make these fantastic lush blankets. I have given them in the toddler size as baby gifts and I have given them in the adult size to my mother, my MIL, and as wedding gifts. Every single person that I have ever given them to has fallen in love with them. The adult size throws are really generous in size - they would cover a queen size bed (with no overhang) and they are so incredibly soft and just make you want to cuddle up. I have ordered them in various colors and all have been rich in color and they don't bleed when you wash them. They are kind of expensive to start with but I usually wait for a sale and it just so happens that on Cyber Monday, they will be 70% off!! Just use code cyber70 Also, they say allow 2-4 weeks for delivery because of the high demand but I have never once had it take that long
http://www.bebebelladesigns.com/HomeAccessories.html

 

[ehough]

Thank you guys! The travel organizer and blanket are both GREAT ideas!

 

[ah1126]

I got a package from Amazon today with 3 more gifts in it! I also stopped at the post office today to ship the 2 packages I needed to send for Christmas. I'm not done, but I am happy with the progress I have made this early in the season.

 

[ladybug0506]

Okay, I am back again for some more gift idea help I would like to get something small around $5-7 for the two little girls in my son's Kindermusik class. They are both 3. My mind is drawing a blank - can anyone help?

 

[Happiest mommy]

Hi guys loving all the ideas and the progress alot of you have made so far, I'm needing an idea of what to give my DD piano teacher TIA