anyone start Christmas shopping yet?

[becalubob]

Each year I start earlier than the last, but still seem to be running around getting those last minute odds and ends. This year I hope to be completely done by Thanksgiving.

Anyways, this year is a little tighter on my budget as I'm taking my kids to WDW for their birthdays (also their first trip!)

DD will be 6 and DS will be 9. DD is very "girly girl" and loves clothes and jewelry, so hopefully I can find some good sales during the summer and stash them away for Christmas. She also would like new decor for her room. She is very into art and making paintings and books. We got her an easel last year that she uses nearly everyday. I thought maybe I could get her an "artist smock" or something similar... anyone know where I could get one of these? She has enough toys, although I'm also hoping she might find a few things while in Disney that I could have my friend (who lives near WDW) ship back to me.

As far as DS, he's never really been "into" toys. He's very active in sports, and also likes videogames, books, and puzzles. We've gotten him those National Geographic items you can get at Target, as well as a science kit, and he's really liked those.

Anyone have any ideas for me, or care to share what they have bought as Christmas gifts already? Can be for all ages, as I have everyone on my list yet to buy for. Thanks!!!

[Missy1961]

I used to do my shopping early, but I no longer do. For many reasons including:
1. I don't have a lot of space to hide things
2. I got sick of not being able to find the things I bought early
3. Stores are getting tougher on returns. If the great bargain I bought in July doesn't work, I am out of luck. Even if you have the receipt, the store may not take the item back.

[tbrenk]

Originally Posted by Missy1961

I used to do my shopping early, but I no longer do. For many reasons including:
1. I don't have a lot of space to hide things
2. I got sick of not being able to find the things I bought early
3. Stores are getting tougher on returns. If the great bargain I bought in July doesn't work, I am out of luck. Even if you have the receipt, the store may not take the item back.

So true about the returns. Many stores won't take stuff back and then you are stuck with them...kinda takes away the "bargain" you got in the first place.

[megan4777]

I have a few things that I bought on clearance for our nieces but
I also started buying gift cards, in $20-30 amounts, to use for X-mas presents. I have been buying them for Walmart, Target, Toys r us....etc.

We're taking a trip to Disney end of Nov-early Dec so we won't have a ton of money after that. I think that the gift cards will take care of all our X-mas gifts....

[crzy4dzny07]

Originally Posted by becalubob

...anyone know where I could get one of these? She has enough toys, although I'm also hoping she might find a few things while in Disney that I could have my friend (who lives near WDW) ship back to me.


Anyone have any ideas for me, or care to share what they have bought as Christmas gifts already? Can be for all ages, as I have everyone on my list yet to buy for. Thanks!!!

I find science type things and artsy things for kids at teacher supply stores. There are several online now if you don't have one close. Summer sales generally start at the end of July. Target just finished clearing out some toys and will have a mini toy clearance in July after the 4th. They get rid of the summer items and need to make room for back to school. They have a big toy clearance in October (starts in Sept, after back to school) to make room for the newest Christmas toys. I find a lot of presents at that point. The National Geographic kits are usually included. Last year a lot of the Binary Arts games were also on clearance.

Grandparents only get pictures from my kids currently, but I have younger kids. Maybe your kids can decorate a frame for them? Or make them a handprint stepping stone or plate? Some magazine I read thsi month had an easy to paint stepping stone pattern. I think it was Family Fun? (search the website...they also have other great craft ideas your kids can make during the summer to give to Grandparents for Christmas). The Lowe's craft magazine has good ideas, too. Here's a link... www.lowescreativeideas.com/unwindanddesign This month they are making Shadow Box Scrapbooks, which would be cool for your kids to make after WDW for their room!

Hmm...some of my favorite ideas are from freebie boards. I've gotten free magazine subs for people, free books, free scarf, free coffee maker, that I've passed on as presents. Start scouring them now and you could probably collect a couple of presents before Christmas. Also, check into doing test drives for rewards...some people are really successfull at this and get gift certificates, movie tickets, etc. You could use those as presents, too.

I've just about started Christmas shopping. I just finished my daughter's August bday and my son's Oct bday. This trip will be a big part of their bday presents now, too, so some of my stash will probably be moved to Christmas.

I signed up for the Kohl's credit card. Even if you don't like having credit cards, you get mailed coupons several times during the year. You can buy your items on the card with your coupons and immediately pay the bill, if you want. You can pay your bill at the register so technically you could charge your card and then immediately write a check for your account for the same amount. They have fantastic clearance sales on clothes, esp when you pair it with the coupons. I've gotten things 90% off before after using my extra coupons.

[eacatwork]

I started my 2007 Christmas shopping on December 26, 2006! I already bought presents for my co-workers. I found sets of tealight holders (one snowman, one Santa) for $5 each at Boscov's. I bought 5, so I have 10 tealight holders for $25, or $2.50 each. I'll add a nice Yankee tealight candle and I'll be done my co-workers for about $3.25 each.

At Kohl's, I bought a Pfaltzgraff Winterberry Devilled Egg Christmas Tree Plate for my best friend (Winterberry is her Christmas pattern) for $11.

I bought a set of queen-size winter flannel sheets for $10 from Target in the days after Christmas for my brother and his wife, who love to snuggle in flannel sheets and down comforters.

In February I was in Target just browsing and found cool, funky print boxer shorts on clearance. I got a pack for my dad and a pack for my brother. I think they were originally $10 packs that I got for $3 each.

I haven't done any shopping lately, but this week's CVS ECB on Revlon stuff has me thinking I'll buy some Revlon "beauty tools" for my SIL and make up a manicure/pedicure gift basket for her for Christmas.

I'm hoping to get back to a local winery in December when they have their BOGO sale. As they prepare to bottle a new vintage, they BOGO the old one. I bought a case of wine last December for just over $40, or just over $3/bottle! They went to aunts & uncles, friends, party hosts/hostesses, etc.

[Punky's Mama]

I loaded up on PJ's from the disneyshopping.com outlet department for my daughter and all the children on my list. They were only $3.99/$4.99 a piece and I also got all my birthday shopping done for the remainder of the year with the great sale they had on the beach towels for only $5 a piece. I am all set for that and have a great start on x-mas shopping. I am motivated now!

[belle&beast]

We are finished with our kids since we are taking them to WDW for Christmas! But I will buy a few things for stockings and from Santa. I will start closer to August/September for the other members of our family.

[imsayin]

She also would like new decor for her room. She is very into art and making paintings and books.

When we decorated DD's room a few years back (she was probably 10 or 11), we bought canvas & paints for her to create her own artwork for her walls. Perhaps you can get the supplies for a present.

[SaraMc]

We have a Mattel/Fisher Price factory near us and they have an outlet store. It was thier anniversary a month or so ago and they had an extra 25% off there already low prices. I have part of DS's christmas presents done, and a few others. Dh and I want to have it all done by Oct. Im a retail manager and by then its soo busy for me I dont have time or really want to go shopping on my limited time off so this works for us. Im saving money and my sanity LOL