5th Annual Christmas Shopping Thread

[pammiecakes]

Wow only 122 days. Can't believe it's almost here again. I picked up one monster high doll last week and am going to get a lot of shopping done next week. Can't wait!! I'll be ready to put my tree up before Halloween lol

 

[CMW0021]

Subscribing! I love Christmas and have completed a bunch of shopping through the target sale.

My big question for the experts. I'm between an iPod touch vs kindle fire vs nook for my sons 7 and 5. I can't get one and not the other as the fight will begin. For those who have any of these or researched, what did u pick and why? So confused.

As a family gift, I was thinking about getting camping gear. My kids love fishing but we haven't been camping yet but I know they will love it. I'm thinking about a tent, sleeping bags, lanterns, etc. so I will be looking for great clearance deals on these items. Looking forward to this thread and getting other ideas!

 

[luvmy3]

Subscribing! I love Christmas and have completed a bunch of shopping through the target sale.

My big question for the experts. I'm between an iPod touch vs kindle fire vs nook for my sons 7 and 5. I can't get one and not the other as the fight will begin. For those who have any of these or researched, what did u pick and why? So confused.

As a family gift, I was thinking about getting camping gear. My kids love fishing but we haven't been camping yet but I know they will love it. I'm thinking about a tent, sleeping bags, lanterns, etc. so I will be looking for great clearance deals on these items. Looking forward to this thread and getting other ideas!

I think it depends on how they plan to use it. If its mainly for reading, games and watching videos, and you don't care that its not portable (as in stick it in their pocket) I'd go with the Fire. My dd takes her Ipod touch everywhere so she would hate the Fire's larger size. She is used to playing games and watching videos on the small screen so its not that big of a deal. She uses it for taking videos and music too, but since she has a Kindle Touch she doesn't use her iPod touch for reading.
I'm getting her a smartphone for Christmas this year, so I think her Ipod touch will get used alot less after that since she'll be able to everything on that, then it wil just sit there collecting dust. If she had a Fire, at least she would still use that for watching movies on the go.

I can't believe there are 4 months until Christmas. If they go by as fast as the summer did it will be here before we know it. I better get shopping!!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I think it depends on how they plan to use it. If its mainly for reading, games and watching videos, and you don't care that its not portable (as in stick it in their pocket) I'd go with the Fire. My dd takes her Ipod touch everywhere so she would hate the Fire's larger size. She is used to playing games and watching videos on the small screen so its not that big of a deal. She uses it for taking videos and music too, but since she has a Kindle Touch she doesn't use her iPod touch for reading.
I'm getting her a smartphone for Christmas this year, so I think her Ipod touch will get used alot less after that since she'll be able to everything on that, then it wil just sit there collecting dust. If she had a Fire, at least she would still use that for watching movies on the go.

I can't believe there are 4 months until Christmas. If they go by as fast as the summer did it will be here before we know it. I better get shopping!!

My 3 oldest have smartphones and still use their ipod touches. Maybe we all have crappy phones or something, but they're so slow that it's a pain to try to do anything on the internet on them. Apps take forever to load and they already have so much stuff on their ipods that it's easier to just use those. We're actually going to downgrade when it's time to get new phones and get rid of the smartphones.

 

[luvmy3]

My 3 oldest have smartphones and still use their ipod touches. Maybe we all have crappy phones or something, but they're so slow that it's a pain to try to do anything on the internet on them. Apps take forever to load and they already have so much stuff on their ipods that it's easier to just use those. We're actually going to downgrade when it's time to get new phones and get rid of the smartphones.

We are new to the smartphone thing, so I just assume she'll use her phone for everything. Maybe it will depend on what phone I get her. Its definitely NOT going to be an iPhone, that I know

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I have officially started shopping . I usually just pick up a few things when I see them, but I have to wait until after my DS's Sept. birthday is over to buy any big gifts and now I'm done shopping for him.

So far I've bought two UK hoodies, one for DS15 and one for DH, an Xbox game for DS15, two books for DS11, and an Xbox game for DS13. I also got MIL's husband a travel bag for electronics that has a build in surge protector, it's perfect for him. I still have no idea what I'm going to buy her. I have ideas of what I'm going to buy, I'm just watching for sales on them. When is a good time and place to shop for Legos?

I think I'm going to get my 6yo niece a build a bear gift card and something small to go with it.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

We are new to the smartphone thing, so I just assume she'll use her phone for everything. Maybe it will depend on what phone I get her. Its definitely NOT going to be an iPhone, that I know

Yeah, my kids keep telling me I should just get them iphones, that's the problem with the phones, but so far this summer they have broken the screens on an ipod and a tablet so an iphone isn't even a consideration. They had cases for them, but they won't use them.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Well, this is not Christmas shopping, but it is Fall shopping!! We worked on our big front flower bed this morning:weeded, cut back plants,pruned out dead things...hosed down the front porch and windows....so, we had to run to Target and get New rugs!!! Ours were shot!! And a Broom! But, I grabbed a few small scarecrows, and have some other fall stuff from last year~including a great big BEAUTIFUL wreath my friend made me. I was going to wait till Saturday to put up my stuff, but I am so ready to do it now....just gotta add some mulch to my beds tonight then put in the scarecrows!!! I decorate early for Christmas, so I want my fall stuff to last.....
Any of you started decorating for Fall yet? Our schools have all started down here, and Labor Day is right here, so it's time to say FALL!!!!! Plus, we are sick of hot and humid weather~so we are inducing Mother Nature to give us cooler temps!

 

[bas71873]

Well, this is not Christmas shopping, but it is Fall shopping!! We worked on our big front flower bed this morning:weeded, cut back plants,pruned out dead things...hosed down the front porch and windows....so, we had to run to Target and get New rugs!!! Ours were shot!! And a Broom! But, I grabbed a few small scarecrows, and have some other fall stuff from last year~including a great big BEAUTIFUL wreath my friend made me. I was going to wait till Saturday to put up my stuff, but I am so ready to do it now....just gotta add some mulch to my beds tonight then put in the scarecrows!!! I decorate early for Christmas, so I want my fall stuff to last.....
Any of you started decorating for Fall yet? Our schools have all started down here, and Labor Day is right here, so it's time to say FALL!!!!! Plus, we are sick of hot and humid weather~so we are inducing Mother Nature to give us cooler temps!

I did yardwork today too....cut grass, trimmed trees & bushes, hosed the front porch. Not ready for fall yet. We haven't even started school. One week to go. I don't decorate for fall 'til October 1 and leave it up until the weekend before Thanksgiving when Christmas comes out . I have found some cool fall stuff on Pinterest that I want to do for decor though. My husband is gonna hate me

 

[lovegrumpy]

I have no idea what to get my DS 17&15. I'm hoping they tell me soon.

 

[la79al]

It's funny how most of you seem to have older (aka harder to buy for) kiddos and already have some idea at least of what you are getting for them. Mine are only going to be 2 and 4.5 and I have no clue whatsoever. I feel like we already have at least one of everything. I have a feeling we're going to end up with a bunch of little playset type things that will be missing half the pieces by February .

 

[bas71873]

It's funny how most of you seem to have older (aka harder to buy for) kiddos and already have some idea at least of what you are getting for them. Mine are only going to be 2 and 4.5 and I have no clue whatsoever. I feel like we already have at least one of everything. I have a feeling we're going to end up with a bunch of little playset type things that will be missing half the pieces by February .

For me (I have a 9 year old), I've learned the hard way to keep it minimal. I used to go crazy (i.e. the year of the zhu zhu pets madness) and then she'd never touch the stuff. My DD always had WAY more toys than she new what to do with and yet only played with a small number of them. Took me YEARS to reign myself in and now that she's a bit older and kind of over the toy thing (she still likes American Girl), it's a bit easier. She appreciates gift cards so she can shop herself, we usually take a little winter trip in January, so she gets things for that.

Do your girls have a play kitchen or dollhouse, or even an art desk? My DD got a play kitchen around age 2 and played with that thing for YEARS. I actually got it at a consignment shop and bought a ton of accessories and food for it too. Oh, and a grocery cart. She LOVED pushing that thing all over the house and carrying all kinds of stuff around.

We also one year did the Step 2 dollhouse and that too got used a lot. I love step 2 because their stuff is made well, holds up, doesn't fall over when she tried to put stuff and dolls in it. It was worth the money IMO. Same for her art desk. That was Step 2 as well and had lots of storage space, came with a little chair. Maybe those ideas help a little

 

[Pesky]

It's funny how most of you seem to have older (aka harder to buy for) kiddos and already have some idea at least of what you are getting for them. Mine are only going to be 2 and 4.5 and I have no clue whatsoever. I feel like we already have at least one of everything. I have a feeling we're going to end up with a bunch of little playset type things that will be missing half the pieces by February .

Agree with bas -- stuff like that tends to last and get used. We have a Step 2 art station the kids still use. I got a cardboard rocket shuttle that they both still play with. Glodoodle was and is still a big favorite. I got some little tunnels that they love crawling through and DS has his basketball hoop. DS is 3 and likes his plastic dinosaurs, whales and sharks. When DD was 2 she loved her doll stroller and grocery cart. Huge favorites. This year we are going a bit more practical and they are each getting sleeping bags for camping! So you can easily identify some areas of need so you don't end up with a bunch of junky stuff. Been there, done that!

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

I should have picked up that Doc McStuffins vet kit for DD on Disney shopping when they had it... it of course is no longer listed. Boo!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

It's funny how most of you seem to have older (aka harder to buy for) kiddos and already have some idea at least of what you are getting for them. Mine are only going to be 2 and 4.5 and I have no clue whatsoever. I feel like we already have at least one of everything. I have a feeling we're going to end up with a bunch of little playset type things that will be missing half the pieces by February .

When my kids were that age I went with alot of things that were used up like washable fingerpaint and other art supplies. Other things that they got alot of use out of were outside toys (depending where you live) if it snows where you're at you could do a sled, if it's warm you could get trikes or roller skates (they make learning skates for kids that age). Dress-up clothes and Mega blocks are great for that age and wooden blocks, bath toys are fun, too. I love shopping for little kid toys We also got them things they needed like a step stool for brushing their teeth, raincoats and umbrellas, little things that we would think would be nice to have, but not necessities.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I should have picked up that Doc McStuffins vet kit for DD on Disney shopping when they had it... it of course is no longer listed. Boo!

Someone posted on the Budget Board that they had them at Toys R Us now so you might check there. They also said that the Disney Store told them they were supposed to be getting the dolls before Christmas so if you're interested you might want to keep an eye out.

 

[luvmy3]

Is it too early to think about what we want for ourselves? I do not normally like character clothing or accessories but someone posted this on the budget board and I it.
http://www.disneystore.com/bags-tot...313933/1000291/?CMP=OTL-Dcom&att=Search_tonal

I pretty much finished up my dd, I got her phone, The Hunger Games DVD and a couple companion books to go with it, and a ski boot bag and pre-ordered a SIMS game. I just have to get her stocking stuffers. I've never been completely done with one of my kids this early, it feels good

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

Someone posted on the Budget Board that they had them at Toys R Us now so you might check there. They also said that the Disney Store told them they were supposed to be getting the dolls before Christmas so if you're interested you might want to keep an eye out.

Thanks! I found it online at toys r us (for $20, not bad, went ahead and got it). PLUS I found the Handy Manny workshop for $36.... so since I spent over $49 I got free shipping. Super excited. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3515025

Only downside is I had to get it shipped to my Mom because no one likes Alaska. Still saved $65 though... and I'm sure it will be less than that to ship.

 

[Irishdisneylover]

I officially love this thread!!

I love love love Christmas and even more so talking about Christmas shopping. I tend to splurge a bit when it comes to Christmas as hey it only happens once a year! DD starts school on Monday so the shopping will begin that week

 

[Manders77]

I never thought of an art desk for dd. Mil wanted to get dd an art easel which will be great. Since we moved and our apartmentdoesnt have a lot of room an easel will work. This thread is making my mind turn with ideas.