5th Annual Christmas Shopping Thread

[OhStuffandFluff]

I'm still stuck on her main birthday present. She really wants to buy one of those parasols they personalize at Magic Kingdom, but I'm not sure if you can use a Disney gift card at those little carts? Or what about the Lego store at Downtown Disney? Maybe I'd be better off with a regular pre-paid Visa that way she can find exactly what she wants when she's at WDW. I'd send cash, but I think that's just asking for trouble. My niece and nephew's birthdays will actually be at WDW during the trip, so I think they're just getting a combined birthday/Christmas Disney gift card.

When we went to Disney in 2010, we bought our DD one of those personalized parasols. We found out then that they do not take Disney Gift Cards for purchases. I am not sure about other carts or the Lego store, but I know at that time the parasol cart did not take Disney gift card. Just thought I would share

 

[Ephany]

When we went to Disney in 2010, we bought our DD one of those personalized parasols. We found out then that they do not take Disney Gift Cards for purchases. I am not sure about other carts or the Lego store, but I know at that time the parasol cart did not take Disney gift card. Just thought I would share

That is very helpful thank you! She's been wanting one since our last trip (2010 also) so I know it's top of her list. Do you happen to remember how much they cost? I tried googling it, but didn't have any luck.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

That is very helpful thank you! She's been wanting one since our last trip (2010 also) so I know it's top of her list. Do you happen to remember how much they cost? I tried googling it, but didn't have any luck.

The price varies a little~it goes up the more you add...I picked up one for a friends daughter last Nov...just had her name and a one drawing, not multiple images...I am thinking it was around $25...maybe more, but I know my dd's a few years ago was around that too..

 

[hineshm]

I picked up my DD12 Aristocats DVD and a portable speaker for her iPod. Also, JC Penny had a great sale and I found my mom an outifit. A few more things off the Christmas list. Yeah!

 

[pammiecakes]

Can anyone give me feedback on the ipod nano. I'm thinking about getting this for my dd8. Thanks

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

Can anyone give me feedback on the ipod nano. I'm thinking about getting this for my dd8. Thanks

We don't have the "current" smaller version - but one of the older ones. We've loved every one of our iPod versions (the original, nano, and touch). DS9 received a touch for his 9th BD. He loves it.

 

[bas71873]

Can anyone give me feedback on the ipod nano. I'm thinking about getting this for my dd8. Thanks

We don't have the "current" smaller version - but one of the older ones. We've loved every one of our iPod versions (the original, nano, and touch). DS9 received a touch for his 9th BD. He loves it.

We have the "older" small square version too. DD got it from the Easter Bunny when she was 7. She loved it and then that Christmas she got a docking cube that would play and charge and she and her friends listened to it all the time in her room. She just got the touch for her 9th bday this summer and it's a huge hit too. You can't go wrong with either In my opinion and I was glad we went with the smaller and cheaper version first. She had to prove her responsibility with that before we entertained an upgrade.

 

[Nanu57v]

We got DD the touch for her 7th birthday. Its so cute to see her "text" back and forth with her best friend (he has a cell phone for emergency purposes due to a medical condition). She types emails to her grandparents and of course loves to play minecraft and watch Disney Jr. shows.

I had the older Nano. It works super for a music player...I just worry about giving them to a kid because of ear damage. DD doesn't use headphones with her touch.

 

[pammiecakes]

Thanks very much. They have had mp3 players but they always break. I'll definitely be getting the ipods.

 

[mjantz]

Anyone know of any deals on a Playstation Vita? DS has asked for one for Christmas & we have agreed if he pays half. I'd like to get him a game & possibly a case as part of a set. Thanks!!

 

[Priorityonecb]

This week I purchased dd15 a case for her Kindle Fire that converts to a stand. She is always propping it up on something to watch movies. I got both girls those mirror screensavers for their phones, although I am not convinced they will work! I also picked up a Mama Mia DVD for DD21, hers was somehow lost in her move to college!

I asked my parents what they might like. :::crickets::: Ugh...so hard to buy for them. They buy themselves anything they want, and I've done enough years of gift cards to make that lackluster and boring at this point.

We decided to get Dd15 the Beluga Experience at SW as one of her gifts. We are considering La Nuba...but gosh that is expensive!! We've seen other Cirque shows, so it's hard to justify that cost.

 

[sarahk0204]

Did a little shopping today. DS got Lightstrike (laser tag system) for his bday in Feb from my DB and family. DNephew asked for the same for his bday yesterday. When the kids & I went shopping last week, TRU had the guns and accessories on clearance for 75% off! I bought an extra target for DN. Then at the party, the other DN said that that was what he wanted for his bday in Oct. Back to TRU I went this AM, and I bought that present, as well as a second gun and target for DS for Christmas. Woohoo!

 

[Jerseyguy's Wife]

I am making most of my gifts this year.
Mom, Grandmas, sisters: Personalized scented items like soap, lotion, lip balm, bath salts, candle(s), therapeutic oil blends for headaches, joint pain, etc. Mom is also getting a GC for a 60 minute massage (easy enough since I'm a MT).
My niece is getting a "Pamper basket" with a soap, candle, lotion, a book or two, nail polish, and pj pants.
My Dad is getting an OSU basket. I am going to tie dye a shirt in scarlet and grey and add a block O. He'll also get some foot powder and a couple of therapeutic blends.
My brothers are getting food. Mom hasn't made Buckeyes or Haystacks in years, so the boys always ask me to make them. They'll get a box of those and possibly a shirt. I am also making candles for one of them because he's a candle freak.
I am making pj pants for my boys and dyeing some sheets for DS5. DS7 wants a couple of CDs, so I'll get those when amazon has them on sale. We usually get the summer kids' blockbusters for Christmas, too. As far as toys go, I'll get a few, but our families really go overboard, so I'm not buying a lot. They'll get clothes, of course. Oh, and a ream of paper. Those boys kill entire trees!
Teacher gifts: Modified Pamper baskets with soap, lotion, candle, goodies.
DH is going to be the one that stumps me, but then, he always is. I'll be sharking his amazon wishlist. But I happen to know he wants some CDs, too, so I'll get those on sale, as well. If I have enough business (read: make any money), I may also get him some concert tickets for next summer. Jimmy Buffet here we come! Again. Hmm...maybe he won't be so hard this year, after all...

 

[100AcreWood]

I am making most of my gifts this year.
Mom, Grandmas, sisters: Personalized scented items like soap, lotion, lip balm, bath salts, candle(s), therapeutic oil blends for headaches, joint pain, etc. Mom is also getting a GC for a 60 minute massage (easy enough since I'm a MT).
My niece is getting a "Pamper basket" with a soap, candle, lotion, a book or two, nail polish, and pj pants.
My Dad is getting an OSU basket. I am going to tie dye a shirt in scarlet and grey and add a block O. He'll also get some foot powder and a couple of therapeutic blends.
My brothers are getting food. Mom hasn't made Buckeyes or Haystacks in years, so the boys always ask me to make them. They'll get a box of those and possibly a shirt. I am also making candles for one of them because he's a candle freak.
I am making pj pants for my boys and dyeing some sheets for DS5. DS7 wants a couple of CDs, so I'll get those when amazon has them on sale. We usually get the summer kids' blockbusters for Christmas, too. As far as toys go, I'll get a few, but our families really go overboard, so I'm not buying a lot. They'll get clothes, of course. Oh, and a ream of paper. Those boys kill entire trees!
Teacher gifts: Modified Pamper baskets with soap, lotion, candle, goodies.
DH is going to be the one that stumps me, but then, he always is. I'll be sharking his amazon wishlist. But I happen to know he wants some CDs, too, so I'll get those on sale, as well. If I have enough business (read: make any money), I may also get him some concert tickets for next summer. Jimmy Buffet here we come! Again. Hmm...maybe he won't be so hard this year, after all...

That is impressive. How do you make your soap? I've been wanting to try that for years and it's such a fun gift.

 

[Jerseyguy's Wife]

Well, I suppose this is the part where I come clean about my soap (no pun intended). I tried making it from scratch with the lye and all that mess but it was a huge pain in the butt. So, I now buy melt and pour soap bases and add essential oils, etc to them. I buy them from Bulk Apothecary, and I only buy the organic kind. They kindly list every ingredient on the package, and I only buy it if I know what's in it.
I have modified them from time to time if I want more cocoa butter or something in them. It's not too hard to do. I just bought myself some soap molds, too. I have been pouring it into muffin tins or making loaves and cutting them. If you want to suspend something in the bars, I would suggest getting one of the "crystal clear" soaps. I don't regularly suspend things in mine; they are more therapeutic type soaps but I may try flowers or herbs to make the gifts pretty.

 

[100AcreWood]

Thank you Jerseyguy's Wife! I am definitely planning to make soap for Christmas presents. My girls will love making soaps for the Grandmas and Aunts, etc. I'll try to make a few for the kids with stuff inside. Sounds like a fun Christmas project!

 

[Jerseyguy's Wife]

You are welcome, 100AcreWood. Check out Bulk Apothecary if you are looking for different kinds of soap bases. The shipping kinda stinks, but they currently have a 10% off coupon (savings10, I think), which makes it not so bad. I regularly use the goat milk soap, glycerine soap, oatmeal soap, and the olive oil soap (for my sister with dry skin). I am adding a product to my line-the shaving soap. I have been using it recently to make bars for my brother with Tea Tree oil in it for his acne. Good luck!
ETA: I would suggest buying a pouring pitcher if you are going to make a lot of soap. Or you can do what I did the first few times and use an old camping coffee percolator. The pouring pitcher just has a wider mouth, so it's easier to shove the chunks of soap into.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

oohhhh Soaps sound great!! I love soap!! I just put all Mrs. Meyers soaps at our sinks~love those!! I get headaches from most smells, or the stuff makes my hands itchy~ these are great for me...I know my little daughter would love to make some soap!! Might have to do that with her!!
Y'all are really getting going on the shopping!! Way to go ladies!!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I missed posting this on Saturday:






4 MONTHS TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!!



17 WEEKS



122 DAYS

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

But, I did it late, so y'all can knock off 3 days!! i think I counted it right!
Well, has anyone seen the newest American Girl, Caroline? or whatever her name is....she is really pretty...I have been entering the sweepstakes on FB~check her out! she will debut in Sept sometime. That may be dd's Christmas!!! She want's an iPod also, so, I have been tossing that around...I know she will change her mind a few times by then, so I am waiting until at least October for her!!