5th Annual Christmas Shopping Thread

[theworldneedscolor]

I have decided on what to get a good friend of mine for Christmas! I am going to make a little baking kit, with a cook book, a hand made apron, and a few cute baking supplies. I'm hoping to pick up something on my trip to DL

However, my gift buying there will be a lot more limited than I thought. I had been saving over a hundred dollars in a jar to spend on the trip. Now it is gone. I think my sister or one of her friends took it

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I have decided on what to get a good friend of mine for Christmas! I am going to make a little baking kit, with a cook book, a hand made apron, and a few cute baking supplies. I'm hoping to pick up something on my trip to DL

However, my gift buying there will be a lot more limited than I thought. I had been saving over a hundred dollars in a jar to spend on the trip. Now it is gone. I think my sister or one of her friends took it

OH NO!! That is terrible!!! I am sooo sorry!! That's just rotten....
But the idea for your friends gift is great!

 

[brendasol]

We were in the same boat a while back. Our youngest DD was 4.5 and her older sister had a Nintendo ds. We were taking a road trip to Disney (18-20 hours in the car) and were contemplating entertainment for her. We chose the ds over the Leapster because she was getting to the age where she would be outgrowing it pretty soon. She was familiar with the ds because her older sister had one. She also knew the "ground rules" for the ds, too (you can't play it all the time; when you're done with it, it (and all games, pens, etc) needs to go back where it belongs when you're done). She was happy to get it and hasn't had any issues playing it. I would get it.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was thinking. Now they will all have a DS to play on the plane, it's only the 4 kids and I flying together, maybe they can hook up and play together......and I could nap during the flight! It could happen

 

[tcufrog]

Here's some suggestions:

Buy Buy Baby sells a really kids' great shopping cart. You can use Bed Bath and Beyond coupons there to save money on it.

IKEA has really cheap trains and tracks that are compatible with Thomas trains. I'm not sure if they are compatible with Imaginarium and Chuggington tracks. They aren't compatible with Brio tracks. The most cost effective way to build a train set is to buy lots of basic tracks at IKEA and just buy the fancy tracks and trains from the name brands. If you want a train table (I'm not a fan of them since they are single use and take up tons of space) check out Craigs List. Lots of parents sell them there when their kids out grow them.

 

[jacksmomma]

DD has decided she wants AG Bitty Twins. For the only other time besides Hyland's Teething Tablets, my hippy granola, atheist, liberal SIL and biochem, religious, uber conservative sister agree on a product -- AG. Both say (though it pains my SIL) that the product is well made and lasts forever and continues to intrigue. Of course though, DD has seen the wagon (she wants that). And the purple taffeta party dress (she wants that for herself too). I'm starting to see dollars add up. Tough decisions ahead!

If you were only going to buy one or two other outfits, thoughts? The purple one (lord help me at $26 or so a pop)? From the cheaper place, nightgown? There's a cute hello kitty skating outfit too that is $13. Christmasy outfit wiht jeans and a santa hat? pink dress and skirt? Ahhhhhhh! I feel suddenly like I did when I walked into BRU to register for the first time -- totally overwhelmed!

Zulilly has dolly and me clothes sets all the time. Look for those for a cheaper alternative to AG clothes.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Zulilly has dolly and me clothes sets all the time. Look for those for a cheaper alternative to AG clothes.

Just remember if you're going to order from Zulily you need to allow about a month for shipping.

 

[Pesky]

And another fun one: the Great Hot Toy Debate. DD and DS both love Doc McStuffins. DD wants and I think DS would too if he saw it the new hot toy:
http://www.disneystore.com/docmcstuffins-doc-mcstuffins-doll-set/mp/1319951/1013903/

What to do? This would be something I would buy on behalf of my parents (my mom just sends a check) or potentially be our gift jointly to the two of them. DD's Santa stuff is done with the Bitty Twins. DS -- could possibly get it for him as Santa but we'll have a huge sharing issue. Do I encourage people to buy 2 of these? Seems ridiculous for this toy ($40) to have 2 in the house. I'm leaning towards just doing it as a joint gift and forcing some sharing but thoughts? There is the usual squabbling about sharing stuff but they know I mean business and if it is not worked out, toy is gone until I decide to see how well they can do. WWYD?

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

And another fun one: the Great Hot Toy Debate. DD and DS both love Doc McStuffins. DD wants and I think DS would too if he saw it the new hot toy:
http://www.disneystore.com/docmcstuffins-doc-mcstuffins-doll-set/mp/1319951/1013903/

What to do? This would be something I would buy on behalf of my parents (my mom just sends a check) or potentially be our gift jointly to the two of them. DD's Santa stuff is done with the Bitty Twins. DS -- could possibly get it for him as Santa but we'll have a huge sharing issue. Do I encourage people to buy 2 of these? Seems ridiculous for this toy ($40) to have 2 in the house. I'm leaning towards just doing it as a joint gift and forcing some sharing but thoughts? There is the usual squabbling about sharing stuff but they know I mean business and if it is not worked out, toy is gone until I decide to see how well they can do. WWYD?

Could you maybe buy one child that set and the other child some of the other characters or accessories? I'm not sure what's available as my kids are older, but I thought I saw where there were more. If not, I think I would bite the bullet on this one and buy two of them, but if that's your plan I would try to show it to DS at some point and make sure he wants it, he may surprise you.

 

[Pesky]

Could you maybe buy one child that set and the other child some of the other characters or accessories? I'm not sure what's available as my kids are older, but I thought I saw where there were more. If not, I think I would bite the bullet on this one and buy two of them, but if that's your plan I would try to show it to DS at some point and make sure he wants it, he may surprise you.

Fair point! I think I will show it to him and see the reaction. And you are right that there are other options like a smaller set and some of the stuffed animals from the show.

 

[BeckyEsq]

Just found this thread, what fun!

My DD just turned 2 and I am having so much fun planning her Christmas as this is the first year she will really understand, and she's at an age where she just plays and plays and really loves her toys.

Already got her this, the Fisher Price Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace. It has the same technology as the Zoo Talkers she got last year -- when you put the princesses on the platform, they sing.

http://www.fisher-price.com/en_US/brands/littlepeople/products/67282

Also got her the Animator's Collection Snow White doll when we were at the Disney outlet this summer.

I always buy her and my goddaughters the latest Disney princess from the Hallmark ornaments collection. This year I got them all Merida.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I may be a little behind, but I just saw in an ad that Jeff Dunham has a new dvd coming out on Oct. 9th, Minding the Monsters. I preordered that on Amazon for $14.99 (that was the dvd price, not sure about blu-ray). I will decide later whether to give it to my 15yo DS or DH.

I also ordered the bow and arrow, the dart kind, that someone had linked to on the previous page, for my 8yo. His friend has one so I know he likes it, it was the perfect idea for him.

DD hasn't given me any ideas, she's asked for one video game and that's it. I think it's because she knows I wasn't planning on buying her much since I'm paying most of her trip to Europe next summer. I think I'm going to get her a hanging toiletry bag, something to put her passport in (one of those belts that goes under your clothes maybe), and a neck pillow. Does anyone have any suggestions of other things that she might find useful for her trip?

 

[bas71873]

Just found this thread, what fun!

My DD just turned 2 and I am having so much fun planning her Christmas as this is the first year she will really understand, and she's at an age where she just plays and plays and really loves her toys.

Already got her this, the Fisher Price Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace. It has the same technology as the Zoo Talkers she got last year -- when you put the princesses on the platform, they sing.
http://www.fisher-price.com/en_US/brands/littlepeople/products/67282

Also got her the Animator's Collection Snow White doll when we were at the Disney outlet this summer.

I always buy her and my goddaughters the latest Disney princess from the Hallmark ornaments collection. This year I got them all Merida.

I just saw the commercial for that castle and it looks really cool . In a few years you can upgrade to the Cinderella Castle. We got that for DD for Christmas the year she was 4 1/2 and she played with it for years. I just this past summer (when she turned 9) put it in the attic. I refuse to get rid it nor anything else Disney we have....which is A LOT

 

[Pesky]

I may be a little behind, but I just saw in an ad that Jeff Dunham has a new dvd coming out on Oct. 9th, Minding the Monsters. I preordered that on Amazon for $14.99 (that was the dvd price, not sure about blu-ray). I will decide later whether to give it to my 15yo DS or DH.

I think I'm going to get her a hanging toiletry bag, something to put her passport in (one of those belts that goes under your clothes maybe), and a neck pillow. Does anyone have any suggestions of other things that she might find useful for her trip?

Oh, so good to know about the Jeff Dunham video! I may pick that up for my ILs and my parents. As for your traveling DD, yep, the money belt is a great idea! I still use mine when I travel and have my passport and credit cards in there. What about a set of adapters? Fun book for travel, maybe even a journal. Travel first aid kit with some extra bandaids. What about some clothespins to hang her stuff to dry if she does sink laundry?


I'm so close to done, if you can believe it! I have to buy for 5 nieces and one nephew, 2 kids, parents, ILs, grandmother, siblings, IL siblings (we draw names in November), DH and kids. So far, 2 nieces totally done (woohoo!), one niece I know what I am getting but have to wait until closer to Christmas, other niece I will get some vetting on ideas and buy in November and have to ask the teenager what she wants. My parents, aside from getting a calendar and maybe that video, DONE! ILs, about halfway there. DD, only have to get the Bitty Twins and whatever I am buying on behalf of my mom and done. My nephew is almost done and just needs a little something. For DS, just stalking CL for a bike and will be done. Woohoo! Nice when it falls together and especially in budget!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Oh, so good to know about the Jeff Dunham video! I may pick that up for my ILs and my parents. As for your traveling DD, yep, the money belt is a great idea! I still use mine when I travel and have my passport and credit cards in there. What about a set of adapters? Fun book for travel, maybe even a journal. Travel first aid kit with some extra bandaids. What about some clothespins to hang her stuff to dry if she does sink laundry?


I'm so close to done, if you can believe it! I have to buy for 5 nieces and one nephew, 2 kids, parents, ILs, grandmother, siblings, IL siblings (we draw names in November), DH and kids. So far, 2 nieces totally done (woohoo!), one niece I know what I am getting but have to wait until closer to Christmas, other niece I will get some vetting on ideas and buy in November and have to ask the teenager what she wants. My parents, aside from getting a calendar and maybe that video, DONE! ILs, about halfway there. DD, only have to get the Bitty Twins and whatever I am buying on behalf of my mom and done. My nephew is almost done and just needs a little something. For DS, just stalking CL for a bike and will be done. Woohoo! Nice when it falls together and especially in budget!

Wow, you're going to be breezing through the holidays this year!

Those are good ideas for Dd, I keep forgetting she'll need an adapter and I know she wants a journal

 

[Happiest mommy]

Hi all reading all the wonderful posts love the holidays!!! well my older DD just told me she wants a Barbie dream house uhg!! those things are expensive looking for a sale we will see ....

 

[Manders77]

Hi all reading all the wonderful posts love the holidays!!! well my older DD just told me she wants a Barbie dream house uhg!! those things are expensive looking for a sale we will see ....

not sure if you do this but check some community or group sales, you may find a used but good condition one. Last year I got my DD4 a play kitchen at our community sale. It was $150 new, but it was in excellent condition with all the pieces and they threw in all the play food and play mini appliances and I talked them to $100 for all of it. I priced it out and I would of spent about $200-$250 if I bought all of it New. Just a suggestion.

 

[Deffenm]

My DD just told me she wants a Meep? I think that is what it is called. It looks like a "tablet" for kids. I guess I better do research because I was thinking of getting her the Kindle Fire. She likes to read, listen to music, and play a few games. She doesn't really play with toys so this would be her big gift for either her b-day (Dec. 24th) or christmas.

Thanks to ideas posted here I will get my DS13 an iPod docking station. That is a great idea. Of course he wants more iTune gift cards.

I have a list started at least. I hope to have it finalized in early Nov. so I can begin shopping.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

My DD just told me she wants a Meep? I think that is what it is called. It looks like a "tablet" for kids. I guess I better do research because I was thinking of getting her the Kindle Fire. She likes to read, listen to music, and play a few games. She doesn't really play with toys so this would be her big gift for either her b-day (Dec. 24th) or christmas.

Thanks to ideas posted here I will get my DS13 an iPod docking station. That is a great idea. Of course he wants more iTune gift cards.

I have a list started at least. I hope to have it finalized in early Nov. so I can begin shopping.

If you watch the ads Best Buy usually puts their itunes cards on sale off and on. Other places like Target, Staples and Walmart do around Christmas, too, but it seems to me that in the past that was usually for the pack of 3 $10 cards.

 

[nu2dvc]

So for those of you waiting on that AG free shipping code, I know that one always comes in the fall.... but I can't remember about when. October? November? Anybody know? A few of the items my DD wants are back-ordered until December already & I'm scared that if I wait too long we will be out of luck. But I really hate paying for their shipping, cause it's so high! Anybody remember when the Free Ship has come out in years' past?

TIA!

 

[Pesky]

not sure if you do this but check some community or group sales, you may find a used but good condition one. Last year I got my DD4 a play kitchen at our community sale. It was $150 new, but it was in excellent condition with all the pieces and they threw in all the play food and play mini appliances and I talked them to $100 for all of it. I priced it out and I would of spent about $200-$250 if I bought all of it New. Just a suggestion.

Agree, check Craig's List or the like. There is also one that fits Barbie dolls (but is not Barbie per se) at Costco for $50 or so.