5th Annual Christmas Shopping Thread

[ehough]

I found out today that MIL (one of the people I dread shopping for, because she makes a list of expensive things and God help you if you buy something else- you get weird looks and rude comments) wants to have Christmas at Thanksgiving. So now I have 16 days to buy for this woman, and no "wish list". Yet I refuse to buy anything on my own- not worth my effort! I'm bummed to have Christmas a month early, just makes no sense in this situation- she lives 45 minutes away! There's no reason we can't have Christmas, you know, during the Christmas season. It just goes back to how my ILs (and by extension, DH) don't "get" Christmas. It's not just about the gifts.

 

[klacey1]

I found out today that MIL (one of the people I dread shopping for, because she makes a list of expensive things and God help you if you buy something else- you get weird looks and rude comments) wants to have Christmas at Thanksgiving. So now I have 16 days to buy for this woman, and no "wish list". Yet I refuse to buy anything on my own- not worth my effort! I'm bummed to have Christmas a month early, just makes no sense in this situation- she lives 45 minutes away! There's no reason we can't have Christmas, you know, during the Christmas season. It just goes back to how my ILs (and by extension, DH) don't "get" Christmas. It's not just about the gifts.

Augh, that's too bad! However, if your MIL is really that obnoxious, now you'll get to spend the Christmas season focusing on your little family and people who do get it!

 

[Graciesmom77]

I found out today that MIL (one of the people I dread shopping for, because she makes a list of expensive things and God help you if you buy something else- you get weird looks and rude comments) wants to have Christmas at Thanksgiving. So now I have 16 days to buy for this woman, and no "wish list". Yet I refuse to buy anything on my own- not worth my effort! I'm bummed to have Christmas a month early, just makes no sense in this situation- she lives 45 minutes away! There's no reason we can't have Christmas, you know, during the Christmas season. It just goes back to how my ILs (and by extension, DH) don't "get" Christmas. It's not just about the gifts.

Tell them you don't want to do it at Thanksgiving. I used to let my inlaws run all over me and then I decided I have done nothing but Love their son and give them beautiful grandchildren. I no longer bite my tongue when its something that matters to me. I would be polite but firm and explain that you don't want to do that and they are invited to your house for Christmas eve, or whatever plans you usually do. Christmas shouldn't make you feel cornered and stressed. My Father in law was used to speaking and having everyone jump at his command. He sure wasn't prepared to have me as a daughter in law! If it bothers you that much, you should speak your mind. There is no reason your MIL should always get her way and you're always the one put out.

Whatever you decide I hope you have a great time and it works out for you all.

 

[Pesky]

Heads up for folks -- something Disney (bedtime something) is coming up tonight on a lightening toy deal on Amazon.

 

[Pesky]

What's everyone getting their husbands? And what about stocking stuffers? Thanks

photo book and mug, lounge pants, calendar, headphones, probably game or two (including 2 really for the kids from iPieces for his iPad)

Can anyone suggest a good flashlight for a toddler? I'd really prefer one with an auto-off feature if possible.

The best I've found are the Melissa and Doug ones that are shaped like bugs. They are easy to turn on and off but don't have an auto-off feature. There is a cute one of the Croc from Jake & The Neverland Pirates that is also easy to turn on and is auto off -- only on when depressed -- but it makes noise so depends on how easily you are annoyed by that.

 

[100AcreWood]

Heads up for folks -- something Disney (bedtime something) is coming up tonight on a lightening toy deal on Amazon.

It's the Disney bedtime story book.

Anyone have a Sephora VIB code they are willing to share? The VIBs received a code to share with a friend .

 

[ehough]

Sorry, nothing to see here! Posted a link to a deal that is gone now. But while I'm at it, I check the site www.hip2save.com several times a day for some good Christmas deals! Earlier today they had an 8 disc set of Harry Potter movies for $26!

 

[ladybug0506]

Heads up for all those that have a young Cinderella lover. The Cinderella 6v Quad will be a lightning deal on Amazon today starting at noon eastern. Right now it sells for $89.99 at amazon so it will obviously be on sale for less than that. I don't have any little girls but I thought it might help someone. Here's the link to the current (non lightning deal) price:

http://www.amazon.com/Kid-Trax-Cind...1352295670&sr=8-1&keywords=cinderella+6v+quad

 

[100AcreWood]

There's a great site www.camelcamelcamel.com that you can use to track prices on amazon and see fluctuations of price over the last year. I'm using it to track the price on several toys, hoping they will come down in price soon!

 

[Deffenm]

I bought my oldest the 1st Kindgom Keeper book. He has learning disabilities and hates to read so I thought what I would do is each night we could sit down and take turns reading a page as a way to countdown to our trip next year. He is 13 so he gets to stay up later then his siblings so I thought this might be a good way for me to spend some alone time with him before he doesn't want to hang out with me anymore.

I also picked him up monopoloy this week as Toys R Us had it for $5. He wanted the game just for him because my DD took the money out of the last game we had to play "store" and it never made it back in the box.

I also picked up Toy Story 3 Memory for $1 during the Toys R Us sale this week for one of my nephews. I have 5 newphews and 1 neice to buy for. I also have 2 brothers and 1 sister that are not married so I buy for them as well. My rule is once you are married your spouse buys you the presents. I tease my brother and sister saying that they only reason they don't get married is because they like to still get presents from me.

I have a list of what to get everyone so now I am just hunting for the best deals.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I got a friends and family code for disneystore.com today to use with my disney visa so I went ahead and ordered DD a suitcase and a matching travel set with a passport cover and luggage tags. I also picked up a couple of t-shirts for our trip next summer and a Rapunzel doll that was on sale for $8 for toys for tots.

 

[goldies 5]

On LittleTikes.com they have a cute Unicorn Pillow Racer. It along with the others are on sale for 29.99 plus free shipping. I also entered a 5% code I found online. So total was a little over 30.00.

 

[tikilyn]

I have a dilemma! I picked up my DS 9 an Ipod Touch 8gig as his big Christmas gift. Dh comes home today with an Iphone 4s 32 gig phone . We just bought two Galaxy s3 (one for me and one for my dd). My husband doesn't know what to do with the phone. I told him to just sell it (sounded like a good plan to me) but dh feels awkward about it.

Now dh has this idea and I don't know how I feel about it. I think it might send mixed signals to our ds9 but dh says it will be ok. He wants me to return the Ipod touch and we'll give him the iphone 4s as his big present. The phone will not have service. Dh wants him to have it as an ipod. But I think Ds will be upset that he can't use it as a phone. I kind of think "whats the point", tease ds with a phone as his Christmas gift. Dh also wants to give him a stipulation that if he can take care of the iphone, when he turns 10 we'll have it turned on (prepaid) and then he can use it for a phone.

What would you guys do? Give ds the new ipod touch or the iphone? In the end I just don't want my ds to be disappointed, especially on Christmas day.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

oooohhhh...that's tough..but I know if you handed me a phone and told me I couldn't use it I would be upset! Especially if I thought I was getting an ipod, then unwrap a phone...He'll have a Christmas high followed by a great big let down...but that's just my 2 cents! I don't know your son, but I am just telling you how I would feel and I think my boys would react that way also,......Curious what others think too!

 

[tikilyn]

oooohhhh...that's tough..but I know if you handed me a phone and told me I couldn't use it I would be upset! Especially if I thought I was getting an ipod, then unwrap a phone...He'll have a Christmas high followed by a great big let down...but that's just my 2 cents! I don't know your son, but I am just telling you how I would feel and I think my boys would react that way also,......Curious what others think too!

Thanks, I'm glad you said this. This is how I see it too. I do think it's unfair to give him a phone and not let him use it as one. Now I just need to convince dh that this is not a great idea!

 

[bas71873]

oooohhhh...that's tough..but I know if you handed me a phone and told me I couldn't use it I would be upset! Especially if I thought I was getting an ipod, then unwrap a phone...He'll have a Christmas high followed by a great big let down...but that's just my 2 cents! I don't know your son, but I am just telling you how I would feel and I think my boys would react that way also,......Curious what others think too!

^^this. Although I think I'd upgrade that Ipod touch to a 32 or 64gb. Really, REALLY glad DH tallked me into purchasing the 64gb for our DD9 for her bday this past summer.

 

[luvmy3]

I have a dilemma! I picked up my DS 9 an Ipod Touch 8gig as his big Christmas gift. Dh comes home today with an Iphone 4s 32 gig phone . We just bought two Galaxy s3 (one for me and one for my dd). My husband doesn't know what to do with the phone. I told him to just sell it (sounded like a good plan to me) but dh feels awkward about it.

Now dh has this idea and I don't know how I feel about it. I think it might send mixed signals to our ds9 but dh says it will be ok. He wants me to return the Ipod touch and we'll give him the iphone 4s as his big present. The phone will not have service. Dh wants him to have it as an ipod. But I think Ds will be upset that he can't use it as a phone. I kind of think "whats the point", tease ds with a phone as his Christmas gift. Dh also wants to give him a stipulation that if he can take care of the iphone, when he turns 10 we'll have it turned on (prepaid) and then he can use it for a phone.

What would you guys do? Give ds the new ipod touch or the iphone? In the end I just don't want my ds to be disappointed, especially on Christmas day.

I'd sell that puppy in a heartbeat

 

[moonpie85]

Can anyone suggest a good flashlight for a toddler? I'd really prefer one with an auto-off feature if possible.

I like these. The light comes from the mouth when it's opened

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Tikes-Glowin-Animal-Flashlight/dp/B00137N33K

 

[moonpie85]

I have a dilemma! I picked up my DS 9 an Ipod Touch 8gig as his big Christmas gift. Dh comes home today with an Iphone 4s 32 gig phone . We just bought two Galaxy s3 (one for me and one for my dd). My husband doesn't know what to do with the phone. I told him to just sell it (sounded like a good plan to me) but dh feels awkward about it.

Now dh has this idea and I don't know how I feel about it. I think it might send mixed signals to our ds9 but dh says it will be ok. He wants me to return the Ipod touch and we'll give him the iphone 4s as his big present. The phone will not have service. Dh wants him to have it as an ipod. But I think Ds will be upset that he can't use it as a phone. I kind of think "whats the point", tease ds with a phone as his Christmas gift. Dh also wants to give him a stipulation that if he can take care of the iphone, when he turns 10 we'll have it turned on (prepaid) and then he can use it for a phone.

What would you guys do? Give ds the new ipod touch or the iphone? In the end I just don't want my ds to be disappointed, especially on Christmas day.

I really think that's going to lead to big disappointment Christmas morning. Every kid that age wants a phone.

 

[100AcreWood]

I agree no matter what you should get more than an 8g. Those apps take a lot of memory.

I'm so close to being done! I ordered my 4 year old ds a small air hockey table today from Wal Mart. It was only $50. Just hoping it's not a big piece of junk. There are so many of those out there it was hard to decide.