5th Annual Christmas Shopping Thread

[delmar411]

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one already working on Christmas! I went through this weekend and wrote down a gift list so I could see what I have already.

I'm done with:
MIL - hummel plates and a mug/notebook set
SIL - mug/notebook set

g-parent gifts for both sets - ODD is making stepping stones for their gardens and the little kids are making coasters at a paint your own pottery place (I bought a groupon already and they'll make them closer to the holidays)

auntie gifts (my sis & SIL) - the little kids have made some nice pottery pieces this summer that we will gift to the aunts.

YDS
ODS
YDD

mostly done for ODD - $100 in itunes GCs plus a few other random store/fast food gcs

I still need:
main gift for ODD - she wants a new computer so we'll see
Dsis - I have no idea
FIL - no idea
my parents - no idea...this gift has to be consumable (not food but something they can use up)

3 teacher gifts - will do GCs and I have magnetic notepads as the trinket since I don't like to just give a GC on its own , although we have a repeat teacher from last year (YDD's teacher is now ODS's teacher) and she went to China this summer as part of a teaching exchange so I might get her a digital picture frame instead of the GC.

That's all we buy for outside of picking children off the giving tree at the Y but of course I can't pre-buy anything for that (you pick specific items to buy). I have a bunch of stuff put back for standard toy drives too. Whenever I can snag a good deal on something fun I pick it up. Makes the amount of toys I can donate larger than if I waited until the holidays.

We're surprising the kids with Christmas at WDW (12/22-12/30) so we'll likely buy them some gifty things while we're there.

 

[Priorityonecb]

Second posting of the day, but I am now done with dd21!! She is away at college, but lives in her own apartment. She has an assortment of hand me downs for the kitchen of not great quality (or looks! ). In casually chatting today, she told me her dream colors for the kitchen are red/black. We got her red cookware set, a gorgeous red/black dishware set, red silverware, red knife/scissor block set, and assorted red/black accessories! DONE!!! All together we got her 20 gifts she will love, and my total expense was $250! Perfectly on budget, and it feels good to have hers all done and taken care of!

 

[ah1126]

My friends are closing their toy store and I went to help out today. I came home with some stocking stuffers, a few birthday and Christmas gifts, and a baby doll to give to DD when the new baby comes. (she thinks she has a baby in her belly too, so she will get a doll at the hospital)

 

[theworldneedscolor]

I've been to Michaels the past two days, picking up some supplies for projects. I am making at least three sets of coasters for Christmas gifts. Pretty inexpensive, I hope they turn out nice!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Hi!!

I am just now starting to think about Christmas for this year. I am NOT going to wait until the last minute this year. For the past two years I have waited and then had to rush to finish.

Lucky for me we don't have many to buy for but my kids alone have become very expensive the older they get. My son is BIG on electronics and everything on his list is hundreds of dollars each. He is dreaming of course. Finding the right gifts for him may be my biggest challenge but thankfully my girls are very easy to please.

My first tip for this thread would be for anyone who is considering buying a Ipod Nano, go ahead and get the iTouch, and a very good cover for it too. Your kids will love it!

 

[theworldneedscolor]

I don't know if I agree about the iPod touch over the nano. If they are older, around 13, I would most likely say yes. But I don't think kids should have their own personal computer, with internet access. I also don't believe they should have laptops or computers in their room; they should only use the internet in a family room. Just my two cents.

 

[brendasol]

Thanks for the idea...I think I'll have the kids make garden stones for my in-laws!

I also need to get 2 digital cameras and 2 DS systems for my 4 kids. We are surprising them with a trip to Disney in Dec, and they are going to get these to use for the trip! Does anyone know an inexpensive digital camera that's good for teens?

 

[lyncecelia]

I don't know if I agree about the iPod touch over the nano. If they are older, around 13, I would most likely say yes. But I don't think kids should have their own personal computer, with internet access. I also don't believe they should have laptops or computers in their room; they should only use the internet in a family room. Just my two cents.

I have to politely disagree...the three older kids of my FH's bunch have either an iPod Touch or an iPad, the oldest has a laptop and the two girls share a computer in their room that is mainly used for Netflix and YouTube. As long as you set them up properly and teach safe internet usage it's good for them to have access to technology. In contrast, my younger sister (who we bought her first laptop last year at 13) can barely use a computer due to the lack of availability to one she had growing up (my parents also did the "only in the family room" thing, which my mom usually was on and didn't share it often) while my FDSS11 can find his way easily around a computer...technology isn't a bad thing if the proper protocols and protections (like blockers on adult sites, internet rules, and random browser checks) are in place. Just my two cents.

 

[troane522]

i have to politely disagree...the three older kids of my fh's bunch have either an ipod touch or an ipad, the oldest has a laptop and the two girls share a computer in their room that is mainly used for netflix and youtube. As long as you set them up properly and teach safe internet usage it's good for them to have access to technology. In contrast, my younger sister (who we bought her first laptop last year at 13) can barely use a computer due to the lack of availability to one she had growing up (my parents also did the "only in the family room" thing, which my mom usually was on and didn't share it often) while my fdss11 can find his way easily around a computer...technology isn't a bad thing if the proper protocols and protections (like blockers on adult sites, internet rules, and random browser checks) are in place. Just my two cents.

+1

 

[100AcreWood]

Any gift ideas for an almost 4 year old? DD will be almost 4 on Christmas and I have no idea what to get her. She has tons of toys and a leappad already.

Does she have a dollhouse? That's the big thing my dd wanted when she was 4.

 

[bas71873]

Does she have a dollhouse? That's the big thing my dd wanted when she was 4.

About that age we got DD the Step2 dollhouse. Well worth the cost because it's sturdy, won't fall over and is good for doll house dolls and barbies. We still have it and every once in a while she wants us to drag it out of the attic to play with.

 

[bas71873]

i have to politely disagree...the three older kids of my fh's bunch have either an ipod touch or an ipad, the oldest has a laptop and the two girls share a computer in their room that is mainly used for netflix and youtube. As long as you set them up properly and teach safe internet usage it's good for them to have access to technology. In contrast, my younger sister (who we bought her first laptop last year at 13) can barely use a computer due to the lack of availability to one she had growing up (my parents also did the "only in the family room" thing, which my mom usually was on and didn't share it often) while my fdss11 can find his way easily around a computer...technology isn't a bad thing if the proper protocols and protections (like blockers on adult sites, internet rules, and random browser checks) are in place. Just my two cents.

+1

+2

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

on the computer access thing...I agree that they need knowledge of computer skills,...it's the way of the future!! And the kids are all pretty good at it!! Heck, they have to show me stuff all the time! But, I do know that YouTube can have some pretty 'adult' links that pop up!!!
It's a parental decision and each set of parents are responsible for their children...
I am gonna step in here and say let's all drop this topic. We can discuss the best deals/bargains for any iTouch or Nano or whatever, but I don't want this getting out of hand~~not that you ladies will, but I would hate for the Mods to see a potential flare up and close our thread...it's too fun!!!! Back to shopping!!!

 

[hineshm]

Really trying to get most of my shopping done before November. I just picked up a Kavu purse for my niece on clearance for $15 at Academy. I also got my brother an LSU polo shirt from SAMS. Then went to Ulta and purchased my daughter Katy Perry perfume Purr and got a free rolling duffel. Whoo Hoo.

Still on the lookout for more deals!

 

[Priorityonecb]

What is everyone thinking of for 15/16 year old girls?? DD is being no help with a list, and already has a laptop, Ipod Touch and a Kindle Fire.

She has asked for two pairs of shoes, to apparently complete her "dream shoe collection". We are going to Orlando for Christmas, and I was considering giving her the Beluga Whale Interaction as a gift. She has already swam with dolphins, sea lions, sting rays and sharks...belugas would be fun I think to add to her list.

Just wondering what everyone else is buying for that age this year.

 

[lyncecelia]

If anyone has any teens who are Sims 3 players, there is a new expansion pack coming out November 13th (Sims 3 Seasons). I have it on my list but some teenagers might like it too!

ETA: If you are getting them the game to start with (as in they don't have it yet) you need to get Sims 3 plus whatever expansion packs you want to get them. The expansion packs won't work on their own unless they say "Sims 3 PLUS _____" like "Sims 3 PLUS Pets". If someone needs me to explain that in more detail just PM me and I will

 

[Pesky]

What is everyone thinking of for 15/16 year old girls?? DD is being no help with a list, and already has a laptop, Ipod Touch and a Kindle Fire.

She has asked for two pairs of shoes, to apparently complete her "dream shoe collection". We are going to Orlando for Christmas, and I was considering giving her the Beluga Whale Interaction as a gift. She has already swam with dolphins, sea lions, sting rays and sharks...belugas would be fun I think to add to her list.

Just wondering what everyone else is buying for that age this year.

Gift cards. I am petrified to get anything else for my niece unless she requests! Last year she mentioned she need some new swim caps (she is on the swim team) and I found some fun ones. This year she is getting a key chain rubber band gun along with her big gift but I am arming the whole family -- easily predicting gift opening will devolve into a shoot-out.

 

[moonpie85]

<gasp!>

This may have already been shared, I'm too excited to look through previous posts lol

http://www.target.com/p/leapfrog-le...M=Save 10%+ On Select Baby Toys at Target.com

 

[brendasol]

<gasp!>

This may have already been shared, I'm too excited to look through previous posts lol

http://www.target.com/p/leapfrog-le...M=Save 10%+ On Select Baby Toys at Target.com

This looks like it would be better for my 5 year old than a DS! Thanks

 

[luvmy3]

Wow, I can't believe this thread is back already!

Really trying to get most of my shopping done before November. I just picked up a Kavu purse for my niece on clearance for $15 at Academy. I also got my brother an LSU polo shirt from SAMS. Then went to Ulta and purchased my daughter Katy Perry perfume Purr and got a free rolling duffel. Whoo Hoo.

Still on the lookout for more deals!

Thanks for the info about the rolling duffel. I almost got my dd a Vera Bradley Weekender when they were on sale but I didn't. This deal is even better since she has asked for KP's perfume (I just can't remember which one!) and I always get her a bottle of perfume for Christmas.

If anyone has any teens who are Sims 3 players, there is a new expansion pack coming out November 13th (Sims 3 Seasons). I have it on my list but some teenagers might like it too!

My dd has already told me this is on her Christmas list.

I have a few things for my kids, but I think this year instead of getting a bunch of small item, they are each going to get one BIG gift and very few others. I do have a couple Lego sets and games for my dses. I also bought them new jackets (one a North Face and one a baseball team) but I'll probably give them those before Christmas.
I'm not sure what their big gifts will be, we were thinking of getting them each a mini-bike. If not that, maybe Lego Mindstorms for one of them, and some kind of tablet for the other. It depends on what they ask for the closer we get.
My dd wants a new cell phone. We don't do contracts, only pre-paid so her gift will be the phone, and a year's worth of service.