5th Annual Christmas Shopping Thread

[Pesky]

Man, I am so tempted by that Disneyland Kinect game but figured I'd wait until the kids' birthdays so little closer to our trip. And Disney Store just called me to tell me Stuffy the dragon is back in stock -- woohoo! DS is getting that and Chilly and DD is getting Lambie and Hallie -- from each other! Eh, what they wanted so it works out well.

 

[ladybug0506]

My son got the original Leappad last Christmas and he turned 4 a few days later. My daughter was 2.5 at the time and she can play it and still does. Some of the games have suggested ages, so you can just look for the ones geared for younger children. It has held up well even when they carry it around by the stylus and drop it 50 times.

I am still trying to decidedif I should get my daughter the pink Leappad2 for Christmas or get the new Google tablet for kids. She could also just use my sons leappad...he is asking for a DS now...

Thank you so much for the response! It's good to know that the device held up to being dropped - do you have any sort of gel skin or anything on it to protect it? Or do they just use it as is out of the box?

I know it has been a year, but do you remember any of the games that you daughter enjoyed then? Or games that she really likes now? All of the games I have seen so far are age rated starting at 4

Google tablet - Are you referring to the Nexus 7? Or have they come out with another one that is specifically meant for kids? That might sway me away from the LeapPad

Thank you again for your help and advice!

 

[HulaHoopy]

Thank you so much for the response! It's good to know that the device held up to being dropped - do you have any sort of gel skin or anything on it to protect it? Or do they just use it as is out of the box?

I know it has been a year, but do you remember any of the games that you daughter enjoyed then? Or games that she really likes now? All of the games I have seen so far are age rated starting at 4

Google tablet - Are you referring to the Nexus 7? Or have they come out with another one that is specifically meant for kids? That might sway me away from the LeapPad

Thank you again for your help and advice!

We do not have anything extra on the Leappad, just use it right out of the box. The google tablet I was looking into is the Tabeo. I don't think it has been released yet. It will be initially more than the Leappad, but there is a large number of aps I believe you can download for free. You have to pay for the Leappad aps and games.

When I get home today, I will check to see what games we have. She really likes the coloring/painting game which I think came with the leappad originally.

 

[Iamajoy79]

Aliceacc - I don't drink coffee either, but I just got my husband a Keurig from Kohls with a 30% and then I am using the Keurig rebate that is out to get $30 back.

That's awesome! I have a kohl's 30% coupon. How do you get the rebate?
Thanks

 

[luvmy3]

I'm thinking of getting my husband a Keurig for Christmas. But I'm not a coffee drinker, and have no idea of which model or what features I want. Anyone care to give me some ideas?

I got my dh a Keurig a few years ago and it was a big hit. I got it for him to put in his office but we ended up using it right away and its been in our kitchen ever since! I got the B40 model, it the basic bigger one. There is a smaller one that only holds enough water in the resevoir for 1 cup. I like the one we have, but I only use it for coffee or hot water so I don't need anything to fancy.

 

[bas71873]

Thanks!!!! I was waiting for this too! I'd better order soon so they don't put all of my items on backorder!

I can't remember. Do the AG boxes that come to house have AG all over them? I need to place an order and if it does I need to send to my mom's house

 

[luvmy3]

I can't remember. Do the AG boxes that come to house have AG all over them? I need to place an order and if it does I need to send to my mom's house

Its been a few years since I've ordered from them but IIRC the boxes are plain and the sent from address does not say American Girl.


I've decided to get my 2 dses Ipod touches. My youngest has asked for 1 for the last couple years, and my oldest has been interested but has been okay with not having one. Now I just have to wait for the best deal, hopefully Target puts out another 10% off coupon and runs GC promo again this year.

 

[HulaHoopy]

That's awesome! I have a kohl's 30% coupon. How do you get the rebate?
Thanks

someone posted the rebate link a few pages back, but you can also google it

 

[Deffenm]

All of the kids and the Husband has provide me with their lists - I didn't even have to ask. So now I can start to plan what to get and watch out for sales.

 

[bas71873]

Its been a few years since I've ordered from them but IIRC the boxes are plain and the sent from address does not say American Girl.


I've decided to get my 2 dses Ipod touches. My youngest has asked for 1 for the last couple years, and my oldest has been interested but has been okay with not having one. Now I just have to wait for the best deal, hopefully Target puts out another 10% off coupon and runs GC promo again this year.

That's how I remember it too, but wondered if someone has ordered recently just to be sure.

I'm sure your DSs will LOVES the Ipod touch. My DD got one for her birthday in July and she and her friends use it a lot. They dance to music, make videos. I got her a cube too from amazon that will play the music AND charge the Ipod at the same time. It changes colors too. They use that in her room and when they want to dance outside.

 

[ehough]

Joining you all here- I love Christmas shopping! Just yesterday I finished for my kids...I actually thought I was done, but then DD (4.5) started talking about how Santa was going to bring her a Nintendo DS. Santa hadn't planned on that, but I think it's a good investment, so I went ahead and bought a DSi last night. Kohl's sells DS games and they're on sale this week, so combined with 30% off and free shipping, they were $15 each!

Her other gifts are just a big mix of things I found on clearance at various stores- Strawberry Shortcake toys, electric drum kit, Barbie Puppy Water Park, Lalaloopsy school bus, and a Razor scooter I got on Craigslist for $5. DS is 3 and he's also getting a $5 scooter, a Switch and Go dinosaur, a monster truck, and I bought 5 costumes from Once Upon a Child which I will put in a Rubbermaid container for his "dress up trunk"- he doesn't have to wear dresses anymore!

They also have a few combined gifts- digital camera from Target clearance, a butterfly garden, and the game Tip It (which I loved as a kid!). DH wants to get them a fish and they will flip, but obviously that's a last minute purchase.

For the other kids in my life, I got my niece the Little People Princess Palace for $35 at Toys R Us. I got both nephews toys they requested at Walmart, so they're done! DH and I are getting a Nexus "from Santa", so he's done too.

I still have several adults to buy for, but that just has to wait for wish lists. I used to buy what I thought they might like but after several rude experiences with the ILs, I gave up. I will only buy what they ask for, it's not worth my time or effort (or hurt feelings!).

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Joining you all here- I love Christmas shopping! Just yesterday I finished for my kids...I actually thought I was done, but then DD (4.5) started talking about how Santa was going to bring her a Nintendo DS. Santa hadn't planned on that, but I think it's a good investment, so I went ahead and bought a DSi last night. Kohl's sells DS games and they're on sale this week, so combined with 30% off and free shipping, they were $15 each!

Her other gifts are just a big mix of things I found on clearance at various stores- Strawberry Shortcake toys, electric drum kit, Barbie Puppy Water Park, Lalaloopsy school bus, and a Razor scooter I got on Craigslist for $5. DS is 3 and he's also getting a $5 scooter, a Switch and Go dinosaur, a monster truck, and I bought 5 costumes from Once Upon a Child which I will put in a Rubbermaid container for his "dress up trunk"- he doesn't have to wear dresses anymore!

They also have a few combined gifts- digital camera from Target clearance, a butterfly garden, and the game Tip It (which I loved as a kid!). DH wants to get them a fish and they will flip, but obviously that's a last minute purchase.

For the other kids in my life, I got my niece the Little People Princess Palace for $35 at Toys R Us. I got both nephews toys they requested at Walmart, so they're done! DH and I are getting a Nexus "from Santa", so he's done too.

I still have several adults to buy for, but that just has to wait for wish lists. I used to buy what I thought they might like but after several rude experiences with the ILs, I gave up. I will only buy what they ask for, it's not worth my time or effort (or hurt feelings!).

Just a tip about the butterfly garden, you might want to hold onto it until spring because they won't be able to use it until then, you have to send away for the butterflies and they can't mail them until it warms up some. But my kids had one and they loved watching them grow.

Great job on the scooters! My DS8 has outgrown his bike and I keep scouring craigslist looking for one for him because he's so hard on them, so far I haven't found one, but I still have time.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I finally got started on DD16. I bought her a pillow pet and a DS game she wants. She's asking for Snap Circuits, she started playing with her brother's one day and now she's really into them so I might get her a set. I'm holding off until Black Friday to get her a suitcase hoping to find a deal. I found some hanging toiletry bags at Walmart that I liked so I think I'll get her one of those, too.

 

[Graciesmom77]

I can't remember. Do the AG boxes that come to house have AG all over them? I need to place an order and if it does I need to send to my mom's house

Last time I ordered from AG, the return address said it was from American girl and I am almost sure there was red print on the side that said American girl. It used to say from Plesant Comany on the return address label, but they are no longer owned by them and Mattel owns AG now. To be safe you may want to send it to Grandmas house if its not to big a hassle.

 

[ehough]

Just a tip about the butterfly garden, you might want to hold onto it until spring because they won't be able to use it until then, you have to send away for the butterflies and they can't mail them until it warms up some. But my kids had one and they loved watching them grow.

Oh gosh, thanks for the reminder! I think I will hold off until Easter- a much better occasion for that!

 

[Graciesmom77]

I am getting some things accomplised finally. I am so excited for Christmas and I can't wait to decorate!

If anyone is buying McKenna American Girl doll of the year, you had better order soon. I just ordered 2 of the McKenna collections that come with the doll, accessories, 2 books and extra outfits. Almost everything is backordered until Nov. 7th and some things until Dec. 3rd or something like that.

So far I have.....

11dd
Lightup makeupcase that you can plug your mp3 player into
Glitter trunk to hold all her Monster High stuff
Rochelle Goyle Monster High Doll
American Girl McKenna and accsessories and outfits
Jewlery
Hunger Games movie books
Barbie Star Doll
Justice Pj's
Justice Backrest pillow
Mini locker
Flip video camera

9dd
Lightup makeupcase that you can plug your mp3 player into
Glitter trunk to hold all her Monster High stuff
Cupid Monster High Doll
American Girl McKenna and accsessories and outfits
Jewlery
Barbie with a Scooter
Barbie Star Doll
2 outfits
Justice Backrest pillow
Mini locker
Gymnastics Barbie
Flip video camera

3dd
Tag Reader
3 Tag Books
Melissa and Doug foot cutting set
Bride Barbie
Groom Barbie
Leapfrog Scribble Writer
Leapfrog Letter Factory Phonics
Melissa and Doug Cupcake set
Melissa and Doug Magnetic dolls
Alphie
Leapster
2 Leapster games
Doc McStuffins doll
Doc McStuffins Doctor Set

dd1
Dora the Explorer Backpack
Little People Princess Castle
Little People Snow White and the 7 dwarves
2 sets of princess little people
Little People girl Super Heroes
Leapfrog Song toy

My 1 year old will be getting a few more toys and then just some new sleepers and outfits.

My 3 year old is getting closer to being done, but I know I still want to get her and Our Generation doll and I am going to make her a bed for the doll. Also, she is wanting a big girl bed and not a crib anymore, so I am thinking we are going to buy her the Disney Princess metal carriage bed and get her the Cinderella bedding and set it up on Christmas day without her knowing.

For my 9 and 11 year olds, we are getting them each a loft bed and new bedding and desks and chairs. Then the hubby and I are building them an American Girl doll house to fit under their lofted beds. I will be making a lot of the stuff for the house and then buying a few pieces, like the Kitchen from Target. I also want to get them a Smash journals and stuff to go with that.

Hubby is going to get a keurig, Call of Duty and some survival stuff. I wanted to get him a big tool box but i think I will wait until we move back home rather than try and move it from here in Florida back to Ohio. The girls and I always make him his "beef basket of love", which I fill with tons of different kinds of beef jerky and other snacks he loves. We are also going to make him a HUGE buckeye. He will love it.

My one sister and brother in law are getting a Disney giftcard for when they come down to visit to me.

They other sis and brother in law are getting a photo blanket and who knows what else.

Both sisters are getting Home Organization binders.

My older nephew 14, is getting 50 bucks, all in small bills rolled up tied with ribbons.

My nephew who is 3 is getting a Dinosaur terriarium and I am not sure what else.

I CANT WAIT TO DECORATE!!!!!

 

[ladybug0506]

I'm thinking of getting my husband a Keurig for Christmas. But I'm not a coffee drinker, and have no idea of which model or what features I want. Anyone care to give me some ideas?

I am not a coffee drinker either but I just saw a preview of Target's ad next week (starting 10/21) and they will be offering a $30 giftcard when you buy Kurig K-Cup B60 Special Edition Brewer. I don't know anything about it but I thought I'd mention it.

 

[bas71873]

Oh gosh, thanks for the reminder! I think I will hold off until Easter- a much better occasion for that!

I think that's a good plan. We did this a few years ago and it was a fun thing to do in the Spring. We even took the butterflies to school and released them with DDs class.

 

[pandamom]

I am not a coffee drinker either but I just saw a preview of Target's ad next week (starting 10/21) and they will be offering a $30 giftcard when you buy Kurig K-Cup B60 Special Edition Brewer. I don't know anything about it but I thought I'd mention it.

Keurig is also offering a mail in rebate:
http://www.keurig.com/rebate

 

[Aliceacc]

I am not a coffee drinker either but I just saw a preview of Target's ad next week (starting 10/21) and they will be offering a $30 giftcard when you buy Kurig K-Cup B60 Special Edition Brewer. I don't know anything about it but I thought I'd mention it.

Keurig is also offering a mail in rebate:
http://www.keurig.com/rebate

Thank you both!!