6th Annual Christmas Thread

[Disney Mommy 3]

4ears... aboard!!! How do you like living in your RV? I think it would be sooooo cool!! Especially if you are just snow birding!! And I have to ask you all about Maine...my ds14 wants to go there...has since he was just a little tyke... I would love to go there too....but have no idea where to start as to what is a must do/see!!!! And unfortunately, we are not Lobster eaters!! I know! I know!!! My older son does, but the rest of us...nope!! now..back on track...I like your gift ideas..when it's all said and done, most of us dont need that much nowadays!!

 

[worm761]

Need to catch up on the thread but I bought my third Christmas present today!

DS is a total brony (boy fan of My Little Ponies). I had a little bit to use up on a gift card and found a Brony wallet for his stocking!

Toys R Us is moving to a new location here in town and everything is being clearanced at the current location. We bought her an Imaginarium foam playhouse. She was going nuts for it in the store so I distracted her while DH bought it!
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11776560&prodFindSrc=search

 

[darnheather]

Anyone have ideas for my Grandmother? She's 95 and lives in a nursing home so very little space. I usually give her a gift card but she's able to get out even less now. Last year I gave her a Zoobie (which she LOVES) and donated money in her name for a goat or sheep from Oxfam.

For my mom and sister I'm giving books that I found that fit their interest and donating money to Oxfam in their names to give books to school children in need. The other sister may need one of my kidneys and if so that's all she's getting!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Anyone have ideas for my Grandmother? She's 95 and lives in a nursing home so very little space. I usually give her a gift card but she's able to get out even less now. Last year I gave her a Zoobie (which she LOVES) and donated money in her name for a goat or sheep from Oxfam.

For my mom and sister I'm giving books that I found that fit their interest and donating money to Oxfam in their names to give books to school children in need. The other sister may need one of my kidneys and if so that's all she's getting!

The kidney comment gave me a chuckle

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Anyone have ideas for my Grandmother? She's 95 and lives in a nursing home so very little space. I usually give her a gift card but she's able to get out even less now. Last year I gave her a Zoobie (which she LOVES) and donated money in her name for a goat or sheep from Oxfam.

For my mom and sister I'm giving books that I found that fit their interest and donating money to Oxfam in their names to give books to school children in need. The other sister may need one of my kidneys and if so that's all she's getting!

well...I would say a kidney would cover it! That would be enough from me! LOL!! For your grandmother...hmmm...would she like a fruit/candy basket? I don't know what they are allowed to have in certain nursing homes...and she could have some treats to save or share with her friends...

 

[AZMermaid]

I'm in!

I have 2 kids. We do a big Santa gift, stockings, 3-5 gifts from us (one is clothes and one is books). I saw the idea on here last year about Santa bringing the family a gift too and I loved this! We will be starting that this year. I am excited since this is the first year I think my son will truly be into it. Here is what I am thinking (ages as of Christmas):

DS3- thinking a bike as his Santa gift. He is getting a Toy Story Scooter for his birthday next month (free with Disney Movie Rewards) so I am undecided if that is too many wheeled gifts so close. I got him a Spiderman mask during the Target clearance, which was sort of an impulse buy and says 4+ on it... so also undecided! I am trying to get a dress up bin started though, so that may be a good addition.

DD22 months- thinking a play kitchen from Santa- I know they will both love it. Also considering the Little Tike crib/highchair set since she loves her babies! My friend had this really nice Chicco doll stroller that I will likely get her. I got her a light up Cinderella doll during the Target clearance. I am trying to make that her only doll.... those suckers are multiplying around here!

The family gift will likely be a wagon.

DH main gift- Paul Goldschmidt baseball jersey. This is my husband's new favorite player. He thinks he will be the next Chipper Jones. I am hoping the jerseys go on sale when the season is over- and that Goldy doesn't leave the Dbacks, I tend to curse our teams by buying a jersey because then the player leaves.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

Anyone have ideas for my Grandmother? She's 95 and lives in a nursing home so very little space. I usually give her a gift card but she's able to get out even less now. Last year I gave her a Zoobie (which she LOVES) and donated money in her name for a goat or sheep from Oxfam.

My Grandmother is 93 and also in a nursing home. I totally understand the no space and no real need. Would your grandmother use a bed jacket or warm sweater? I know my grandmother is always cold (we all sweat whenever we go to visit her!) and she always has a sweater or bed jacket on even in the summer with the heat set to 85 degrees!

 

[TwinkleKS]

For my grandmother's 90th b-day in a nursing home, I had all of the grandkids write her letters of fond memories with her and put them in a small album next to a picture of them with their families. It became one of her prized possessions that she kept to show everyone and didn't cost me hardly anything.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I'm in!

I have 2 kids. We do a big Santa gift, stockings, 3-5 gifts from us (one is clothes and one is books). I saw the idea on here last year about Santa bringing the family a gift too and I loved this! We will be starting that this year. I am excited since this is the first year I think my son will truly be into it. Here is what I am thinking (ages as of Christmas):

DS3- thinking a bike as his Santa gift. He is getting a Toy Story Scooter for his birthday next month (free with Disney Movie Rewards) so I am undecided if that is too many wheeled gifts so close. I got him a Spiderman mask during the Target clearance, which was sort of an impulse buy and says 4+ on it... so also undecided! I am trying to get a dress up bin started though, so that may be a good addition.

DD22 months- thinking a play kitchen from Santa- I know they will both love it. Also considering the Little Tike crib/highchair set since she loves her babies! My friend had this really nice Chicco doll stroller that I will likely get her. I got her a light up Cinderella doll during the Target clearance. I am trying to make that her only doll.... those suckers are multiplying around here!

The family gift will likely be a wagon.

DH main gift- Paul Goldschmidt baseball jersey. This is my husband's new favorite player. He thinks he will be the next Chipper Jones. I am hoping the jerseys go on sale when the season is over- and that Goldy doesn't leave the Dbacks, I tend to curse our teams by buying a jersey because then the player leaves.

Glad you are here!!! Good ideas on your kids' lists... those toys add up fast when all the grandparents and friends start buying them for every occasion!!

 

[verleniahall]

Anyone have ideas for my Grandmother? She's 95 and lives in a nursing home so very little space. I usually give her a gift card but she's able to get out even less now. Last year I gave her a Zoobie (which she LOVES) and donated money in her name for a goat or sheep from Oxfam.

For my mom and sister I'm giving books that I found that fit their interest and donating money to Oxfam in their names to give books to school children in need. The other sister may need one of my kidneys and if so that's all she's getting!

Does your grandmother like to read? what about a nook or kindle filled with her favorite books?? I know that here, there are books that they can borrow, but they are changed out only every three months or so, so it can be kinda borning.

 

[darnheather]

Thanks for all the recommendations for my grandmother. Unfortunately, her eyesight is very poor but I like the idea of letters with photos. I usually send her 8x10 photos of faces close up and when people visit they could read her the letters.

 

[sarahk0204]

My Mom and SF-thinking something Floridian to eat. Oranges, orange jam...

We receive holiday citrus from here:

http://www.halegroves.com

Back in the day, my grandma sent us a box at Christmas. Now my dad does. It is always delicious!

 

[kayrosek]

WooHoo! Thanks for starting this. I've been waiting for this thread.

This year it will be Me, DH, DD16, DD14, and DD12 plus another teen who's 17.

I haven't gotten any presents yet this year which is rare. I have started planning some though. I think all the kids are getting a new purse, wallet or bank with some cash in it and a few gifts. I'm trying to think of things that will be meaningful. I do know I want to get The Big Bang Theory Clue Game as a family gift.Other than that I'm just not sure yet.

I am pretty sure we are continuing our tradition of going to Great Wolf Lodge for Christmas.

 

[gracie1]

I love these Christmas threads!! I'm such a Christmas but and would love to stay decorated year round!! So far I have gotten bath and bodyworks for my mom and tickets to a show in January. I've been adding to my list as I think of stuff and will start picking up items little by little. My dad is the worst. He has no interests or hobbies! So I've decided to do a gift card book with all the places he likes to eat so he will get a variety.

 

[ah1126]

Anyone have ideas for my Grandmother? She's 95 and lives in a nursing home so very little space. I usually give her a gift card but she's able to get out even less now. Last year I gave her a Zoobie (which she LOVES) and donated money in her name for a goat or sheep from Oxfam.

For my mom and sister I'm giving books that I found that fit their interest and donating money to Oxfam in their names to give books to school children in need. The other sister may need one of my kidneys and if so that's all she's getting!

Would she enjoy one of the recordable books? You could read it to her. Even if she couldn't see well enough to read along, I'm sure she would enjoy your voice. My parents have done these for my children and I enjoy listening to them too.

Or on another post someone mentioned the letters and pictures. If she had a way to play it, you could record everyone reading their letter to her.

 

[hineshm]

I am really struggling for ideas this year. I have DD19, DD13 and DH and they really do not want much any longer. Last year most of the gifts I got them were returned or not used. I am looking for a change in our Christmas routine. Unfortunatley, my husband will have to work the day after Christmas and for the next 8 days. We were all thinking about going on a Christmas vacation instead of gifts, but his work schedule put a stop to those plans.

The only gift I have purchased was a apron with the girls pic on it, made by Shutterfly. We came up with that idea last Christmas, but it was too late to get it made, so I had that made in June this year. Would love to hear some ideas from families with older children. And I don't mind doing gift cards, but that is a last resort. I gave DD19 a gift card tree last year and she liked it, but it not very personal.

I started a recipe book last year on shutterfly for DD19, but I still have not completed it. I thought that would be nice for her when/if she gets married. All her favorite recipes that I make.

 

[caselaw3]

i started a recipe book last year on shutterfly for dd19, but i still have not completed it. I thought that would be nice for her when/if she gets married. All her favorite recipes that i make.

that is a great idea!

 

[LilyWDW]

I started a recipe book last year on shutterfly for DD19, but I still have not completed it. I thought that would be nice for her when/if she gets married. All her favorite recipes that I make.

My cousin and I were going to do a recipe book for a bunch of family this year. However, with her new baby, my mom's illness and passing, her family having personal and health issues, and now MY health issues it might have to wait another year.

Still hoping to get to the outlet mall this week, but I have been having some health issues. Ended up in the ER last night with an allergic reaction to an antibiotic I had been on before. Not sure if I will have the energy.

 

[Deffenm]

I am really struggling for ideas this year. I have DD19, DD13 and DH and they really do not want much any longer. Last year most of the gifts I got them were returned or not used. I am looking for a change in our Christmas routine. Unfortunatley, my husband will have to work the day after Christmas and for the next 8 days. We were all thinking about going on a Christmas vacation instead of gifts, but his work schedule put a stop to those plans.

The only gift I have purchased was a apron with the girls pic on it, made by Shutterfly. We came up with that idea last Christmas, but it was too late to get it made, so I had that made in June this year. Would love to hear some ideas from families with older children. And I don't mind doing gift cards, but that is a last resort. I gave DD19 a gift card tree last year and she liked it, but it not very personal.

I started a recipe book last year on shutterfly for DD19, but I still have not completed it. I thought that would be nice for her when/if she gets married. All her favorite recipes that I make.

I take my kids out 1:1 for lunch and then we go "shopping" and they give me ideas of what they want. I enjoy it because I get to spend 1:1 time with them and I usually figure out a couple of things they want. This year my oldest DS wants tickets to see Phantom of the Opera. I would have never thought to get him tickets to see that but he has been asking for several months now. It is coming to our town in March 2014 so I am going to buy tickets and wrap them up for him. Is there a show or performances that the family would like to see?

 

[LilyWDW]

I take my kids out 1:1 for lunch and then we go "shopping" and they give me ideas of what they want. I enjoy it because I get to spend 1:1 time with them and I usually figure out a couple of things they want. This year my oldest DS wants tickets to see Phantom of the Opera. I would have never thought to get him tickets to see that but he has been asking for several months now. It is coming to our town in March 2014 so I am going to buy tickets and wrap them up for him. Is there a show or performances that the family would like to see?

Oh my gosh, that is awesome. Your DS has some good taste! I would KILL to see Phantom of the Opera! Sometimes I break out in song from it.