6th Annual Christmas Thread

[mom2t]

Forgot I earned points on my Sears credit card. Thanks to email reminder I cashed in points in July and got my husband a $50 GC to Outback - my cost nothing. Bought his underwear T-shirts he likes yesterday and have last season of Adam 12. Still need to buy him underwear, handkerchiefs, socks, some new shirts long sleeve, jeans he will not buy clothes. But happy to get them from me. Always get him a book or two have vendor that comes to work and sells at a discount.

 

[Grammyof2]

Got a few more gifts figured out even though they aren't purchased yet. We bought an older Class A motorhome and are taking a cross country trip next year with our youngest, 12. We decided to get her a good camera and a hammock for the trip. Both are setting in my cart on Amazon so I can watch the prices. She is my hardest to buy for since I like her stuff to be useful and not especially electronic I am just happy to have figured out her big stuff

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Got a few more gifts figured out even though they aren't purchased yet. We bought an older Class A motorhome and are taking a cross country trip next year with our youngest, 12. We decided to get her a good camera and a hammock for the trip. Both are setting in my cart on Amazon so I can watch the prices. She is my hardest to buy for since I like her stuff to be useful and not especially electronic I am just happy to have figured out her big stuff

What a fun trip!!!! And great ideas!!!!!

 

[kandazak]

Joining in. We buy for DS10 and DD4. DS wants PS4, but if he gets that, he won't get anything else. We usually give "a want, a need, a read" plus stocking stuff! Grandparents really go overboard for our kids too. We also buy for niece who is 9, and 2 nephews, 7 and 5. Love all the ideas!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Joining in. We buy for DS10 and DD4. DS wants PS4, but if he gets that, he won't get anything else. We usually give "a want, a need, a read" plus stocking stuff! Grandparents really go overboard for our kids too. We also buy for niece who is 9, and 2 nephews, 7 and 5. Love all the ideas!!

not only to the thread but to the Boards! We are your first post! I like that idea for gifts..we all tend to get them too much stuff!!!

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

11 and 13 year old girls! what the heck do ya buy them? the youngest is into animals, the oldest technolgy, facebook, tv..... Yea! they dont make it easy!


Oh and what do you get a 70 year old lady who has everything? She gets a calander each year from all us grandkids, but other than that im at loss.

 

[theworldneedscolor]

11 and 13 year old girls! what the heck do ya buy them? the youngest is into animals, the oldest technolgy, facebook, tv..... Yea! they dont make it easy!

For the younger, you could get fictional books/movies about animals (The Art of Racing in the Rain, Marley and Me, etc-though both of those are a bit mature. But you get the idea). If she likes art as well you could get a book that teaches you how to draw animals. If you have stables near you you could get a certificate for a horse riding lesson or two. Documentaries could be good too.

For the older one, you could get some cool speakers (like those wireless ones). Maybe a box set of one of her favorite shows. If she likes computer games, you could get the Sims. I've been playing it since the original version came out- great game! There's always kindles and iPods if you are in the market for that.

 

[100AcreWood]

11 and 13 year old girls! what the heck do ya buy them? the youngest is into animals, the oldest technolgy, facebook, tv..... Yea! they dont make it easy!


Oh and what do you get a 70 year old lady who has everything? She gets a calander each year from all us grandkids, but other than that im at loss.

My mother turns 70 this year and she loves White Mountain Puzzles. She said it gives her something to do other than sitting around and watching TV. As for the girls, I'm with you. My oldest dd turns 11 next month and this year is going to be difficult. She is starting to outgrow toys .

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I always say books right off the bat..followed by puzzles...for the kids and the 70 year old....maybe for the Granny you could give her a house cleaning from a local cleaning company? She could redeem it when it was convenient for her, or before any holiday that may be at her home?....

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

well ladies..Christmas Day is now just 4 months from today We are at 17 1/2 weeks...so,..keep that in mind for the budgets! Our local public schools all start tomorrow, and probably for most of your kiddos also~so some of you will have more time to do secret shopping!! Hope you all have a great first day back to school!!!!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

well ladies..Christmas Day is now just 4 months from today We are at 17 1/2 weeks...so,..keep that in mind for the budgets! Our local public schools all start tomorrow, and probably for most of your kiddos also~so some of you will have more time to do secret shopping!! Hope you all have a great first day back to school!!!!

School starts tomorrow here too!!

 

[Maggie Ann]

This is a last minute gift idea, but one I like because it's not to expensive and it looks fancy:
Butterscotch Pretzels
1 good sized bag small pretzels (twists or circles)
1 pkg. butterscotch chips
1 tsp cooking oil
1/4 pkg. milk or dark or white chocolate chips
1/4 tsp. cooking oil

Parchment or wax paper

Microwave butterscotch chips and 1 tsp. of oil for 30 seconds at a time, in a big microwave safe bowl, stirring each time, until fully melted. Make sure to stir, as melted chips sometimes look whole.
(can be melted in a double boiler)
Dump pretzels into melted chips, making sure not to allow all the loose salt into the mix.
Stir well, until all pretzels are covered. Spread on parchment or wax paper to cool.
While cooling, melt other chips and oil in a similar manner.
Drizzle second coating in a decorative manner over cooling pretzels.
Allow to fully cool...refrigerating helps the coating to fully set up.

Place in a decorative container and give!

I have also used dark chocolate drizzled with white chocolate, and peanut butter and chocolate mixed (can't remember if I drizzled or not.)

ANY chip flavor will work, but the combination of the butterscotch and the salty pretzels is delicious.

That sounds fantastic, can't wait to try it! Thank you for sharing DisneyMom5

 

[Maggie Ann]

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!

I haven't read though all I the posts so someone else may have already made this suggestion - a digital picture frame?

 

[Maggie Ann]

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

What a great tradition!

 

[Maggie Ann]

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.[/QUOTE]

Love the apron idea - going to look into that for both grandmothers (and me - is that wrong lol?)

I have placed gift certificates inside a cute picture frame. I saw on pinterest that someone received an umbrella and when you opened it up money was clipped inside.

 

[kandazak]

I had to get a new login name, so I am not actually new to these boards, just new to this name! I hit an American Girl jackpot (my friends daughter is selling ALL of her stuff-like new) for 1/4 of the cost. So, I went from not starting my shopping to being completely done with one kid in a matter of 5 minutes!!! One catch.... It's too much stuff for Christmas, so some of it will be put away for b-days, etc!!! Good catch I think!

Love the apron idea! Going to check that out for grandmas!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

My daughter is also wanting to get rid of a majority of her AG stuff..and we have lots of clothes!!! Some still have creases from the package! LOL!! If anyone is interested in that, PM me! I got her a few outfits for several bday & Christmases in a row...some of the dolls and clothes she bought with her own money she got for those occasions as well...she is out growing that phase I am sad to say!!! But, I will make her keep her first one and one more she really loves, but pass it on!!

 

[DisneyMom5]

That sounds fantastic, can't wait to try it! Thank you for sharing DisneyMom5

You're welcome! I'm all about easy to make gifts!

 

[Maggie Ann]

Think I might get this for my mom from the kids

http://www.pearlsbylaurel.com/mothers-bracelets

 

[JustinsMommy07]

I love this thread!!! I've always followed, but never joined. I have gotten many great ideas over the past years. On my list to buy for this year are DH, DS6, DS3, mom and aunt. The only gifts that I'm certain of are our Christmas eve pajamas. Everyone gets a new pair of Christmas themed pajamas that they open and wear on Christmas eve. The boys also get a book. I love doing "theme" type gifts and gift baskets. My mom and aunt were always difficult to buy for as far as finding things that they would actually use. And of course I always hear "Please don't buy us anything this year." Last year I made up gift baskets of toiletry type things( shampoos, soaps, moisturizers etc... Also threw in bath slippers and those turbie twists for their hair) They seemed to like them so I'm going to do the same this year. As for everybody else....I have no clue!!! We are doing the Disney cruise and a couple of days in Disney at the beginning of December so I'm hoping to "be inspired!" lol