6th Annual Christmas Thread

[Minniemedic]

Late to the party but so happy to have found this thread.

This will be DS4 and my first Christmas in our own place since the divorce. Last year we were sharing a room at my parents so didn't really feel very festive and was odd not being with exH and our old home. But this year, I am decorating everything & anything. DS is excited to have his "own" tree in his room; I found a 3ft one on clearance @ target last year.

As for gifts, I have DS4, my mom, my dad, brother & future sis in law, grandmother, great aunt, two nephews (10 & 6) and DS's godparents.

Each year mom, gma & great aunt get shutterfly calendars of the previous year's pics. No idea what to get my dad. Brother is usually a gift card for date night but maybe something different this year since they are officially engaged?! Nephews are done courtesy of target's July toy clearance. I still need to think of a "big" gift for my mom. I would've been lost this past year during the divorce without her and want to convey that.

As of DS, who knows. It changes daily but I do know the kid has more toys than some toy stores thanks to family so we'll be donating some outgrown ones before I even think of buying anything.

We are going to WDW the full week before thanksgiving, and it will be my mom's first trip. I've never been during the holidays and THRILLED!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Late to the party but so happy to have found this thread.

This will be DS4 and my first Christmas in our own place since the divorce. Last year we were sharing a room at my parents so didn't really feel very festive and was odd not being with exH and our old home. But this year, I am decorating everything & anything. DS is excited to have his "own" tree in his room; I found a 3ft one on clearance @ target last year.

As for gifts, I have DS4, my mom, my dad, brother & future sis in law, grandmother, great aunt, two nephews (10 & 6) and DS's godparents.

Each year mom, gma & great aunt get shutterfly calendars of the previous year's pics. No idea what to get my dad. Brother is usually a gift card for date night but maybe something different this year since they are officially engaged?! Nephews are done courtesy of target's July toy clearance. I still need to think of a "big" gift for my mom. I would've been lost this past year during the divorce without her and want to convey that.

As of DS, who knows. It changes daily but I do know the kid has more toys than some toy stores thanks to family so we'll be donating some outgrown ones before I even think of buying anything.

We are going to WDW the full week before thanksgiving, and it will be my mom's first trip. I've never been during the holidays and THRILLED!

Glad you are here!! I LOVE your screen name!! too cute! And we will be at Disney the same week as you!!!! Cool!!!
Sorry that you have went through all that But, I bet this Christmas will be much better!!!!!

 

[LilyWDW]

It really depends on how much you want to spend. I would do the date night one as the biggest gift card and then the others can be small gift cards. They are really going to add up. If you want to spend 100 total you can do 1 for 50 and 5 for 10. Or 1 for 50 and 2 for 25. Plus you getting the Disney Planning book which is a great idea and also the ornament. You get do less on the gift cards. It really is the thought that counts

Thank you!

I want to spend about $100-$150 total on them. They have done so much for me over the past year (and more) that I want to do what I can. I can't even put into words how wonderful they have been. I don't know if I would have survived my mom's illness and death without them.

I am thinking:
- Bonefish Grill- $40-$50 since it is not a cheap restaurant
- Fast Food- 2 or 3 at $10-$15 each. Better to do 3 at a lower cost or 2 at a higher?
- Target- $25-$30 or so.

 

[luvmy3]

Where can you find the coupon?

I don't know if you found it yet but if not its on the TRU website.

 

[100AcreWood]

You guys are good. I was just popping in to post about the new coupon. I'm bummed it ends on Saturday but 20% off is pretty awesome.

 

[100AcreWood]

You guys are good. I was just popping in to post about the new coupon. I'm bummed it ends on Saturday but 20% off is pretty awesome.

Just want to warn everyone - there are a lot of exclusions on this coupon. I went online to check a few items. Of course many I could not ship to my house (in store only) and several I wanted were excluded as "hot price items."

 

[Deffenm]

It looks like Toys R Us has them!

http://www.toysrus.com/buy/dolls-st...es-puppy-world-s-softest-plush-12000-21259106

That is it! Your the best thank you for sharing. Now I wonder if I can use the 20% coupon from Toys R Us on it.

 

[100AcreWood]

So I went to TRU this morning. I picked up two inexpensive Imaginext toys I couldn't find anywhere else. The other "big" items I would have wanted were excluded like the new Furby. The coupon didn't work! The manager came over and said she didn't understand why. There was nothing on the exclusions about Fisher Price. She was nice enough to override the system and enter it manually.

 

[ehough]

I was just at TRU and couldn't manage to find anything I wanted! Their prices are generally so inflated that even with 20% off I couldn't find a good deal. I'll keep looking on their site, though.

 

[100AcreWood]

I agree. Their prices are bad when you compare them to amazon. I did find two tervis tumblers on clearance at bed bath and beyond. Two gifts down!

 

[BeckyEsq]

DD has been poring over the latest Fisher Price catalog and she really wanted the North Pole Cottage, so I ordered it from Amazon (for $15 less than the FP direct price!)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0097IKL8W/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

She already has the FP Little People Nativity and Santa's sleigh. I'll give this to her whatever day we decorate. I let her "decorate" the TV table with all her Little People Christmas stuff.

I did end up ordering several extra dolls to go with her Loving Family Holiday Dollhouse that will be her big Santa gift. I found FP had the best price on those.

 

[ehough]

Also, Crazy 8 has their xmas jammies out again! They're only $10 right now which is a great deal. Last year they sold out in a lot of sizes, so I made sure to buy mine. Both kids now have an elf pair, which their Elf in a Shelf will bring on xmas eve!

 

[pixiedustmomma]

I made a big dent in our list for DD6 and DD3 with the 20% off at Toysrus. I did compare all my prices with amazon and still saved money. Now all I have left for DD6 is American Girl. My sister bought Saige for her birthday and she has asked for Saige's pink dress, dog, earrings and horse. She won't get all those from us but there will be a couple under the tree.

I also need to get a replacement dollhouse for DD3. The one we had broke and I completely forgot about it and bought new furniture sets that we didn't have. Luckily I found one on ebay for a really good price. We were going to get her a Bitty Baby but I think I will focus on the dollhouse. She has plenty of baby dolls.

We are also upgrading their play kitchen. The one we have is on the small size and gets a little cramped with them both playing with it. We also have a little one on the way so we will need a bigger one.

We also need to buy for nephew and 2 year old cousin.

For grandparents and my sister I always make calendars, some other photo gifts, kids make them something, and gift cards. My sister's birthday is also Dec 20th. I need to get her a birthday gift. She said she wants money for her aerial classes.

Not sure what to get DH yet. He is always difficult to buy for.

 

[100AcreWood]

Glad you were able to find some good deals with the coupon! I also have a list for AG. Just waiting for free shipping. Dd7 wants Julie's bed. Yikes!

 

[ehough]

I made a big dent in our list for DD6 and DD3 with the 20% off at Toysrus. I did compare all my prices with amazon and still saved money.

What kinds of things did you get? I want to use the coupon but can't find anything! LOL.

 

[luvmy3]

I was just at TRU and couldn't manage to find anything I wanted! Their prices are generally so inflated that even with 20% off I couldn't find a good deal. I'll keep looking on their site, though.

Me either. I went up there to look at the Technic Legos but I left empty handed. Even with the discount what I was looking at wasn't a great deal.
I was looking around on their website and before the coupon code the new Lego Minecraft sets were $39.99 now they are up to $49.99. Even with the coupon they are still more expensive than anyone else.
That really annoys me, I don't think I'll be doing much shopping there out of general principle.

I've made some progress but I'm really holding off in case we do decide to do one large gift for each of my kids.
I got my one ds the new Minecraft Lego sets from Amazon. I have a Minecraft calender in my cart that I may get him too.
I got the Disney Infinity game, a 3pk of villians, 1 other figure and some power discs for my youngest ds. This will probably be his birthday present though, not sure yet.
My dd mentioned she wanted The Nightmare Before Christmas monopoly so I ordered that for her. I also found a pretty jewelry roll so she can pack her necklaces nicely when she travels. When we went to WDW, she just threw them all in her suitcase

I have to buy for my 3 God dd's, they are 2, 11 and 13. I am thinking of a my first Disney princess doll set for the 2 year old. I had Ariel and Prince Eric in my hand but put it back. I have to ask her mom if she has a favorite princess. I usually get the older two some kind of arts and crafts gift.

Then I have to buy for dh, my Dad, Grandmother and ILs.
We don't exchange with brother and sisters or nieces and nephews anymore. We just make sure we all get together for a holiday party.

 

[pigletgirl]

I made a big dent in our list for DD6 and DD3 with the 20% off at Toysrus. I did compare all my prices with amazon and still saved money. Now all I have left for DD6 is American Girl. My sister bought Saige for her birthday and she has asked for Saige's pink dress, dog, earrings and horse. She won't get all those from us but there will be a couple under the tree. I also need to get a replacement dollhouse for DD3. The one we had broke and I completely forgot about it and bought new furniture sets that we didn't have. Luckily I found one on ebay for a really good price. We were going to get her a Bitty Baby but I think I will focus on the dollhouse. She has plenty of baby dolls. We are also upgrading their play kitchen. The one we have is on the small size and gets a little cramped with them both playing with it. We also have a little one on the way so we will need a bigger one. We also need to buy for nephew and 2 year old cousin. For grandparents and my sister I always make calendars, some other photo gifts, kids make them something, and gift cards. My sister's birthday is also Dec 20th. I need to get her a birthday gift. She said she wants money for her aerial classes. Not sure what to get DH yet. He is always difficult to buy for.

Doesn't it feel so good?

Men really are the hardest to buy for. Clothes and electronics are best bets it seems.

 

[evandmp]

I've only read 8 pages but am excited to join this thread! I bought my first 2 gifts this week. A pink glitter cozy coupe for dd1 and roller coaster tycoon 3 for my ds9. I love Christmas

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I've only read 8 pages but am excited to join this thread! I bought my first 2 gifts this week. A pink glitter cozy coupe for dd1 and roller coaster tycoon 3 for my ds9. I love Christmas

Yay!! Glad you found us! This is a great thread for Christmas lovers!! I bet the little glitter coupe is precious!

 

[evandmp]

Yay!! Glad you found us! This is a great thread for Christmas lovers!! I bet the little glitter coupe is precious!

Thanks!

My tentative list of my kiddos is

Dd 16mos

-Coupe-purchased with ever save deal
-Some kind of toy that plays Mickey clubhouse music (any ideas welcome,it's the only show she watches)
Bath toy


Dd6

-Playhouse for her room. Any ideas welcome. I want to spend under 100. I like the foam one another poster mentioned or maybe one of those big cardboard ones. She's 6 but only 40" so something along that height.
-orbeez spa, she claims it will relax her, lol.
-ice scream magic
- a cheap girly wii game

DS9

He wants roller coaster tycoon 2 and 3. I'm so lucky these are cheap and his main wish. I already ordered the 3rd one.
-knex roller coaster set. He really wants this but he is terrible at picking up the pieces. I'm on the fence on this one. I know it'll be amazing when build but eventually the tiny pieces will end up everywhere.
-just dance game. He asked for the 3rd version but I know there's a new one out so I'm not sure which I'll get.

I'm aiming for 5 gifts each. 1-2 big the rest small.

I also have to buy for

Hubby
Stepmom
2 brothers, 18 and 21, gift cards probably
A few friends
2 little girls 1 and 3
2 aunts

I got a lot of shopping left!