6th Annual Christmas Thread

[Minniemedic]

I went to Target yesterday and bought my first 2 gifts. They have Monopoly, Battleship, Twister, Operation & some other board games on sale for $12. Hasbro has a $3 off one coupon out right now. Target had a promo for a free Nestle refrigerated cookie dough with $10 game purchase. I had another coupon for a free Tombstone pizza with game purchase. Plus 5% Red Card.

So for $17 I got Battleship & Monopoly for my two nephews and pizza/cookies for DS4 and I last night. Pretty excited since my budget was $25 each so now I can get a cheap DVD and maybe small GC to Coldstone. Makes me feel like I was able to give "more" without spending more money.

Off to TRU today to see if this 20% off coupon is worth anything. DS4 has decided his life is 110% Transformer Rescue Bots so I plan on getting the 4 main character figures that also transformer and an Optimus Prime trailer to pull them in. Target has them all & I have a $5 off any toy purchase coupon there but need to crunch the numbers between the two.

 

[Minniemedic]

Has anyone done Origami Owl?

Was thinking of doing a necklace for my mom with mine, DS and my brother's birthstones but really don't have any experience with them.

Decent quality? Over priced?

 

[AZMermaid]

I got DD 19 months the little tikes crib with the ever save deal so now she is basically done. I will take my son to get her something, but I will wait until a few weeks before Christmas.

If anyone has the Fisher Price zoo talkers, the animals are on clearance on the fisher price site for $1.50 each. I bought 6 for stocking stuffers. While on there, I got a snap and style doll for DD. So cute!!!! It s exactly what I wanted, a small doll with hair, she's gonna love her!

 

[LilyWDW]

Doesn't it feel so good?

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

Men are hard to buy for. I have to buy for my dad and it is not going well lol. I know what I would like to get, but having the hardest time finding it. I would like to get him something in our family's tartan... but it doesn't seem to be a popular one for places to carry. Plus, it is expensive! Not sure what I am going to do!

 

[CrAzY4DL]

Has anyone done Origami Owl?

Was thinking of doing a necklace for my mom with mine, DS and my brother's birthstones but really don't have any experience with them.

Decent quality? Over priced?

I recently just made a living locket for myself and I love it! I feel the quality was great as well as all of the options. DD14 wants one for Christmas, woot woot!

 

[pixiedustmomma]

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

We got my DD a razor scooter that was only $40 at toysrus and on amazon was $70! I compared prices at target and Walmart and they were the same at toysrus.

Also got a couple Melissa and Doug toys that were priced lower, loving family beach camper, dollhouse furniture set, original sorry game (cost so much more at amazon), button art set and a lego friends set.

I put everything, minus the scooter and sorry game in both shopping carts and then added the coupon and I was surprised that toysrus came out with the lower price.

Today amazon has Learning Resources Super Sorting Pie for $10.98. I think it will be great for DD3.

 

[pixiedustmomma]

Doesn't it feel so good?

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

It feels great! The last couple years I have shopped during Christmas in July, but there wasn't any good deals this year. I also had the extra cash now, so I wanted to make a dent in the list.

Men are really hard. My husband think I can read his mind to know what he wants. Well, I know he would love season tickets to the Cavs but that doesn't fit in our budget. He does have a passion for cooking so I am thinking about getting him a cast iron skillet. I am sure after asking him a million times he will start to give me some kind of idea what he would like.

 

[bas71873]

Has anyone done Origami Owl? Was thinking of doing a necklace for my mom with mine, DS and my brother's birthstones but really don't have any experience with them. Decent quality? Over priced?

Love mine. I did one for my mom last year for Christmas and she loves it. I did one for my best friend when she had her 3rd and final baby not long after she lost her mom to cancer and I included an in memory charm for mom. She said it's the one thing besides her wedding bands that she treasures most.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Love mine. I did one for my mom last year for Christmas and she loves it. I did one for my best friend when she had her 3rd and final baby not long after she lost her mom to cancer and I included an in memory charm for mom. She said it's the one thing besides her wedding bands that she treasures most.

ok..what are these? I want to look them up! I have a friend I may want one for...

 

[bas71873]

ok..what are these? I want to look them up! I have a friend I may want one for...

Google it. They are locket type necklaces but you customize them. They are see through and you can buy charms to put in them. And you can change them out whenever you want. I have the large locket and have our birthstones for us, a dog bone to represent the pup and a family plate as the background. For. Y mom, hers has all of her grand kids birthstones and a heart that says grandma.

 

[utkscvol1]

Has anyone done Origami Owl? Was thinking of doing a necklace for my mom with mine, DS and my brother's birthstones but really don't have any experience with them. Decent quality? Over priced?

I bought mine and my daughters first one a year ago and ended up signing up to sell. Am glad to say that the lockers I purchased a year ago look just as good as they did from day one love that you can interchange your charms and have a completely new look!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Cool! I googled!! LOL! I see people wearing these a lot, didn't know that was the name of them though...cute idea!!!

 

[LilyWDW]

Google it. They are locket type necklaces but you customize them. They are see through and you can buy charms to put in them. And you can change them out whenever you want. I have the large locket and have our birthstones for us, a dog bone to represent the pup and a family plate as the background. For. Y mom, hers has all of her grand kids birthstones and a heart that says grandma.

Oh well! Those are awesome! Sort of wish I had someone to buy one for! Might get myself one in memory of my mom. Thank you so much!

Okay, now I am going to (again) list what I still need vs what I have. This really helps me keep track so I hope people do not mind.

Black I have already and blue will be what I am still looking for/have to do.

Cousin and Husband: Basket, Disney Travel Guide (bought, waiting for it to come out and ship), Cider seasonings, Bonefish Grill gift card ($50), Kohls gift card ($25), and McDonalds gift card ($15). Steak and Shake gift card ($15) and I have to make their ornament.

Neph 1: Clothing and Toys, Ornament FINISHED

Neph 2: Clothing and Toys, Ornament FINISHED

Grandma: Basket, 2 outfits from her favorite store down here, and crossword puzzles. Need some pencils and a few of her favorite candies to round it out.

Neph 3: Gift card to Barnes and Noble ($25), Lego set, and Uno set. Clothing.

Niece 1: A doll. Clothing

Neph 4: A police helicopter. Clothing

Niece 2: One of those rubber band bracelet kits and extra rubber bands. Clothing

Ethan: Some Matchbox cars and a Thomas the Train Clothing

Aunt & Uncle 1: Basket, Frog garden statue, ornament I need a few more things, but I have no real ideas.

Aunt & Uncle 2: Ornament and bracelet for Aunt FINISHED

Dad: Candle Hickory Farms gift box and something else, but no idea what. Would love to get something in our Scottish Tartan but it is being difficult to find anything.

Kim: Basket, Bath and Body Works Spa Collection, candle, aloe socks. A sweater to be worn almost like a jacket.

 

[pigletgirl]

I sent an email about two weeks ago regarding Christmas lists, and the majority of people have gotten back with me, So, I have a pretty large family (5 younger siblings) and DH does as well (3 younger siblings). Last year we made the mistake and bought for every single one of them and spent too much money.

DH - iPod touch 32GB in Gray. He runs long distances and his current iPod is on the fritz. He'll also get gift certificates for his favorite clothing stores. Stocking stuffers.

DD - Nothing. Zilch. My mom thinks its unfair, but this is the only year she won't know the difference and frankly, she has so many clothes and toys that she won't get to use them all. Why should she get more? Her birthday is in the spring so I told everyone to wait for that.

Me - I would LOVE a kitchen aid artisan mixer in Red.

My side:
Mom and Dad - Pepperidge Farm and See's gift boxes. New ornament. Stocking stuffers.
My siblings (3 sisters and two brothers) - pitching in for their big gift, whatever that may be. Stocking stuffers.

DH's side:
MIL and FIL - Tickets for baseball games in the spring. (their favorite past time); Stocking stuffers.

DH's younger brothers - Gift cards.

For friends I will bake my annual cookie box the first or second weekend in December.

 

[100AcreWood]

I sent an email about two weeks ago regarding Christmas lists, and the majority of people have gotten back with me, So, I have a pretty large family (5 younger siblings) and DH does as well (3 younger siblings). Last year we made the mistake and bought for every single one of them and spent too much money.

DH - iPod touch 32GB in Gray. He runs long distances and his current iPod is on the fritz. He'll also get gift certificates for his favorite clothing stores. Stocking stuffers.

DD - Nothing. Zilch. My mom thinks its unfair, but this is the only year she won't know the difference and frankly, she has so many clothes and toys that she won't get to use them all. Why should she get more? Her birthday is in the spring so I told everyone to wait for that.

Me - I would LOVE a kitchen aid artisan mixer in Red.

My side:
Mom and Dad - Pepperidge Farm and See's gift boxes. New ornament. Stocking stuffers.
My siblings (3 sisters and two brothers) - pitching in for their big gift, whatever that may be. Stocking stuffers.

DH's side:
MIL and FIL - Tickets for baseball games in the spring. (their favorite past time); Stocking stuffers.

DH's younger brothers - Gift cards.

For friends I will bake my annual cookie box the first or second weekend in December.

Maybe they will surprise you and give you money for a college fund instead! I've been begging for that for years but my in laws said no way, it's not fun to open.

 

[luvmy3]

Maybe they will surprise you and give you money for a college fund instead! I've been begging for that for years but my in laws said no way, it's not fun to open.

I'm so thankful that the relatives we requested college fund savings from are okay with doing that. The last thing my kids ever needed Christmas morning was another toy or whatever to open. Now that they are older, they so appreciate the money for college because they understand what a wonderful gift that is. When they were younger they got so much stuff from Santa and everyone else they could barely keep track of who gave what. They know exactly who has contributed to their college savings though

Maybe you could suggest to your ILs that if they wanted to give your kids something along with it they could wrap up a nice book or a little token gift.

 

[bas71873]

I'm so thankful that the relatives we requested college fund savings from are okay with doing that. The last thing my kids ever needed Christmas morning was another toy or whatever to open. Now that they are older, they so appreciate the money for college because they understand what a wonderful gift that is. When they were younger they got so much stuff from Santa and everyone else they could barely keep track of who gave what. They know exactly who has contributed to their college savings though

Maybe you could suggest to your ILs that if they wanted to give your kids something along with it they could wrap up a nice book or a little token gift.

I agree with the college fund thing. It's so nice. My parents give each of their 3 grandkids (10, 8 & 5) a check at Christmas to go into their savings. My parents own stock that pays dividends so they just divvy it up. Last year, my DD's check was almost $800 (My DD is an only child so she gets the full amount where my brother's 2 kiddos split that between them). I was SHOCKED to say the least but what a nice surprise! They also give the kids a few gifts too....last year DD got a Smash Book, an outfit and maybe a movie or something, but the $$ is the biggie. I'm so thankful for it.

 

[ehough]

Toys R Us has a good coupon this week- spend $40 and get a $10 gift card! I never did get around to using their 20% off, but I think I'll use this. Here's the info:

http://hip2save.com/2013/09/22/toys...oy-purchase-great-deals-on-hasbro-games-toys/

 

[pigletgirl]

I love the idea of a savings bonds. We have already opened a savings account for her so that would be such a nice gift.

 

[pigletto]

Ok.. it's time for me to get to shopping and list making!
I posted about a month ago in this thread and then didn't start a thing. We have a surprise trip planned for the kids (dd16, ds9) from December 13th to the 23rd.
So I really really want my shopping done and everything ready by December 1st. I don't want to be stressing about getting things ready for Christmas while I am packing and getting the house ready to go away.
Christmas is usually a very big deal around here (we don't buy many wants throughout the year). We also have a lot of family to buy for. I have 6 daycare children to buy for, and then there are teachers and bus drivers etc.

My goal this year is to scale waaayyyyyy back. The kids will still have a few things to open but their trip is the big gift so it will just be a few things.
I plan to make ornaments for the daycare kids and get them each a book.

That leaves..
SIL,
BIL,
Nephew,
My sister,
My mom
My Dad
Mother in Law
Father in Law
Ds's teacher.

Dh and I are not getting each other anything.We agreed this trip was our gift.

So I am loving reading all of your ideas and I'll be posting updates as I find things.
I like having it all done early so we can actually enjoy family, friends and the season without stress.