7th Annual Christmas Thread

[Disney Mommy 3]

to all of you new followers!! Glad to have you along!! So……

9 WEEKS TIL THANKSGIVING

AND 13 WEEKS TIL CHRISTMAS!!

 

[pigletgirl]

May I join in?

I've already begun thinking about Christmas, who I need to buy for and what they may want. For my husband, he's getting something related to Alaska. Next summer he's going on a fishing trip on the Kenai River so it may even be a GC to REI or something. He's difficult to buy for.

For my DD, she'll be 19 months at Christmas time. We just returned from WDW a few weeks ago and she's now a HUGE Minnie fan. In fact, today I ordered a giant Minnie for her room. She really doesn't need much, but she's also extremely easy to buy for. I know she'll get some Mickey Mouse DVD's and toys.

We'll do GC's for my siblings and DH's siblings. We're getting a new niece around this time so we'll get her a small gift too.

As for our parents, I'm not sure! I need to ask them for a list.

I cannot believe it's time to start thinking about this again!

 

[100AcreWood]

May I join in?

I've already begun thinking about Christmas, who I need to buy for and what they may want. For my husband, he's getting something related to Alaska. Next summer he's going on a fishing trip on the Kenai River so it may even be a GC to REI or something. He's difficult to buy for.

For my DD, she'll be 19 months at Christmas time. We just returned from WDW a few weeks ago and she's now a HUGE Minnie fan. In fact, today I ordered a giant Minnie for her room. She really doesn't need much, but she's also extremely easy to buy for. I know she'll get some Mickey Mouse DVD's and toys.

We'll do GC's for my siblings and DH's siblings. We're getting a new niece around this time so we'll get her a small gift too.

As for our parents, I'm not sure! I need to ask them for a list.

I cannot believe it's time to start thinking about this again!

The parents are the worst ones to shop for. They keep getting rid of their stuff or they buy everything they want anyway. Last year we were so tired of asking for a wish list we decided to give all surprise presents. I think we'll get a list this year!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

May I join in?

I've already begun thinking about Christmas, who I need to buy for and what they may want. For my husband, he's getting something related to Alaska. Next summer he's going on a fishing trip on the Kenai River so it may even be a GC to REI or something. He's difficult to buy for.

For my DD, she'll be 19 months at Christmas time. We just returned from WDW a few weeks ago and she's now a HUGE Minnie fan. In fact, today I ordered a giant Minnie for her room. She really doesn't need much, but she's also extremely easy to buy for. I know she'll get some Mickey Mouse DVD's and toys.

We'll do GC's for my siblings and DH's siblings. We're getting a new niece around this time so we'll get her a small gift too.

As for our parents, I'm not sure! I need to ask them for a list.

I cannot believe it's time to start thinking about this again!

Of course you can!! Glad to have you

 

[ah1126]

My daughter is in Pre-K this year. It will be our first year of "school" gifts! What is the normal for the holidays? There are only 5 kids in her class, and she is there from 9a-12p Monday - Friday. Thanks!1

 

[Aliceacc]

My daughter is in Pre-K this year. It will be our first year of "school" gifts! What is the normal for the holidays? There are only 5 kids in her class, and she is there from 9a-12p Monday - Friday. Thanks!1

Some of my favorite gifts for the teachers:
- I can always find some nice fleece throws in the $10-$15 range, usually at Kohls once the weather turns cold. Who doesn't love a nice warm blanket on a cold night? I love this gift because I can even get it for any male teachers.

- Take a look at the Vera Bradley site. I've done well there in the past-- and I'm sure they'll have stuff on sale for Columbus Day. In the past, I've done umbrellas one year, and lunch bags another, always choosing from the sale patterns.

In addition to that, the classes my kids have been in have always chipped in $10 or so for a teacher gift, and I always contribute there.

 

[tchrrx]

Kohls Cares for Kids has Disney books and stuffed animals for $5 each. These would be great gifts for kids.

 

[lyncecelia]

Totally scored on DisneyStore.com today! They just released a ton of Frozen stuff!

I got a Holiday Olaf for DSD12
Elsa and Anna animator dolls and an Elsa barbie for DSD10
and a Kristoff animator doll and a Sven plushie for DSS7

So excited

 

[100AcreWood]

My daughter is in Pre-K this year. It will be our first year of "school" gifts! What is the normal for the holidays? There are only 5 kids in her class, and she is there from 9a-12p Monday - Friday. Thanks!1

In the past, I have coordinated a group gift from everyone and used that money to buy a gift card for the teacher or teachers. I try to suggest $10 but give whatever you're comfortable with.

 

[DaughteroftheKing]

Regarding teachers: At the beginning of the year I ask teachers to answer a few questions for me in an email: 3 things they never have enough of in the classroom, favorite tv show, favorite place to shop, etc. Then I base my gift giving off of that.

One year a teacher and I had similar taste in movies, so I got her the dvd of Bridesmaids. She loved it.

Another teacher like a local restaurant so we got her a gift card to there.

Sometimes I will just buy a bunch of the "3 things your classroom never has enough of" and give it. (Answers are usually things like glue, dry erase markers, construction paper, lined paper, etc).

This year's elementary teacher is getting a few things for the classroom and a Target gift card for herself.

 

[Graciesmom77]

Yay! People who like to talk about Christmas as much as I do!

I have started shopping for my 4 girls and have some basic ideas. I admit that we always have a huge Christmas and don't apologize for it. Someone last year made snide comments about my kids lists and that they had too much and it was ridiculous. It bothered me so much and then I decided, screw it! I buy what we can afford, we use cash and no credit and its no one else's concern. I like having a big Christmas and so I will! This year we are going to be on a much tighter budget than usual, so I've had to get a little creative with gifts. So far these are my ideas...

DD13- We have a laptop of my husbands that he doesn't use and that needs fixed that we are going to give her. My sis was using the computer and something happened to it but not exactly sure what, so I am really hoping it won't be an expensive fix. I want to get her a printer, extra ink, a laptop pillow. I also want to get her some more of the Disney Barbie sized dolls she collects and some Winnie the Pooh items. She is obsessed with makeup, though she isn't allowed to wear much out, so she wants a vanity for her room. I am looking for an old desk we can repaint and hang mirror and set it up with all her makeup. I want to get her a foot bath and salt and things to put in it so she can have a spa day at home whenever she wants to. Also, I am going to make her a slumber party basket with a 10.00 gc to a pizza place, some snacks, eye masks, maybe a movie, we'll see what else. That way she can have a sleepover with a friend and have everything she needs for the night.

DD11- She is always my hard one. Her big gift is going to be an art easel that my husband is going to build, and a paint palette and supplies. She loves art so I think she will love it. I want to get her a chemistry set, but the decent ones are pretty expensive. I may just get a cool science experiments books and some of basics that you would need, like cornstarch and borax and all that fun stuff. I want to get her some rock collecting sets and MAYBE a rock tumbler. I am at a loss at what else to get her. She is over American Girl now ( ) which is what she always got a lot of. She is in that awkward stage between toys and teen stuff. She will get a slumber party set and foot bath as well.

DD5- She is by far the easiest one to buy for. I have an Ivy American Girl doll and an Isabelle doll for her. Her big gift is a huge American Girl doll house we are building for her. It will be 4ft tall and 12 ft long. I am sooooo excited. She will love it and it will be fun to build and decorate. I have an AG outfit she has been wanting for her AG Julie she has now and a few other outfits including an Elsa dress for her doll. She will love it! I have some monster high dolls that I bought used but she wont care. I have a princess sleeping bag, and monster high bed sheets and an Elsa Barbie.

DD3- She is a bit harder to buy for as well. My 5 year was just this age 2 years ago, so we have all her stuff that my now 3 year old inherited! lol Her big gift is a playhouse that I bought over the summer for 15 bucks! The Little Tikes one that is usually used outside. We are going to leave the walls tan and spray paint the roof and shutters pink and put it in her room. She has a large room with not much in it, so this will fill the space and I think she will love it! I buy, fix up and resell AG items and I have a Molly doll that I am going to fix up and dress for her so she can have her first AG doll. She calls them American dolls and loves to look at her sister's dolls, so she will be so excited! I have a Monster high doll for her, a my size Barbie Rapunzel that I bought used for 5.00 that I am going to fix up for her ,and a Sofia sleeping bag. Probably some more Barbies, because the 1 million we have now isn't enough, and some Polly Pockets which really will be the death of me! lol

I buy for my sis, but she is on here so I can say anything! LOL Amberdl!!

My nephew 5, not sure yet. Hes the only boy and I love shopping for him, but I'm always a little confused as I have 4 girls! I said a puppy but mean Mommy said "heck no"!! LOL

My other sis and her new hubby, probably some games and gc for pizza or something so they can have a date night.

Dad- I think I am going to make him a photo blanket with pics of my sisters and I as kids.

Hubby- He hasn't got much for his birthday or Fathers day, so I am hoping to get a PS4 in layaway and surprise him with that.

I usually do a family gift for all of us and that will be the new Infinity and some additional characters.

Sheesh! I better get busy!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Yay! People who like to talk about Christmas as much as I do!

I have started shopping for my 4 girls and have some basic ideas. I admit that we always have a huge Christmas and don't apologize for it. Someone last year made snide comments about my kids lists and that they had too much and it was ridiculous. It bothered me so much and then I decided, screw it! I buy what we can afford, we use cash and no credit and its no one else's concern. I like having a big Christmas and so I will! This year we are going to be on a much tighter budget than usual, so I've had to get a little creative with gifts. So far these are my ideas...
Sheesh! I better get busy!

I remember that! I think I had to send PMs about that because it got ugly! if that is the one I remember…had never had that on this thread EVER before!! Hated that!!! But, you have some great ideas! Love the makeup vanity one~ I am actually looking at something like that for myself.

 

[sarahk0204]

I came up with a few more ideas for my shopping.

DS is selling popcorn for Cub Scouts. We usually buy a tin for my dad. This year, they are selling Bears and Packers tins. I am going to buy some for my brothers as well as my dad (Bears only in our house, BTW!)

I really like the Diamond Candle suggestion for my DSIL's and maybe DMIL as well. They all like candles and jewelry, so it is a win/win!

I usually do a handmade gift for the nieces and nephews. Minus the college senior (who is 21), they range in age from 13 to 6 1/2. I am going to do cotton pillowcases this year. I did fleece last year, and I had to give up on finding any TMNT fabric for my youngest niece. Tonight I saw woven TMNT fabric in a catalog, and I texted my DSIL to see if she is still into the Turtles. The answer is yes, so now I can order some fabric for her pillowcase. I may order some team fabric for DS and some of the other nephews. I had to do that last year with Baltimore Ravens, as we only have the aforementioned Packers and Bears (plus maybe Vikings stuff) around here.

 

[Julia M]

The app I use is called Better Shopping List. I really like it because you can make items as ideas, purchased, wrapped and delivered. It can also do budgets and make groups ( ie immediate family, friends, etc) I you can add in a photo and archives lists after the holiday. It also has a password.

 

[PrincessKymm]

I've been following along for a few weeks. Everyone has great ideas! I'm pretty much stumped on what to get DS11 (he will be 12 by Christmas). We are moving and it was a pretty abrupt decision so i told him I'd buy him an xbox if he went along with everything and talked about whatever he was feeling instead of bottling it up. So now I'm clueless about what to get him for Christmas. He knows it will be tight this year cuz of the move.

I was thinking a Lego set since he's asked twice for it and maybe a kindle fire, maybe an iTunes gift card, maybe some sporting equipment? No idea what else though. He gets lots of presents usually, he's the only grandchild in my family and his other grandparents usually combine a Christmas and birthday gift. Last year I put my foot down and said no kindle so they got him an iPod shuffle and an iTunes gift card. Everyone asks me and I'm just like not a clue, sorry. It was so much easier when he was little!

Is 12 a good age for suggesting cash/gift cards? I mean I always loved getting money but we usually got money on birthdays only and only gifts for the family gathering on Christmas. That didn't change for us until I think I was like 15, not 12!

I take DS shopping for everyone on his list and he's done pretty good about sticking to my budget. He gives thoughtful but mainly useful gifts from the area dollar stores. He buys for a lot of people tho, 7 people in my family (someone else takes him shopping for me), and like 9 or 10 people in his dad's family. I set a $10 limit for everyone and he's pretty good about keeping the kids to $5 or less at 5 below and then everyone else is usually about $10. If we can, we make something for his grandparents and my sister as well.

I'm lucking out, my dad said no gifts for adults which means I get nothing but that's ok cuz I don't have to buy for 2 people now, him and his GF. DS can get them stuff and they will buy for him which is fine. I need the money to furnish my apartment! I'll probably use my extra time to make them a scrapbook or something from our Disney trip this year. I already have everything so it won't cost me anything but time.

 

[JoeyEmmaMomma]

I just placed a huge amazon order!
Lots of Santa gifts, gifts for both of my nieces and nephew. Excited to cross people off of my list!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I've been following along for a few weeks. Everyone has great ideas! I'm pretty much stumped on what to get DS11 (he will be 12 by Christmas). We are moving and it was a pretty abrupt decision so i told him I'd buy him an xbox if he went along with everything and talked about whatever he was feeling instead of bottling it up. So now I'm clueless about what to get him for Christmas. He knows it will be tight this year cuz of the move.

I was thinking a Lego set since he's asked twice for it and maybe a kindle fire, maybe an iTunes gift card, maybe some sporting equipment? No idea what else though. He gets lots of presents usually, he's the only grandchild in my family and his other grandparents usually combine a Christmas and birthday gift. Last year I put my foot down and said no kindle so they got him an iPod shuffle and an iTunes gift card. Everyone asks me and I'm just like not a clue, sorry. It was so much easier when he was little!

Is 12 a good age for suggesting cash/gift cards? I mean I always loved getting money but we usually got money on birthdays only and only gifts for the family gathering on Christmas. That didn't change for us until I think I was like 15, not 12!

I take DS shopping for everyone on his list and he's done pretty good about sticking to my budget. He gives thoughtful but mainly useful gifts from the area dollar stores. He buys for a lot of people tho, 7 people in my family (someone else takes him shopping for me), and like 9 or 10 people in his dad's family. I set a $10 limit for everyone and he's pretty good about keeping the kids to $5 or less at 5 below and then everyone else is usually about $10. If we can, we make something for his grandparents and my sister as well.

I'm lucking out, my dad said no gifts for adults which means I get nothing but that's ok cuz I don't have to buy for 2 people now, him and his GF. DS can get them stuff and they will buy for him which is fine. I need the money to furnish my apartment! I'll probably use my extra time to make them a scrapbook or something from our Disney trip this year. I already have everything so it won't cost me anything but time.

to the thread!! Glad you are not lurking anymore! I think LEGOs are always a great gift for a kid who is into them~ my DS15 loves them still…he will always ask for one I am sure. And I think $$$ or GC is an appropriate thing to give kids…my family wouldn't do that growing up because they said it seemed tacky and wanted to give a 'gift'..but I do it! LOL!! Especially if the kid is saving up for something big to buy or needs GCs like for Barnes &Noble, Lego…whatever.

I just placed a huge amazon order!
Lots of Santa gifts, gifts for both of my nieces and nephew. Excited to cross people off of my list!

Good for you!!! That always takes a load off your mind when you can start marking people off the list!

 

[gracer9977]

Totally scored on DisneyStore.com today! They just released a ton of Frozen stuff!

I got a Holiday Olaf for DSD12
Elsa and Anna animator dolls and an Elsa barbie for DSD10
and a Kristoff animator doll and a Sven plushie for DSS7

So excited

ME TOO!!!!!

I have been stalking the site for months trying to get those Animator Dolls. FINALLY got them yesterday. Anna and Elsa for my DD9 and Kristoff for my DS6. I also snagged an Elsa Sketchbook ornament. Missed the Anna one, went back to get it today and it was sold out.

Can't believe how fast that stuff is disappearing. When I saw the email and went on the site they had Anna and Elsa Alex and Ani bracelets and an awesome snowglobe. Went on less than 30 minutes later after I got the kids off to school and both those things were gone.

Just so excited I got the animator dolls though I have been waiting months and months to get them.

For the teacher gifts I always get blown glass apple ornaments. They go on sale for 1/2 off the day after Christmas and so far they have been a big hit. The class usually all goes in together on a gift card too. Usually to a book store or Target.

 

[100AcreWood]

Is 12 a good age for suggesting cash/gift cards? I mean I always loved getting money but we usually got money on birthdays only and only gifts for the family gathering on Christmas. That didn't change for us until I think I was like 15, not 12!
.

I have a 12 year old dd. I started suggesting gift cards or cash when family asks but she quickly corrected me and said no she still wants gifts to open. She went on Amazon and made a wish list for the family. Ironically one of the things she wished for was an itunes gift card. Ha ha! But if your 12 year old is cool with that I see nothing wrong with it!

 

[bas71873]

Is 12 a good age for suggesting cash/gift cards? I mean I always loved getting money but we usually got money on birthdays only and only gifts for the family gathering on Christmas. That didn't change for us until I think I was like 15, not 12!

My DD is 11 and for the past two years, one of her gifts has been a gift card tree from us (Daddy and Mommy). I bought one of those 1 foot trees at Target and reuse each year. I just use a hole puncher an punch a little hole in the corner an tie ribbon to hang from the tree.

She loves to shop so I buy her gift cards to Itunes, Aeropostale (or whereever she likes to shop at the time), Claire's for jewelry. I also do movies, Sweet Frog (that's a fro yo place here), Chick Fil A, Dairy Q....places like that. I do them all for around $10 each, the clothes places usually $25, but she thinks that's fun.

For a boy you could do Itunes, Amazon, McDonalds, Subway (or whereever he may like to eat), Game Stop...places like that?