7th Annual Christmas Thread

[kkmcan]

Speaking of spreadsheets I don't have one but I do list all gift ideas and gifts given in a small Christmas binder I got from Hallmark a couple of years ago. It has pages for Christmas card lists, gifts given and received, notes and a pocket for receipts. I use it every year and I've got all gifts noted in there since 2008. It keeps me organized every year.

 

[starearedkid]

I already picked up some things for my daughter who is 3. She is already thinking about Santa/Hanukkah and she asked for Santa to bring Doc Mcstuffins Underwear!

Fingers are crossed that we will be on her Make a Wish trip a couple weeks before--I am hoping it is in December because of all the holiday lights.

Right now I picked up Elsa and Kristoff dolls, and Elsa and Anna costumes. I figure those items may be a lot harder to find around Hanukkah and Christmas.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I already picked up some things for my daughter who is 3. She is already thinking about Santa/Hanukkah and she asked for Santa to bring Doc Mcstuffins Underwear!

Fingers are crossed that we will be on her Make a Wish trip a couple weeks before--I am hoping it is in December because of all the holiday lights.

Right now I picked up Elsa and Kristoff dolls, and Elsa and Anna costumes. I figure those items may be a lot harder to find around Hanukkah and Christmas.

yep..Frozen stuff is gonna be hot this Christmas!!!! Keep us posted on your Make a Wish trip!!!!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Thanks for starting this thread again!

I was watching those Hallmark Christmas movies they played July 4th week The are starting them back up right after Halloween! I LOVE Christmas movies!

DD7 already has a Christmas list started. DD9 never knows what she wants. We try to keep the focus on the real reason for the season....Jesus. However the commercialism is all around us and it is the only time we buy a bunch of gifts for our girls, so the gift aspect is fun

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Oh my gosh! I am SO excited to find this thread!

Christmas time is my FAVORITE time of the year and now I can talk about it for the next 4 months!

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Although, I have no idea what to get for Christmas presents this year. I need to start shopping now and picking up things here and there.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Thanks for starting this thread again!

I was watching those Hallmark Christmas movies they played July 4th week The are starting them back up right after Halloween! I LOVE Christmas movies!

DD7 already has a Christmas list started. DD9 never knows what she wants. We try to keep the focus on the real reason for the season....Jesus. However the commercialism is all around us and it is the only time we buy a bunch of gifts for our girls, so the gift aspect is fun

Glad to have you!! It is special and fun,isn't it?!

Oh my gosh! I am SO excited to find this thread!

Christmas time is my FAVORITE time of the year and now I can talk about it for the next 4 months!

glad you found us!!! Talk all you want to about it..this is THE place!!!! Get that list of who you need to shop for started and we can discuss who-gets-what! LOL!!

 

[happydisneyfamily]

OP So glad you started this. I've already got one gift for oldest DS and one gift card for DH. I have many other things I'd like to get everyone but we want to do Six Flags in January or February as a family trip and give the kids spending money so I don't want to go crazy shopping now. I'm also another one that likes to use an online spreadsheet and make lists in a notebook.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

OP So glad you started this. I've already got one gift for oldest DS and one gift card for DH. I have many other things I'd like to get everyone but we want to do Six Flags in January or February as a family trip and give the kids spending money so I don't want to go crazy shopping now. I'm also another one that likes to use an online spreadsheet and make lists in a notebook.

aboard!!
That's a good idea for Six Flags…which one do you visit?

 

[Aliceacc]

My list is always in the back of the plan book I use at school.

Instant access, and not a place my kids would ever look

 

[sarahk0204]

I have been maintaining Christmas lists in my day planner since 2009. Fun to look back on things!

I just read about the newest James Patterson kids book (actually second in the Treasure Hunters series). This sounds like a possibility for DS 10 or his cousin, provided that I get the cousin's name in the gift exchange. So, I started an Amazon wish list for 2014.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

My list is always in the back of the plan book I use at school.

Instant access, and not a place my kids would ever look

good idea!

 

[reneaterry]

I have been shopping for a couple of months and have pretty much all of my dd5 items. I have to buy birthday and Christmas together since they're close. Dd7 has a few things but still need a couple more. Both girls want a fish so they may get that from Santa but not sure. All little cousins will get either gc or clothes. Not sure about parents or sister. Maybe something from disney while we're there.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I have been shopping for a couple of months and have pretty much all of my dd5 items. I have to buy birthday and Christmas together since they're close. Dd7 has a few things but still need a couple more. Both girls want a fish so they may get that from Santa but not sure. All little cousins will get either gc or clothes. Not sure about parents or sister. Maybe something from disney while we're there.

Good for you!! You are def ahead of the game!

 

[LilyWDW]

Okay. So my biggest unsure is for my one cousin who I buy for ONLY to not cause "issues". I am not a fan of how she lives her life. She lies and tries to manipulate people to do what she wants and to feel sorry for her. She also takes advantage of my aunt and uncle (who have finally began to put their foot down on things) and government assistance. Way too much backstory to go into, but believe me when I say she is NOT a good person.

Anyway, I need to get her something but I really don't want to spend much money on it because then there is a good chance she will sell or pawn it. But have no clue what to get. I hate this sort of junk.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Okay. So my biggest unsure is for my one cousin who I buy for ONLY to not cause "issues". I am not a fan of how she lives her life. She lies and tries to manipulate people to do what she wants and to feel sorry for her. She also takes advantage of my aunt and uncle (who have finally began to put their foot down on things) and government assistance. Way too much backstory to go into, but believe me when I say she is NOT a good person.

Anyway, I need to get her something but I really don't want to spend much money on it because then there is a good chance she will sell or pawn it. But have no clue what to get. I hate this sort of junk.

Oh girl, what a mess!! I personally, would just not buy her anything and let the chips fall where they may. But, that's just me! I think that it only adds to their attitude of entitlement. BUT,..if for the peace of the whole holiday and not causing a total family explosion, buy her something she can't sell, pawn or bother you if she gives to someone else.Maybe a $20 GC to a local restaurant, or something in a small gift bag along the lines of a pamper-me basket:lotion, nail polish, nice buffer/file. Just something for a pick-me-up that won't cost a lot, but can be used more than once and no one else would care to buy from her for $$$. Anything like that would be a nice thought and you won't have to stress over it. Or just a nice candle. I love getting a candle from my friends~ I am sensitive to scents and only have a few that I can use, so when I get my favorite I am a happy girl!

 

[LilyWDW]

Oh girl, what a mess!! I personally, would just not buy her anything and let the chips fall where they may. But, that's just me! I think that it only adds to their attitude of entitlement. BUT,..if for the peace of the whole holiday and not causing a total family explosion, buy her something she can't sell, pawn or bother you if she gives to someone else.Maybe a $20 GC to a local restaurant, or something in a small gift bag along the lines of a pamper-me basket:lotion, nail polish, nice buffer/file. Just something for a pick-me-up that won't cost a lot, but can be used more than once and no one else would care to buy from her for $$$. Anything like that would be a nice thought and you won't have to stress over it. Or just a nice candle. I love getting a candle from my friends~ I am sensitive to scents and only have a few that I can use, so when I get my favorite I am a happy girl!

I did a pamper basket last year but mostly because I had gotten it for my dad's then fiance who then left him less then 2 months before Christmas so I repurposed it! It was a candle, some lotion, and then a tossed in some cheap $5 winter scarves from Walmart lol.

My aunt has asked that I get something at least. It's a real mess. If we push on my cousin too much, then she threatens to keep us from seeing her kids. Which would destroy my uncle and would ensure that the kids would have no chance at a half decent life. Most of their love and attention comes from the rest of us, not from their mom.

May do the nail polish stuff though. A small basket of nail polish and the other random stuff. Maybe some lotion as well. Just would like to keep it under $30.

Also, where is a good place to buy inexpensive frames that are not the cheap poster frames? Need them for the pin boards for the kids, but have to buy 5 of them so it, plus the fabric, will add up fast.

 

[sarahk0204]

Also, where is a good place to buy inexpensive frames that are not the cheap poster frames? Need them for the pin boards for the kids, but have to buy 5 of them so it, plus the fabric, will add up fast.

What size are we talking? We like Shopko for picture frames, but they are regional, so I don't know if there are any close to you. I've gotten some at Big Lots as well. Michaels and Hobby Lobby have frames on sale a lot. You could use the 40% off 1 item at JoAnn's, since you have some time to get 1 at a time or the Michael's coupon for the weeks they aren't on sale.

I have to work on my gifts I make for the nieces and nephews. I may go back to cotton pillowcases, as I haven't done those since 2009. I did fleece pillowcases last year, which were a big hit, but I've found that DS and DD have outgrown Cars and firemen and Disney Princesses and Hannah Montana, so it's time to replace the summer pillowcases!

 

[Aliceacc]

Okay. So my biggest unsure is for my one cousin who I buy for ONLY to not cause "issues". I am not a fan of how she lives her life. She lies and tries to manipulate people to do what she wants and to feel sorry for her. She also takes advantage of my aunt and uncle (who have finally began to put their foot down on things) and government assistance. Way too much backstory to go into, but believe me when I say she is NOT a good person.

Anyway, I need to get her something but I really don't want to spend much money on it because then there is a good chance she will sell or pawn it. But have no clue what to get. I hate this sort of junk.

A contribution to a good charity in her name??

Or a mongrammed bathrobe or towels?

 

[bas71873]

Anyone who may have a daughter that loves Lego friends, I was just in target and the new Lego friends high school is out. It's over 1000 pieces and is $109. I picked it up only because I got stuck in the cruise ship hunt last year and don't want to get caught again having to run around like a crazy person.