7th Annual Christmas Thread

[4HOLIDAYS]

I think you have great ideas. I agree with you that we must do something different or things will never change. My DH totally agrees with the going out to dinner for Christmas. We rarely go out to eat-the cost plus many of our meals are better!- but that would definately be a treat.

We are also thinking of spending Thanksgiving going to the beach or grilling out and hanging by the pool instead of cooking all day.

Thanks!

 

[LilyWDW]

We're doing Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant this year. It's a local place and a really nice buffet that they do every year. This is because my aunt, uncle, cousin (the good one), and I are sick of working our butts off only to have my other cousin and her 5 kids come, destroy the house, eat, and show no appreciation for all the work. So forget it! I will still do a full turkey dinner for myself (and maybe invite m good cousin and her family to join me) the week before or after because I don't want to miss some of my favorite foods, but then I don't have to answer to anyone about it.

I do think we are still doing the normal meals for Christmas though. Christmas Eve will be lasagna (Alfredo for me since I can not have tomatoes) and salad/breadsticks from Olive Garden. Pasta is homemade though. Then Christmas Day dinner is a big spread. Usually roast beef and one other main (turkey, ham, or lamb depending on what we decide) plus a whole bunch of sides and desserts. I am going to beg my uncle to make some pavlova which I love to top with blueberries that have been sweetened and allowed to make some juice and fresh whip cream. My cousin (again, the good one) and I will most likely do cookies and other treats ahead of time as well.

 

[kayrosek]

Got a little more shopping done. Bought DD17 a nice makeup kit and some sock monkey earbuds as well as Frozen on DVD. Bought the other 3 kids dvds as well, Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland for DD15, Muppets for DS13 (14 in 2 weeks), and one (that I cant remember but was on her list) for DD nearly 18.
Also bought a replica necklace from Harry Potter for oldest DDs birthday but technichly that is from my mom. I dont really know what else to buy her other than the watch I already have and maybe a minion backpack I am stuck. Shes getting a surprise shopping trip out of town with hotel stay and dinner out but that will happen a few days after her birthday. I want a few more gifts for her to open on her day that wont really up the budget too much more. Also would love a creative idea for telling her about her surprise shopping trip.
DS has me all confused I was nearly done with his birthday but now he is changing the whole list up and grandma suddenly wants to get him a bed for his birthday which is a great idea but it means that shes not doing what she was going too for his birthday and she has different plans for Christmas. She had planned to do a couple of his big wants but if she is no longer doing those then it might change my priorities for Christmas and thats without even taking into account the new wants .

 

[kayrosek]

I understand those of you wanting to change things up a bit for various reasons. Thanksgiving has been in a state of change for us the last few years as we have been trying to figure out what works for us. My husbands uncle passed away this year and he was always a big part of Thanksgivings with my in laws. This year Ive convinced my MIL to go to a restaurant and out to a movie with us. We will see how that works.

 

[dylans mommy]

I have started a little shopping already for my ds7 and ds5. I got a Disney infinity for them to share last year but we didn't give it to them so they are getting it this year. I have also gotten them each a play doh launcher. I wish I was farther into the shopping process but I got started late this year.

Sense we live many states away from family it will be just us this year for the holidays so I'm trying to decide on what to eat for both thanksgiving and Christmas.

I am having a problem figuring out what to get my nephew he is 18 and I don't want to spend a lot. For the last 2 years for all birthdays and holidays he has not said thank you for any gift. So this will be the last year of presents for him. Any ideas? Would you do a gas card or just send him cash?

 

[Taylor'sMom]

We have one DD (11) and then many nieces and nephews, for whom our budget if around $20 each. I've started shopping, but have a lot left to do. The few adults we buy for are always hardest.

DD (11)- She wants a futon, which we will probablly get. Other than that, clothes, jewelery, and misc. girly stuff. We usually get a few DVDs she wants. I think I am done with her clothes. Purchased things from Aero during a sale, and used Rue Bucks for Rue 21 that I got after back-to-school shopping.

Niece (21)- done. A Diamond Candle (used a $5 off code)

Nephew (19)- Will just get him a gift card. For movies maybe?

Niece (16)- Got her an Aero shirt. Will get a jewelry item to go with it.

Niece (14)- done. Make-up kit (purchased after christmas last year) and a Bath & Body Works shower scrub (purchased during summer sale).

Niece (11)- done. Same as above (make-up is very neutral pallette and she is allowed to wear)

Nephew (11)- No idea yet. I usually ask his mother for ideas.

Niece (10)- done. A shirt and Bath & Body Works shower gel & lotion.

Niece (4)- She is a big My Little Pony fan. I got some MLP fleece and will make her a no-sew blanket. Maybe will throw in a small toy too. I need the solid color fleece still, and will wait until Black Friday when it is super cheap.

Niece (2)- done. A doll w/ tub & bath robe

We have 2 out-of-town nephews (16 and 11) I have to ship their gifts, so I try to keep small and/ light-weight. No ideas yet!!!

 

[DisneyWalle]

So happy I found this thread again! Love this thread each year....helps me with ideas and staying on task. Thank you!!

Well I decorated the house for Fall about 2 weeks ago. All of those decorations will stay up til the end of October then I will take them down and put up my Christmas stuff. 1 month just isn't long enough so November has slowly become my month to start Christmas decorating - especially if the temperatures are remotely cooler. Love the lights, music and smells at Christmas time.....my favorite time of the year.

This year I am scaling back on presents which is very hard for me to do when it comes to my only child. I tend to buy a little too much --- going to try very hard not to do that this year.
DS (14)---
Stocking Stuffers: boxing gloves, pop rocks, wallet, & beef jerky
Presents: Punching bag & stand, blacksmith book, a few tools, the Twilight Zone Definitive Collection DVD and railroad spikes (for blacksmith projects) --- this is the one year he would love coal for Christmas.
DH ----
Presents: Fence Pliers, Clamps, Creedence Clearwater Revival Greatest Hits CD and Crosby, Stills, & Nash Greatest Hits CD
My Mom ----
Presents: Sugar Scrub (she loved the stuff I made last year and requested it again), Goat Milk Soap, & Quilt
My Dad ---Photo Blanket (back in 1966, Daddy was on the cover of the Chicago Tribune flying a helicopter just before he shipped out to Vietnam. I decided to take that photo and put it on a blanket for him.)

Now for the rest of the family, I decided to just do fun gifts. Nothing big as none of us need anything. Plus, all of my sister's kids are older and are starting families of their own.
My Sister ---- (she is a huge Trekie fan) Tribble Slippers & Star Trek Uniform Apron
My Brother-in-law ---- beer soap and beer nuts
Nephews (22 & 18) ---- bacon soap and bacon jerky
Niece & Wife of one of the nephews (25 & 18) ---- Unicorn Poop Soap and Skittles

I'm hoping the fun, light-hearted presents go over well. I know I'm excited to see their faces when they open them.

 

[DisneyWalle]

We have one DD (11) and then many nieces and nephews, for whom our budget if around $20 each. I've started shopping, but have a lot left to do. The few adults we buy for are always hardest.

DD (11)- She wants a futon, which we will probablly get. Other than that, clothes, jewelery, and misc. girly stuff. We usually get a few DVDs she wants. I think I am done with her clothes. Purchased things from Aero during a sale, and used Rue Bucks for Rue 21 that I got after back-to-school shopping.

Niece (21)- done. A Diamond Candle (used a $5 off code)

Nephew (19)- Will just get him a gift card. For movies maybe?

Niece (16)- Got her an Aero shirt. Will get a jewelry item to go with it.

Niece (14)- done. Make-up kit (purchased after christmas last year) and a Bath & Body Works shower scrub (purchased during summer sale).

Niece (11)- done. Same as above (make-up is very neutral pallette and she is allowed to wear)

Nephew (11)- No idea yet. I usually ask his mother for ideas.

Niece (10)- done. A shirt and Bath & Body Works shower gel & lotion.

Niece (4)- She is a big My Little Pony fan. I got some MLP fleece and will make her a no-sew blanket. Maybe will throw in a small toy too. I need the solid color fleece still, and will wait until Black Friday when it is super cheap.

Niece (2)- done. A doll w/ tub & bath robe

We have 2 out-of-town nephews (16 and 11) I have to ship their gifts, so I try to keep small and/ light-weight. No ideas yet!!!

What is a diamond candle?

 

[bas71873]

...This year I am scaling back on presents which is very hard for me to do when it comes to my only child. I tend to buy a little too much --- going to try very hard not to do that this year...

I say this every year too with my only DD....it never works unfortunately. But I have SOOOO much fun shopping for her and really don't go crazy all year, so I like a lot of stuff under the tree. I do tend to go with a lot of practical gifts too and have gotten a lot better over the years of staying away from the "junk" . Problem now is that as she's gotten older, it's all getting more & more expensive!

 

[100AcreWood]

Yay! I'm excited to see this thread again this year. I've already started shopping and picking up clearance deals here and there. I noticed that Michael's has kinetic sand on sale this week so I'm planning to stop by and pick some up.

I am almost 1/2 way done with the kids already. I just need to focus on the grandparents. That part is always the part I dread. Shopping for adults isn't as fun!

 

[lyncecelia]

What is a diamond candle?

Diamond candles are really cool. It's a normal candle, but in each one a ring is hidden. The value can be like a $5 cheap costume ring to a $5000 expensive ring. You never know until you light the candle and let the wax melt off.

 

[lyncecelia]

So I forgot to mention earlier. I started Christmas shopping in summer, but I haven't done a ton yet.

For DH: During the Reading Rainbow kickstarter campaign, I got him an autographed picture of LeVar Burton. He's a MAJOR Trekkie so I figured that'd be an awesome big gift for him. I need to get him a couple more things (including PJs) but I'm still thinking on it.

For DSis16: I have a couple teefury Stitch shirts for her, and am also planning on getting her an Easel.

For DSis29 (autistic): I'm waiting for my mom to tell me what she needs in her wardrobe, I'll probably get her a couple of outfits. I also will probably get a couple of DVDs and a sensory toy or two.

For DMom: I have no idea...I'm still thinking on it...maybe a Soap Opera book (hopefully autographed, as I know the author)...IDK what else though.

For DDad: Ticket to Ride. He loves trains, and my mom thinks he'll love the game so I called it .

for my DBonusKids: still thinking on it, but will update once I know

 

[2DisPrincesses]

I'm looking forward to following this thread.

I've not done too much so far:

DD(5)~ New luggage (really nice luggage, but I got a good deal at TJMaxx). I know it sounds strange, but she's been asking for it and it's totally her style...she's a complete diva. Lego Friends Mall

DD(9)~ New luggage, Lego Friends Jungle Set, Disney Infinity 2.0

Joint gift is one of those basketball arcade type games for their hangout in our finished basement.

Mom ~ Set of kitchen utensils to hang over her stove (haven't found these yet, but hers are literally falling apart).

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

to all the new peeps!!! I love that you all have such a great list going already! Can y'all believe that it is the official last day of summer?! I am sooooo over it and ready for Fall..but who am I kidding? Summer is my least favorite season! I live in Texas and don't like to be hot! And can you believe Sept is almost over!? It always amps me up to hit October.It's one of my favorite months of the year!

 

[DisneyWalle]

Diamond candles are really cool. It's a normal candle, but in each one a ring is hidden. The value can be like a $5 cheap costume ring to a $5000 expensive ring. You never know until you light the candle and let the wax melt off.

Fun. Where do you purchase them? I might like to include these for my mom and sister.

 

[LilyWDW]

I think I have an idea for my good cousin but would like a bit of feedback on it.

She is two years younger then I am and has a husband and two sons. So what I was thinking was getting her a gift card to like Kohls and then an "invite" for a day out, without the kids, for her and I to go shopping and have a nice lunch/dinner. Obviously I would double check with her husband on the idea, but I don't see him having an issue with it as he is pretty cool. I may also add something from Disney (a decent piece of jewelry) since that is a "theme" this year lol.

So what do you all think?

 

[lyncecelia]

Fun. Where do you purchase them? I might like to include these for my mom and sister.

you just get them on diamondcandles.com

 

[lyncecelia]

I think I have an idea for my good cousin but would like a bit of feedback on it.

She is two years younger then I am and has a husband and two sons. So what I was thinking was getting her a gift card to like Kohls and then an "invite" for a day out, without the kids, for her and I to go shopping and have a nice lunch/dinner. Obviously I would double check with her husband on the idea, but I don't see him having an issue with it as he is pretty cool. I may also add something from Disney (a decent piece of jewelry) since that is a "theme" this year lol.

So what do you all think?

I think that sounds like a lot of fun! Such a cool gift!

 

[Taylor'sMom]

What is a diamond candle?

That's the name brand... they have "ring candles" which is a scented candles that have a ring in yhem.. you have to burn the candle a bit and then you get a. Rin, values range from $10 to $1000 or something like that. I would never buy for myself by my niece loves them (enjoys the candles and the bonus chance at a nice ring. You can Google "Diamond Candle"

 

[DisneyWalle]

you just get them on diamondcandles.com

I will be getting these for Christmas. My sister, niece, and momma love candles and just the chance that a beautiful ring might be hiding in all that wax just makes it fun. Love it! Thank you for sharing.