8th Annual Christmas Thead

[theworldneedscolor]

Just bought my first gift of the season! I am so ready to blast through Halloween and get to my favorite time of year

Here's my list so far:
-Mom: No idea...always hard to shop for! Definitely some sort of photo gift, maybe some beauty/spa type items?
-Dad: Either a Blu-ray that's on his list, or a tech or grilling item that he needs. Oh and a photo gift as well.
-Sister: I found this awesome Perry plush that makes noise (only $5 right now! I'll link below), and I'll get some make-up when Ulta has a good sale
-Grandma/Grandpa #1: Don't have any ideas here either...they love homemade gifts, but I would also like to get them something nice since they never treat themselves...we'll have to see what I can come up with.
-Grandma/Grandpa #2: The whole family sends a box down to them, which a photo calendar (that I make), some nice snacks, and other misc. gifts.
-Best friend #1: Tie-blanket with her college's colors, travel mug with cocoa, tea, etc.
-Best friend #2: Either a movie he's been wanting, or something related to one of his favorite TV shows (a Gilmore Girls mug maybe?)

I'm on a bit of a tighter budget this year since I bought a car last month, so I'll be trying to do some more DIY/baked goods from friends and extended family. I need to do some brainstorming, but thankfully I've got plenty of time!

Perry plush: http://www.disneystore.com/perry-talking-plush-phineas-and-ferb-medium-13/mp/1358360/1000267/

 

[Happiest mommy]

Woohoo! purchased some teacher gifts, I ordered some Vera Bradley Landyards and matching Zippered ID cases all on sale and free shipping ! will put a gift card and done yes!

 

[bas71873]

Has anyone heard from DisneyMommy3 who usually starts this thread? I'm hoping all is OK with she and her family...

 

[cheap traveler]

I totally forgot about other items I had ordered for my girls. Baby brain SMH

I got a free tsum tsum from disney movie rewards, so I'll need to buy one for other DD after I see what one I got. Also ordered Pixar short films 2 from movie rewards, paid $3 shipping for that.
Each DD is getting an Aladdin vinylmation (so am I). DD11 will get the Olaf take-apart eraser, DD9 is getting Inside Out hair ties. Inside Out magnet set for me

Got some stuff for the baby, some might actually be put aside for NEXT Christmas, as he won't really need a straw cup before then.

Finally for my friend's son, a light-up Thor hammer key chain. He spends way too much time in the car, so small toys work best for him. He is 4 and loves superheros.

 

[lyncecelia]

Okay, working on planning gifts for our 4 angels. Limiting to 4 gifts from us each is kind of difficult...I'm not use to that!

DSS14--he mentioned yesterday after his game he wants to get new football cleats for next year, since his are slowing getting run down. So we will either buy him cleats or a Gift Card to go towards cleats (this depends on if he hints what pair he wants between now and Christmas ;-) ). This will be his "Something I need". Wear will probably be something from Carhartt, if I can find a good sale. Still working on want and read for him.

DSD13--Something to wear is bought for her. A while ago I found a teefury Minion shirt, and grabbed it. If for some reason we decide on something else, I can easily move that shirt to sibling store, but that's the current plan now. Read will probably be whatever Harry Potter book she is on by Christmas, since she just got into the series this summer. Still thinking on want and need for her, but for need I'm thinking about possibly getting her some fidget toys, since what she uses here is slowly becoming all torn up.

DSD11 (12 at Christmas)--She is the hardest in the wear category, because she is wicked particular with her clothes...I might need to get her mom's help with her. I'm trying to get hints for need, want, and read still also. Push comes to shove, I might get her fabric under need so she can work on her sewing, but I'm still debating if that is the best choice.

DSS8--He is on the biggest Minecraft kick right now. If he isn't playing Minecraft, he is watching YouTube videos about Minecraft lol. For his to wear, I'm thinking one of those Minecraft hoodies. Still thinking on need and want...to read will probably be some non-fiction book though (he already owns all the Minecraft books).

DSis17--Probably a Sims expansion pack. Might get her some more canvases too, since she loves to paint and we got her an easel last year. Just have to think of a book for her...that's wicked hard since she isn't a big reader.

DSis30--Probably some clothes. I'm waiting for my mom to tell me what she needs and what sizes (she is non-verbal autistic, so she can't tell me herself). I usually include a DVD and a toy of some type with her gift.

My parents--Some apple butter, a DVD of the play I'm in this fall (if we get permission to tape it, we usually do though with this group, and my mom asked for one lol), some Christmas cookies (they LOVE my raspberry caves! And I want to try to make Cherry Macaroons for my dad this year). Possibly some other homemade goodies, depending what I make. Maybe a photo calendar with the kids pictures.

DH's brother and his wife--homemade goodies.

DH's mom and step dad--homemade goodies. Maybe a photo calendar if I make one this year.

DH's dad and step-mom--homemade goodies. Maybe a photo calendar if I make one this year.

I'm also going to try to make Family Birthday signs...if I can make them relatively affordably, each set of grandparents will probably get one of those.

Nichole (kids' mom)--Spa/shaving kit. Photo calendar if I make one this year. Hoping to make some homemade beauty products for her, as well as homemade goodies. Still thinking on if there will be anything else. If I make the Family Birthday signs, she'll get one too.

Surrogate family members--they will all get homemade goodies this year except for one of them, who is allergic to almost everything and I don't want to kill her! She'll get a book called Knit One, Purl a Prayer, that I bought at a conference I was working earlier this year.

Bo (our pup)--some bones, some tennis balls, and some doggy treats. We joke that we will also give him a stick of butter, since he always steals my butter when I'm trying to get it to soften on the counter lol.

 

[dylans mommy]

I bought my first Christmas gifts for the year. It wasn't much but I order a shirt for both of our boys. Sense their big gift from us is a surprise trip to Disney in January. So I just need a few more shirts and things to go with the trip. I will be picking up more stuff when we are in Disney in November!

 

[mrsp1030]

I have a huge list and am just getting started...I love reading these as they give me some good ideas!

 

[Pesky]

found a little fun something for DH once it comes in stock -- a BatDad t-shirt and mask. He thinks BatDad is hilarious. Each of the kids have already picked out their ornament -- HP one for DD and a guitar one for DS.

 

[gracie1]

I've started my shopping as well! I have my furbabies toys already bought. I bought my parents a new comforter set. Bought my dad a firearm catalog with all the prices and everything since he likes that stuf. I also ordered my mom an angel figurine since she collects them. Since my mom has an iPad i will also get her a new stylus pen, screen protector and iTunes gift card. Their both going to get a lot of gift cards since their so hard to buy for. I think I will get Giftcard boxes for some and was thinking of going to michaels and making a gift card tree.
I would love ideas for hard to buy parents!!

 

[~~Darci~~]

I started my shopping too! I bought a $10 McDonald's gift card for my 15 yo's stocking. It's small but it's a start.

Gracie1~How about a car wash gift cards? A date night themed gift like mini golf and dinner? Still gift cards but something to do together. I also bought a gift card puzzle holder for the big gift. It made a gift card a little more fun for Christmas morning.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Went to the NE GKTW DisMeet and bid in the silent auction -- won a set of DD New England coffee mugs, one for each state. This will be a great gift for my dad, who basically has a coffee IV going all day! First gift of the season, Done!

Maria

 

[mrsp1030]

Anyone have any good suggestions for 12 & 13 year old nephews that are into Harry Potter, legos and playstation games. Sorry I am stumped.

 

[dancin'bec]

I look forward to this thread every year! (I had to change my user name; due to a snoopy ex) I'm also hoping everything is ok with DisneyMommy3!

This year we're cutting back to save for DH's and my anniversary trip in Feb, as well as other expenses that have come along... DD's braces, DS's car expenses.... This is where I'm at right now:

DSS17: needs a computer desk of some sort... looking around for deals on that. I'm sure he will also have a videogame he'll want, and then I'm thinking clothes...

DS17: $ - he's my drummer and he has his eye on some drum equipment, which is way too expensive for DH and I to get with 7 kids total, so cash to put toward that, and with grandparents adding to that, I think he'll come pretty close to what he needs... then The Simpsons DVD set that comes out every year which we always get him, and probably some clothes

DD14: ukulele, and she wants to upgrade her acoustic guitar to be able to plug in, so we're figuring that out.... she also needs a new desk as she outgrew her old one

DSS10: tablet, he loves legos and we get him sets every year, but we think he may be outgrowing them a bit... so, waiting to see what he asks for, and then he needs a new comforter. He loves Minecraft and I'm very surprised the dept stores don't have any themed Minecraft bedding... I've found a few things on etsy and what-not, but I'm thinking I could maybe make something myself. If anyone has any leads on this, please let me know!!

DS10: tablet, some movies, and not sure yet about the third gift....

DSD7: tablet, and not sure yet... she's pretty easy to shop for... I'm sure the closer it gets, she'll have her eye on some things

DS4: Thomas bedding, Leappad of some sort, and either a Peppa Pig toy or Thomas toys

DH: not sure yet, as our gift to each other is our trip, but we still plan on exchanging a couple small gifts... need to scope out ThinkGeek... his bday is coming up, so I'm getting that figured out first

My parents: Having professional pictures done of my kids and my brother's kids, so a nice framed pic of all their grandkids and perhaps a little something else

DH's mom and stepdad: usually get them a restaurant gift certificate, but maybe framed pic of the kids? not sure
DH's dad and stepmom: same as above

My brother and family: Since I have 7 kids and my brother has 5, we exchange one family gift.... need a few ideas here... it usually ends up being a bit of different things in one box because the ages of kids are so spread out (10, 8, 7, 2, and newborn)

My friend: Season 2 of the Golden Girls

other friends/neighbors: baked goodies

Also this year, my son's gf will be joining us and I feel like I need to get her the same number of gifts as the other kids. She will be 18 at Christmas, senior in high school... I've thought about getting her either a sweatshirt with her college logo on it, or a giftcard to her university's bookstore, or maybe just some things she'll need for dorm living next year? Any ideas here are appreciated!

I'll also have stockings for the kids.... and the kids draw names with each other. Heading out of town for the weekend first weekend of Oct, and hoping to get some shopping done. So far we have the tablets ordered and a dent in the stocking stuffers. Goal is to be done by Dec. 1st.

 

[100AcreWood]

I don't want to get us off track but I'm curious if anyone has found a way to keep Christmas fun and cut down on the stress?

Dh mentioned last night that Halloween was his favorite holiday. I was surprised it wasn't Christmas but when he went on to explain how Halloween was fun and not stressful like Christmas I totally understood. Then I thought how great it would be to convince our parents to give gifts only to the kids and not exchange with us anymore. I approached dh with this idea but he said his parents would take it badly and freak out. I agree, they probably would but the silliness every year of exchanging mostly gift cards and stuff we don't need seems ridiculous. Especially when Christmas shouldn't be about the gifts. I stopped sending cards a few years ago and that's been awesome.

Has anyone found ways to cut down on the stress without completely ticking off your extended family?

 

[fanoftigger]

100AcreWood....on my mom's side of the family, we agreed several years ago to quit exchanging gifts. We do several different things.

1. Extended family- each family unit contributes money. We choose a local or meaningful to us charity and donate the money. Last year, my mom and aunt took the money and bought coats for kids in need.

2. Immediate family (mom & stepdad, sis & fam, bro & fam, us) - again, we choose a charity and donate. Last year it was to Smile Train as my son was born with a cleft lip & palate, so helping other kids have the surgeries is important to us.

3. Immediate family - my mom has always done stockings for us all (I have a stepbro and stepsis and they each have kids). So now we each buy fun little things to put in each family's stocking. That way the cost doesn't all fall on mom and we can still have fun finding inexpensive things for each other. It's things like a favorite candy, old movie, lotion, etc.

We buy for the kids in my immediate family. But with the extended family, we have the kids do a "cousin exchange" with a $10 limit. The kids age out of the exchange at 12. Names are drawn, so each kid gets 1 gift.

On DH's side, we again buy for the kids. The adults draw names at the end of Sept or early Oct and buy for that person. $50 max. We don't do anything with his extended family.

 

[bas71873]

I don't want to get us off track but I'm curious if anyone has found a way to keep Christmas fun and cut down on the stress?

Dh mentioned last night that Halloween was his favorite holiday. I was surprised it wasn't Christmas but when he went on to explain how Halloween was fun and not stressful like Christmas I totally understood. Then I thought how great it would be to convince our parents to give gifts only to the kids and not exchange with us anymore. I approached dh with this idea but he said his parents would take it badly and freak out. I agree, they probably would but the silliness every year of exchanging mostly gift cards and stuff we don't need seems ridiculous. Especially when Christmas shouldn't be about the gifts. I stopped sending cards a few years ago and that's been awesome.

Has anyone found ways to cut down on the stress without completely ticking off your extended family?

PLEASE let me know if you find a successful way to do this! I've been trying for years to do this with my in-laws to no avail. We are not close with them and rarely see them. I think I may just make a statement vs. a request that this is the route I'm going. I will give a gift to my niece and nephew and suggest we do a family dinner outing one evening to spend time together. Or heck, I'll have them all here for dinner just to satisfy the "we have to see you at Christmas" thing. I'm closer with many more of my friends than my family (I only have my dad and brother and brother is military so he's all over the place). Last year I had all of our friends and their kids here on Christmas Eve after dinner and is was SOOOO much fun and so relaxing. The kids watched Rudolph and ate popcorn in their PJs while the grown ups enjoyed convo and drinks. I plan to make this an annual tradition! Good luck and keep me posted on how you do with this!

Oh and I love Christmas cards. I do get fewer and fewer every year, but I love to send those out and love to receive them

 

[Mousemommy1]

I have already made a good dent in the Christmas list!!! My goal is to be done by Halloween.

So far, I have purchased the Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars set for the girls, plus additional figures.

I got a new sleeping bag for ODD, and new Star Wars sheets for YDD.

I got a Little People Airport set for DS.

I've been shopping for matching pajamas lately.

 

[Pesky]

Anyone have any good suggestions for 12 & 13 year old nephews that are into Harry Potter, legos and playstation games. Sorry I am stumped.

HP legos! They are retired so you'd have to look on eBay or Amazon and not sure of the price. Legos are always a safe bet. HP t-shirts. Playstation games -- you can also consider a gift subscription to one of those services where they can get a new game a month or so.

I don't want to get us off track but I'm curious if anyone has found a way to keep Christmas fun and cut down on the stress?

Dh mentioned last night that Halloween was his favorite holiday. I was surprised it wasn't Christmas but when he went on to explain how Halloween was fun and not stressful like Christmas I totally understood. Then I thought how great it would be to convince our parents to give gifts only to the kids and not exchange with us anymore. I approached dh with this idea but he said his parents would take it badly and freak out. I agree, they probably would but the silliness every year of exchanging mostly gift cards and stuff we don't need seems ridiculous. Especially when Christmas shouldn't be about the gifts. I stopped sending cards a few years ago and that's been awesome.

Has anyone found ways to cut down on the stress without completely ticking off your extended family?

Understand your concern. I suggested a Secret Santa gift exchange in DH's family a few years ago and you would've thought I suggested roasting children for Christmas dinner. But I did suggested the plan anyway and planted the seed. Fast forward a few years and suddenly, when other purses are tight, it is a great idea! Yeah. Finally we've gotten down to just stocking stuffers if desired. So maybe start small -- suggest it would be fun to have a secret santa among the adults. If it's just the 4 of you and Secret Santa doesn't make a lot of sense, start to look at imposing a budget, if only on yourselves with the gifts to his parents. Think about things like magazine subscriptions and such. Another idea is to suggest donating to important causes to them instead. At least you get a tax write-off! But there are those, like my parents, who won't stop the buying and it's just how they are. so, finally, shop early, shop often. I have found I enjoy the holidays so much more when I don't have to run to the stores, gathering goodies during the main holiday season. I try to have the last of my shopping completed with Black Friday and call it a day. We already have a lot of the stuff purchased and that helps spread out the spending too. You can also look to homemade gifts but I have discovered that while easier on the budget, it creates as much if not more stress than buying. The few homemade ones I'm doing I'm starting now.

 

[Happiest mommy]

Loving this thread! any Ideas for gifts for Music teacher? would love something with musical notes on it

 

[PrincessKymm]

Anyone have any good suggestions for 12 & 13 year old nephews that are into Harry Potter, legos and playstation games. Sorry I am stumped.

Hot topic is having a sale and they had some good HP stuff. The WBshop online usually has some good stuff as well and they are always having sales. I'd suggest a wand, hot topic has the cheapest wands which are more like toys than the real thing. HP fans love to duel! My assistant said the HP video games are a lot of fun and there are quite a few out there.

Legos are good for that age, not quite grown up yet not quite a kid. DS will be 13 and still loves nerf guns, we usually battle it out on Christmas Day. We chase each other around and usually end up with darts littered everywhere and since it's just us we leave them there til we are ready for the next fight and giggle fit.