8th Annual Christmas Thead

[Deffenm]

I finally bought my first gift this year for DS14. He loves cars so I find this car design studio set on clearance for $8.00. DH has already provided me his list so I just have to start buying his stuff. DD is getting her room redone (new paint, furniture) so she won't have a ton to unwrap under the tree but she said she was ok with that. I hope to knock out more stuff in October.

 

[Happiest mommy]

Hello all, off topic but i'm in need of a new better Canister Vacuum and decided that would be my gift to myself (some gift huh? lol!) but before I head to Sears I wanted to know what you guys would recommend for a household that has hard wood floors and tiles, 2 dogs and I suffer from allergies. I would love it to have a long cord, thanks in advance

 

[100AcreWood]

I have two Dysons and they're great. I don't use them on the hardwoods though. On the hardwoods I use the microfiber mop by O'Cedar and then use my Dyson hand vacuum to vacuum up the junk.

 

[fanoftigger]

I'm planning to get DH a weather radio for Christmas. Does anyone have one they love? I haven't started looking/researching yet, but plan to buy it by the end of the month!

 

[AZMermaid]

Does anyone have a Food Saver or advice on how to save on one? My hubby wants one for Christmas!

 

[PrincessKymm]

DS had asked for a stereoscope. I'm worried if I or someone else in my family drops the $$$ on this it will sit and collect dust. However, if it doesn't, maybe it's a good alternative to getting him off the Xbox. My dad bought him an early bday present, a headset for his xbox. I'm not a happy momma but have laid down the ground rules.

Every other gift he's asked for is just unrealistic to my budget. I sort of explained this to him. I told him to aim smaller or he was getting nothing. I really need to explain to him no one should get 4 presents that cost more than $250 each. Maybe if I made quadruple what I make I could swing it buuuuut no, not gonna happen.

I'm going to Hallmark to check out their Christmas wrap and look at cards. I saw online their wrap is on special so if I love any of it I'll just buy now. Still need ideas besides gift cards and cash.

 

[PrincessKymm]

Well I did it. I bought 4 rolls of Christmas wrap, a snoopy JOY sign for my coffee table, and DS's Darth Vader ornament (in front of him with no knowledge no less) so my heavy Christmas shopping and prep is upon us!

 

[gracie1]

Does anyone have a Food Saver or advice on how to save on one? My hubby wants one for Christmas!

Food savers are awesome!! Definitely worth the money!! I've bought mine off of qvc. You can also buy them in kitchen stores.

 

[~~Darci~~]

I second Gracie on QVC for a good food saver that's inexpensive! Plus they have easy pay on everything this time of year.

 

[PrincessKymm]

I've started making my baking list for December. I love Pinterest! I created a 2015 Christmas Bake-a-thon board and all my "new" recipes and of course my tried and true are automatically on my list.

I make my first round over Thanksgiving weekend as that following week is when our sales team is for their final time of the year.

The second batch is the 2nd weekend of December for my work friends and any close family friends I will see before Christmas.

The final batch is the third weekend in December for our close family and my best friend that I see on Christmas Eve.

Lots of baking to do! I'm going to find my boxes and bags this Friday since I'm off of work and I will be out and about all weekend.

I hope the gifts come together soon! Im second guessing my budget this year and I don't like when I do that!

 

[theworldneedscolor]

Super last minute, but Shutterfly has a $20 of your purchase of $20+ right now! It ends on the 14th at midnight PST. I was able to snag 6 photo magnets for $21.72 including shipping

ETA: Coupon extended!

 

[100AcreWood]

I bought one gift this week. It was a Disney Infinity Inside Out set for 40% off with a Target cartwheel. Also if anyone likes Yankee Candle they have a $10 off coupon out for this weekend. It's off any purchase, no minimum.

 

[weluvjasmine]

My shopping is coming along great. I'm on track to being finished shopping before Thanksgiving. I want to enjoy this holiday season instead of being stressed out.

As a family we each do the 3 gifts of Christmas. Here's what my kiddos are getting:

DS 4:
3 gifts: gold: cars playmate with Matchbox cars; frankincense: daily storybook Bible; myrrh: play dress-up bow ties
Santa gifts: sticker book, trains Puzzleball, spy kit, play-doh kit, amble building, and a Busy Boy Tool Chest (from the 1950's)
From his sister: a construction vehicle play kit in a cigar box
Stocking: fishing kit in a mini tin box, marshmallow construction kit, big busy sticker & activity book, An American Tale dvd, Veggie Tales Silly Songs cd, music box, Mickey play-doh, and a puzzle from Hallmark

DD 10:
3 gifts: gold: fairy garden supplies; frankincense: prayer box; myrrh: American Girl Grace bracelet
Santa gifts: sticker book, emoji (stickers, poop pillow, trading cards), spy kit, Alex & Ani bracelet, Wreck this Journal box set, and a letter writing kit
From her brother: Minecraft books and potions kit
Stocking: Paris in a mini tin box, marshmallow construction kit, AG Baking with Grace activity book, AG Grace dvd, AG Grace soundtrack cd, music box, Jasmine play-doh, and a puzzle from Hallmark

I ordered a razor kit for my FIL and a knife for my BIL. I still have to get gifts for my parents, sister and her husband, my niece, MIL, 2 SILs, and of course, my DH. My sister, her husband, and SILs have Amazon Wish Lists. My MIL will probably get a gift card or photo books. My niece is getting fairy garden supplies. Not sure what I'm getting my parents yet.

For DH, I still need to buy his gifts but this is my plan:
3 gifts: gold: something from his Amazon Wish List; frankincense: not sure yet; myrrh: replacement razor blades
I'll let the kids pick out something for him also and I'll get him another item off his wish list.

 

[~~Darci~~]

I can't believe how quiet this thread still is in the middle of October!

I bought my oldest son the number 1 thing on his list: window tinting. Well, I bought the gift card.

Still have always to go!

 

[LilyWDW]

I have not been able to buy anything of late due to finances. Right now I am just hoping to be able to get what I need by Christmas. I still need to buy:
- Ornaments for my youngest 2 nephews
- A gift card for my aunt and uncle
- A crossword puzzle calendar for my grandmother
- A Colts shirt or hat for my dad

 

[bas71873]

I'm struggling for ideas for my DD12 (and everyone else), but I'm also just not in the mood at all....which is very odd for me!

 

[lindsey]

Joining. I always get great ideas from everyone. So far I have only bought three Hallmark ornaments. I've got to get busy

 

[cheap traveler]

I'm getting to where I feel like I should be done with shopping for my kids, except for a few fill-ins and stocking stuffers. Here's my list, with prices bc it helps me keep track lol.

DD11:
Hogwarts pillow $25
Hufflepuff pennant $15
bangle bracelets $24
iPhone 5s $0
otterbox $0
phone charger $20
Dumbledore POP vinyl $10
Aladdin vinylmation $15
Cinderella dvd (live action) $13
Olaf eraser (it's huge!) $2
earbuds $11
I Am Malala book $8
Alistair wonderland doll $9
space Lego sets (2) $35
Pictionary game $14
Xmas eve pjs $7.50

DD9:
Poop emoji pillow $6
Sherbet Lemons $13
Inside Out hair ties $7
new Kindle Fire $54
kindle case $27
Voldemort POP vinyl $10
Aladdin vinylmation $15
Pixar shorts dvd $2.50
Tinkerbelle Tsum tsum $0
Since You've Been Gone book $8
Faybelle Thorne doll $9
Worst Case Scenario (kids) book $9
Minecraft Lego set $35
Disney Pictopia game $19
xmas eve pjs: 7.50

And they also are getting a Lego City advent calendar. They loved the Lego Friends one a few years ago, so we went with City this year. That was $30.
A few of the items listed will be in their stockings, so not all wrapped gifts. I've always been one who loved having a huge pile under the tree, but now that the kids are getting older, I have to let it go - they're so expensive now!! So I just try to see the relatives we buy for (mostly just the kids) AFTER Christmas, so the tree still looks pretty that morning.

Very happy to be getting close to done, and have my buy list organized for other family members. Hope to be done (and wrapped) by Thanksgiving, to have a restful December.

 

[gracie1]

Just got an email from best buy - starting October 25th till January 2nd it's free shipping - no minimum!!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Only 2 months until Christmas Eve!

This thread is super slow this year. I need ideas for DD10 and DD8. DD10 likes Minecraft and likes to play Words with Friends app. DD8 likes to watch youtube videos of people pranking each other, and loves all the Disney Channel shows/movies (austin and ally, Jessie, Disney Desendants etc.). They will both be playing basketball. I haven't gotten anything yet