Anyone else starting to think Christmas??

[mom3sonstt]

I've just started thinking about it this week. I've been putting together a questionnaire of sorts for my step-sons kids and his step kids (he has 2 sons, 12 & 9 and 2 step-daughters 11 & 7). Last year by the time they came to our house to open presents they had already been to 3 other grandparents and most of the stuff we got them they had already gotten somewhere else. Very disappointing, especially since every time I bought an item from their list I would call and let the parents know - thinking they would let the other grandparents know which items had been purchased. This year we have a trip to Disney planned in November, so I am putting together a list of questions for those kids to get a feel for what they like in general. Getting the name of a cd they like is only good for one person, but if I know that Hannah still likes dolls I can look at WDW for a cute doll, but if she indicates that she's outgrown them but likes to wear jewelry I can look more in that direction.

My 2 stepsons and their wives get cash. The other 2 grandkids usually get some small gift and and a gift card (they live 1000 miles away), unless my husband goes out to visit at Thanksgiving, then he usually goes shopping with them and either buys their gifts, or has them tell him some things they like.

Our 3 boys are always tough ones. They either want really expensive stuff (oldest told us last week he wants an iPad......he's not getting it) or they can't think of anything. So that is always a struggle.

Then there's my parents. My mom has always hated gift certificates or gift cards. Even when my kids would ask for them specifically she hated buying them. From that, I also assume she doesn't like receiving them. But she doesn't want anything else either. She collect Precious Moments, but if you get her any she complains that she has too many already, I wouldn't dream of buying her clothes - you couldn't pay me enough to go there! Last year she said she could sure use a new bathmat. Yep - a bathmat. Nothing says Merry Christmas like a pink fuzzy bathmat. And don't think there wasn't drama getting that. I had to go look at her bathroom again to make sure the pink would go (she had re-painted it a different shade of pink recently). And then finding one that wasn't too neon, or didn't have flowers on it (because they might not go with the wallpaper). I finally found one and I assume she's using it. Dad is a little easier. He likes WWII movies or documentaries, and movies about trains. So if I can find something to get mom, then I match the price with something for dad, then take whatever's left in my budget for the two of them and buy them a gift card to some restaurant. I try to get them ones they haven't been to before, because they do like going out to eat with friends and trying new places. The one I got them last year they finally used just a couple weeks ago.

I would love to buy nice wallets for all the men on my list and little purses or something for all the girls and filling them with gift cards and calling it a day. But I know if I did that the younger ones would be disappointed that there was nothing to play with, and the older ones wouldn't bother to get out of bed - and then my mom......

So yeah - I've started thinking about Christmas.....and it's started giving me gray hairs already!

 

[stitch34]

I'm 90% finished with the kids. I always start early at this time of year. Every year say will spend much less than year prior, and darnit, this year I MEAN it! I say 90% finished, as surely as it gets closer will find a couple more things for each kid that I think they'd enjoy. But they'd be fine with what they are getting if don't come across anything more for them.

My girls are at an odd age, 8 and 10, have been there done it with everything - really not into toys, yet want cell phones, ipods, a Wii - ALL are things they are NOT getting, no need for them, still too young for expensive electronics like that.

But they ARE very into anything related to arts & crafts, drawing, etc. So they have a handful of other items, but the big gift for them this year, which actually worked great on a tight budget, was just to get them tons of art stuff. Going to set up an area in the den as their designated art station - got a 5 foot table for $35, storage containers and every type of paint, art paper, markers.. you name it, they could possibly ever desire, arts and crafts sets, bendaroos, friendship bracelet kit, fat markers, skinny markers, crayons, glitter pens, colored pencils, an easle, stocked them up on glue, all types of junk - pipe cleaners, beads, feathers, pom poms, googly eyes - really, you name it, it's there for them, it goes on and on and on, LOL! I tried to take advantage of back to school sales for some of the stuff.
Money is super tight, so much junk out there they dont' need, just for the sake of finding gifts for them - so figured go all out on the art stuff that they love and use daily around here, make it look nice and impressive to them on a budget!

But yeah, usually am wrapped and done and then everything paid off by Halloween. Something I enjoy doing but kind of like to get done and over with - and is sooo nice not to deal with crowds in the stores once you get past Thanksgiving!

 

[phamy76]

My daughter is 2 1/2 and has been asking for a scooter.
Toys R Us has them 1/2 price in todays ad.
I'm hoping to get one for $20 and save it for xmas.

 

[beansmom]

This is causing much stress in our extended families however......they are used to me being supermom.....getting off work at 4pm xmas eve....driving 1hr+ to the family celebration with all the kids in tow, and getting back home 12 am , quickly throwing everything under the tree.....then getting everyone up early so dad can see some gifts before he heads to his church, and we then head to out our parish.. getting home...loading them all up again to drive to his families celebration getting back late.....work next day by 8 am UGGGHHHHH


It feels like a huge weight has been lifted already

I'd buy a costume Superman cape and pass it right on along to someone else in the family and tell them "I QUIT". Holidays are to enjoy not make yourself crazy over. And really, is Commando Christmas REALLY what it's supposed to be about??

We are taking one grandson to Disney for Christmas...because we want to. We don't feel bad that we're only taking one. He's the right age and temprament and more than one would be overwhelming for us.

Our family is receiving a basket of homemade gifts---jams, sauces, baked goods. No one of us 'needs' anything and I think people appreciate gifts of 'time rather than money'. One son says it has to be consumable, he doesn't want more junk.

The little ones get one toy, one outfit of new clothes and a book. David and I are going to Italy in January so no gifts for each other.

 

[apnep]

Yeah, about Christmas.....It feels like a huge weight has been lifted already

Good for you. Enjoy your family and make some memories.

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

My Christmas shopping is done all year, as well as birthdays, and other holidays. The reason for this is that if you see a great deal, grab it and stash it away for later. Stocking up on presents not only saves money and time but it also helps you to avoid the aggravation of shopping during the holidays. And then your holiday bill is paid throughout the year and not all in one shot.

 

[gracie1]

I am just happy to have my list put together. I do need to start the actual shopping part though!

 

[Desnik]

I am starting to think about Christmas and just put a list together last week. I have 18 kids I have to buy for and that doesn't include our 2 kids!!! I have about 10 adults to buy for too. I have one gift bought so far! I do have gift bags, wrapping paper, gift tags, and bows that I bought last year on clearance so that's less I have to buy!

Also, I do Christmas at my house every year and have about 20-30 guests. So, I need to put a menu together and set aside money for that.

 

[princessfionasmom]

I have started, actually I don't think I ever stop. I'm always checking out clearance end caps at Target and got DS an electric guitar with amp that was $199 for $49, he is going to love it. I'm debating getting him an iPod Touch but not positive yet. I picked up a couple of small things from the Target 75% off toy sale but not much. I got DD (7) Uggs at 6pm.com for 60% off, she'll be so excited and we are getting her a Wave Kayak. Now I'm looking for Black Ugg Cardy for my MIL on sale. She tried mine on in Feb and loved them so my mission is to get her a pair, even if I have to pay full price . I'm also trading old DVD's and games we no longer play on swaptree.com for DVD's and games I know my kids want. I've gotten 2 already, they'll be stocking stuffers.

 

[kimsuenew]

I was thinking about Christmas yesterday morning and came on to find a thread about Christmas gift ideas for coworkers! lol.
So is anyone else starting to think about Christmas or have even started shopping?
I am so far ahead of myself this year it's scary, but I have actually started making the Christmas List

Well... sorta!

This will be the easiest Christmas ever to by for (happy but sad).

My side of the family has decided on (well 3/4 of my sisters and my mom ) that there are to be no gifts exchanged this year.... but that we will still have a nice Christmas Eve dinner. This saddens me, as I love to see my nieces and nephews open gifts but... I reluctantly agreed.

Our Christmas IS Walt DisneWorld! We have 14 days scheduled the end of Nov and first part of Dec this year! My MIL/FIL are giving the three of us our "Christmas money" early... DH & myself will put ours towards the trip, DH can spend it or save it... his choice!

Other than a stocking to fill for the each of us for under the tree... we will not have gifts, so shopping there is down big time!

That leaves only 7 people on my DH side to buy gifts for and the nephews love giftcards so my shopping list is small!

 

[csharpwv]

We are spending the first two weeks of December with Mickey - so about a month ago I sent my wife a Calendar Appointment to decorate the house. I LOVE to decorate for Christmas, and we weren't organized enough to do it last year (as we took an 11 day vacation early last December as well) so we will be gone the same weeks (plus a few days) this year - and we are decorating a week or two before Thanksgiving just so we can get all out decorations out!

We don't take our decorations down until Epiphany (LOVE being Catholic HAHA) So we will get to enjoy our decorations AND Mickey's



If only there were a banana with a santa hat! HAHA

But YES - I have been thinking about Christmas for about a month now!