Anyone else starting to think Christmas??

[crazelion]

I have 3 god children gifts done for Christmas. I am working on the 3 foster kids Christmas present now. The kids bloat told there case worker that they is never leaving me and don't want to go home. LOL

 

[crzy4my2]

Oh YES I have been thinking about it too!. We will be in Disney for Thanksgiving so I will be broke when we get back
I am trying to get things now. I have gotten a few small things for the kids already. Santa will get them each 1 big gift and the small gifts and the trip is their gift from Mommy and daddy

 

[Mom2apirate&princess]

This is the first time in years that I'm not at least 50% done. I haven't even started yet. We've just been busy with moving and other things.

DS is hard to buy for. He's almost 13 and really only into video games. DD is 8 and easy to buy for.

As far as family we've decided to not exchange gifts this year. We are taking a family vacation together in May and are all saving for that.

So I just have the two kids to buy for and that's it. Dh and I wont exchange gifts either.

We are planning on buying the new xbox for ds, video games, a few tv seasons on dvd and any books that he is interested in.

I have no clue for dd but she is easy to please.

After our vacation next week I will get will start buying for them.

 

[3boymthr]

I was going to say nope, nope and more nope like PP but....

I used my Nook to download a book for middle DS to read at an event we were at a few weeks ago. The very tech oriented child loved it. The child who never ever wants to read is borrowing the Nook so he can read in bed at night - every night. He finished the first book and asked for another. He's three chapters into it. So, I can't believe I'm saying this... I'm strongly thinking about getting him one for Christmas. Very expensive and fragile for a 10 yo but he was so careful with mine and so excited about reading with it that I'm watching for a great sale or a used one.

ETA - those zoobles are really cute. I don't have any girls to buy for but I think I'll pick a couple up when we get back from vacation to use for grab gifts and Toys for Tots or the giving tree if the school does one this year.

 

[Alice28]

as a matter of fact, I bought my first Christmas gift today.

a used pink DS lite for my 5 year old DD. She wants one so badly, and this is PERFECT. She won't care that it's used, and it saved me $100 as a friend sold it to me for $25!

Now my eyes will be peeled for DS games on sale.

DS13 wants a PSP, so I'm going to start looking for deals on those as well. Plus his birthday is in November.

I also am going to watch the Vera sales to get my mom something from there.

We don't shop for a lot of people- mostly just immediate family. It makes Christmas pretty reasonable, as I have no siblings and DH has 1. Mostly just our 3 kids are who we shop for.

 

[MoniqueU]

i am uusally done and wrapped by august and having to special roder christmas wrap off amazon. I have gotten burned though shopping too far ahead with the kids changing their mind or something not being returable because I bought stuff so early.

This year I am doing gift cards for my kids and 2 presents each that they can open on Christmas day to keep themselves occupied. I am giving the girls their gift cards in coach wallets which will be a hit but I am not sure how to give my son his? I give them quite a large amount in them but the girls buy clothes so I feel almost like they really aren't getting a real present as I would have to buy them clothes anyway?

I always have to start early as my husband is on straight commision and nakes more in the summer then later in the year.

I don't have a large gift list to buy for.

I am set with ordering the 2 gifts each for my kids but still need another 250 in gift cards which I will knock out soon.

I have no clue what or IF I am getting my DH a thing, he is super hard to buy for. I can get him yet another tie but that gets old.

I do have to go through my closets and see what all I have. I have a habit of buying stuff then not remembering about it.

Now that the kids are 12,13 and 17 it is not that much fun anymore to me at least and there are no big ticket must haves on anyones list, they alll have more then they need to start with.

I also have my DD's birthday, my moms and MILs all in december so thats a PITA.

U cab;t buy nearly anything on sale at this point as the stuff my kids want doesn't go on sale although I did get 20 dollars towards another new video game on 2 sperarate games from amazon.

So bottom line is yes I am thinking about it and working on it.

 

[luvmy3]

Yes, I have been thinking about Christmas and I know exactly what I want.


I am usually a year round shopper but I haven't done anything since last Christmas until this past week after seeing the thread on the family board. I won't be able to shop early for my dd, she is too old for toys and she already has all the personal electronics that a kid would ask for. I'm thinking of getting her a small flatscreen TV for her room. She just recently asked for a camcorder so thats a possibility but I would have to price them and see.

I've already got a couple gifts, an erector set for my ds and a remote control helicopter for my dh. I really don't know what else I'll get my dh, maybe some tools. My dses will probably get more video games and legos.

I haven't thought about anyone else yet but my goal every year is to have everything done by Thanksgiving.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I don't have a clue for anyone this year. Usually everyone has a "heart's desire" kind of gift, but no one seems to really want anything this year. It is really frustrating!

 

[3boymthr]

as a matter of fact, I bought my first Christmas gift today.

a used pink DS lite for my 5 year old DD. She wants one so badly, and this is PERFECT. She won't care that it's used, and it saved me $100 as a friend sold it to me for $25!

Now my eyes will be peeled for DS games on sale.

DS13 wants a PSP, so I'm going to start looking for deals on those as well. Plus his birthday is in November.

I also am going to watch the Vera sales to get my mom something from there.

We don't shop for a lot of people- mostly just immediate family. It makes Christmas pretty reasonable, as I have no siblings and DH has 1. Mostly just our 3 kids are who we shop for.

For the PSP - They have bundles which include a game and sometimes a memory card that are definitely the way to go. You won't find them on sale anywhere normally. It's kind of like the PS3 - it just doesn't go on sale. But for the bundle - I bought one last year for oldest DS at best buy with a discount code. If you can find a discount code or rebate offer for Best Buy it's the best price you'll find. I got the Rockband Bundle for $149 with a coupon it was $169 before the same price as the console anywhere else. Right now they have one for MLB which is the same price as the console anywhere else. HTH

 

[Swimalie]

I started Christmas shopping the day after Christmas last year. I'm almost done. I have my cards already and will start to address them right after Halloween. I'm done shopping for my son except for his stocking. Somewhat done with my husband, mom and dad. Done with my sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and done with teachers (except baking but I have the plates they will go on). I have a few friend gifts to get and that's it. It makes the holidays so much nicer to do it all year long instead of in a rush.

 

[gracie1]

Wow! Now I don't feel so bad for starting shopping early!

Any ideas on gifts for dad (who has no hobbies and picky???)

 

[Virgderon]

I still do an old fashioned Christmas club, where I put in $25 a week and get a check for $1250 around the 2nd week of November.

So I may pick up a couple gift cards for the "hard to buy fors" but I generally wait until the Christmas club check comes in to finish shopping.

I have an extra paycheck in October, and I will buy our plane tickets to go home from that.

 

[ilovejack02]

Just decided will get my ds8 an ipod touch for xmas, so I will now be on the hunt for a good price.

My mil just discovered Yellow box flops and with fall approaching, the sales will start, so will get her a cpl of pairs to put in gift closet.

Other than that I haven't given much thought.

 

[Riviera510]

I was just thinking last night that I need to start shopping for Christmas.

We are going to Disney over Thanksgiving through December 5th so I really want to get most of my shopping done before we leave. I'll probably buy a few things at Disney but dont want to have to go shopping once we get back.


I'll probably start once the kids go back to school (Sept 8).

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'm jealous of people who can start this early.

I did buy 3 gifts on clearance last year for MIL, SIL and Husbands Aunt (Yankee Candle Company). I've no idea what to get the men yet.

My kids are older and want expensive stuff. They also change their minds alot so I don't even bother trying to get them gifts until after Thanksgiving. DH always wants expensive and obscure items that he doesn't tell me about until after Thanksgiving.

Both DH and the kids birthdays are in October so I concentrate on those first.

For all my nieces/nephews we draw names in October so I won't know who I have until then.

My parents are easy. They are full time Rv'ers and don't want stuff. Dad gets a Walmart Gift Certificate (he told me he buys himself movies and treats) and a bag of Starbucks coffee. Mom gets a JoAnn Fabrics gift certificate (she's a knitter) and tea from the Plantation at Stone Mountain Park. I also make them a small calendar for the RV.

I do save money for Christmas all year long. That way I don't have to worry about how I'm going to afford the gifts.

 

[luvmy3]

Wow! Now I don't feel so bad for starting shopping early!

Any ideas on gifts for dad (who has no hobbies and picky???)

Here are a few things I have gotten my Dad in the past. He has one hobby- golf and anything and everything he needs/wants for it.
Last year I got him a Keurig and a very large supply of K-cups. I have given him a cell phone, GPS, Digital frame, I have wanted to get him tix to a sporting event but he travels alot and we couldn't find a date to go.

Just decided will get my ds8 an ipod touch for xmas, so I will now be on the hunt for a good price.

My mil just discovered Yellow box flops and with fall approaching, the sales will start, so will get her a cpl of pairs to put in gift closet.

Other than that I haven't given much thought.

I read there is a new generation touch coming out in Sept so if you don't need the latest and greatest you'll probably be able to get a deal on a current gen. I saw on slickdeals that an ebay store was selling new 8G touches for around $150 now.

 

[ilovejack02]

I read there is a new generation touch coming out in Sept so if you don't need the latest and greatest you'll probably be able to get a deal on a current gen. I saw on slickdeals that an ebay store was selling new 8G touches for around $150 now.

I did hear through the grapevine that a new one would come out. I want to get him the 16 g for more storage as we travel to grandparents quite a bit and it is a long trip, but no way does it need to be the newest out, I don't care even if it is a refurb. He is going to be sooo excited!

 

[kahblue]

I bought a few things but nothing big. Usually right after school starts I start my shopping for the "odds-n-ends" people to get them out of the way: teachers, therapists, bus drivers, sitters, etc.

I have purchased gift certificates at www.restaurant.com really cheap and paired them with hand cream, etc.

KIM

 

[gracie1]

Thanks for the ideas!! I wish my dad were as easy as my mom!! I am actually leaning more towards gift cards, but would rather do gifts!

 

[pah-fla]

When my girls were young, I had everything done by Thanksgiving. So, the last couple of years as they grew up and got married, I didn't have that much shopping to do as we have a very small family. But, yesterday I started my Christmas shopping for my two grandchildren! Barnes and Noble was having a great clearance sale and I was able to pick up some books for only $2.00 each. Now, all I have to do is wait for my granddaughter and grandson to arrive! My older daughter is having a girl and my younger daughter is having a boy and both are due on September 20!