Anyone started Christmas shopping yet? What, Where and for who?

[DreamIsaWish]

I have a few things - my DD wanted the American Girl gymnastics set and outfits and last week they had a special on those so I got that ordered. My son also wants SKylanders Superchargers which I found extremely marked down thanks to Amazon (19.99 for the starter set!) and with ordering that I also found a couple American Girl books that come with kits to make things for the dolls for about $2.50 each! (in the catalog for $23!) so I'm hoping when they get here Monday they are legit although knock on wood - I've had luck in the past with discounts from Amazon.

I think I see those American Girl books on Amazon as well, but I'm suspicious if they include the activity pieces or just the book. Can you check back in after you receive them? They're a steal if it's actually everything, but the picture looks more like the booklet only.

 

[Funfire240]

I think I see those American Girl books on Amazon as well, but I'm suspicious if they include the activity pieces or just the book. Can you check back in after you receive them? They're a steal if it's actually everything, but the picture looks more like the booklet only.

It's the full kit new and sealed! They arrived today. I left them in my office but when I go back in tomorrow I can send pictures if that helps I might order a couple more for cousins that we buy for. I think though that it was just the doll school and sports ones that were listed so cheap

 

[DreamIsaWish]

It's the full kit new and sealed! They arrived today. I left them in my office but when I go back in tomorrow I can send pictures if that helps I might order a couple more for cousins that we buy for. I think though that it was just the doll school and sports ones that were listed so cheap

Thanks! Those were the ones I saw cheap, so now I must go buy them for my kid and nieces. I really appreciate the follow up!

 

[dreamin_disney]

I haven't started yet or even thought about it But thank to this thread I'm thinking of a few things for my daughter
My side of the family decided to just by for each of their own families , since families are getting to BIG in numbers. Its nice and takes off the pressure.

My husbands side it different and it getting harder. His brothers wife and family just get us a gift basket for me , hubby and DD(teen). My BIL is a family of 5 and his kids(1-middle school, 1-high school and 1- college) are kinda picky and nolonger want clothes or stuff but $$ or giftcards so its going to get expensive for a family of 5. I finally convinced hubby to get them a family gift since they get us one for our family of 3. It was so much easier and cheaper. We use to buy them indivual gift until dd and I heard one say it was a poopie gift. That was the end for me. Hubby also has 3 other nieces and nephews that we never see but we always get for. He also has a sister , brother and another brother and wife , Plus Grandma and a few cousins.

Here's the thing hubby would get the kids gifts and the adults get giftcards so theres no saving there. I finally gave up and let him do the shopping for his side.

I just buy for my daughter, hubby and god daughter and buy stuff to make several trays of goodies for the family parties.

My daughter started getting her underarms wax so I might look into a wax warmer and it or 3 gift certificates for waxing
Shes been wanting a MAC computer so I'm going to look into that. Not sure what else. We've been into decluttering and organzing so getting her stuff she needs or really wants.
I usually have a Xmas fund but skipped it this year

 

[mom2t]

I have bought just a couple things for my husband and only a few stocking things for DS and some clothes.

DS is getting a laptop. He moves to high school next year and my laptop is 5 years old. I have stuck back consignment money and a few other windfalls to purchase it. I will wait closer to Nov. I have always had good luck buying gifts around Vets. Day.

We are taking a big trip to Fl. no Disney - B Gardens, Seaworld, and Discovery Cove. We are doing behind the scene tours at BG and SW - tours will be part of his Christmas. He loves animals and will be thrilled. DC will be a surprise and his birthday present as we are going right near his birthday. I will get him a couple of video games closer to Dec. I retired and will not spend as much this year.

DH usually gets an Outback gift card. Harbor Freight just opened in our town andI am getting him a gift card there too. He likes DVDs of old TV series. I just finished up Bonanza that is available. I always get him tshirts - have this already, underwear, socks, jeans for work. Bought some new clothes for our trip to Fl.

Nephews, my parents and my cousins grandkids get gift cards. We do not do a lot of present exchanging. Just enjoy getting together remembering what we are celebrating. Enjoy it so much more since we quite buying all the gifts.

 

[Hikergirl]

I went to Flea Market on Sunday but didn't do actual Christmas shopping. I did get a couple things for myself that I will go back and get for a couple people for Christmas. I found some vintage sugar molds and got one to use as a candle holder. I know my friend would love them so hopefully the man selling them will be back the next time I'm able to go.
I also got some cooking sauces that I've gotten there before and it turns out they are made about 20 minutes away from me (The flea mkt was an hour away). I know my one friend likes one I've already used so I will get him a couple jars of that.
I did do some online shopping at the Disney store and grabbed a couple gifts I was planning on getting in the parks.
I saw the perfect gift for dh when I was at BJ's-a dash cam. I didn't get it because I want to read reviews and look at prices of other ones first.
Since I am starting to get ideas I downloaded the gift list app so I won't forget them when I really start shopping.

 

[Poohlove]

I don't have many to shop for, just DS18 and DD16, dad and step mom, mom, grandmother with dementia, grandfather, sister and BIL, niece (7 YO) and brother and SIL. I get gift cards for brother and SIL, and sister & BIL. My grandfather likes puzzles so every year I try to find a unique jigsaw puzzle for him. My grandmother is easy to shop for, I make her cookies and buy her candy and get her a new nightgown. She always needs nightgowns and slippers. My dad likes beer so I usually buy him a large sampling of different kinds and then the ones that he ends up liking the most we get him for his birthday and Father's Day. My step mom is the tough one, she doesn't really have any hobbies, she likes candles but my dad hates them. I usually end up buying her new pajamas and getting a gift card for the nail salon. My kids are the hardest to buy for, they don't ask for anything, don't really play video games, definitely too old for toys. Last year I got them both a lot of clothes. My grandmother made every grandchild and great grandchild the most beautiful Christmas stockings as gifts for their first Christmas. The down side is that they are huge and stretch so they take forever to fill. I usually buy razors, shaving cream, deodorant and snacks to put in them. I always even now that they are older always put a small stuffed animal right in the top. I also every year have bought DS and DD a Christmas ornament that ties into something that we have done through the year whether it be from somewhere we visited or sport that they played or something like that.

 

[superme80]

Target had their Tsum Tsum on sale, so I picked up the Peter Pan set for the boys.

 

[tcufrog]

...pooh love
Isn't there something special about homemade stockings? We still have the ones my mom made as a kid. A few years ago my sister knitted everyone in our extended family coordinating stockings. It was one of the best gifts ever. I love seeing them on the mantle.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

I haven't even started looking.
/sigh

DH and I don't really exchange gifts, so no worries on that front.
DS has a birthday in October, so I have to do that first. He wants $$$, so easy. For Christmas, he'll ask for a few video games, and maybe some video game accessories. He'll be 13, so not sure what he'll be into by then. No more toys and he's picky about his books (which we buy whenever he asks), so hard to plan ahead.

DD#1, her husband and Grandson #3 are long distance, so whatever I decide to buy will be shipped from the store. DD#2 and GS#3 are living with us now, with her husband training in California, in preparation for their move to Japan in January; they can't take much with them on the flight, and the military is moving their stuff early in December from CA, so nothing big there.

I usually do something for both DD's (figurines or knickknacks or clothing or whatever), something for the couples (usually house/kitchen/garden stuff), a book for the husbands (got them hooked on several different series). For the new babies, I'll get either clothes or small toys/stuffed animals.

 

[SunTravels]

Walmart has great clearance right now. I got my DD 2 of the toys she wanted for 75% off (a baby doll highchair/carrier set $5 and a melissa and doug disney cookie sheet set $3). And my son I got a toy bow/arrow that was originally over $20 for $8.

So I just need 1 more gift for my son.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I start in January too! Its the only way to go although sales in Feb are pretty good too. I went to Polo outlet and got shirts and sweaters all classics for 15.00 and under! I shop through out the year and have TJ Maxx 99c shopping bags with each recipient or family's name on it and I just put the gifts in so that when I do wrap I do each bag and then put the wrapped items in each bag.
Also last week Yankee Candle had a coupon for 10 off 10 so I got the small jar for 99c. Great stocking stuffer. I also got Chamilla charms for 7.50 this summer at their outlet (which sadly closed last week) so I took care of all my friends who have bracelets. Sam's club had workout wear marked down to 3.99 Nike I think so I got that for my DIL. When I was at Disney I got Elsa Figurine for 4.95 which retails for 50. And at Costco I got the Lay and Go make up bag usually 20.00 on QVC for 4.97 as well as Emjoy foot smother which goes for 29.00 for 14.97 with the added bonus manicure kit. It is so exhilarating to get a bargain.
Michael Korrs scarf for 15.00. I thought about wrapping and maybe I will start tomorrow.
I use one kind of paper per person so even if the tag falls off I can identify who it belongs to in 5 months!

 

[sharonmickey]

Glad I'm not the only one Christmas shopping year round. I work in a school so I'm off for 2 months in the summer. I got a few gifts made in June. Took a knitting class, working on Minnie Mouse knit caps for the granddaughters. Older DD and her husband are done, younger DD and her husband are done. Have a few toys bought for the older granddaughter, not sure what to get younger granddaughter - she is only a few months old and has all her sister's old toys and clothes.

Purchased quite a few gifts on Amazon's prime day last month. If Christmas were tomorrow I would be good. May purchase a few more odds and ends if the price is right.

 

[QueenIsabella]

I picked up a couple ore things this week. DD21 was home for a week, so I got some ideas of what she'd like. Then, once I dropped her at the airport, I picked the up right away, so I wouldn't forget. Nothing exciting, really, but she really liked a teacher's planner we saw in Office Max (she's an ed. major). I also got her Ticonderoga erasers--shaped liked the pencils, because she's obsessed with the pencils. I also bought her an adult coloring book...of swear words! Last year for Christmas, she'd asked for a calligraphy set, which I got her, and then she practiced her elegant script, writing naughty words. So, I figure the coloring book is right up her alley. So, as an aside, you people who are contemplating the American Girl dolls--enjoy it while it lasts, you're making me nostalgic!

Another thing I'll get for DD21 soon is a bottle of sangria from Walmart. It's a joke gift--she loves sangria, and being bottled and from Walmart makes it a good gag gift. I'll but it now since it's likely to be a summer item.

I find DD21 to be really tough to buy for--she generally wants expensive stuff, usually electronic, or gift cards. Which is fine, but opening up one pricey item, then getting a couple gift cards really doesn't seem Christmasy in my book.

Something else I do is, I keep running lists of gift ideas for each person I buy for (my 4 kids, IL, DH, etc.). Even if I don't buy items super early, I need to keep track. There are just too many people, with diverse interests! I also keep an inventory of what I've bought, as I'll start wrapping in October or so.

 

[Claireywalsh]

Love this thread!! We are celebrating CHristmas in WDW this year, it will be our first Christmas away from home so I don't usually start buying until October time but I will join in the confessional, I have been squirrelling things away for a few months now.
I have small sets for my daughter, shopkins, smelly sets, art sets and stuff. I have sets for most of the grandparents/uncles/auntys and a pull along Pluto for my baby god daughter. I also picked up a great book for my sister so included that in the haul! I want to have got pretty much everything by October time bar the 'big gift' for my daughter which I will get closer to Christmas, but will need it all wrapped, delivered and out of the house before we leave December 22nd!! I'm quite enjoying it actually, I'm feeling a strange sense of accomplishment when I add a new gift to the stash!!!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Okay as I said yesterday I was going to wrap my gifts today. I wrapped about 98% of my gifts. It helped me to know what I have and what I need since I occasionally lose track. I must have wrapped about 70 gifts but a little trick I learned when my kids were small. I use the stacking boxes(like the ones from Lang) and plop most of the gifts for my kids in the boxes there are 12 to a set and each kid has a couple of sets to accommodate a variety of sizes of gifts so I may not use all of them every year. They also have their own patterns so I do not even need to put name tags on and we use from year to year. However, I did wrap a ton of extended family gifts. I really only need a gift for my husband and a few stocking stuffers and that is it! I was very surprised at some of the great stuff I got on DEALS.
Seriously, for example, I got my daughter in law UGG boots 39.00(bloomingdales outlet)vera Bradley Mickey tote 19.99, Emjoy Foot Smoother 14.97, Tangerine workout wear bottoms 3.99, Ralph Lauren shawl collar Sweater 15.00, and a Chamila Murano bead for her bracelet 8.00. I am not even at the 100.00 mark yet !!! I love a bargain and I love to shop all year long for this stuff because it is a huge saving. OH and do not think that the stuff I got is weird colors or seconds because it is not!! If you are trying to save money this is the only way to go! The key is to get classic items like leather gloves and Polo sweaters and shirts which do not go out of style they fill in the left over with a gift card. Done and on budget.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Walmart has great clearance right now. I got my DD 2 of the toys she wanted for 75% off (a baby doll highchair/carrier set $5 and a melissa and doug disney cookie sheet set $3). And my son I got a toy bow/arrow that was originally over $20 for $8.

So I just need 1 more gift for my son.

My son just got my grandson the Cars scooter which was 50.00 for 9.00 at Wal Mart. I on the other hand no matter how good a shopper I think I am can never find bargains at the Wal Mart Clearance. My son also got the M AND D cookie sheet set!

 

[McKelly]

Just started! I was invited to a Jamberry party. They have Dory nail wraps! Purchased some for my DD17!

 

[tcufrog]

I had some time to kill today since my kids only had a half day of school for their first day. I found at Homegoods remote controlled racing boats for the boys for $16 eahc that normally retail for $34 on Amazon. My parents are on a tight budget so I usually buy them something to give to the boys. My mom thought those were a great gift from them to my sons. They'll have fun racing them in our pool.

 

[VolvoManiac850]

I get it all done on Black Friday, but everyone knows what I want for Christmas this year so people may have started shopping for me.

Yes, all I want are Disney gift cards...