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

[100AcreWood]

We are celebrating my oldest dd's birthday this weekend. She is turning 14, doesn't like clothes and has too much make up. Her wish list was so small I gav

I totally need to get one of those Christmas list apps that keep track of gift buying!

Forgot that I already bought a pair of Stitch PJ pants, playing cards and Stitch/Scrump pillowcases from Hot Topic for the youngest. (He may look like his Daddy but his love for Disney, and especially Stitch comes from me!)

Not a Christmas gift - ordered the Tsum Tsum Advent Calendar from Amazon. Currently not in stock, will deliver when available. Hoping to get it before December!

That's cute! I have a Tsum fan at home too.

 

[MomToOne]

We are celebrating my oldest dd's birthday this weekend. She is turning 14, doesn't like clothes and has too much make up. Her wish list was so small

Since she likes makeup from the sounds of things, how about stuff related to makeup/skincare like a good set of makeup brushes, a lighted makeup mirror or a Clarisonic to help scrub the makup off at the end of the day? DD is very into makeup (too much so for my own taste but to each their own) and all of these have found their way under our Christmas tree on various years. This year she is getting a facial steamer.

My sister has also gotten DD some of the monthly box subscriptions, like Birch Box and Ipsy. DD really looks forward to getting those each month. I personally don't see the value in them, but my sister and DD think they are fabulous - they spend all sorts of time on the phone discussing the merits of the boxes with each other.

 

[tcufrog]

If you have a tween, teen or college student check out Woot. They have really fun t-shirts with very original designs for just about anything. If you scroll down a little bit you'll see a search box on the right. I've see t-shirts that mashed up Harry Potter and Magic School Bus, cat shirts, bad math pun shirts, etc. If you're buying for anyone who likes a clever t-shirt check them out. They sometimes have sales.

Which flash sales do y'all frequent. I always check out Zulily but they aren't always cheaper than Amazon.

 

[100AcreWood]

Thanks! I'll keep the woot site in mind for Christmas. My dd is kinda geeky so she likes t shirts with fandom stuff.

She has lot of make up, but rarely wears it. Her grandparents bought her a clarisonic last year and I finally unplugged it because she refuses to use it. We did buy her a crazy expensive Simply Human make up mirror and she uses that when she wears make up. I would recommend that to others.

I'm with you on the box subscriptions though I may give in and buy one this year because I'm so out of ideas! We gave her a few things for her birthday (she turns 14 on Wednesday) and I had to return most of them. It was scented highlighters, a pair of Harry Potter socks and an artsy t shirt with her favorite Disney character - Alice. She admitted she doesn't even know what she wants so I guess I really can't win . It's going to be less stuff this year and more experiences!

 

[littlezar]

Disney Castle Playset currently back in stock https://www.disneystore.com/play-sets-more-toys-disney-castle-playset-by-lego/mp/1408491/1000265/

I've used this site: http://www.nowinstock.net/ successfully in the past for popular stuff - minecraft legos, amiibos and now the castle.

 

[brennicksmom]

I'm hoping to start wrapping this weekend. One of my dogs had surgery so I am housebound for the next few days.

Any new ideas from anyone?

 

[littlezar]

I realized this morning while I was paying some bills that I have quite a bit of cashback bonus rewards (or whatever it's called) on my Discover card. Think I'm gonna look on there and see who I can get gift cards for since a lot of the giftcards are redeem $20 and get $25 or other amounts like that. Pretty sure I can at least get my parents done and probably get stuff for my oldest. I redeemed mypoints for Rainforest Cafe for my upcoming trip with my 10yr old, but I need to see what I have left in points so maybe I can get another person done!

 

[Hikergirl]

Well i ordered my oldest ds his iphone yesterday, its a 5s to put on tracfone so not a ton of money but it was going to be his big gift. Then at dinner he asked me how much an iphone costs, he wants to buy one to replace his ipod. I told him he should wait till Christmas but he said he wants it now.
Ugh, he's the hardest one to buy for and now I have no ideas.

 

[MapleGirl]

Summer toys were 75% off at Rite Aid today. I got a paint your own bird house kit and 2 dinosaurs that light up, chomp their jaws, and growl when you push a button.

 

[Jajone]

Well i ordered my oldest ds his iphone yesterday, its a 5s to put on tracfone so not a ton of money but it was going to be his big gift. Then at dinner he asked me how much an iphone costs, he wants to buy one to replace his ipod. I told him he should wait till Christmas but he said he wants it now.
Ugh, he's the hardest one to buy for and now I have no ideas.

Can you tell me more about this? Where did you order from and what kind of costs are trac phone?

 

[Hikergirl]

Can you tell me more about this? Where did you order from and what kind of costs are trac phone?

The one I ordered was from Target because I had some GCs saved up. The price as $200 but Straighttalk and Total Wireless both have the iphone 5s for $150.

For the tracfone I'm going to pre-purchase a year's worth of minutes/texts and some data because my ds does not use minutes and text often. I am also going to buy the $10 a month 1GB data. Minus the cost of the phone, it will cost around $225 a year for his service. The also have monthly plans or bi-monthly too.
Not sure what Straighttalk or Total would be.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

Not a Christmas gift - ordered the Tsum Tsum Advent Calendar from Amazon. Currently not in stock, will deliver when available. Hoping to get it before December!

You're lucky to get it from Amazon. It's now $53 there -- yikes!

Prompted by your post, I did a bit of research and found some Costcos might have it. I ran into it at our Costco for $28 so definitely scooped that up. I'm glad you posted so I could keep my eyes open!

 

[kalliyan1]

You're lucky to get it from Amazon. It's now $53 there -- yikes!

Prompted by your post, I did a bit of research and found some Costcos might have it. I ran into it at our Costco for $28 so definitely scooped that up. I'm glad you posted so I could keep my eyes open!

I just ordered one last night from TRU but it was $39.99 w/free shipping. Our costco doesn't have them yet but if I see it there I will definitely be returning the TRU one.

 

[ski_mom]

I bought my first official Christmas present this weekend. I got my oldest DD a pillow from Kohls that says "Dorm Sweet Dorm" in her room colors. We'd looked at it before she moved back to campus this summer, but it was $25 and we just decided against it. I had a return to do and they had one pillow left and it was marked down to a little less than $8, so I picked it up.

Nothing big, but it feels good to get started!

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

I always always always start Christmas shopping way ahead of time- usually the day after Christmas I start shopping for next year! I have a big family with lots of children in it so it really helps to be able to spread the cost AND buy things when they're on clearance. I hate either having to buy something I'm unsure the recipient will like or having to pay a high price for something because I'm shopping during Christmas season. I usually have to have all of my shopping done by thanksgiving anyway because most of my family gets together for thanksgiving but not Christmas so we exchange gifts then. I've already got all of the kids except a new baby who was just born finished for Christmas. I'll be looking for a coupon for things remembered because I always get the babies a snow globe or bank with their name engraved on it their first year. I've probably only spent about $250 on 20 people but the value of the gifts at full price is probably well over $700. Well worth it to me! hooray for shopping ahead!

 

[disneylovinmom3]

I finished my nephew this weekend, I got him a shirt and a pair of PJ's earlier this month when GAP had a huge clearance sale and I just got him an animal flashlight toy that was on sale for $5. I also found leap reader books and leap pad games on clearance at Wal-Mart for $2 each so I picked up one of each different one. DD3 received a leap reader last year and I am going to put the books in her stocking. She is getting a leap pad this year so the games will be part of that gift. I also got my DS8 four books from 5 below since we try to give books to all three kids every christmas. I still have a lot to get but between Black Friday and Clearance I think I'll get it done in time.

 

[kkmcan]

I love these Christmas shopping threads. I always get such good ideas. My kids are dd19 and ds16. Some ideas I have for them are:
DD:
lush bath bombs or gift set,
new comforter and lamp for her room,
gift cards to Hot Topic or Disney,
Tsum Tsum and some way to store all the plush ones she already has.

DS:
electric razor and dobs travel bag,
Craftsman mechanics tool set ( he is in 3rd year auto classes and loves it!),
One of those fancy Craftsman tool boxes.
Nike elite socks and shorts,
new Vans,
Sephora set of mens cologne samples(this comes with a coupon to pick up your favorite bottle from the sample set in full size.

They both want Hydroflask water bottles. Dh picked up an off brand set of those virtual reality goggles that fit the iPhone for cheap on Amazon.

 

[LovesTimone]

OP here,

Well I have been out and about.... and got some more shopping done.

I took my mom to N. Carolina last week and I got some more off my list.

1st Stop Adcock pecans in Tiffion GA, Picked up jelly, jam and preserves, along with some interesting salsa( traditional, corn, pineapple) Vidalia onion relish and salad dressing/ marinade some of these will go in the Christmas box for whoever.

2nd stop stop in Griffin GA at the Sock Shop/Kids Shop its a mill type store with a lot more than socks, with the best deals.
I picked up packages of socks for my DD, and SIL they both are very picky when it comes to socks. Packaged T-shirts for SIL, again certain brand, style, tagless. 2 house dress for my Grandmother who is in a nursing home finding the ones that snaps all the way up and with 2 pockets are so hard find, and 3 pair of non skid socks in bright pink. I got a tie-dyed dress with that crochet style neckline to use as a cover up for 5 dollars the funny thing is I saw the same one at Bealls for 39.99 dollars, Pick up some panties for DD what she would call work panties. They had some nice stocking stuffer for DH in the Salt Life and Columbia brand- a couple of beer cozies, floating key chain, beer opener. I got all this for under 100.00 Then head over to the Kid Shop which is in the same parking lot, Pick up all kinds of packaged socks for DGS, and 10 shirts that have everything you can imagine on them, all that for under 40.00 dollars.

Next stop on our adventure - S. Carolina - Gaffeny outlet mall, Hit Carters - for some shorts for DGS 7 pairs - clearance was additional 30 percent, under 30.00 dollars. Rack room shoes for those footlet things for DH he wears them with his deck shoes, and they had his size for those paddles he calls feet. Hit-up Yankee for some Boney Bunch while not Christmas gift I picked them up for my DD and a friend that collects them, I did get a cute Pumpkin for myself, pick up some of those car jars they had on clearance for stocking stuffers these are going into the Christmas box for whoever. Out at 50.00

From there we did a lot of family time, but I did pick up a stocking stuffer for my mom, while shopping in one of those cute little North Carolina town. It was in a local artist shop that display works from all different styles, and forms. It was a handmade ring holder tray, it looks like a one of those fancy tray you would serve proper tea on, she is going to love it. under 10.00

Final stop was this mountain store on 985 coming out of the mountains, I pick up all my ornaments for my stockings, I hang a new ornament on everyone stocking each year, This year we are going with a snowman theme. Plus I picked up a Jim Shore Disney Figure for myself, Mickey kissing Minnie under the mistletoe...so cute... I gave it to myself as a birthday present...

So I have made a slight dent in the list..

Good Luck and Happy Shopping.

 

[mrudman]

I'm really excited this year that I am just about done already!

I decided earlier this year that I was going to cut way, way back on the stocking-stuffer type gifts and just give both dd's a couple major gifts for Christmas this year.

Younger dd had been begging for an Apple Watch ever since last Christmas when I received mine... and I've just kept telling her that they were way too much money and to forget getting one until she can save up the money,
I just majorly lucked out that over the summer, at one of the garage sales I visited, I was able to snag a brand new Apple Watch for $170... and it was a perfect color for dd (light blue band).

Then older dd started looking at the fitbits a few months ago, saying that she'd love to be able to track her exercise, etc. So every time we're at the store, she'll point out the HR one to me... after questioning her pretty good about it, I told her it was just going to be too much to spend $189 on it, and worked out that she would be fine with a "generic" one as long as it could track heartrate and distance, etc.

(All the time, in my mind, I was planning on getting her an Apple Watch also.. was just trying to veer her off track, lol... so when someone on here posted last week that Best Buy was having a sale on the original Apple Watch, I snagged one for her.

And this past summer, we visited Cedar Point as a family for the first time in a few years and dd's finally jumped on the bandwagon, lol. The both had an awesome time, so they both have been begging for season passes since then (we only live about 90 minutes away).

I've told them flat out that I could never afford season passes for all of us... but I always put money aside for Christmas each paycheck since the beginning of the year, and since I'm cutting down on the smaller gifts, I decided to go ahead and get them passes. So we're all getting Platinum passes this year, and I figure that we'll be spending a lot of time up there next summer,

DD's have also been begging to go back this year, since younger dd went with a friend last year to Halloweekends and told older dd all about how great it was, lol. So I'm planning on using the free Fall 2016 voucher for a Halloweekends trip in October, but just trying to figure out how I'm going to use it without them knowing that I bought the passes. I've been in contact with Cedar Point's customer service, but can't get a straight answer whether I need to turn in the voucher this fall to redeem the annual pass, or if I can wait till next Spring.

I've never done two huge gifts like this, so they're going to be beyond shocked! Now I just have to keep myself from buying too many stocking-stuffer gifts, lol!

 

[moniqueand2]

Thanks! I'll keep the woot site in mind for Christmas. My dd is kinda geeky so she likes t shirts with fandom stuff.

We did buy her a crazy expensive Simply Human make up mirror and she uses that when she wears make up. I would recommend that to others.

Thanks for this idea. I'm going to consider this for my own teen.