Christmas 2011 shopping

[PaulaSue]

I started last week. Their "big" presents this year is doing their rooms. The rooms were painted, waiting for the electrician to come and install the fans, 2 girls got new bedding, 1 DD go furniture ordered, etc....

I am so tired of all the "things" for gifts and have been leaning toward experiences//more usedful items as gifts. With being laid off I figured I better do it now before I go back to work and dont have the time. Plus they "need" the fans now than in the winter.

 

[kkmcan]

I don't have a clue what to get my kids this year I think I'll have to wait until the holiday is closer. They usually get a couple of new Wii games but I don't know what exciting ones are coming out this year.

It seems that they have everything they need right now. No big electronics items this year, I know that for sure.

 

[southern_redhead]

I've *sort of* started. I made a tentative list. I bought DS a couple of movies from Amazon because I was ordering his backpack from there anyway..... I have DD a Blythe/LPS doll put back from earlier this summer.

I hope my mood picks up some soon.....last Christmas was very "blah", I haven't had a "fun" Christmas in a while. Contemplating taking a trip vs buying tons of gifts. Not sure to where.....

 

[NYEmomma]

I started last week. Their "big" presents this year is doing their rooms. The rooms were painted, waiting for the electrician to come and install the fans, 2 girls got new bedding, 1 DD go furniture ordered, etc....

I am so tired of all the "things" for gifts and have been leaning toward experiences//more usedful items as gifts. With being laid off I figured I better do it now before I go back to work and dont have the time. Plus they "need" the fans now than in the winter.

That reminds me that we were planning on doing DD's "big girl" room for her birthday... though I'm not sure at 3yo she'd really get/appreciate it.

It'll just be around the time she moves out of a crib & into a bed and by then I should be a few months pregnant and will want to get her out of the "nursery" before the next one arrives and DD thinks she's having her room stolen from her.

 

[Waybuloo]

The major department stores do big toy sales in June/July with laybuy (layaway) until December. For us it'll be much cheaper to shop while we are over in the US so I'm holding off until then

 

[4 Ears]

I have bought very few things but have my list I've even checked it twice and added to it.
Our kids will be 20 and 17 for Christmas BUT it will be our first grandchild(son's) first Christmas

I have been window shopping, got lots of ideas. Hmm, have today off

 

[tinker&belle]

My kids are young so they are still pretty easy. I have picked up things clearance out at Valentines Day and 75% off at the dollar spot at Target and I have lots of little things for their stockings, I will just need to buy some Christmas candy.

I have a few Polly Pocket toys left from after Christmas last year that I can give to my niece or split between her and older DD. I think it is hard to buy too much for any of the older kids ahead because their interests seem to change so much.

 

[gracie1]

Best buy is having an online sale tonight - midnight to 8am and the sale prices will be displayed at 9pm.

Not sure if this is of interest to anyone!

I forgot to mention that I did buy some stocking stuffers too. But have to go through my list.

Has QVC had their christmas in july yet?? They have some good deals too

 

[Soccer Princess]

I usually have a much better start by this time of the year. All I have so far is a couple of Winnie the Pooh DVDs that I cashed in my Disney Movie Reward points to get for DD. Yikes! We are going to the outlets later this month, so I plan on making a decent start there!

 

[timmac]

I have to start working on my spreadsheet for this holiday....don't know how I am going to set it up on my PC--last year I used my Mac.

I've heard Google docs works really well for things like that...

 

[mom2t]

You are not alone. I have a few shirts put away for dd8. I also picked up 2 sets of pj's from Justice for under a buck and they will be great gifts. I also try and do a little at a time. I even like to have it wrapped by Halloween time so I can enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas. My husband thinks I'm crazy but he also enjoys the savings. In fact today I sent away for a free Milwaukee Brewers cooler that will be a gift for DH.

I have the same beliefs. I love to sit back and enjoy my decorations and remember the real reason for the season.

 

[kt_mom]

I haven't started yet, and I'm not sure what I"ll get for DD8. She'll be almost 9 by then and she's at that weird age where she's growing out of toys. She has a DSi that she barely uses and a Wii that really only get used for netflix.

I'm think about a camera or ipod for her big gift and maybe an ipod dock for her room. She does like music. I'll probably do some clothes as well. We just recently redid her room. She had Hannah Montana but had sort of outgrown that. She wanted something that wasn't character related. I'm thinking maybe some things for her room as well.

DS will be easy since he's so little. A few toys and maybe a couple Mickey Mouse Clubhouse videos, he loves that show. Its the only one that gets his attention at all.

I have 5 nieces and nephews to buy for as well. Last year was easy, I got them all pillow pets. Not sure this year.

The adults don't usually exchange gifts but sometimes when I have extra money left over I get some lotions or last year I got handsoaps for my sister and sister in laws.

 

[mjantz]

For those who want some kind of spreadsheet, I use an app on my iPhone. It's suppose to be used to make your list & then check things off as you buy them. I use it to keep track of what I've spent & on whom. You put in a name & a dollar amount. I have shopped less because it reminds me that I've met my budget for my nephews so I don't need to pick up anything else for them (although I did pick up the tees from Mardel that were 90% off/ $2.00 for a t-shirt was too much to pass up even if I do hold them until their birthdays next year). I really recommend it. It's just called 'Gifts' & has a blue & white icon.

 

[VirataMama4]

I don't think I ever quit shopping for Christmas... I always am buying the kids something to put away for either birthday or Christmas. Unfortunately, I just keep buying. I've been done with DS3's birthday (this month) for months now, but I just bought a bunch more this past weekend, so now I have a good portion of his Christmas done... Until Christmas time and I realize I've over done it again and I'll be set for birthdays. Its really a horrible cycle! But I don't think I've paid full price for any of the gifts for years now, except DD's 3DS for her 13th birthday.

 

[mickeyschickie]

We're leaving for Disney 2 weeks after Christmas, so my hubby's family (that we are traveling with) will all be getting Disney related stuff and gift cards. I think for my parents, I might pay their gym membership for 6 mos. or something like that. My Grammy I'm just giving $$ because she is leaving for a cruise on Christmas day...I think when they are gone, I'm going to go to her and my mom's house and take down all their decorations and clean up from Christmas so that will be a big surprise for them when they come home.

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

Haven't started Christmas shopping here yet...had to get through the two summer birthdays for my two DDs and our upcoming September Disney trip, then I'll be ready to focus on Christmas I have been thinking about it though because I know it will be here before I know it!

Hope this thread keeps going so I can get some ideas!

 

[mindyd]

My daughter will be turning 13 in January I got her list she emailed it lol. Tt was the first time with no toys. I will not let her play roller hockey in the league because it is all boys and my husband plays in the adult and it is not a good placeso of course she has the stuff on her list.

she wants
Roller Hockey Skates
Roller Hockey Stick
Roller Hockey Equipment
basketball shorts
Pirates Jersey
Penguins Lovejoy jersey she already has 3 other players
Pittsburgh Penguin things
Crosby or Fleury Fat Head
Aero shirts and sweat pants
Air Hockey Table- I sold ours about two year ago because no one played it
Foosball Table- Also sold two years ago no one played it
Adidas Sandals
Gift Cards

 

[#1hoosierfan]

I started a few months ago when I was able to get a Buzz Lightyear Operation game for $2.00. Since then I have put back a Lego set, a toy guitar for ds (2) and several things for the boys and my nieces when the disney store had a good sale a while back. Everything is being hid in mom's basement.

 

[gracie1]

I started a few months ago when I was able to get a Buzz Lightyear Operation game for $2.00. Since then I have put back a Lego set, a toy guitar for ds (2) and several things for the boys and my nieces when the disney store had a good sale a while back. Everything is being hid in mom's basement.

Wow, that is a great deal on the game!

 

[kwhite1022]

I have my two daughters birthdays done, got some bargins on AG when they had a few sales. I know what Im getting the oldest daughter for Christmas, but I will have to get it on black friday as everyone I ask says thats the day to buy this item. My youngest daughter will be easy, so Im in no rush to find her something, unless I spotted a good deal. My son however is my problem child, will be 12 at Christmas, and I really have no idea what to get him. If (and its a BIG if) we go to Disney in April, they will be getting air plane tickets for their gift from us, but that still leaves 3 sets of grandparents and 5 sets of aunts and uncles, and santa....so trust me they wont be hurting for presents