Christmas Budget and Hot Toys for 2011

[mom2t]

One thing I try to buy each year is tickets to something - circus, globetrotters, seaworld, etc. For several years, we bought a family science center membership that also got us into zoos. I did not purchase it this year and my son mentioned he missed going. That will probably go in his stocking.

 

[QVCshopper]

It's interesting about the Squinkies. My DD6 LOVES hers. She has the Cinderella set and plays with them all the time in these really old Polly Pocket houses that I picked up at a garage sale. The houses were popular back in the early 1990s, but my DD has a great time making up stories, singing, etc.

Now, she wants the Barbie Squinkies house and car, as well as the Ariel set. So, I think she'll get that for her birthday (although I think she'll buy the Ariel set with her own money). For XMas, she wants Marie-Grace from AG and maybe one of those fashion princess dolls from the Disney Store. It all depends on whether or not I can get Marie-Grace from QVC... (yes, I will post when I know more).

For my DS, he keeps going back and forth about the Nintendo DS and/or the iPod Touch. He plays with my iPad a lot, so I think he'd take good care of it. He's also getting this electronic dino he's wanted that I got at Target for 75% off. Plus, a couple tiny Lego sets in his stockings.

That's about it. I don't go overboard for XMas and never had. $100-150/kid usually, but will probably go up to $200 this year with the big stuff and just not get a lot of little things. We'll see how it goes.

But, the elf is coming back... he is a lot of fun for all of us! He's coming a little later this year, though. It was too much work last year.

 

[Desnik]

I am at a complete loss with what to get my kids this year! DD is 13 and DS is 8 and they have everything! They are also outgrowing a lot of things they use to be into. When I asked DD what she wants, she just mentioned a gift card to Petsmart so she can buy stuff for her hamster. They both want iTunes cards for their iPods. But, I don't want to just give them a bunch of gift cards!!! I want them to have something nice to open up. Or a nice, special gift. I would love some ideas or suggestions.

I agree with what others have said. I am not getting involved with the "hot toy" of the year. Everytime I do it seems to always be the one toy they never play with and I end up throwing away after going crazy trying to get it! Never again!!

 

[richmond282]

My DD7 has asked for a jewelry box this year. Besides that, I haven't a clue what to buy her. She is kind of out of the "toy faze" but not into clothes yet. She likes crafts and movies.On top of that, she still believes in Santa so HE has to bring something good too. Ugh!

 

[MAGICX2]

Older dd is getting an I-Touch for her birthday, then for Christmas, she's getting the 3-D viewer for it, a case for it, and a junior set of golf clubs (loves playing golf in our backyard, and always has to use dh's set which is way too big for her).

What is a 3-D viewer for the iTouch?!?! And where can I get it?

Lots of great suggestions on here so far!

 

[aladams2]

I know we are getting tickets to Lion King on Broadway that will be showing in Minneapolis in Jan. Other than that and DD birthday at the beginning of Dec. I'll be struggling for ideas.

 

[mrudman]

What is a 3-D viewer for the iTouch?!?! And where can I get it?

Lots of great suggestions on here so far!

Here's the link to it, explaining what it is.. http://www.hasbro.com/hasbromy3d/en_us/

Seems to have decent reviews on a lot of different sites. Can get it at Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, or Amazon.

They have about 9 apps through the apple store that are meant for this, but hoping they'll add more as time goes on.

I know my dd is going to absolutely love the shark 'game' you can download for it (she loves sharks),

Can also view any 3-D pics too.. if you had a 3-D camera (which we don't), or can download any 3-D pics to the Touch and view them on it.. should be cool looking!

 

[foltzy]

My almost 7 year old DD wants an American Girl Doll this year. She has a few of the My generation girls from Target and an 18 inch doll from Walmart already but she really wants an American Girl doll. We're considering it. Other than that there hasn't really been any requests from her.

My almost 5 year old DS though wants a DS (he's getting a DS lite), and wants the Marvel Squinkies, and a Lightning McQueen car and... Other than the DS lite I'm not sure what I'm getting him yet.

 

[mrudman]

My almost 7 year old DD wants an American Girl Doll this year. She has a few of the My generation girls from Target and an 18 inch doll from Walmart already but she really wants an American Girl doll. We're considering it. Other than that there hasn't really been any requests from her.

My almost 5 year old DS though wants a DS (he's getting a DS lite), and wants the Marvel Squinkies, and a Lightning McQueen car and... Other than the DS lite I'm not sure what I'm getting him yet.

With your son's DS, make sure you get him a case for it. My suggestion is the Nerf cases.. when my dd's got their DS's a few yrs ago, I got them each a Nerf case which they kept on 100% of the time, and after playing with them for this long, the actual game system is still in like-new condition.

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

Curious if anyone knows what these are I'm looking for. We were away with a friend and saw a commercial for slippers. They are animals and when you walk them move, like the rabbit ears pop up from the eyes, the alligator opens his mouth, stuff like that. I have two girls I'd love to pick these up for for Christmas but can't find them anywhere!! I can not remember what they were called to look them up and haven't found them on an as seen on tv site. Thought I'd see if anyone knows what they are

TIA

 

[delmar411]

Here's the link to it, explaining what it is.. http://www.hasbro.com/hasbromy3d/en_us/

Seems to have decent reviews on a lot of different sites. Can get it at Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, or Amazon.

They have about 9 apps through the apple store that are meant for this, but hoping they'll add more as time goes on.

I know my dd is going to absolutely love the shark 'game' you can download for it (she loves sharks),

Can also view any 3-D pics too.. if you had a 3-D camera (which we don't), or can download any 3-D pics to the Touch and view them on it.. should be cool looking!

That is awesome!! And PERFECT for DD13!

And if anyone else bought the Hasbrotoyshop $15 for $30 GC groupon, this would give you a solid discount on it.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I am going to buy DD a snow tube from LLBean. Last year I didn't get it early and they sold out of them, turns out we had over 3 feet of snow most of the winter. I figure if I buy it when they get them in stock we will have NO SNOW!

Most of her other gifts will probably be stuff for her AG doll, a new outfit or two & pj's and arts & crafts stuff. Hope Walmart has some good DVD deals again on Black Friday, I made out great last year!

 

[Graciesmom77]

We are surprising the girls on Dec. 14th, that we are leaving to go to Disney the next day, so that will be most of their Christmas present. My 8 and 10 year old want American Girl dolls, and some thing they saw on tv called a Crib Life baby and they have been begging for that. I may order them in case they do become the hot toy and if they stop begging for them, return them and buy something else!

I would like to keep it at 5 gifts a piece on Christmas day. I am a HUGE sucker for Christmas, so lets hope I can do it!