Christmas Shopping '09

[bas71873]

WHERE ARE THE ZHU ZHUs? Is the only hunt I'm on now.

I'm with ya. It's all I have left and the "official" site says they are in stores, but no one has them and everyone is out of stock on line too. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

 

[bas71873]

Does anyone have any recommendations for karaoke machines? What should I look for? My DD loves to sing so I was thinking of getting her one for Christmas. However, I'm not quite sure how things work in terms of getting the music. Do you need to buy special music for the machine or can you just use whatever you have on your iPod or CDs? My DD's taste in music is a bit eclectic (Christian kids songs, a few Hannah Montana songs, some gospel songs, some kids' shows theme songs, a few current pop songs, etc) so while I do have the songs she likes on my iPod, I kind of doubt I'd be able to find them easily if I have to buy specific CDs for karaoke. Helen

We got DD the Hannah Montana karaoke machine last year and she LOVES it. We also got an extra microphone and mic stand so that when she has friends over, there is no fighting over the mic. Plus she can stand and sing whenever she wants. You can use any CDs you want in it. they don't have to be karaoke CDs.....we hear a lot of Michael Jackson (since his passing) and Taylor Swift in this house. Good luck!

 

[jacksmomma]

I have been following this thread for a while, and finally had to chime in!! A few ideas for your dd almost 6: perhaps a dollhouse bundle from TRU (usually come out around Nov/Dec) or a Karaoke machine if she loves to sing with Hannah Montana.

I am stuck on a gift for DS7 -- all boy who loves things that move..but I want to find something that will inspire his imagination as well.

I also love this for boys or girls - maybe for cheap traveler's dd almost 6?:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Thanks for the ideas and inspiration OP and everyone!

Okay, that tree house is the coolest thing ever! I need to file that away for when DS gets older!

 

[jacksmomma]

RE: The Zhus Zhus...I have had great luck at Walmart. I just call everyday or two and see if they have anything. I have no hamsters yet, but most of the accessories. Just keep trying. When you get someone on the phone ask when they expect to get more.

 

[jacksmomma]

I stocked up when Target had their clearance sales after Christmas last year. Most of the nieces and nephews are done. DS is no where near done though. I just do not know what he wants! He is 3 and has asked for nothing. I am getting him the Zhu Zhus because I know he will love them. He has also asked for a stuffed Mulan to go with his stuffed Mu Shu (yeah good luck on that one, she is so difficult to find!) Otherwise that is it. He is artsy and creative (Mommy bragging here: He got 3rd place in an art contest recently that included 6 year olds! yay!). He likes Batman and dinosaurs. Any suggestions?

 

[kristinw3girls]

I got our local zhu zhu connection going at toys r us here. The manager told me there was a higher demand then expected (duh) and the manufacturer is shipping out the restocks next week. Ask your toy store when they are getting their shipments and show up to claim it quickly. That's my plan. I finished shopping for DD15. She's getting a new printer and flat screen for her computer (new in the spring). I got her the sims 3, some things for her room, clothes and 2 dvd's. For DD9 I got her a trunk for camp, a pogo stick, a motorized scooter, the tinkerbelle pop up house, a cheap mps player, a tink ds game and an alarm clock. She really wants the zhuzhu pets so i'm trying to stalk them next week. DD12 wants her bedroom redone so I got estimates for the painter so far. I'm waiting for her to finalize the color so I can shop for new bed linens and some cool things for the room. She is also very into clothers, so I'll be sure to get a lot of things. We got the whole family a wii system and 3 games to start us off too. We don't buy for neices and nephews anymore, so I just have my mother and my husbands step father, and step mother left. I'm just thrilled to be getting so much done early this year. Now if I can just get it wrapped early too

 

[princessmom29]

RE: The Zhus Zhus...I have had great luck at Walmart. I just call everyday or two and see if they have anything. I have no hamsters yet, but most of the accessories. Just keep trying. When you get someone on the phone ask when they expect to get more.

I am in just the opposite situation. we have ahmsters and the house, but no accessories yet.

 

[luvmy3]

If anyone has any scientifically-inclined kids, this is a great kit:

http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-SC-300...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1253711897&sr=8-4

I got it for my DD7 last year and we've done a lot of the projects together. It's not necessarily for really serious learning (because the descriptions of each project isn't as good) but my DD enjoyed doing the projects themselves (setting off an alarm, turning on a fan, etc) They come in bigger and smaller sets, too.

Does anyone have any recommendations for karaoke machines? What should I look for? My DD loves to sing so I was thinking of getting her one for Christmas. However, I'm not quite sure how things work in terms of getting the music. Do you need to buy special music for the machine or can you just use whatever you have on your iPod or CDs? My DD's taste in music is a bit eclectic (Christian kids songs, a few Hannah Montana songs, some gospel songs, some kids' shows theme songs, a few current pop songs, etc) so while I do have the songs she likes on my iPod, I kind of doubt I'd be able to find them easily if I have to buy specific CDs for karaoke.

And I'm a bit out of the loop on iPod stuff. What would be one step above the Shuffle? And what would be the "lowest" model that would show videos? If I don't get a karaoke machine, I might consider getting an iPod for my DD.

I'm lucky that my gift list isn't too large. Just my DD (either a karaoke machine, iPod, AG Bitty Baby changing table or Build A Bear...and then some small stocking stuffers), my parents (never quite sure what to do for them as they usually don't want or need much and don't want me to "waste" my money on them), my teenage godson and his family (probably books and games for the kids and maybe a Christmas ornament for the parents-I usually get the personalized family ones for them), my 10yo goddaughter and her family (Build A Bear for the two girls and either clothes or toys for the baby and not quite sure what for the parents) and then a few other friends (small gifts, maybe food items) and my DD's teachers (Vera Bradley wallets and accessories I've gotten on sale from their website)

I do need to get my act together, though. Usually, I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping by now and I haven't really started at all this year!

Helen

I've had the snap circuits in my Amazon cart since last year, I think I'm going to finally get them for ds's birthday this year.

The Nano is the next step up from the shuffle. It plays video and the newest generation even records video. If you don't need anything that advancd you can look for deals on the previous generation.

I just finished my ds5 (he'll be 6 at Christmas) this week at TRU. I got him 3 Lego sets and 6 Star Wars figures. I have a NIntendo DS for him and games already so he is officially done.
I'm struggling with my other ds. He really isn't asking for anything *big* this year but since my dd is getting an ipod touch and my other ds is getting the DS I feel like I need to get him something to match those. He said something about an ipod, but he already has an MP3 player that he rarely uses.
Okay as I was typing that last sentence I realized that packed away in my closet is a POTC MixMax that I got for like $17 last year at Sears . See what happens when I do my shopping early I forget what I have
I guess I'm am officially done with my kids now Except a protective case for dd's touch, but thats more a gift for me since I'm nervous about her breaking it

 

[MelAnderson]

DS7 loves to sing, so I was seriously considering getting him a Memorex karaoke machine. This one has good reviews, BUT there are no lyrics.

http://www.amazon.com/Memorex-MKS-S...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1253748099&sr=8-3

Even though I subscribed to this thread early, I am still woefully behind.

 

[TinaLala]

SUCCESS!! Found 3 hamsters!! no accessories, but hey one part of it down and another to go. Last thing for our list of shopping!!

 

[PrincessParty]

No hamsters here, but I did score a deal today at Toys R Us. Earlier this week I got a Disney movie reward e-mail coupon to purchase 4 DVD (Jonas' Rockin' the House, Sonny with a Chance, Suite Life on Deck, and Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana) and save $30.00. I printed it out, thought I might get them later. Toys R Us had the DVD's for $14.99 with a special if you buy 2 you save $6.00. So each DVD was $11.99 then minus $30.00, I bought 4 Disney Channel DVD's for $20.00!!! Hamster's would have been cheaper, but I am happy. I am making a family entertainment basket and these 4 DVDs make a nice addition. Thank you Toys R Us and Disney Movie Rewards. (Total might have been $21.00, but still a deal! Receipt is in the car.)

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Way to go ladies!! Congrats on the hampster find!!! I am going to call our local Game Stops today and see what kind of deals they have on used Wiis. Any of you ever bought a Wii from them? Just curious...I think they are usually around $200...Wal-mart is $250...is it worth it to save the $50? Whatcha think?

 

[CandyMouse]

Hi, just wanted to let you know the wii system goes on sale this Sunday for $199.00

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hi, just wanted to let you know the wii system goes on sale this Sunday for $199.00

OOHHHHH... Where?

 

[HLDisney]

We got DD the Hannah Montana karaoke machine last year and she LOVES it. We also got an extra microphone and mic stand so that when she has friends over, there is no fighting over the mic. Plus she can stand and sing whenever she wants. You can use any CDs you want in it. they don't have to be karaoke CDs.....we hear a lot of Michael Jackson (since his passing) and Taylor Swift in this house. Good luck!

Thanks! I'll check it out.

Helen

 

[HLDisney]

The Nano is the next step up from the shuffle. It plays video and the newest generation even records video. If you don't need anything that advancd you can look for deals on the previous generation.

Thanks for the iPod info!

Helen

 

[CandyMouse]

OOHHHHH... Where?

I can't post the website but it was over on the budget board under---- Wii for $200? Candy

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Candy~ Thanks so much! I will go check it out!! Hello ladies!! How are you today? Pretty good I'm sure...it's FRIDAY!! Well, I hope you all had a wonderful week! The weekend cometh!.... If you are planning to go shopping this weekend, remember to take those lists! Ready for a new #?

13 WEEKS

 

[DizzyErin]

Candy~ Thanks so much! I will go check it out!! Hello ladies!! How are you today? Pretty good I'm sure...it's FRIDAY!! Well, I hope you all had a wonderful week! The weekend cometh!.... If you are planning to go shopping this weekend, remember to take those lists! Ready for a new #?

13 WEEKS

Wooohoooo as that also means only 18 weeks to my trip so double wooohoooo for me!!!

No shopping this weekend for me, i am selling all the old junk to make money to buy the new however i scouted out some dvd's and cd's for dd and others in a sale so am off to buy those on Monday .. Taylor Swift for half price that info won't help any of you am sure i'm the only Brit on this thread hahahhahaa

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Okay Candy! Found it! It also has a link in there for a cnn page...apparently they are trying to match prices for Play Station and XBOX...this unit has never had a price drop..so if you are interested in getting one...Sunday is the big day...I will probably go Sunday afternoon....let Mike keep the kids after church/lunch!!!http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2292358 Happy shopping !!