Christmas Shopping '09

[jacksmomma]

You can't go wrong with the Geotracks, either. We have it and the nice thing about it is that we can keep adding to it at birthdays and other Christmases. My 10yo still plays with "his" that was really passed down to two younger brothers since he got it 6 years ago. I guess I'm not helping much, lol, but I did want you to know it wouldn't be so bad if he chooses the train.

Thanks for the input! I am just worried that he will outgrown it soon since it just has the 2 buttons. However if your kids are still playing with it maybe I will give it a closer look. He wants the new set that has a tunnel with it. He says that the tunnel is the "time tunnel" from the show Dinosaur Train. See, that is another thing...what if I buy this Geotracks and then someone comes out with a Dinosaur Train themed train?! He really likes the dinosaur train...man I think this is the hardest time I have ever had for DS's Christmas presents!

 

[Graciesmom77]

I feel like I have been on the computer all day today, I've been doing some online shopping. I got all 5 kids generic "snuggies" from Lakeside, the younger boys will get a Cars and Toy Story one, the older ones just get plain colored ones.

We have a tradition where when each child wakes up Christmas morning there is a wrapped book in their bed (they know that's from me), they are allowed to unwrap it and read in bed until a reasonable hour (usually like 5am). I got an email from Scholastic with a 15% off code and free shipping over $25 so I bought 3 39 clues books (which were on sale, too), the Encyclopedia of Immaturity Volume 2 and a Klutz book on card tricks. I will probably get DD a couple more books (she's an avid reader) and I still need some for the younger 2 boys, but it's a start.

I swear I spend more money at home in my PJ's than when I go out shopping!

Today I got my 8 year old daughter a black glitter fedora hat, a hoodie, a button down shirt and a neon cami from Justice. They were having their 40% off sale, last day today. I couldnt get to the store so I had to pay 20 bucks shipping, but my total was 90 before the discount and even with tax and shipping it was only 67.00. Not to shabby, even though its still a little crazy. I am a Walmart girl at heart. No name brands for me! lol She will be thrilled! She has been asking for those things for forever now.

How is everyone else doing?

 

[Spoonful of Sugar]

Christmas shopping officially started! I said we wouldn't buy plastic toys, but I couldn't resist. We got the Little People Christmas parade and had my mom get the Little People nativity for my daughter who will be 16 months old at Christmas. Ho ho ho!

 

[CzyDsnyFan92]

My first Christmas gift for a kid should arrive today. It is an electric guitar for my 16yo son. I also have received a body pillow for my mom from QVC. I ordered a bass guitar for my 17yo son but it is on backorder for a few weeks. Hopefully it will arrive by mid November. Now I just have to get cracking on things for my 3yo daughter. She is so complicated... a total girly girl who loves animals and cars. LOL

What are your thoughts on the Leap Frog Tag reader system?

HI First off I am relatively new to the Dis but we have two of the Tag readers and my kids love them!!! Got them for DS and DD last year for Christmas and this year I am adding more books to their collection. LOL DS is almost 8 but he has ADD and dsylexia and this system is great for him. He gets very frustrated when he can't get the words on his own and the Tag system allows him to either read it on his own or use the pen to say the words that he can not get on his own. DD is almost 6 and loves hers because she feels like a big girl becuase her big brothers can read on their own and she is just learning to read. I like that they are adding to the library but wish we had a big storage drive on ours but 4-5 books on each one is plenty especially when travelling. They usually bring them with them to soccer practice so that they are not bored when big brother is practicing.

Anyway I just bought DD Princess and the Frog at Toys R Us for $9.99. I believe all their Tag books are on sale right now if you are looking for some.

Ramona

 

[RMulieri]

Anybody have an AMerican girl Free shipping code? I have the Bitty baby twins to buy and I don not want to pay $29 shipping....I have this and a Barbie townhouse to buy from Walmart and I am DONE for 2009!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I needed the AG code also..but just bit the bullet and ordered it Sat without it! Okay, adding to my Stockpile!
DD~ AG Just Like You doll,, a few AG outfits, and the Bitty Baby swing.......
DH is going to pick up a guitar amp and strap for ds13 ......I may need to buy ds10 one more Lego...other than that I am finished for the kids!!!!!!

I also bought more stuff yesterday when grocery shopping, that I would need for holiday baking! Just a few extra things per trip..boy does it add up!

 

[luvmy3]

Christmas shopping officially started! I said we wouldn't buy plastic toys, but I couldn't resist. We got the Little People Christmas parade and had my mom get the Little People nativity for my daughter who will be 16 months old at Christmas. Ho ho ho!

Well they were made of wood long long ago
Little People are a classic toy and perfect for your dd's age. When my dd was little we had little people everything and she continued to play with them for years, and I passed them along to my other 2 kids too. Your dd will love them

I have hit a shopping road block. I have no idea what to get my FIL and dh is being no help at all as usual. I still have a few more things to get but I know what I'm buying so its just a matter of ordering them. My FIL's gift is the only one that I have zero ideas for.
On a positive note, I have finished all dh's gifts to me, he just doesn't know it yet

 

[jstbcuz]

Just wanted everyone to know I was at WalMart today and they had 12 ounce Nestle Chocolate Chips for 1.76 a bag. What a bargain.

 

[PiperPizzaz]

We have a tradition where when each child wakes up Christmas morning there is a wrapped book in their bed (they know that's from me), they are allowed to unwrap it and read in bed until a reasonable hour (usually like 5am). .

What a lovely idea! I may have to steal this.

 

[RMulieri]

I needed the AG code also..but just bit the bullet and ordered it Sat without it! Okay, adding to my Stockpile!
DD~ AG Just Like You doll,, a few AG outfits, and the Bitty Baby swing.......
DH is going to pick up a guitar amp and strap for ds13 ......I may need to buy ds10 one more Lego...other than that I am finished for the kids!!!!!!

I also bought more stuff yesterday when grocery shopping, that I would need for holiday baking! Just a few extra things per trip..boy does it add up!

I am glad I ordered today. The Bitty Baby twins are BACKORDERED till end of November.

 

[samshane]

I got my girls ipod touches a month ago when TRU had a great deal... I was able to get 2 of them, and they each came with a $25 TRU gift card and $15 iTunes cards. All my son wants is an electric scooter for his big gift - and they just happened to be on sale for 33% off for that week... so I bought the Touches and had to wait a day for the TRU gift cards to be active. Went back the next day and got the electric scooter for $40 (after sale and gift cards)! The TRU sale was only for 2 days - I am so happy I took advantage of it now.

 

[skip323]

I think I have just found my final gifts....as far as other folks in the family. I always purchase something socially/ globally conscious for my mom, sister and sil. Bracelets made in Africa, water bottles, reusable shopping bags, necklaces to support breast cancer etc. I just happened upon that new book that came out : "Notes Left Behind" about a little girl with brain cancer. Her parents did this journal during her last 135 days (I think) of life. My understanding is that the message is about living life to the fullest...doing those things we've always wanted to do and really appreciating our kids. I believe the proceeds go to a foundation to cure pediatric Brain Cancer.
4 copies of those (one for myself) and I am done with my gifts for other family members! Then I just have to reign myself in on gifts for the kids!

 

[r4blessings]

Very excited, some gifts came today from UPS....now they are hidden in the basement. I feel so relieved having them here! The Wii rockband beatles limited edition bundle came, Spike and Spike Jr. are en route. Kit and her bundle are here, playmobil pyramid and roman arena also came. I am waiting for AG Julie's bike and a bitty outfit to arrive. Gift cards for the teachers came from my Discover card cashback rewards. That is so helpful.

Now, I really just need to finalize my list and order everything this week thats left. I want to make sure I get everything (gifts for my kids, my neices and nephew, my sister and her husband are still left, bus driver, my BFF's three little kids, DH and me). Then I can sit back and enjoy!

Stockings in our house are filled with Christmas candy only, so thats cheap and easy! And since we eat fairly healthy, Christmas candy is just as exciting as Halloween candy around here! So that, I will just wait till mid december to buy (I hate storing chocolate in a basement or attic....just the idea skeeves me!) along with massive amounts of wrapping paper and tape!

 

[Monny2AE]

I'm glad to hear such good reviews of the Tag reading system. DS is getting the Tag and DD is getting the Tag Jr. this year. I got them at TRUs on sale.

I saw somewhere the Kerplunk game but in a Toy Story theme? Has anyone seen that one anywhere? I'm going to go look it up online. I think DS would like it. I realized that have a little more for DD under the tree and need to even out the score.

I feel like I have been on the computer all day today, I've been doing some online shopping. I got all 5 kids generic "snuggies" from Lakeside, the younger boys will get a Cars and Toy Story one, the older ones just get plain colored ones.

We have a tradition where when each child wakes up Christmas morning there is a wrapped book in their bed (they know that's from me), they are allowed to unwrap it and read in bed until a reasonable hour (usually like 5am). I got an email from Scholastic with a 15% off code and free shipping over $25 so I bought 3 39 clues books (which were on sale, too), the Encyclopedia of Immaturity Volume 2 and a Klutz book on card tricks. I will probably get DD a couple more books (she's an avid reader) and I still need some for the younger 2 boys, but it's a start.

What a wonderful tradition!!!!! Perhaps you should buy longer books this year so you get to sleep past 5am!

Christmas shopping officially started! I said we wouldn't buy plastic toys, but I couldn't resist. We got the Little People Christmas parade and had my mom get the Little People nativity for my daughter who will be 16 months old at Christmas. Ho ho ho!

My kids love Little People. DS still plays with them at age 5. They've wonderful to stimulate imaginative role play. In fact, in my state they are mandatory on the toy list for daycare providers. I think you made a wise choice.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

What a wonderful tradition!!!!! Perhaps you should buy longer books this year so you get to sleep past 5am!

I think you're right, we definitely should buy longer books .

I ordered a couple more things today. If anyone needs dvds (this is from a thread on the budget board) Walmart.com has preorders of some good ones for $10. I ordered the new Harry Potter for DH and the second Night at the Museum for DS. They also had G-Force, Star Trek, I can't remember what else. Walmart also had a Kodak aqua colored digital camera for $69. I ordered that for my 8yo.

 

[Monny2AE]

I found the Toy Story Kerplunk at Target...might do a little shopping trip there tonight

Black Friday Ads are starting to leak out for those of you who are serious shoppers!

http://bfads.net

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

You ladies are doing great!!!
Kim..has this Christmas shopping helped you be motivated in your organization? I know it helps me!!!! Can ya'll believe Thanksgiving is 3 weeks away? WOW!!!! Well....I am definitely gonna try and cook more things the day before this time..I did some last year and it made a HUGE difference!!! Stuff like chopping up veggies and stuff like that! made me feel like I got more accomplished before people started getting here.

 

[jacksmomma]

You ladies are doing great!!!
Kim..has this Christmas shopping helped you be motivated in your organization? I know it helps me!!!! Can ya'll believe Thanksgiving is 3 weeks away? WOW!!!! Well....I am definitely gonna try and cook more things the day before this time..I did some last year and it made a HUGE difference!!! Stuff like chopping up veggies and stuff like that! made me feel like I got more accomplished before people started getting here.

I definitely need to jump on the Day Before bandwagon. I do most of the cooking myself, so that would make it much more manageable.

I have to put DH on turkey duty this year...no way am I as a vegetarian sticking my hand up that bird's butt!

 

[Monny2AE]

You ladies are doing great!!!
Kim..has this Christmas shopping helped you be motivated in your organization? I know it helps me!!!! Can ya'll believe Thanksgiving is 3 weeks away? WOW!!!! Well....I am definitely gonna try and cook more things the day before this time..I did some last year and it made a HUGE difference!!! Stuff like chopping up veggies and stuff like that! made me feel like I got more accomplished before people started getting here.

Oh it's motivated me to be organized but the trouble is that it's also motivating me to spend money

I'm a list girl...always have been...always will be. DH makes fun of me all the time. He knew I was Type A when he married me though. Luckily I don't host Turkey Day so I don't have to make a list for that one. I do host a Christmas party for my Dad's side of the family in December. That reminds me- I need to get a list started for that one!

 

[bas71873]

no way am I as a vegetarian sticking my hand up that bird's butt!

I, NOT a vegetarian won't do it either. Just can't bring myself too. So I'm hosting Cmas dinner, but told my mom she can do the bird and the stuffing of it. ICK!

BTW, I love Bailey dog....my DD is Bailey