Christmas Shopping '09

[skip323]

How many of you donate to some organization for Christmas? Last year, I did Operation Shoebox and Angel Tree. (And we were going to sponsor an elderly/shut-in that was in need, but the needs of the ones available for adoption when I found that were way beyond what we could donate (like...rennovating the bathroom). If you donate, do you start trying to buy things now (like all the on-sale school supplies for Operation Shoebox...hmm...) or start setting $$ aside now for those like Angel Tree where you need to know measurements/wants/needs/etc.?

Thanks for your previous response. I completely understand what you are dealing with...it is heartbreaking sometimes, isn't it?

Anywho, because I am such an early xmas shopper (start the after xmas sales of the year before), I always end up with WAY more than I feel is appropriate for my kids. To the point where it almost seems obscene and I start going through that self talk thing about kids..spoiling them...they need to work from some things...how much is too much deal. Then I contact a friend (or she has already called me) and we review each other's items and discuss it....how crazy is that? So I contact the schools and usually donate some really nice toys/ craft items to the them to give out at their discretion to the families. The schools sometimes do trees also. We will buy a need item (last year it was pillows) and then give some toys. Another school used to do a hat/scarf/mitten tree which I loved because many of the kids do not have those necessities and we usually buy (the year before) that stuff to give too.

 

[lilybrooke14]

Hey! It's good to see I'm not the only one thinking about this already! DD keeps saying she wants a rocking horse, then she'll change her mind and say a tire swing. So, we'll probably end up getting her the rocking horse (I found one on Target.com that's perfect) and some of her grandparents will get the tire swing. I was also thinking of getting her a Leapster2 hand held. She's 3 and would be 4 in March. Would she still be too little for it? Anyway, she LOVES this sock monkey jack in the box that they have at Target, so I'll probably pick that up and tuck it away, and I've also seen a Disney Princess alarm clock that would be handy to have in her room to help her learn to tell time.

DH really wants the first Harry Potter book printed in German (we're both trying to learn....it's slow going) so I'll order that from Alphabet Garten. I want a Diaper Dude diaper bag. I'm going to get my parents a digital picture frame (we got one for my Inlaws last year). I have NO IDEA what to get my inlaws this year. DH and I have talked about it a few times but....I've got nothing.

As for the rest of the family and our friends, I'm making chocolate truffles. Half regular and half Oreo truffles. It takes some time, but everyone loves them and everyone's happy.

 

[PrincessPeyton]

Hey! It's good to see I'm not the only one thinking about this already! DD keeps saying she wants a rocking horse, then she'll change her mind and say a tire swing. So, we'll probably end up getting her the rocking horse (I found one on Target.com that's perfect) and some of her grandparents will get the tire swing. I was also thinking of getting her a Leapster2 hand held. She's 3 and would be 4 in March. Would she still be too little for it? Anyway, she LOVES this sock monkey jack in the box that they have at Target, so I'll probably pick that up and tuck it away, and I've also seen a Disney Princess alarm clock that would be handy to have in her room to help her learn to tell time.

DH really wants the first Harry Potter book printed in German (we're both trying to learn....it's slow going) so I'll order that from Alphabet Garten. I want a Diaper Dude diaper bag. I'm going to get my parents a digital picture frame (we got one for my Inlaws last year). I have NO IDEA what to get my inlaws this year. DH and I have talked about it a few times but....I've got nothing.

As for the rest of the family and our friends, I'm making chocolate truffles. Half regular and half Oreo truffles. It takes some time, but everyone loves them and everyone's happy.

I am interested in hearing about the Leapster2 Hand Held as well! My DD is always trying to play my DH (he's a big kid!) hand held game but it's too hard for her!
Last year we got my FIL a digital picture frame and he doesn't know how to use it! So this year maybe we will get him computer lessons to go with the digital frame!

 

[Tink_fanatic]

DH really wants the first Harry Potter book printed in German (we're both trying to learn....it's slow going) so I'll order that from Alphabet Garten. I want a Diaper Dude diaper bag. I'm going to get my parents a digital picture frame (we got one for my Inlaws last year). I have NO IDEA what to get my inlaws this year. DH and I have talked about it a few times but....I've got nothing.

Last Christmas, my Friend and I exchanged Twilight books. She sent me Twilight in Hungarian and I sent her New Moon in English (it hadn't came out in English or Hungarian there yet at the time). I love my book. It's more of a "Look, I have a book in Hungarian!" other than me reading it. I'll suggest we do the same thing this year. It was a splash recieving that in the mail.

 

[lilybrooke14]

Last Christmas, my Friend and I exchanged Twilight books. She sent me Twilight in Hungarian and I sent her New Moon in English (it hadn't came out in English or Hungarian there yet at the time). I love my book. It's more of a "Look, I have a book in Hungarian!" other than me reading it. I'll suggest we do the same thing this year. It was a splash recieving that in the mail.

We have very long and cold winters here. Translating that book is going to take forever, but it might be an interesting way to spend some cold afternoons!

 

[DisneyQueen1320]

Thanks for the info. This year we will buy the Wii since it will keep the kids active.

 

[Tink561]

Who posted about the Cinderella castle playset from WDW? I just asked on another thread about that yesterday. I'm thinking about getting it for my dd this Christmas. She will be 4 in January and I think she would love it.

I was considering getting it and the Sleeping Beauty castle set too. I would love to know if other kids really enjoy them.


Did anyone get anything from AG on QVC? My mom ordered the horse set for my dd. She got Molly & Ivy last Christmas.

 

[kinntj]

Who posted about the Cinderella castle playset from WDW? I just asked on another thread about that yesterday. I'm thinking about getting it for my dd this Christmas. She will be 4 in January and I think she would love it.

I was considering getting it and the Sleeping Beauty castle set too. I would love to know if other kids really enjoy them.


Did anyone get anything from AG on QVC? My mom ordered the horse set for my dd. She got Molly & Ivy last Christmas.

The horse set was a very good deal. I looked at the AG site to see what their prices were. Your dd will be very happy.

I got Chrissa for DD7. I get to cross something off my Christmas list.

 

[gr8nurs1271]

My kids are getting WDW for Christmas! LOL! We're putting a bunch of money into this trip so Christmas itself (at home) will be pretty lean.

Although we will probably be getting each kid one thing that they ask for except maybe the youngest (he's only 6).

Colleen

 

[QVCshopper]

I got Chrissa from QVC for my DD. I'm officially done shopping for my kids, thanks to QVC and the KMart deals, which were really good. As well as a sale at the Lego store. Hope the OP (who I think wanted the Bitty Twins) was able to pick them up at QVC. I think they were about $110? last night for the dolls and 3 dressup outifts...

 

[bas71873]

Who posted about the Cinderella castle playset from WDW? I just asked on another thread about that yesterday. I'm thinking about getting it for my dd this Christmas. She will be 4 in January and I think she would love it.

Might have been me. Santa brought the Cinderella castle for DD last year and it is still a HUGE hit. Well worth the money spent to purchase it and ship it home! Go for it

 

[Tink561]

Might have been me. Santa brought the Cinderella castle for DD last year and it is still a HUGE hit. Well worth the money spent to purchase it and ship it home! Go for it

Thanks!

 

[PrincessPeyton]

I watched QVC's Christmas In July for American Girl but decided to wait until another year for my DD. She has the bitty doll and I think I might get her the matching outfits for this year. Usually they have PJ's too.
Did anyone see the 3 Princess Pillows Storybooks? They were really cute so I got them since we are redoing her "big girl room" in princesses.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hello Ladies!! I was looking at Bitty Twins for my dd.....I missed the QVC thing...we were out of town all weekend...just got back. It's my bday(yesterday) and hubby got tix to see Broadway Across America--Phantom of the Opera!!!!! It was awesome... Ya'll should check and see if it's coming near you..we are having Mary Poppins in Oct. Can't wait. SO>>> I missed the whole QVC thing!!!!!
I forgot who asked about the Leapster handheld, but I got my younger son and dd one the Christmas she was 3 and turned 4 in April. She loves it--we are actually on the 2nd one. She wore the first one out!!! He wore his out also, but we moved on to Nintendo DS for his last bday, so he's good!!!! I think you should get it!! they have some fun little games!!
Good job for all you who got some things crossed off that list this week! We are officially under the 5 month mark!!! Woooo Hooooo!!!
For all of you buying so much back to school stuff, hang in there!!! You can jump back on the Christmas buying wagon when you can!! Sept is a great month to buy...before the stores slam us with all the Trees and extra stuff!!!!

 

[Tink561]

My daughter got a Leapster 2 last Christmas, just before she turned 3. She loves it and plays it a lot. She has a Disney Princess game, Pet Pals and now a Nihao Kai Lan game.

It is a great system.

 

[PrincessPeyton]

My daughter got a Leapster 2 last Christmas, just before she turned 3. She loves it and plays it a lot. She has a Disney Princess game, Pet Pals and now a Nihao Kai Lan game.

It is a great system.

I forgot who asked about the Leapster handheld, but I got my younger son and dd one the Christmas she was 3 and turned 4 in April. She loves it--we are actually on the 2nd one. She wore the first one out!!! He wore his out also, but we moved on to Nintendo DS for his last bday, so he's good!!!! I think you should get it!! they have some fun little games!!

Good to know, i might add that to my list for this year! She tries to play other video games so she is interested but gets easily frustrated because they aren't made for her age!

 

[Terry36]

I highly recommend the Leapster for those of you who's considering it. My DD is now 10.5 but loved playing with it so much when she was younger. The games were very educational.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Love the Dog!!!!

 

[dreamer17555]

Wow. I love this thread. And here I was thinking I was one of the only people thinking about X mas and so many people are already done or close to it.

I haven't bought anything yet but I have started a list:

DD7- She is my dancer child. She loves music and is always gone so we are getting her an Ipod Touch. It will keep her busy inbetween dance classes. We are also getting her a docking station\stereo for her room. I will get her new dance sweats (and then stone them). An I tunes Gift Card, Some earrings and a subscription to AG magazine.


DS2- He is a little harder because he has so much and is so on the go. Never sits down. We were thinking about the Kota dino that was so popular last year. Some more trucks and some puzzles and an outfit or two. If anyone has any suggestion I am more than happy to hear em.

For DH and Myself we are saving for a new car for DH. So we will probably exchange something small.

-Becca-

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Becca... Glad to have you join us!!! We are growing!! Hopefully you will get some good suggestions from here!!! Beautiful family!!!