Christmas Shopping '09

[Disney Mommy 3]

Yep!!! That's why I love these boards!!

 

[holz99]

Well I don't have any children but I have 3 nieces and a nephew and one more nephew that will arrive in October. I help my mom get things for them and I buy them each a gift. I'm planning on doing Disney gift cards from me this time because we will be in WDW Dec. 17-23.
Our TRU went out of business I think in January and we stocked up on birthday and Christmas stuff then. The youngest niece (4) and my nephew (7) are already bought for. We got a Barbie dream house, a v-tech handheld game system and some other little odd and end stuff for my niece and then bionicle and pokemon things for my nephew and a game for his ds. Of course their new little baby brother will not be a problem at all! He will get a few things from WDW like the "My First Mickey" and outfits and maybe a build a bear.

The two older girls are going to be the ones we have problems with. They will be 11 and 13. The 11 year old will either get American Girl stuff or a cricut die cut machine (she loves to play with mine and make stuff). The older one is a complete mystery! Anybody have ideas for a 13 year old? She has an iPod touch, a laptop, a wii, a ds, a digital camera and the accessories to it all! She may end up with money or the Tinkerbell print she wants from WDW.

Personally, I think the WDW trip is enough Christmas for the whole family. But my mom tends to go a bit overboard!
Thanks for the encouragement to get going and the tips on sales!

 

[xanphylus]

Is it just me? My daughter wants a laptop so bad, but I just don't think an 8 year old needs it. Much less all the wireless crap I would need to get so she could use the internet on it- and I know that's all she wants the thing for. We already have a computer in the house she can use at any time. I say she needs a new bike and to get her booty outside instead of always sitting in front of the tv or computer anyway... good thing she wants a bike too- cause that's what santa is bringing!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Holz99..For your 13 yo niece, could you give her a gc to a nail salon for a mani/pedi? Or a gc that's generic from your closest mall...one that's for any store in there? Maybe a bottle of nice (not too mature) girl perfume? She has lots of techno stuff, so maybe just somethin' girlie. If she's into that. If not, maybe start her on a set of great books? I am a classic book lover!! Something like Anne of Green Gables? Or any of the books by Janette Oke...some are Hallmark movies now and I read them all in Jr High and still they are on my favorite list!!

 

[lori123]

So now I am torn between getting my DD7 the 8GB or the 16GB IPod Touch. I doubt she will need the 16GB but I am trying to look down the road some... still it is an extra $100 dollars....

Thoughts?

-Becca-

I think the 8 is fine - I have the 8gb iphone and it holds plenty of pics, apps and music.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I think the 8 is fine - I have the 8gb iphone and it holds plenty of pics, apps and music.

I will have to ask my son, but I think we got him the 8 for Christmas last year...I will check and make sure....but I would think for a younger kid that would be plenty!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Those of you looking for nintendo ds's, there's a thread on the budget board that Target has them on sale starting today for $99, certain colors, and Amazon does too if Target sells out. I ordered one this morning.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Well I don't have any children but I have 3 nieces and a nephew and one more nephew that will arrive in October. I help my mom get things for them and I buy them each a gift. I'm planning on doing Disney gift cards from me this time because we will be in WDW Dec. 17-23.
Our TRU went out of business I think in January and we stocked up on birthday and Christmas stuff then. The youngest niece (4) and my nephew (7) are already bought for. We got a Barbie dream house, a v-tech handheld game system and some other little odd and end stuff for my niece and then bionicle and pokemon things for my nephew and a game for his ds. Of course their new little baby brother will not be a problem at all! He will get a few things from WDW like the "My First Mickey" and outfits and maybe a build a bear.

The two older girls are going to be the ones we have problems with. They will be 11 and 13. The 11 year old will either get American Girl stuff or a cricut die cut machine (she loves to play with mine and make stuff). The older one is a complete mystery! Anybody have ideas for a 13 year old? She has an iPod touch, a laptop, a wii, a ds, a digital camera and the accessories to it all! She may end up with money or the Tinkerbell print she wants from WDW.

Personally, I think the WDW trip is enough Christmas for the whole family. But my mom tends to go a bit overboard!
Thanks for the encouragement to get going and the tips on sales!

I don't know your budget, but my 13yo is getting into Vera Bradley. If you didn't want to spend that much on a purse you could get a wallet or other accessory.

ETA: Itunes GC's are always appreciated, too.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I totally forgot about Vera Bradley!! I have some of her bags/purses and I looove love them!!! They may seem expensive, but they really aren't...they can be washed or spot cleaned if they get really dirty ( don't dry), so they last forever and are great to organize with. Compared to Coach, or Fossil--they really aren't expensive.And they have so many patterns and fabrics!!

 

[Sam'sMom0126]

I started shopping a couple of months ago. We are getting our DS the wooden Thomas this year (but are getting the table they have at toys r us that includes the track) so every week when I get the AC Moore ad I cut out the 40 or 50% off coupon and go and buy one train or accessory. It's a huge savings! I'm keeping a list of everything I have incase other family members want to get him something Thomas too! It gets me excited!!!

 

[luvmy3]

Ok dd has asked for a digital camera and a laptop....do you think i can do both? is this too much? She will be 11 in March. If I do this will be all she gets tho. Thoughts???

I think it depends on your budget, I personally don't think its too much in terms of gifts if you do both. I just got myself a mini Dell in their outlet at a great price and I know my dd really wants one so I'm leaning toward it, she also wants an iPod touch. She will only get one of those and it will be all she's getting aside from a few small token things. I am going to ask her what her top choice is and let her know that it will be pretty much all she will be getting. I would much rather spend $300 on one big thing instead of a ton of little things.

 

[Terry36]

I think it depends on your budget, I personally don't think its too much in terms of gifts if you do both. I just got myself a mini Dell in their outlet at a great price and I know my dd really wants one so I'm leaning toward it, she also wants an iPod touch. She will only get one of those and it will be all she's getting aside from a few small token things. I am going to ask her what her top choice is and let her know that it will be pretty much all she will be getting. I would much rather spend $300 on one big thing instead of a ton of little things.

Thankyou. I am a member of a Christmas Club at my credit union so I am good on the budget and could do both. I just wanted to see if this is over the top....

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

I would love to get a dent in my Christmas shopping, but I still have my boys' birthdays in September and October to buy toys for.

 

[PrincessPeyton]

If not, maybe start her on a set of great books? I am a classic book lover!! Something like Anne of Green Gables? Or any of the books by Janette Oke...some are Hallmark movies now and I read them all in Jr High and still they are on my favorite list!!

Anne of Green Gables is my favorite set of books! I also love the movies, I just wish they made more of them! My DD will definitely have the whole set!

Is it just me? My daughter wants a laptop so bad, but I just don't think an 8 year old needs it. Much less all the wireless crap I would need to get so she could use the internet on it- and I know that's all she wants the thing for. We already have a computer in the house she can use at any time.

I completely agree! I am a tech dork for my day job and some of these 8 year old kids know more about technology than I do! so when the day comes that my DD wants her own laptop I will have to really think about it. You have to watch kids on the internet and a laptop is just too portable so you don't know what is going on!

 

[SereneOne]

I have no idea what to get my children.

My son's bday is Nov 20th and he will be 20. He is getting a designer cologne set, a couple of pairs of brand name t-shoes and some clothes. We will take him out to dinner to a nice restaurant.

Our daughter's bday is Oct 3 and she will be 6. We are seriously considering getting her a Nintendo DSI and a few games. If I understand correctly, she DSIs are also cameras and music players, so it should be a hit.

Our trip to Disney and SeaWorld is the big Christmas gift. DD is going to do BBB and when we are at SW, DS is going to do the Shark Encounter thing.
DD has started getting interested in American Girl stuff...she likes board games, books, arts and crafts stuff. Our son wants another car since his was totalled in a car accident he had. I personally feel one car from us, any more you are on your own...so probably some more clothes and gc to food places and such...

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I would love to get a dent in my Christmas shopping, but I still have my boys' birthdays in September and October to buy toys for.

Well, that's okay! At least you are hanging out with us and getting ideas!! I just want us to all have at least an idea, and maybe some great lists handy when it's time for you to start shopping. Even if you wait til later!!!! I haven't bought my stuff either, but at least I know everything that my middle one is getting.

SereneOne...I think you have a great list going! I agree about your sons car...maybe just help him a little, then he's on his own. I think my bro wrecked 3 in two years, and my dad still kept on buying him trucks! It was really nuts. Anyhoo....I think your dd would enjoy the Nintendo DS....My dd is 6 and she has one game that she plays on her brothers and she loves it!!! American Girl is awesome...and they are great for Christmas and Bday, because of the price, they are special and you can get one per holiday, and not feel guilty! Ha!!!

 

[Tink_fanatic]

DD has said that she wants arts & crafts supplies, so I was thinking of doing like a basket or a resealable container to put the stuff in. She's a crayola nut so does anyone know where I can get good sized boxes of like crayons, markers, and color pencils for decent prices? I was in Wal Mart the other day and saw a box of 50 color pencils for $9 and some change. I didn't know if this was a good price but seemed expensive to me.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Hi gang! I am pretty sure I posted on this thread way back when it was started, but I haven't been around. Sadly, I have not thought about presents in a while. Since we are going to WDW in December, many people will be getting Disney gifts!! I too am bogged down in buying school supplies now.
We don't get gifts for too many people, and my kids are hard to buy for - only because they have TOO MUCH STUFF! My problem is they are two girls - very similar tastes. We end up getting two of everything or DD6 gets hand-me-downs. We told them that the trip is a big deal, and they won't get much. Santa will find something nice for them I'm sure. My parents and brother are tough to buy for, especially my dad, but I've liked the ideas of fruit of the month type gifts. They'll probably all get a WDW shirt!
I've got to make my list of people and hope it stays small! It seems to get bigger every year, but I do what someone else said - make cookies/treats and share with teachers, boss, neighbors.

 

[xanphylus]

Anne of Green Gables is my favorite set of books! I also love the movies, I just wish they made more of them! My DD will definitely have the whole set!

Great books! I am reading the series right now actually, for what must be the billionth time! My DD won't read them quite yet, the size of the books is a little intimidating to her- but she likes to watch the movies with me. Have you thought about the Avonlea tv series? It was on Disney years ago and now they sell the series on dvd. I think it was called the road to avonlea and it was based on the anne of green gables books and even has some of the characters and def some of the actors from the movies! I am thinking about buying that for my DD. Its more kid friendly than most tv these days and if I watch it with her (as I am a fan anyway) she will love them even more!

 

[xanphylus]

DD has said that she wants arts & crafts supplies, so I was thinking of doing like a basket or a resealable container to put the stuff in. She's a crayola nut so does anyone know where I can get good sized boxes of like crayons, markers, and color pencils for decent prices? I was in Wal Mart the other day and saw a box of 50 color pencils for $9 and some change. I didn't know if this was a good price but seemed expensive to me.

Def wait until the school supplies go on clearance and stock up. We did that last year when DD8 was really into crafts and it was a big hit! You will be suprised at what goes on clearance after school is in session. We got big boxes of crayons and pencils super cheap. Even the clay and stuff! We stuck all the boxes of crayons and pencils and markers into a huge decorative hat box that she could put on her desk and it looks extra cute even now! Also, this year we got her the 3-d chalk, on clearance at michaels craft store and a couple craft sets too.