Christmas Shopping '09

[SaraMc]

Normally, Im done by the time Oct 1'st rolls around. Im a retail manager and Im too busy and dont want to go shopping after working in my store all day during the holidays.
This year Im on Mat leave and really have not done anything yet. We are going to WDW in Feb and that's the gift really for all of us. But its DD's 1st Christmas, and DS is 3 and really is getting how Santa works. Sooo..

DS always asks for this "Parents" magazine piano everytime we go to Costco. We have not got it yet, but will. DD, there is a fisher price outlet in the next city over from us and Im hoping they have this cute pink talking tea set for her there. If not I know they have it at Toys R Us.

My sister and her family are coming with us to Disneyworld and we already discussed that we are getting them a trip to WDW and they are getting us our trip. Works out well.

We are going tommorow actually for our family pictures and those will be given out to family that usually get them. We dont do a christmas themed one, because this way it can stay up all the time. ( Last years was 3.5 of us ( I was pregnant) at the Grand Floridian)

The only other big thing Im going to do is get some christmas pajama's and stuff at Gymboree when its Gymbuck redemtion time.

Is it Feb yet?

 

[disny4fun]

Finally someone who is talking my language!! I booked our Disney vacation in March of this year for my daughter 16 and myself. It will be our first trip to the world since my divorce and saving for the trip seemed to take forever (5 years).

In any case one of the first things I thought of was the holidays because we are going right after Thanksgiving. So in March I started making jam to give for gifts to freinds and co-workers. So far I have made apricot, peach, strawberry, cherry, cherry/blueberry, blueberry and pear butter. I have really enjoyed making these gifts. I have also crocheted two blankets and have started on my third.

We are remodeling my house and started in my daughters bedroom, so for Christmas I will be getting something for her room, but I'm not too sure yet what that will be.

All I have left is my father and his wife, my brother and his family and I usually bake some cakes or bread for the neighbors!

 

[DizzyErin]

Hi all
I pretty much shop all yr round for bits and pieces, this yr as we are going to WDW just 5 weeks after Christmas i have informed my DD that pressies are on a cutdown which of course she is totally cool about as we are going for her b'day

I have most of her pressies already except pj's and some dvd's now to start on everyone else. I am a big bargain shopper too so i roam the shopping centre for things on offer, thankfully our local Disney store seems to always have a sale on for 1 thing or another makes my life easier

I always struggle with the men in my life, my dad, brother etc etc why are men so hard to buy for??

 

[bas71873]

I always struggle with the men in my life, my dad, brother etc etc why are men so hard to buy for??

Because, if they are like my husband, my dad & my brother, they just go out and buy it when they need/want it and don't wait to ask for it for a holiday. Drives me batty!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

The only other big thing Im going to do is get some christmas pajama's and stuff at Gymboree when its Gymbuck redemtion time.

Is it Feb yet?

I am getting my little nephew some clothes w/my Gymbucks!!And a Thomas the Tank something....he looooooves Thomas!! Feb isn't that far away! Not when you look at all the holidays and festivities between now and then!!!!

Finally someone who is talking my language!! I booked our Disney vacation in March of this year for my daughter 16 and myself. It will be our first trip to the world since my divorce and saving for the trip seemed to take forever (5 years).

In any case one of the first things I thought of was the holidays because we are going right after Thanksgiving. So in March I started making jam to give for gifts to freinds and co-workers. So far I have made apricot, peach, strawberry, cherry, cherry/blueberry, blueberry and pear butter. I have really enjoyed making these gifts. I have also crocheted two blankets and have started on my third.

We are remodeling my house and started in my daughters bedroom, so for Christmas I will be getting something for her room, but I'm not too sure yet what that will be.

All I have left is my father and his wife, my brother and his family and I usually bake some cakes or bread for the neighbors!

Congrats on your trip & glad you found us!!!!
We do that for lots of friends too...we make cookies, fudge, stuff like that & put them in Christmas tins and deliver them. My kids always look forward to doing it! My older son (13, turning 14 in Dec) has over the last year started to show an interest in cooking. (All three have actually) and cookie dough is an excellent teacher!!!!!! That way they can all participate in giving the gift!!!

Hi all
I pretty much shop all yr round for bits and pieces, this yr as we are going to WDW just 5 weeks after Christmas i have informed my DD that pressies are on a cutdown which of course she is totally cool about as we are going for her b'day

I have most of her pressies already except pj's and some dvd's now to start on everyone else. I am a big bargain shopper too so i roam the shopping centre for things on offer, thankfully our local Disney store seems to always have a sale on for 1 thing or another makes my life easier

I always struggle with the men in my life, my dad, brother etc etc why are men so hard to buy for??

Because, if they are like my husband, my dad & my brother, they just go out and buy it when they need/want it and don't wait to ask for it for a holiday. Drives me batty!

Men are hard to buy for....GCs are my friend!!!!

 

[TMB1203]

Thanks for the inspiring thread.

We are leaving for WDW on Christmas Day. We are doing 2 days onsite..then 7 days offsite with family (rented a house for a week), back to WDW for 4 days and then a 3 night Disney Cruise (total of 16 days). Needless to say, the trip is really the family Christmas present!

Each child is getting 1 gift from and 1 smallish gift from us.

I bought our 6 year old a DSi (had a coupon code for Dell.com and saved 15% + free shipping). That is from Santa. I also bought him a finding Nemo snorkel set to bring on the cruise with us for $18. I think I might make a vacation bag for him that includes the snorkel set, a couple Disney T-shirts and a Disney gift card.

Our 14 year old just wants money. I really don't like the thought of giving $ to him for Christmas, but he wants to have some extra spending money for our trip. I did buy him a snorkel set too, since it was on clearance for $7.83. I think I might make a vacation bag for him as well.

I need to have something else for our 14 year old from -otherwise, the 6 year old would question it.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

good ideas!!! And glad to have you!!! What a wonderful Christmas you are gonna have!!! You are going to have to take loooots of cruise pics for us!!! We will all get together after Christmas and chat some more!

 

[Monny2AE]

I did a little stocking stuffer shopping while at Target today Got the kids some socks in the $ section! For DD- Tink and for DS- Star Wars

Not much time left- I better get cracking! I should start buying those gift cards one at a time so it's not all at once on my wallet

 

[luvmy3]

Hi I'd like to join this thread...My oldest has just decided that she wants an American Girl Doll...She's 5 and now her almost 3 yr old sister wants one too (because of the older one of course). What I'd like to do is buy them a bouncer house that fits in our basement...they're about 300.00 for the nice ones. I think it would be great cuz they could play but get a lot of exercise in while making them worn out. We end up inside a lot during the winter and I'm always looking for ways to wear them out. I can't do both the American Girl Dolls and the bouncer. Not sure what to do....

I did just see that QVC is going to have American Girl Dolls on Sept 12 th or 13th...Does that mean they are better deals? Any info would be helpful.

Right now on QVC.com they have Chrissa, 2 books and 2 outfits for $140 on 4 easy pays pf $35. Its until 9/13. There is a thread in the budget board with some details of whats supposed to be on the show.

The bouncer sounds like a blast Since your girls are kind of young, do they need the real AG dolls? Target has some cute AG like dolls for a fraction of the price, and they have tons of cute accessories. You'll still have many years of being able to get them the real dea. My dd is 11 and still wants them

 

[PrincessParty]

I have decided to do a movie basket for my family. Just ordered my Birthday Blue Ray from Disney Movie Rewards so that is a start. We are planning a trip to disney next year so I am thinking Santa will bring us our park tickets. I might invest in some Disney dollars as my $$$ jar gets borrowed from frequently. Trying to keep it under control this year.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I got my first gifts today!! Got 2 of the big Legos on my 9yo's wish list!!! Hubby had the boys this afternoon so me and little missy went to start some shopping!!! I made them go over their Christmas wish lists this morning and had a couple of hours so I took full advantage of that!
My dd is back to her original AG list. She picked all the same stuff that she did on the first list....so she is getting the Bitty Twins...one blond and one brunette...a couple of outfits for them and one for each of the other 2 dolls she has...I will order that closer to Oct.
I am still thinking for my oldest son...... He has a few ideas, butnot really sold on anything.. So! I am happy that I got a few things done. I usually do it all in one day...but I dont want to do that this time! Too hard on me!! Ha!!!

 

[Spoonful of Sugar]

I haven't started shopping yet, but I LOVE Christmas so I was happy to see this thread. DD will be 16 months and will be starting dance classes in January, so one gift will be a leotard and tutu. We are mostly staying away from plastic toys, so maybe a nice wooden play kitchen or rocking horse, depending on what she's into.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Glad you found the thread!! That sounds like a good idea!! 1st and 2nd Christmases are soooo easy to buy for!! That sounds like a good idea too!!

 

[Duckyiam71]

I would never think about Christmas so early in the past but now it helps the budget! My DH is deploying in early 2010 so he is getting Gran Turismo for his PSP and some other little gadgets for his computer. My DS5 and DS10 are going to get Lego Indiana Jones 2 and Lego Rock Band. Preordering those thru Amazon to make sure I get them! I am getting a video camera so we can take videos and send them to Dad. This is just a start but it helps! Thanks for the ideas too!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

glad you are on board!! I know if I wait, I am not tempted to buy all those little cute things that come out closer to Christmas if I know I am already finished with all my shopping! That stuff adds up!!!!
Tell you hubby thanks for us!! We are so thankful for men (& women) like him!! They are appreciated!!!

 

[Duckyiam71]

Thank you DisneyMommy3! There is so much support out there and it is ALL greatly appreciated! This is my first year starting and trying to buy a little at a time. It is very hard not to buy a bunch of little things but I am so tired of cleaning the small crevices of the toy box. I feel like my house is the horrible little boy's house in Toy Story! Good luck to everyone on keeping within their budget this Holiday season!

 

[figment41]

For those of you who are looking for them zhu zhu or go go pets have been found quite a bit at Walmart. They just really startd shipping them on Sept 1st so ypu just have to keep checking. Target is not supposed to get them for at least 2 weeks although some have radomly popped up there already

 

[Monny2AE]

I have decided to do a movie basket for my family. Just ordered my Birthday Blue Ray from Disney Movie Rewards so that is a start. We are planning a trip to disney next year so I am thinking Santa will bring us our park tickets. I might invest in some Disney dollars as my $$$ jar gets borrowed from frequently. Trying to keep it under control this year.

I am thinking of doing the same thing! It won't be as tempting to borrow the cash if it has a Mickey on it!

I got my first gifts today!! Got 2 of the big Legos on my 9yo's wish list!!! Hubby had the boys this afternoon so me and little missy went to start some shopping!!! I made them go over their Christmas wish lists this morning and had a couple of hours so I took full advantage of that!
My dd is back to her original AG list. She picked all the same stuff that she did on the first list....so she is getting the Bitty Twins...one blond and one brunette...a couple of outfits for them and one for each of the other 2 dolls she has...I will order that closer to Oct.
I am still thinking for my oldest son...... He has a few ideas, butnot really sold on anything.. So! I am happy that I got a few things done. I usually do it all in one day...but I dont want to do that this time! Too hard on me!! Ha!!!

Hooray for getting a start Shawna!!!!

 

[TinaLala]

Ok I started my shoping when we were down at Disney a few weeks ago with the purchase of playing cards for both DDs. That was a good kick off for me!! Here's a breakdown of what I believe we're going to do for this year.

DD10 - Mario Bros inside DS game, a few AG outfits that I'm making, Claire's GC - that's it so far for her.

DD7 - Toy Story Mania Wii game, Zhu Zhu hamster and playset, earrings and lipgloss.

We're really keeping it low profile this year with presents. I'm reading everyone's lists and getting sad because we don't spend a lot this time of year. Our kids are only allowed 5 gifts and we've elected to cut our budget in half. It was our decision, so I'm not flaming anyone. I'm just surprised everyone is spending so much money.

Someone said they found Zhu Zhu hamsters at Walmart - Where??? I've searched everywhere without success and I refuse to pay the outrageous price on Amazon. I'm going to call the Walmart near us to see if they have any. It's the only thing DD7 has asked for and she never asks for anything so I really want to get it for her.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I would never think about Christmas so early in the past but now it helps the budget! My DH is deploying in early 2010 so he is getting Gran Turismo for his PSP and some other little gadgets for his computer. My DS5 and DS10 are going to get Lego Indiana Jones 2 and Lego Rock Band. Preordering those thru Amazon to make sure I get them! I am getting a video camera so we can take videos and send them to Dad. This is just a start but it helps! Thanks for the ideas too!

I don't keep up with technology so forgive me if this is something they all come with, but in case it's not...before Dh deployed he bought me a video camera and it had a slot for a memory card which is great, that way I can put the videos on the computer and burn them to dvd's, otherwise he wouldn't have had any way to watch them. I hope that doesn't sound dumb, I'm just behind on some of this stuff.


I did some more shopping for my kids.
For DD13 and DS12 I bought Ipod docking alarm clocks.
For DS10 I bought Fossil Fighters for nintendo ds.
For DS8, I am kind of kicking myself. For his birthday in June he had asked me for a specific Bakugan, but I could never remember what it was when I was in the store so I just got him a few different ones. Well, he's mentioned this one again and I wrote it down and looked it up and it turns out it is RARE now, so for a little $7 toy I paid $30 on Amazon. I couldn't even find it on ebay! I actually paid the money for it, though, because he's not asking for much and I know he will play with it and I wanted to get it before I couldn't find it at all.
For DS5 I bought a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and a Handy Manny Matchbox cars pop-up playsets, he's going to love them.


I want to start looking for a nice toy tool bench set for DS5 and I'm thinking about getting my oldest 3 cell phones, but first I have to decide if I'm going to go with Tracfones (which I use now) or someplace with a contract, I'm not sure yet.