Christmas Shopping '09

[bas71873]

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.

I went to my Walmart yesterday and no zhu zhu pets. I bid on a few on ebay, and knew what my limit was because I had a good idea of what these things are costing in stores; I am SHOCKED at what people are willing to pay for these things. DD may be disappointed this year because I REFUSE to pay hundreds of dollars for something I know will end up at the bottom of the toy bin in a few months

 

[natenapril]

I went to my Walmart yesterday and no zhu zhu pets. I bid on a few on ebay, and knew what my limit was because I had a good idea of what these things are costing in stores; I am SHOCKED at what people are willing to pay for these things. DD may be disappointed this year because I REFUSE to pay hundreds of dollars for something I know will end up at the bottom of the toy bin in a few months

Our walmart had just the hamsters last night. I think they were 8.xx each. I picked up a few extra just in case. But no accessories could be found. We still have awhile til Christmas though.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

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.

Just saw those little Zhu Zhu things at our Wal-Mart last night. They were on the very bottom of the aisle...several boxes.... I think they were $15. So, you make AG clothes!!!! That's awesome!! I wish I sewed!! I haven't touched a sewing machine in YEARS!!!

I am thinking of doing something different this year! I still plan to wrap all their gifts in the paper they pick....but then I want to put all their stuff in one big box! With all the same paper!!! Wouldn't that be fun!!! That way the Legos won't rattle Also, my older son is wanting less, since he's gonna be 14 he has a smaller list this year.....and his birthday is 3 weeks before, so it's a crunch for him!!! That way he can still open a biiiiig box!! I will probably put some extra Wii games for him and some cash in little boxes!!!!! I looooove to watch their little faces unwrapping gifts!!!!!

 

[TinaLala]

Just saw those little Zhu Zhu things at our Wal-Mart last night. They were on the very bottom of the aisle...several boxes.... I think they were $15. So, you make AG clothes!!!! That's awesome!! I wish I sewed!! I haven't touched a sewing machine in YEARS!!!
COLOR]

I just called every Walmart in my area and none of them have zhuzhu hamsters - MAN!

Hey if you have a sewing machine you can make AG clothes - skirts, dresses - EASY - you can do it!!!!

 

[dreamer17555]

Okay so I need some Christmas advice.

My 7 year old DD is a Dancer, like dance is her life. She does some 11+ hours a week and is so much more into it than a lot of her little friends (she would rather practice than play video games or go to a movie).

I found out last night that her studio is doing an optional convention 3 hrs away in Nov. It happens to have a lot of her favorite choreographers from SYTYCD teaching as well as Jeanine and Brandon. But it is expensive $190 for the two days plus hotel and food, gas, ect.... She really, really, really wants to go.

Honestly if we took her she would have to get almost nothing to open on Christmas (though she would get her Ipod Touch from Santa and a GC to add stuff to it) it would be her Santa gift and maybe an outfit. I already floated the idea to her about it being an early Xmas gift and she said if she could go she wouldn't even want anything for X mas or her B day (in Jan- but trust me we will be getting her a B day gift) but really can a 7 year old (though very mature 7) be okay with only a few presents to unwrap? I am sure my mom and DH's family will get her tons but I sorta feel weird about the idea of her only having two gifts under the tree...

Thoughts?

-Becca-

 

[luvmy3]

Okay so I need some Christmas advice.

My 7 year old DD is a Dancer, like dance is her life. She does some 11+ hours a week and is so much more into it than a lot of her little friends (she would rather practice than play video games or go to a movie).

I found out last night that her studio is doing an optional convention 3 hrs away in Nov. It happens to have a lot of her favorite choreographers from SYTYCD teaching as well as Jeanine and Brandon. But it is expensive $190 for the two days plus hotel and food, gas, ect.... She really, really, really wants to go.

Honestly if we took her she would have to get almost nothing to open on Christmas (though she would get her Ipod Touch from Santa and a GC to add stuff to it) it would be her Santa gift and maybe an outfit. I already floated the idea to her about it being an early Xmas gift and she said if she could go she wouldn't even want anything for X mas or her B day (in Jan- but trust me we will be getting her a B day gift) but really can a 7 year old (though very mature 7) be okay with only a few presents to unwrap? I am sure my mom and DH's family will get her tons but I sorta feel weird about the idea of her only having two gifts under the tree...

Thoughts?

-Becca-

If it was an opportunity that she may not get again I would definitly let her do it. You could always get little gifts to wrap for her so she has something to open. Nailpolishes, hair accessories, cute pens & a journal, a poster for her room etc. There are a ton of things you could do that aren't expensive at all.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Okay so I need some Christmas advice.

My 7 year old DD is a Dancer, like dance is her life. She does some 11+ hours a week and is so much more into it than a lot of her little friends (she would rather practice than play video games or go to a movie).

I found out last night that her studio is doing an optional convention 3 hrs away in Nov. It happens to have a lot of her favorite choreographers from SYTYCD teaching as well as Jeanine and Brandon. But it is expensive $190 for the two days plus hotel and food, gas, ect.... She really, really, really wants to go.

Honestly if we took her she would have to get almost nothing to open on Christmas (though she would get her Ipod Touch from Santa and a GC to add stuff to it) it would be her Santa gift and maybe an outfit. I already floated the idea to her about it being an early Xmas gift and she said if she could go she wouldn't even want anything for X mas or her B day (in Jan- but trust me we will be getting her a B day gift) but really can a 7 year old (though very mature 7) be okay with only a few presents to unwrap? I am sure my mom and DH's family will get her tons but I sorta feel weird about the idea of her only having two gifts under the tree...

Thoughts?

-Becca-

I would take her, but maybe put aside a few things that you would normally just give her for her to unwrap, like if you normally order books from the scholastic book orders maybe go to a book fair without her and pick them up and keep them back for Christmas. You could wrap any special make-up she might wear for dance, pajamas, maybe a couple of toys from the Dollar Tree like a baton or some cheap art supplies like play-doh. I just think a 7yo would be really disappointed with just two gifts if she's used to more, and even more so if she has siblings.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Becca~ I say take her!! I agree with the other posters...get her some tiny stuff to unwrap and think of it like this-Christmas is about showing people you love them. We do this buy giving them their little hearts' desires! If she wants hers in November, what's wrong with that?!!! She'll be fine on Christmas with that Ipod!!!!!!

 

[luvmy3]

Becca~ I say take her!! I agree with the other posters...get her some tiny stuff to unwrap and think of it like this-Christmas is about showing people you love them. We do this buy giving them their little hearts' desires! If she wants hers in November, what's wrong with that?!!! She'll be fine on Christmas with that Ipod!!!!!!

So true. My dd is getting an ipod touch for Christmas, she has told me that its the only thing she really wants and wouldn't ask Santa for anything else (even though she wants other stuff). I am guilty of spoiling my kids on Christmas so they usually have way too much under the tree. I just told dd the other night that she doesn't need to pretend to believe because I know she really doesn't and I told her that if she gets the touch she won't be getting even half of what she's used to. She said thats fine, she'd be happy with just getting the touch and nothing else. I do have other stuff for her, but its not alot.

 

[dreamer17555]

Thanks everyone. I am gonna email her studio and say that we are in for the convention. I had never thought about just getting her a few more small things and I think it will work all the way around.

-Becca-

 

[DizzyErin]

Got my DD the Hm movie with a free bag how i love that word, some stocking fillers from the sale in the disney store, gorgeous 101 Dalmations stationary bits and pieces and my neice Sleeping beauty figures only £5 if i spent 10 wooohooo i do love bargain shopping.

I have no idea what Zhu Zhu's are but good luck everyone who's trying to find them

 

[PrincessParty]

I am doing better than I had originally thought. We are doing 5 gifts/each max:

Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read, and something from my heart if I find it.

2 DD's (10 and 13)
Want 13-Leather journal and pen 10 year old will change many times so I will wait.
Need both will get towels and goggles as they are on the swim team.
Wear both will get a fleece sweatshirt and my Mom is making them pj pants.
Read I will wait until closer to get them a book they want.
Heart I haven't found anything, but I am doing an entertainment basket with movies, wii game, etc... for our family.

Santa is bringing park tickets for our trip next year.

Whew, I am happy to be almost done. Thank you all for your ideas and inspiration. Trying hard to stay focused and on budget.

 

[Monny2AE]

Only 99 More Days Until Christmas!!!!!​

 

[TinaLala]

LOL!! I love the countdown!

So I went to TRU and got the Mario DS (with a $5 and $10 gift card) and Toy Story Wii game I needed and an AG craft book, so I am such in a good place right now. Got a bunch of things for DD10's stocking - little things for her AG. DD7 will get lipglosses and I need to get DD10 a Claire's GC. They both picked a game pink Jenga and Connect four - we always have a game under the tree. Last year was Pictureka - we LOVE that game. Now I just have to HUNT down those darn ZHUZHU pets. ##### - dialing Walmart as we speak - they get nightly deliveries, but they never know if zhuzhus will be in the delivery.

I've sent a list to MIL and BIL for the girls.
I just have to figure out if I'm going to do chocolate dunked pretzels or italian bread for the great-grandmothers.
What to get my MIL??

 

[figment41]

To let you know TRU is charging over $10 for zhu zhu pets and they are only $8 at walmart. So I would keep trying walmart. Although spending an extra $2 is better than seeing a sad little face on Christmas morning.

I was worried that the zhu zhu pet accs would fall apart so I already gave them to my DD. Thye are cute but if you have more than one in the play area they seem to get stuck and you have to keep fixing them. They also seem to fall over quite often so you have to keep picking them up too. I was exhausted just from having to keep bouncing from side to side to fix everything. My DD is only 2 she loves them but does not understand that she has to stand them up if they fall over so she needs help.

There are also warning all over the place about getting your hair caught in the wheels. I jsut got another one the other day and it says it right on the hamster now. They have rubber bands on the wheels for traction so I could happen very easily. Also be careful they do not on your dog or cat...that would not be pretty.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I am doing better than I had originally thought. We are doing 5 gifts/each max:

Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read, and something from my heart if I find it.

2 DD's (10 and 13)
Want 13-Leather journal and pen 10 year old will change many times so I will wait.
Need both will get towels and goggles as they are on the swim team.
Wear both will get a fleece sweatshirt and my Mom is making them pj pants.
Read I will wait until closer to get them a book they want.
Heart I haven't found anything, but I am doing an entertainment basket with movies, wii game, etc... for our family.

Santa is bringing park tickets for our trip next year.

Whew, I am happy to be almost done. Thank you all for your ideas and inspiration. Trying hard to stay focused and on budget.

Love this idea and love the gifts you have picked so far!!

Only 99 More Days Until Christmas!!!!!​

Thanks Kim!! How super exciting!!!!!

LOL!! I love the countdown!
I've sent a list to MIL and BIL for the girls.
I just have to figure out if I'm going to do chocolate dunked pretzels or italian bread for the great-grandmothers.
What to get my MIL??

For people that are hard...especially parents & grandparents...I loooove the delivered gift baskets from Harry & Davids....they have all price ranges and maybe several people in the family could go in together and get a huge basket!! Also...does she like Vera Bradley? They too have such a wide range of prices and lots of neat little gifts!!

 

[Tink901]

This is a GREAT thread - thanks OP for posting


For our parents, grandparents and those tough to buy for we have done Omaha steaks - they have a lot of choices, even some complete meals which are great to make meal planning easier.

If you register with your email they email you alot of promotions - my FIL told me it was the best gift last year and my MIL loved that it all came individually wrapped saved her some time and they wasted less.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

This is a GREAT thread - thanks OP for posting


For our parents, grandparents and those tough to buy for we have done Omaha steaks - they have a lot of choices, even some complete meals which are great to make meal planning easier.

If you register with your email they email you alot of promotions - my FIL told me it was the best gift last year and my MIL loved that it all came individually wrapped saved her some time and they wasted less.

Your Welcome!!! And glad you are here!! Love the pics in your sig...very sweet! I like the idea of the steaks too! I have never done those...another good option I will check into for our family. Well, how are ya'll doing? Tuesday is the first official day of Autumn,,,so technically this is the last weekend of summer. I know lots of people consider Labor Day the end, but we usually have summer weather forever.....and it's nice to say it's fall. Makes you feel better even tho you still can walk outside and sweat like a pig You Texas girls know what I mean!!!
I finished redoing my front beds yesterday Very exciting.....got some new plants...one I already had,just needed a new one..called a Fox Tailed Fern...very pretty, easy to grow, and will do fine in the heat. That's all I needed to know! Also, we all know and love the Hydrangea...but did you know they have a different one called a Variegated ? I don't even know if I spelled that right!!!! Any plant lovers...look it up! It's beautiful!! I tend to like things that I know from my sweet little Grannys yard when I was a kid. She loved Hydrangeas and this is just a new twist on an old plant!!!! Anyhoo...I know this is a Christmas thread...but I am just so proud of my new babies i wanted to share with my Santa buddies
I was going to do more Christmas shopping tomorrow...let hubby watch the kids for a while, but I think I may have him haul in a truck load of mulch for my back beds....I know more plant talk...but it does tie in here..See?!!!! Anyway, if we do that it will be an alllll day thing -very tiring!And I want to be really energized to buy more toys!! DD is gonna be easy for me, since most will be ordered from AG. The hard part is hiding it when it's dropped at the front door! Of course...I can have it delivered to her daddys office But then, I always run the risk of him calling and asking them what it is!!!! How many of you have your fall decor out already? We have a few scarecrows in the yard ...waiting on some pumpkins!!! This always gives me the extra boost I need to start getting in a Christmas shopping mindset! I know so many people like to shop on Black Thursday...but I am not that brave.....so Hat's Off to those of you who do!!! If that is you..you are 10 weeks away from your mega-shopping day!
And that means from today, Christmas is in


14 WEEKS!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

Shawna your garden sounds beautiful You should share a pic with us! We're heading into fall weather here in the NE so we might get some mums this weekend. I love the fall colors that mums come in- so pretty.

I was talking a little more with my sister for Christmas yesterday and am hoping to get some ideas for her kids soon. 14 weeks is going to fly by and I really would like to get some checked off my list soon.

 

[bdiddy]

I buy year round at sales so I have some stuff put away in the attic. I just recently went up and sorted it and pulled out about 7 things for each kid and then I've been selling fall clothes/toys on Ebay to fund the rest of my Christmas purchases. Right now I have $200 in my paypal acct to use. I'm going to stick to that for Christmas since we are going to WDW in December and we need extra cash for that.

As for what else to buy I was waiting to see what the kids asked for and DS (3) wants that new Imaginext space ship set so I'll probably get all that and then I know DD (5) wants the TV Chef Barbie but other than that I guess I'll have to wait until they make their list!!