Christmas Shopping '09

[Disney Mommy 3]

Okay...Mike kept the kids today and I went shopping!!! I was gonna have to wait til next weekend..but my parents didnt come down, so I was able to do it today!! Okay...for all of you riding the fence on the Wii...it does get marked down tomorrow to $199!! So... I got the games they wanted today while I was out, got 2 extra remotes too. Got all three kids a couple of games for the Wii....I found Desperaux for $9.99 ( loved that book/movie) got my ds10 both DS games he wanted ..had to get those at Target..TRU didn't have them....DS game for dd also. Got my older son a PSP game for his bday.
Toys: ds13 decided he did want some transformers...got those today
ds10 Buzz Lightyear in his original box!!! (it'll be $10 off at TRU tomorrow)

Just gotta get the Wii now!!! I will get it at Wal-Mart tomorrow or whenever....just knowing it's marked down made me feel better!! OH...did get TSMM, Family night games w Mr.Potato Head and disney Trivia for family games. I had to go to TRU, Wal-Mart and Target to get all the games on the list!! But, I got them all, so I am happy!! What a good little elf am I!!

I am gonna order dd AG stuff before long...I know a couple of the little dresses she wanted a while back are gone... it's ok because she has so many more picked out!!!! Grandparents and maybe parents are getting the Harry and Davids basket again this year.....hubby I still don't know.
Me~ I found the CUTEST luggage today...ya'll all need to get it!! It's Jessica Simpson and it's at Dillards!!!! She has orange;paisley that is lavender,orange, and pink;Blue and red...these two have red liner that looks kinda gingham!! i fell in loooove. I think Mike will have to let me get the blue one for my Christmas!!!!!!! I am hoping the 24" will be carry on...I need to check Continental and see.....the tote is great too!!! Now I am tired. I didn't feel tired til I sat down and started typing!!! I think I will be in bed early tonight!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Just wanted to let you all know that I got the Wii yesterday!!! Hooray for me!!! It was $199..got ours at TRU..they had several sold earlier in the morning, but steady during the day...steady might be too strong a word from the way the sales girl talked..but I think they know it's still early...lots of people dont know about it yet.....and so many people shop later in the season...it could sell out later. But anyway, I got mine....so, I just need to get a few more stocking stuffers and order dd's AG stuff and I am finished wtih my kids!! I usually get stocking stuffers in Dec...christmas candy and stuff like that.. ..Macy's has their Christmas trees up with the ornaments on them....still roped off, but it's looking quite festive!!!!!
Hope you are all having blessed Monday!!!

 

[Terry36]

Just wanted to let you all know that I got the Wii yesterday!!! Hooray for me!!! It was $199..got ours at TRU..they had several sold earlier in the morning, but steady during the day...steady might be too strong a word from the way the sales girl talked..but I think they know it's still early...lots of people dont know about it yet.....and so many people shop later in the season...it could sell out later. But anyway, I got mine....so, I just need to get a few more stocking stuffers and order dd's AG stuff and I am finished wtih my kids!! I usually get stocking stuffers in Dec...christmas candy and stuff like that.. ..Macy's has their Christmas trees up with the ornaments on them....still roped off, but it's looking quite festive!!!!!
Hope you are all having blessed Monday!!!

Good for you. I will start my shopping this coming weekend. I do have one question though, how do you keep yourself focused to not buy any additional gifts once you are through? This is usually my problem.

 

[Monny2AE]

Hooray You got a Wii!!!!!!!

I did a little shopping this weekend too! I got DD two Disney Princess Plush Dolls- they were BOGO at the Disney Store! I picked out Cinderella and Tink! Not sure if I'm giving them both at Christmas or saving one as a surprise while we're at Disney in Jan. (Saves $ on souvies )

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Good for you. I will start my shopping this coming weekend. I do have one question though, how do you keep yourself focused to not buy any additional gifts once you are through? This is usually my problem.

Hooray You got a Wii!!!!!!!

I did a little shopping this weekend too! I got DD two Disney Princess Plush Dolls- they were BOGO at the Disney Store! I picked out Cinderella and Tink! Not sure if I'm giving them both at Christmas or saving one as a surprise while we're at Disney in Jan. (Saves $ on souvies )

Well, my older son's bday is Dec 4 and we usually are planning a Disney trip in Dec or jan...so I focus on that!! Ha!!!! Keeps my mind busy!!!

Kim~good for you..yep, save one for the trip!!!

 

[Jasperann]

I've got some Christmas shopping done already. We do 'the 12 days of Christmas', which for us is each day leading up to Christmas the kids get a dollar store or cheap toy in their stocking. It is a lot of fun and gets them all excited (or even more excited I should say) for Christmas. My mom started it with me when I was a kid so it is a tradition. Anyways I have bought all of the 12 days presents for all of the kids. I'm excited!!!

We are going to WDW in March, so I think that one of the girls presents will be the princesses dresses. Belle and Cinderella... They want to wear them when they met Cinderella. Anyone know if a lot of people do this?

We are saving most of our money so Christmas is really going to be in March this year... Christmas in December is going to be much smaller than usual, but I'm sure WDW more than makes up for that.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I've got some Christmas shopping done already. We do 'the 12 days of Christmas', which for us is each day leading up to Christmas the kids get a dollar store or cheap toy in their stocking. It is a lot of fun and gets them all excited (or even more excited I should say) for Christmas. My mom started it with me when I was a kid so it is a tradition. Anyways I have bought all of the 12 days presents for all of the kids. I'm excited!!!

We are going to WDW in March, so I think that one of the girls presents will be the princesses dresses. Belle and Cinderella... They want to wear them when they met Cinderella. Anyone know if a lot of people do this?

We are saving most of our money so Christmas is really going to be in March this year... Christmas in December is going to be much smaller than usual, but I'm sure WDW more than makes up for that.

The 12 days sounds like a great idea!!!!
Yes...lots of kids do that! They sell the dresses at WDW, but it would be cheaper to get it now i am sure!!!!
And I agree...disney makes up for it!!!

 

[ComparedforMe]

Christmas? I'm ssooo excited about Christmas. I can't wait.. I plan to compare travel sites to get the best prices and travel with the family. Besides gifts, I think traveling will help families bond with each other.

 

[bas71873]

Good for you. I will start my shopping this coming weekend. I do have one question though, how do you keep yourself focused to not buy any additional gifts once you are through? This is usually my problem.

EXACTLY my problem.....and it's already started this year. UGH!!!!!!! I'm out of control!

 

[r4blessings]

ohhhh....what AG doll stuff are you getting for your daughter?

 

[AntePrincess]

Wow, I've only just begun to think about the holidays!

Our Christmas is always pretty small and predictable (and perfect! ). Most of our budget is devoted to a nice open house meal at my parents' the day of, but I have a few things to think about shopping wise still:

1. We need a gift for my husband, one for a three year old, one for a one month old, and one for me.
2. We need complete stockings for the people above, including the stockings. (We have two knit mukluks we used to use for stockings and improvised hats for our now three year old, but I think I'd like to just do proper stockings now.) Plus a few stocking stuffers for my parents and my uncle who will be at their house, too.
3. We need to get containers for the cookie exchange we're hosting with our social circle (must be cheap, there'll be a bunch of them) and assorted other baked goods containers for batches of cookies and a few fruitcakes for the rest of our relatives.

I'm really wishing that I had picked up the stockings and cookie tins when they were deeply discounted after last year's Christmas, but I see some nice options in the dollar stores and for under a dollar at craft stores, so I guess all is not lost there. So far, nothing's looked promising on the stocking front. Maybe more mukluks. They cost $20, but you get a pair at a time.

On the four gifts, I'm completely stumped. My husband doesn't want anything. I'm kind of interested in tons of things, so you'd think I'd be easy to shop for, but that makes it frustrating for him. Our three year old has more than enough toys, the only toy that I'm tempted by is $50 at IKEA and isn't going to be discounted anytime soon, I can't think of anything else she'd like that wouldn't just turn into clutter. As for the one month old, they're covered as far as toys, books, needs, and everything else goes. I never have any idea what to give an infant that's actually a gift for an infant.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

r4Blessings~ she wants the AG bitty twins..a blonde and a brunette! She likes the double stroller, but I am looking at the Graco double stroller from TRU ..it's about $25 cheaper! Not sure if it would work...gotta check that out. She also has her eye on a couple of outfits..I may get a couple for her from my mom and just have her pay me for it...save us from both having to pay for shipping!!!!!

Anteprincess~I do Christmas cookie gifts also...I usually just get the $1 tins at Wal-Mart..lined with wax paper.

 

[AntePrincess]

Anteprincess~I do Christmas cookie gifts also...I usually just get the $1 tins at Wal-Mart..lined with wax paper.

Disney Mommy 3, it's either that or a disposable wrapping for me as well. I was thinking of dressing up brown kraft paper bags or plain old lunch bags with a dark brown pine cone or similar stamp on design, then some twine and potpourri twigs. I figure my cookie tins might not be how everyone wants to decorate their house. Either way, it's not going to break the bank.

I think we're going to just buy stockings this year, I'd be happy with the $1 "plush velvet" ones from Dollar Tree, so why make a big hunt for the ideal stocking?

 

[jstbcuz]

Hello there! I have started as well. I probably have enough stuff in my closet to give DS3..........but his bday is in Jan........so part of it will go to that. I did buy him the "Lightening GeoTrax" as he calls it. TRU had a big set for $99. Also picked up the Handy Manny Matchbox cars for his stocking. Bought a couple floor puzzles thru Scholastic Book Order.

DD16 wants the InStyler.........not sure if she will get it or not as reviews are only so so. Other than that she wants $$$ and giftcards which I hate giving because it doesnt seem like much.

DD13 also has a bday in Jan, and is SOOOO HARD to buy for every year. I have bought her some scrapbook stuff, and she did just get a bigger bed, so might find a comforter set for her.

 

[Perditamarie]

I have a good chunk of shopping done,....it is the wrapping that gets me down!!!

Jstbcuz
If you feel that your gift cards don't look like much, wrap a box in a box in a box in a box! That way they get to unwrap a lot!!!! I have seen some super deals on bed-in-a-bag at Kohls and Target---that could work for the 13 yo!

 

[luvmy3]

Hello there! I have started as well. I probably have enough stuff in my closet to give DS3..........but his bday is in Jan........so part of it will go to that. I did buy him the "Lightening GeoTrax" as he calls it. TRU had a big set for $99. Also picked up the Handy Manny Matchbox cars for his stocking. Bought a couple floor puzzles thru Scholastic Book Order.

DD16 wants the InStyler.........not sure if she will get it or not as reviews are only so so. Other than that she wants $$$ and giftcards which I hate giving because it doesnt seem like much.

DD13 also has a bday in Jan, and is SOOOO HARD to buy for every year. I have bought her some scrapbook stuff, and she did just get a bigger bed, so might find a comforter set for her.

Last year there was a thread with a pic of what one mom did to her dd's giftcards. She hung them like ornaments on a little pink Christmas tree. It was so cute, and I'm definitely stealing that idea when dd starts asking for just GCs.

I still need to get all the adults in the family, most of them I know what I'm getting but a few have me stumped.
Dh is getting a personal slacker radio, my grandmother is getting a Vera Bradley bag, and my S-MIL is getting a personalized casserole dish (from school fundraiser). Dh's grandparents will probably get a GC to the grocery store, they don't go anywhere anymore and their house is filled to the brim with stuff, I hate to add to it. I have no idea what I'm getting my dad or dh's. I'm thinking for mine some kind of sporting event tickets, but dh's dad stumps me every year, unless I get him a gift that he and S-MIL can share, but it still always seems like its a gift for her.
Then after that, a couple more because we pick names for our nieces and nephews, hopefully we will do that in the next few weeks so I can make my goal of being finished before Thanksgiving.

ETA On top of shopping for gifts for everyone else, I still need to shop for my own from dh. He hates to, and this way I get exactly what I want

 

[AntePrincess]

ETA On top of shopping for gifts for everyone else, I still need to shop for my own from dh. He hates to, and this way I get exactly what I want

luvmy3, I thought I was the only one that did that for my husband! It's the only time all year I give myself permission to buy something nice for myself that I don't really need.

 

[AntePrincess]

Sorry to double post, but I somehow overlooked this before:

Dh's grandparents will probably get a GC to the grocery store, they don't go anywhere anymore and their house is filled to the brim with stuff, I hate to add to it.

luvmy3, I think that's an incredible idea, I honestly wish someone would get me a gift card to a grocery store! It's not that I need help with the groceries, but I'd definitely use it to put together a care package of some of the nicer things that I rarely treat myself to, or even use it on a pair of lobsters steamed at the fish counter.

Along the same lines, I'm thinking of getting my mother a gift card to a chain of nice convenience stores in the area and a nice travel mug. There's a few of the stores on her way to the office, and she loves coffee drinks, but has never noticed that the convenience store has some of the same or better drinks as Starbucks at a huge, huge discount. I guess that would be kind of a big stocking stuffer, but still a treat.

 

[bas71873]

Dh is getting a personal slacker radio,

.

i must know what this is?

 

[luvmy3]

luvmy3, I thought I was the only one that did that for my husband! It's the only time all year I give myself permission to buy something nice for myself that I don't really need.

I prefer to do it that way only because he is one those dh's that wait till the last minute and panic and I end up with things like a glass oil lamp in the shape of a dinosaur or a $100 pillow. At least I know I will love and use what I get for myself. He does take the kids out to shop for me, so I do get little surprises from them

Sorry to double post, but I somehow overlooked this before:



luvmy3, I think that's an incredible idea, I honestly wish someone would get me a gift card to a grocery store! It's not that I need help with the groceries, but I'd definitely use it to put together a care package of some of the nicer things that I rarely treat myself to, or even use it on a pair of lobsters steamed at the fish counter.

Along the same lines, I'm thinking of getting my mother a gift card to a chain of nice convenience stores in the area and a nice travel mug. There's a few of the stores on her way to the office, and she loves coffee drinks, but has never noticed that the convenience store has some of the same or better drinks as Starbucks at a huge, huge discount. I guess that would be kind of a big stocking stuffer, but still a treat.

I like giving practical gifts that get someone to try something or somewhere new. I bet your Mother would love to discover gourmet coffee at not a gourmet price.

.

i must know what this is?

Slacker is an internet radio station. The personal radio is like an MP3 player that can store some of your own music, plus the stations on slacker that you like. Right now he uses the free Slacker so I'll porobably buy their service, although I'm not sure what the difference between the two are.
He has a long commute and its perfect for his ride, plus I'm hoping it gets him to stop listening to so much political talk radio