Christmas Shopping '09

[Graciesmom77]

And if worst comes to worst, you can sell an American Girl doll on E bay for almost as much as they are new.

I am close to caving and buying both my girls dolls. They are usually rough on toys and don't take the best care of them, but they do love their Our Generation dolls from Target, and they have been a little better about taking care of their things. My husband says I just want them for myself and that if I want one, then just buy one for me since I kow I will take care of it. lol But I can't justify spending that much on myself.

Anyone have any guesses on if they will have any more deals before Christmas at American Girl?

 

[sl_underwood]

She is 10, this won't last long but....same applies to the negative, she is 10, this won't last long and another doll for just, probably, one more year of play?
Thoughts?

I just wanted to comment that my dd turns 13 in December and all she has asked for is AG Chrissa, and an IPOD. She still loves her dolls and they are great collectibles when she no longer plays with them. I dont think you are ever to old for toys. Though, I got a RC bat mobile last christmas, lol, so my opinion might be a little skewed.

 

[Lissypiggy]

Yesterday we went to dd8's school Fall Festival. It is HUGE and they always have wonderful baskets and you can put raffle tix in for the basket that you want. They had a huge basket with 2 AG dolls plus outfits, games, a photo shoot with the doll and a couple other things (truly they could have made 2 baskets out of that one). The AG dolls were Josefina which DD8 has and Rebecca which dd10 wants more than anything. We bought tons of raffle tix and dd10 used all of hers for that basket. She went back 3 or 4 different times so that her tix would be mixed in throughout the basket. Nothing...we got nothing. Not that basket, not the one dd8 wanted with tons of barbies and webkinz, not the dsi basket...nothing. I have never seen dd10 so sad! She wants Rebecca more than anything soooooooooo here is the dilemma: I am tired of buying AG dolls! DD10 has Addy and Ivy. DD8 has Josefina, bitty twins and Sonali (which she used $60 of her own earned $$ to purchase). I think they should have to earn their dolls from here on out. But I am close to caving with the way that poor kiddo looked yesterday. She is 10, this won't last long but....same applies to the negative, she is 10, this won't last long and another doll for just, probably, one more year of play?
Thoughts? I did purchase accessories this year and bought a $25.00 gc for AG for both. My mom will probably give each grandkid a $20.00 visa gc. I could just do another $25.00 AG gc and then she would have to earn/ save about $30 if she really wants it.

OK, so as a Mom of 2 im asuming you have been to target right??? So have you seen their my generation dolls? They are like half the price of the American Girl Dolls, come with a LOT more, their supplies and accessorys cost a lot less, and everyone loves them just the same. If you don't want to get your daughter this brand the outfits ($10:00) fit American Girl Dolls and the small pets, scooters, and other things their go perfectly wih the dolls too.

Hope this helps!

 

[skip323]

Thanks all!! I have really, in the past, indulged them as much as I thought possible without it being just too crazy!!! We have done Our generation dolls..we actually started out with them and then graduated to the AG dolls. I generally buy accessories etc from the Our Generation line (working on 2 wardrobes and 2 horses right now). I think I will get another small gc for her and then with my mom's gc she will only need to work on getting about $30.00. She is terrible at saving for what she wants. She had $60.00 this summer when we went to AG in Chicago. I told her and dd8 that they could purchase a doll and work for the other $40.00. DD8 did it, dd10 purchased a bunch of other things. I think it will be best for her to have to work towards some of it. Disappointment can build character...I just keep on having to remind myself of that!

 

[Perditamarie]

Thanks all!! I have really, in the past, indulged them as much as I thought possible without it being just too crazy!!! We have done Our generation dolls..we actually started out with them and then graduated to the AG dolls. I generally buy accessories etc from the Our Generation line (working on 2 wardrobes and 2 horses right now). I think I will get another small gc for her and then with my mom's gc she will only need to work on getting about $30.00. She is terrible at saving for what she wants. She had $60.00 this summer when we went to AG in Chicago. I told her and dd8 that they could purchase a doll and work for the other $40.00. DD8 did it, dd10 purchased a bunch of other things. I think it will be best for her to have to work towards some of it. Disappointment can build character...I just keep on having to remind myself of that!

I think your plan is smart -- and a good lesson for Mom's too, to provide character building opportunities!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Something I am a firm believer in-as far as the character thing...Life is going to teach it to you if you don't learn it young. So...we need to find opps to teach them what we know they need to learn...and what a better place to learn morals/virtues/just plain hard work, than under momma's wing?!!!

 

[jacksmomma]

If anyone is looking for Monty Rex he is on sale at Target this week and there is a coupon in their toy book for an additional $10 off.

 

[HLDisney]

I've been working my way through my Christmas gift list pretty well, thanks to my Amazon Prime trial (free for a month) I only have a few more gifts to get and I want to try to make a few gifts in the next few weeks.

One funny thing, though. I think my DD will be getting a bra as one of her Christmas gifts She's been begging me for a bra for the past few months but she doesn't really have a need for it, if you know what I mean However, since she's been so persistent, I may just get her one for Christmas Now I need to figure out where to get a bra for a 7-8 yo who is un-full-figured

Helen

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I've been working my way through my Christmas gift list pretty well, thanks to my Amazon Prime trial (free for a month) I only have a few more gifts to get and I want to try to make a few gifts in the next few weeks.

One funny thing, though. I think my DD will be getting a bra as one of her Christmas gifts She's been begging me for a bra for the past few months but she doesn't really have a need for it, if you know what I mean However, since she's been so persistent, I may just get her one for Christmas Now I need to figure out where to get a bra for a 7-8 yo who is un-full-figured

Helen

Remember those Underoos they had when we were kids? I had the Wonder Woman set and would wear the top under my shirt like it was a bra!!! How funny!! I had forgotten that... Ithink I was about 2nd grade! Maybe just a little undershirt kinda thing....JCPenney always has little stuff like that.. I would NOT be ready for my DD to ask for that! Ha!!!! I am not mentally prepared yet!!!!

 

[HLDisney]

Remember those Underoos they had when we were kids? I had the Wonder Woman set and would wear the top under my shirt like it was a bra!!! How funny!! I had forgotten that... Ithink I was about 2nd grade! Maybe just a little undershirt kinda thing....JCPenney always has little stuff like that.. I would NOT be ready for my DD to ask for that! Ha!!!! I am not mentally prepared yet!!!!

Maybe it's a 2nd grade thing then because that's the grade my DD is in

I wasn't prepared for this, either. When she first started mentioning it this past summer, I looked at her like she was crazy and pretty much told her there was no chance she was getting one any time soon. However, I've been talking with some other moms on an adoptive parents forum I'm on and it seems as though a lot of girls start wanting/getting bras when they're 6-8 years old so I guess my DD is just at that stage. Part of me thinks that after she wears it for a day or two, she'll decide she doesn't want to wear it any more, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to get her used to it now.

She actually does wear undershirts to keep her warm in the winter and she actually suggested that she could cut off the bottom part of her undershirt to make it a bra

Helen

 

[bas71873]

WOO HOO. I just knocked out a HUGE portion of my Cmas baking/cooking items at Wal-mart. They had Duncan Hines cake mixes for .88 (I"m trying recipes this year that use cake mixes), cranberry sauce was .88, Cool Whip for $1, Mrs. B's yeast rolls for 1.82, flour, sugar and oil were all marked down. I picked up some stocking stuffer candy and bagged candy too. I have been good about clipping coupons too. I really don't have much left to get that can be "stored" and then it's just last minute potatoes & such.

I do have a question though. What is a good price on a spiral ham? They had them $1.78, but I thought I'd check BJ's too? What should I be looking for?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

She actually does wear undershirts to keep her warm in the winter and she actually suggested that she could cut off the bottom part of her undershirt to make it a bra

Helen

that is sooooo funny!!! ha!!!!

WOO HOO. I just knocked out a HUGE portion of my Cmas baking/cooking items at Wal-mart. They had Duncan Hines cake mixes for .88 (I"m trying recipes this year that use cake mixes), cranberry sauce was .88, Cool Whip for $1, Mrs. B's yeast rolls for 1.82, flour, sugar and oil were all marked down. I picked up some stocking stuffer candy and bagged candy too. I have been good about clipping coupons too. I really don't have much left to get that can be "stored" and then it's just last minute potatoes & such.

I do have a question though. What is a good price on a spiral ham? They had them $1.78, but I thought I'd check BJ's too? What should I be looking for?

OOhhhhhh Good for you!! I am working on my grocery list as we speak! (type ) So... I am about to stock up as well....I know one thing I have got to remember is the sweet potatoes! I used the canned ones...I know fresh ones are better, but this time it's all I have time for. I always try to groc shop one time a week....but I haven't been able to the last few weeks...it sure is nice to be organized!!! As far as a ham.....couldn't tell you!! I don't eat ham...it's a contributer to my migraines!!! I think that sounds like a good price though. Anything under $2 sounds good to me!!!!! Can ya'll believe how expensive chicken has gotten? MERCY!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

I'm done my kids for Christmas!!!! Finished up this weekend all except candy for their stockings and I would like to get DD a little dress up princess necklace for her stocking.

Now I just have to get the rest of my extended family list done...
My Mom- movie gift certificates and IOU to go with her
My Dad-
My Sister- but I know I want to get something just for her since she's in school, working and balancing a family too. I'm so proud of her for going back and doing the school thing for herself!
My Sister's Husband-
My Niece- gift card
My Nephew- gift card
DH's Mom-
DH's Dad-
DH's Niece- gift card
DH's Nephew- gift card

 

[jacksmomma]

Maybe it's a 2nd grade thing then because that's the grade my DD is in

I wasn't prepared for this, either. When she first started mentioning it this past summer, I looked at her like she was crazy and pretty much told her there was no chance she was getting one any time soon. However, I've been talking with some other moms on an adoptive parents forum I'm on and it seems as though a lot of girls start wanting/getting bras when they're 6-8 years old so I guess my DD is just at that stage. Part of me thinks that after she wears it for a day or two, she'll decide she doesn't want to wear it any more, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to get her used to it now.

She actually does wear undershirts to keep her warm in the winter and she actually suggested that she could cut off the bottom part of her undershirt to make it a bra

Helen

Gosh I was in 6th grade and needed to wear a bra and my Mom had to threaten me before I would wear it. I hated it...but then again maybe it was the bra buying experience...you know, your Mom shouting across the Kmart for you to come pick out what color you like and then proceeding to make you try it on over your shirt right there in the middle of the underwear department!

Target has some cute bras/sports bras and underwear sets in the girl's department.

 

[jacksmomma]

I'm done my kids for Christmas!!!! Finished up this weekend all except candy for their stockings and I would like to get DD a little dress up princess necklace for her stocking.

Now I just have to get the rest of my extended family list done...
My Mom- movie gift certificates and IOU to go with her
My Dad-
My Sister- but I know I want to get something just for her since she's in school, working and balancing a family too. I'm so proud of her for going back and doing the school thing for herself!
My Sister's Husband-
My Niece- gift card
My Nephew- gift card
DH's Mom-
DH's Dad-
DH's Niece- gift card
DH's Nephew- gift card

Our local parks department has a great kids pottery class. The kid's make their own pieces from scratch and then the instructor takes them to his studio to glaze and fire. That is what the grandparents are getting. They are so hard to shop for. I figure this kills 2 birds with one stone (DS gets to go to his favorite class, and we get a gift out of the way.)

 

[Monny2AE]

Our local parks department has a great kids pottery class. The kid's make their own pieces from scratch and then the instructor takes them to his studio to glaze and fire. That is what the grandparents are getting. They are so hard to shop for. I figure this kills 2 birds with one stone (DS gets to go to his favorite class, and we get a gift out of the way.)

That's a GREAT idea!!! DH's Mom is always baking cookies so maybe we could make her a cookie jar or something fun like that from the kids! Thanks for the idea!

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Just about finished up today!

Kohl's has BoGo sale and you can mix and match across departments! So, MIL is getting a fleece zippered robe, DF is getting slippers, BIL is getting a golf shirt, I am getting some warm, soft pj's, DD is getting 2 peace shirts.

We had also stopped in Marshalls to check out clearnance and picked up a My Little pony playset for $7! We then saw the same playset at Kohl's for $39!

Just have DH to shop for.

We also bought a new dryer today. We REALLY needed one, but I hated spending $400 on an appliance while we are trying to shop for Christmas. Next new appliance will be a new computer, but it will have to wait.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

We are all doing so good...I think we need a pat on the back!!! Or just some pixie dust

 

[SCHBR'smom]

Can I join the Christmas shopping thread? I've been working on my shopping and made a HUGE dent in October. Not too much to finish up. Our biggest problem is that 2 of our kids have birthdays right around Christmas (Dec. 23 and Dec. 29), so it seems like we are shopping for 7 kids instead of just the 5. For Christmas, I have finished all but one of the kids except for clothes and books. As for birthdays, I only have the baby left.

We know what we are getting for my mom, sis, and her boyfriend. Just have to get it.

I have no idea for my mil and fil. Any ideas? They are especially difficult because mil owns her own embroidery business and gets all her clothes, bags, purses, everything on her own with custom embroidery.

 

[RMulieri]

Can I join the Christmas shopping thread? I've been working on my shopping and made a HUGE dent in October. Not too much to finish up. Our biggest problem is that 2 of our kids have birthdays right around Christmas (Dec. 23 and Dec. 29), so it seems like we are shopping for 7 kids instead of just the 5. For Christmas, I have finished all but one of the kids except for clothes and books. As for birthdays, I only have the baby left.

We know what we are getting for my mom, sis, and her boyfriend. Just have to get it.

I have no idea for my mil and fil. Any ideas? They are especially difficult because mil owns her own embroidery business and gets all her clothes, bags, purses, everything on her own with custom embroidery.

I hear YA...My daughter's birthday ...Dec 26th.My mother Dec 30th and my MIL is Dec 18th...I get slammed all December