Christmas Shopping 2010

[3princesses+aprince]

Oh YAY! I finally finished reading through all 17 pages. I'm joining in on the Christmas planning FUN! I got some great ideas! I love Christmas and every year I say i'm going to start shopping early...... and I don't. I usually start in November. We have 4 kids, so that's not early enough. I am starting this week, very excited!

Some ideas i've been writing down.

14 yr old stepson:
A new phone (His current phone's screen is all cracked. He can barely read his texts)
gift card to hollister
gift card to abercrombie
gift card to aeropostale
gift card to a music store
PSP games
Guitar Hero games
Hoodies

He is a major shopper and is huge into his wardrobe these days!

My 11 yr old daughter
Flat screen TV for her room
zoobles
squinkies
zhu zhu pets
zhu zhu pet accessories
clothes and PJs for her American Girl doll
gift card to Justice (She's getting into clothes shopping too)
i tunes gift card
pillow pet
DS games

My 9 and 6 yr old daughters (They play with most of the same stuff together)
zoobles
zoobles playsets
squinkies and playsets
zhu zhu pets
zhu zhu pet accessories
Barbies
DS games
Pillow pets

Not sure what my 9 and 6 yr olds "big gifts" will be yet. But i'm off to a good start with the list.

I'm going to go to walmart or toys r us tomorrow to pick up some zoobles. and next week i'm going to get squinkies and squinkies playsets. I want to get them bought, they seem to be the "hot items" My 11 yr old wants them too. She loves to collect little people and animals like that. She doesn't want the playsets, just the little characters.

No store around has the squinkies yet? Has anyone else bought them yet or have they not come out yet? I gotta get on that right away. I'll be checking every day.

I went through all types of FUN last year for the zhu zhus. I don't want a repeat of that. I want to be home with my zoobles and squinkies under the tree and not in ridiculously long lines at 4am to try to get 1 out of the 6 they have when the store opens. That's what happened with the zhu zhus anyway. Not taking any chances!

 

[mdsouth]

SANTA is DONE . I bit the bullet yesterday and went to TRU and picked up the Wii (which came with a free remote charger). Picked up an extra remote too. They also had games buy 1 get 1 half off, so I picked up a few for DD and got DH Madden '11 and a paintball game (bought him the gun accessory too). I know I could/should have waited for a price reduction, but I hate fighting crowds and don't want to risk NOT getting one. Everytime I check Target & Best Buy, no matter what time of year, they are always out of stock. I'm convinced when they get some in, they only get 3 or 4. Ridiculous. So anyway, Santa is complete for DD7. I do still need to get her some Christmas PJ's and a few books (waiting for school book fair in October), but those are her Christmas Eve gifts from mom & dad

Now I just need to NOT shop at all to keep myself from buying her more stuff that she doesn't need!

Exactly! I, too, am done buying Santa and family gifts for my DD7. Now, I just need to hold fast and not buy anything else. I am like you, I went ahead and bought some of the stuff, knowing that it might go on sale later. I just want to avoid the hassle and crowds. I also want to make sure I got it and not have to worry if the stores are out of something she really wants.

She is pretty predictable in what she enjoys - so I am not worried about her changing ideas. Now, my son, who is fourteen is another matter. I haven't even begun to shop for him!

 

[mdsouth]

Oh YAY! I finally finished reading through all 17 pages. I'm joining in on the Christmas planning FUN! I got some great ideas! I love Christmas and every year I say i'm going to start shopping early...... and I don't. I usually start in November. We have 4 kids, so that's not early enough. I am starting this week, very excited!

I'm going to go to walmart or toys r us tomorrow to pick up some zoobles. and next week i'm going to get squinkies and squinkies playsets. I want to get them bought, they seem to be the "hot items" My 11 yr old wants them too. She loves to collect little people and animals like that. She doesn't want the playsets, just the little characters.

No store around has the squinkies yet? Has anyone else bought them yet or have they not come out yet? I gotta get on that right away. I'll be checking every day.

I went through all types of FUN last year for the zhu zhus. I don't want a repeat of that. I want to be home with my zoobles and squinkies under the tree and not in ridiculously long lines at 4am to try to get 1 out of the 6 they have when the store opens. That's what happened with the zhu zhus anyway. Not taking any chances!

Our TRU had the squinkies. They had lots. My DD7 checked them out but wasn't interested in them. I hope that holds true!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Oh YAY! I finally finished reading through all 17 pages. I'm joining in on the Christmas planning FUN! I got some great ideas! I love Christmas and every year I say i'm going to start shopping early...... and I don't. I usually start in November. We have 4 kids, so that's not early enough. I am starting this week, very excited!

Some ideas i've been writing down.

14 yr old stepson:
A new phone (His current phone's screen is all cracked. He can barely read his texts)
gift card to hollister
gift card to abercrombie
gift card to aeropostale
gift card to a music store
PSP games
Guitar Hero games
Hoodies

He is a major shopper and is huge into his wardrobe these days!

My 11 yr old daughter
Flat screen TV for her room
zoobles
squinkies
zhu zhu pets
zhu zhu pet accessories
clothes and PJs for her American Girl doll
gift card to Justice (She's getting into clothes shopping too)
i tunes gift card
pillow pet
DS games

My 9 and 6 yr old daughters (They play with most of the same stuff together)
zoobles
zoobles playsets
squinkies and playsets
zhu zhu pets
zhu zhu pet accessories
Barbies
DS games
Pillow pets

Not sure what my 9 and 6 yr olds "big gifts" will be yet. But i'm off to a good start with the list.

I'm going to go to walmart or toys r us tomorrow to pick up some zoobles. and next week i'm going to get squinkies and squinkies playsets. I want to get them bought, they seem to be the "hot items" My 11 yr old wants them too. She loves to collect little people and animals like that. She doesn't want the playsets, just the little characters.

No store around has the squinkies yet? Has anyone else bought them yet or have they not come out yet? I gotta get on that right away. I'll be checking every day.

I went through all types of FUN last year for the zhu zhus. I don't want a repeat of that. I want to be home with my zoobles and squinkies under the tree and not in ridiculously long lines at 4am to try to get 1 out of the 6 they have when the store opens. That's what happened with the zhu zhus anyway. Not taking any chances!

Glad you read thru and decided to join us!! We have slowed down a bit ,I think due to school crankin' back up...but we should take off again pretty soon! Wow! You have an awesome list already...I reeeaaally need to get some ideas for my older son...he is not as into clothes, too old for toys...he does love his guitar...so maybe something along that line!
Y'all are doing great with these lists!! I am so proud of you!!!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Ok, so we were in Walmart today and we did see the Squinkies and Zoobles. There wasn't tons of stuff, the zoobles all seemed picked over, but they did have 3 different 2 packs of zoobles. (They won't want the same ones) I am actually on my way to work soon and walmart is right around the corner. I'm going to run over on my break to pick them up. The kids were with me earlier.

Next week I will be Squinkie shopping.

Those will be my first Christmas purchases for the year. I'm very excited. I did pick up these adorable stuffed reindeer last year, the week after christmas. The kids wanted them and of course I said no, but ran back later to grab them. They are that very soft fur and they will go in their stockings. Next up will be the zhu zhu pets and pillow pets.

Today was the first time I saw the zoobles and Squinkies in the stores. They are really cute and my girls love that kind of stuff. I'm glad I checked this thread and found out about them! Especially if they're going to be HOT items!

 

[raykay23]

Hi everyone, hope its ok if I join in.
I have not bought anything yet but hope to get Christmas shopping well underway between Disney and whichever outlet mall I decide to go to.
I have a few questions- being Irish I hope to get some items that I wont have access to here so is it possible to arrange shipping to my hotel (POFQ) if I preorder from a website?
Also what toys/ games are popular over there for 5yr old boys? He loves science and Ancient Egypt if that helps

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hi everyone, hope its ok if I join in.
I have not bought anything yet but hope to get Christmas shopping well underway between Disney and whichever outlet mall I decide to go to.
I have a few questions- being Irish I hope to get some items that I wont have access to here so is it possible to arrange shipping to my hotel (POFQ) if I preorder from a website?
Also what toys/ games are popular over there for 5yr old boys? He loves science and Ancient Egypt if that helps

Of course it's okay!! aboard!!! I am not sure about the shipping...they have a phone number on the website to the hotel...call and ask a manager..I am sure they could tell you something. As far as games for a boy, are you talking board games, or electronic?

 

[raykay23]

Board games/ books/ science sets- anything cool really. I am not big into electronics for him yet.

 

[delmar411]

Hi everyone! I'm joining in if that's ok.

I've already gotten most of the kids Christmas shopping done....ok, more than most, probably another over the top Christmas already.

I hit up the Kmart extra 50% clearance sale and got a bunch of great stuff for the boys (6-in a month & 4.5). There wasn't as much good stuff for girls but I picked up a lot of little things and crafty items for my girls (7-in a month & 12.5). I also got some stuff at the Target clearance but I hit that up rather late so it was pretty picked over.

I have been picking up the Zoobles as I see them. I already have 90% of what's marked available on the website and now I'm not seeing 1-12 in the stores anymore so I'm glad I grabbed them when I did. YDD has been asking for them and I've seen the commercials but I'm not 100% sold on them. I think she'd really like the Squinkies better since she loves all those tiny toys and accessories. I think I'll leave it up to DH.

ODS and YDD, have b-days next month so they are getting DS's. The ones with the bigger screens plus a couple of games to get them started. I'll wait and see how the video game sales stack up closer to the holidays. That will decide how many other games they'll receive for Christmas.

Older DD is a toughie. She's not into toys and the kids wear a uniform to school so she's not that into clothes either. She already has all the electronics a kid could want (TV/DVD combo, digi cam, flip video cam, netbook, fancy phone w/ texting, ipod) plus we have several video game systems and more video games than (I think) could be played in a lifetime. DH has already pre-ordered her some guitar hero(?) game so that will be one of her gifts. I'm not sure how much it cost though so maybe that can stand in as a big gift. I'll probably do an Itunes GC for her plus maybe a GC to her favorite store in the mall. Also I could do a GC to the movie theater. We don't go there that often (6ppl for tix and snacks is $$$$) so I think she'd enjoy that. Other than those ideas I'm stuck for her.

Anyway, that's the point I'm at now. We'll head to WDW after the holidays but it isn't the kids' gift or anything. More like DH's and my 'reward' for finishing out a horribly hectic and packed fall semester at college.

 

[redandblue]

My kids are pretty easy. I have 2 nieces and 4 nephews. We also get small gifts for my cousin's kids on my dad's side and they get our kids small gifts as well. It is fun at my family's christmas party to watch all the little kids opening presents. And I am not sure if we are getting the adults presents this year. Last year we picked names for DH and my side which doesn't happen until around thanksgiving.

I hit the target clearance and have picked up some stuff throughout the year if I find something I like on sale. So far this is what I have scored.

DS (3) --Some small stocking stuffers and a bat mobile car from target clearance.
I would like to get him the bat cave or that imaginex toy that looks like the bat cave and some figurines.

DD (1)--She is super easy so far I got her some stocking stuffers. A baby pink laptop from target. I bought a little mermaid fleece blanket kit from Joanne's months ago so it won't be hard since it is all cut I just have to tie the knots.

Nieces (9)--Have no idea. I bought a bead kit from target and may give that to her or her sister (6). I might try to score some zoobles for the both of them but amazon has them priced at $24 so I am not sure what they cost in the stores.

Nephews (7) and (2) not sure what to get them. I might try to find a DS game on sale for DN(7), and DN(2) will be easy, maybe some puzzles.

Nephews (2) and (6mos) again pretty easy no rush.

DH no clue, maybe a Nintendo game, a war book and clothes. Something for the camper.

 

[redandblue]

I wanted to add that I was a babies r us this weekend and bought DD and DS these lettle stuffed toys for stocking stuffers. You squeeze their bellies and they sing and when they are together they are like a chorus. They are adorable.

 

[delmar411]

Nieces (9)--Have no idea. I bought a bead kit from target and may give that to her or her sister (6). I might try to score some zoobles for the both of them but amazon has them priced at $24 so I am not sure what they cost in the stores.

A single one w/ it's home costs $5 at Walmart. The 2pks are $8-10 depending on whether they have special stuff on them and the playsets are $15-35?. There is a gift set w/ I think 5? of them in it for about $20 in the stores.

I just checked and Amazon sellers are marking them up nearly 100% for the individual ones. The playsets are only slightly marked up if at all.

 

[Disney_Stock]

I have to hand it to you - getting started early not only helps the holiday stress level but saves you money too. Only problem, my wife and I can't seem to do it. Put us in the procrastinators category.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I have to hand it to you - getting started early not only helps the holiday stress level but saves you money too. Only problem, my wife and I can't seem to do it. Put us in the procrastinators category.

ha!! Will do!(Right with my hubby!) love the avatar, by the way!

 

[81felgs]

I started shopping mid July and have gotten quite a few great deals for dd.

• 3 sets of Barbie dollhouse furniture- clearanced at Target $8.64 each
• Zhu Zhu pets- Justice half price plus I used a 40% off coupon: 3 add on rooms, 2 hamsters, fun house & starter set $60
• Disney store online - Phineas, Ferb, Candice & Perry stuffed toys $28
• Disney Store online- Pocohantas Doll and Mulan Doll $4.99 each
• Disney Store online- Tinkerbell Art set $4.99
• Disney Store online- 3 Club Penguin sets $10.99 total
• Disney Store online- 2 ds games Raven & Suite Life $10 each
• American Girl- outfit for Bitty baby $10

Hoping for Cyber Monday American Girl Sale and dd will be finished!

May I ask where you got the AG bitty baby outfit for $10? I bought DD one Christmas for this year and I ordered the ballerina outfit..$26.00. I'd like to give her another one..but not for $26.00.

 

[81felgs]

I'm only up to page 3 on this thread..so I thought I would add my 2 cents and then continue on reading.

DD is 3. I bought her an American Girl Itty Bitty Baby with a ballerina outfit. I also scored a deal at Target and got her a Toy Story 3 "Woody" Barbie ( I plan on buying the first Toy Story video and showing it to her on the plane ride down to Florida). Also on the list is a Leapster Draw and Write game.

We are going to WDW the first week of December and so that is our big gift to her as well as to my DH and I.

Now back to page 3 for me to keep reading. I might be adding other things to this list.

ETA: It's my first time on this thread and I love the ideas!

 

[Whistle]

Just found this thread and am LOVING it!

I wanted to add for all the Disney fans that need stocking stuffers that Target had some really cute Princess items in their dollar section (pencils, notebooks, cold packs, etc.) For 2.50 they also had princess and toy story lunch kits (snack container and drink holder) or sandwich keeper and water bottle. They were cute. My boys are 10 and 12 and would never go for them, but thought I would mention them.

Okay, what are some ideas for 10 and 12 year old boys?

For ds 12, I am thinking of some Aeropostle clothes (he has really gotten into Aero!)-- I have already gotten him an Aero hat, wallet, and boxers. He also likes legos and Star Wars (although he won't admit it to some) and enjoys reading. I thought about his big gift of buying a kindle, but don't know that it would interest him as much as the price justifies.

For ds 10, he is a bit harder. I will have to keep thinking on him!

 

[jacksmomma]

Hello!

Jusmping back into this thread! I am about done with DS's Christmas. I picked up several Trio building sets at the Kmart sale; Also got him a Tag Star Wars book. He is really interested in microscopes and I work at a museum, so I am going to check out what is available in our store.

I have 2 neices, 4 and 3 and one nephew, 6. The girls are getting Trio building tubs (Target clearance) and something else. I think the 3 year old will get a homemade tu-tu and some play heels. (She generally gets her brother's hand me down Hot Wheels and it is time for some girliness in her life!) For the 4 year old I have no idea, maybe art supplies. The nephew is by far the hardest. He is focused on Nascar and Indycar and whatever he wants his parents buy, so no clue there. Suggestions? (He is not a big reader and does not care for creative things like art supplies or legos.)

 

[81felgs]

If you are saving for your first Disney vacay and DD is into princesses, may I suggest the Cinderella Castle playset for her. We gave that to DD for Cmas when she was 5, she's now 7 and still plays with it. It's around $75 and you can call the Disney shops and have one shipped to you and shipping is reasonable. It comes with little princesses and all kinds of accessories. Just throwing that out there for you

We are also going on our first Disney Vacation. What is the Cinderella Castle playset?

 

[81felgs]

Hi Ladies,

I went to the library last week and picked up Reader's Digest "The Ultimate Christmas" (The lady kind of looked at me like I was crazy for getting it this early), but I found some things that I like and wanted to bring it home to look at it more and make copies of the pages that I like. There were other Christmas books there that dates back to 2000. So check out your local library and maybe you can find some books! They have plenty of food ideas and decorating ideas!!!!

I love Southern Living's yearly Christmas books and I bought a few before I had DD. I stopped because I just didn't have the time to "do Christmas right" with my newborn. Now that she is three, I feel like we can really get into it a little more. So thanks to your post, I just went to my libraries online catalog and requested the Southern Living 2009 Christmas cookbook. Thanks for the idea.