Christmas Shopping 2010

[TruBlu]

Not at all. Thats why I love these threads, for the new ideas. SIL said today that generic gift cards for her 3 are best. So I am going to hit up my bank this week and get 3 visa gift cards. 3 down!

I had started giving gift cards to all DS's friends for birthdays, but now I've switched to giving money. His buddies get more excited about the cash than the cards. I think that is what I'm going to give my nieces this year. I'm used to boys, so buying for girls is not easy for me. I thought I'd get them a cute purse and put money inside. (And some treats from the WW of Harry Potter. Maybe some every flavor beans or chocolate frogs. Since we're going in December, I can't resist.).

 

[smillerguy]

I've started also!!! DS8 DD6. I have my inlaws done. need to get SIL BIL and their kids so I can get it in the mail early! this is a great thread!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I've started also!!! DS8 DD6. I have my inlaws done. need to get SIL BIL and their kids so I can get it in the mail early! this is a great thread!

Wellyou do have a good start!! I was talking to my neighbor yesterday about when were they gonna hang lights and they just burst out laughing! They all think I am sooooo crazy because I plan for everything...her husband said:you decorate BEFORE Thanksgiving? Uhhhh...yeah!!!! Oh, how much I could teach the world!

 

[TinaLala]

Man I don't have a clue what to get my girls DD11 and DD8 for christmas. I'm using a new Christmas fund this year which isn't available until October so I have to wait because I'm determined to pay in CASH this year!!! Usually once school starts the girls usually have ideas. However I'm getting ideas!!! I always use a strict budge so it's only figuring out what to buy that's the problem.

DD11 - will probably ask for something for her American Girl Doll and clothes
DD8 - clothes, lipgloss and who knows.
DH - ?? paintball GC
BIL/SIL - GC - Lowes, Joanne
MIL - GC??
M/F - GC - their favorite restaurant

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

Great thread!! Can I play too??

It's a little early for me, but I am determined to be done by Thanksgiving!! Baby #3 is due January 12th and my babies tend to come 2-3 weeks early, so I'm trying to keep December as stress free as possibly and hoping the baby will wait until after Christmas to arrive!

Here's my list so far:

DS6 (7 in October) - He just asked for an electric guitar out of the blue. For some reason I have always wanted him to play guitar, so I'm very excited. Any suggestions on a smaller guitar that he could start out with?
He has also mentioned Legos and a glow in the dark basketball. Plus I'm sure he'll pick out some DS, Wii, & PS3 games. He's also seems to be very interested in science/nature, so I'm thinking about a microscope.

DS3 - You would think he'd be easy, but I'm having a hard time with him. ALL he plays with is his hot rods!! The only thing he says he wants Santa to bring him is more hot rods. With 2 boys, we have hot rods coming out of our ears! He will get a couple more (otherwise he'll be very disappointed on Christmas morning!) but I have no idea what else. I do want to get him a Flag Football set so big brother can teach him how to play. He also has a ride-on "hot rod" for outside that he LOVES, but he's getting too big for it. I'd love to find him another one, but haven't seen anything yet.

Baby - We have no idea when the baby will arrive, but the boys will think it's odd if Santa doesn't bring anything for him/her. But I'm sure that will be easy!

DH - He wants an iPod touch and a portable speaker set to take to work. That will be his big gift and I'll just pick up some small hunting stuff or some clothes and a couple of PS3 games for him.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!! Looking forward to following this thread!

 

[Deffenm]

My favorite time of year! I started this past weekend by hitting up some good deals at Target. I always start early as 2 of my kids have birthday's in Dec (24th & 30th). So not only do I have to buy Christmas gifts for the 3 kids, I also have 2 birthdays. I also have a brother who is 11 and 4 nephews and 1 neice to buy for. Of course DH is the biggest kid of all.

Here is what I think I am going to get.

DS11: Ipod, digital camera, some DS games, legos
DS9 (going to be 10): DS Games, Legos (he wants big expensive sets), hotwheels
DD6 (going to be 7): CD's (she loves music), new portable CD player(not ready for ipod yet), and I don't know what else. She does not really play with toys. I think I am also going to get her the butterfly garden (she loves bugs) She is my hardest child to buy for.

I love blackfriday so unless I find a specific item that I know they will want I will hold off until then to do the majority of my shopping.

 

[o2bnoz]

DisneyMommy...

Thank you for the welcome, and THANK YOU for the Apologia idea! I went and looked at the website and I found so many things that I can order! They have actual specimens that he can dissect and some slides of things that he hasn't seen. I am really excited now!!!

Wow... this thread has already helped me immensely!

Does anyone have any ideas for the gadget geek hubby??

Someone mentioned the I-Touch as the gift for their hubby this year. We LOVE ours! It was my present last Christmas but my hubby and son have really stolen it from me. You might want to get one of the new app books to go with it, it will list all kinds of ways that you can use it. You can get them from some of the sellers on Amazon so that you don't have to pay near full price.

Oh this is FUN!

 

[drmommy]

Just got an email about a sale on Vera Bradley . com for 3 days only... Small duffel $35, Large duffel $45, garment bag $55...only certain prints, but still great deals!

 

[smillerguy]

Great thread!! Can I play too??

It's a little early for me, but I am determined to be done by Thanksgiving!! Baby #3 is due January 12th and my babies tend to come 2-3 weeks early, so I'm trying to keep December as stress free as possibly and hoping the baby will wait until after Christmas to arrive!

Here's my list so far:

DS6 (7 in October) - He just asked for an electric guitar out of the blue. For some reason I have always wanted him to play guitar, so I'm very excited. Any suggestions on a smaller guitar that he could start out with?
He has also mentioned Legos and a glow in the dark basketball. Plus I'm sure he'll pick out some DS, Wii, & PS3 games. He's also seems to be very interested in science/nature, so I'm thinking about a microscope.

DS3 - You would think he'd be easy, but I'm having a hard time with him. ALL he plays with is his hot rods!! The only thing he says he wants Santa to bring him is more hot rods. With 2 boys, we have hot rods coming out of our ears! He will get a couple more (otherwise he'll be very disappointed on Christmas morning!) but I have no idea what else. I do want to get him a Flag Football set so big brother can teach him how to play. He also has a ride-on "hot rod" for outside that he LOVES, but he's getting too big for it. I'd love to find him another one, but haven't seen anything yet.

Baby - We have no idea when the baby will arrive, but the boys will think it's odd if Santa doesn't bring anything for him/her. But I'm sure that will be easy!

DH - He wants an iPod touch and a portable speaker set to take to work. That will be his big gift and I'll just pick up some small hunting stuff or some clothes and a couple of PS3 games for him.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!! Looking forward to following this thread!

My DS 8 plays the electric guitar. COSTCO has had one the last few years before Christmas. They sell out of their best things early. It comes with an amp. and is a good price.

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

We do Christmas BIG around here. So we usually spend the whole day unwrapping stuff, althought this year I might combine some things into gift bags to make it easier.

For my DD we have:
-Handy Manny Truck (turns into a toolbench)
-Lots of Trio blocks sets
-Fancy Nancy dress up dress
-Fancy Nancy small play set
-Couple of vtech video games
-Movies
-Kai Lan Mega Bloks Sets
-Kai Lan playset
-Princess bead sets
-Monty the Dinosaur
-Littlest Pet Shop Adoption Center (will get some LPS for her stocking)
-Play Wonder wooden/cloth food sets from Target
-Play Wonder dish set
-2 Play Wonder dress up sets
-Little Tikes Laptop
-Little Einsteins Guitar
-Diego Train Set
-TinkerBelle lantern
-TinkerBelle playset with Terrance
-Ponyville House Playset
-Couple of My Little Ponies
-Couple Fancy Nancy Crowns
-GeoTrax Play Set
-Wooden Blocks set
-Sesame Street playset
-Couple Thomas trains, travel playset, and playsets for wooden tracks
-Couple of preschool games
-Hello Kitty playset
-Dora Explorer Girls dolls with clothes and accessory sets
-Kai Lan Doodle Pad with stencils
-Ariel Bath Set
-Belle light up necklace


I know it is a lot but it was all from the Target and Kmart toy sales and all stuff she will love. I am sure I will get a few other things, especially stocking stuff, but if I don't buy anything else she is set.

I also have others to buy for.

Twin Nieces (8)-Thinking about getting them matching bedroom set for their new room.

Niece (9)-Probably going to get her a Justice gift card since she loves it there but I have no idea what size she wears.

Nephew (6)-He loves Legos but I have no idea what sets he has and doesn't have, so we are thinking a gift card to Toys R Us.

Friends DDs (2) & (5)-The 2 year old turns 3 two weeks before Xmas so for her birthday she is getting an Ariel Bathset and either a baby doll or an outfit. For Xmas her and her sister who just turned 5 are going to get a Kai Lan Playset with all kinds of extra play sets to go with it. I found all of this at the Target/Kmart sales.

For adults I have my SIL & BIL on my DH's side. His Aunt/Uncle/ his cousin (our DD"s godmother), his other Uncle, MIL/SFIL, and FIL/SMIL. Then on my side we have my parents, my Brother/SIL, my sister/BIL. Then I have my DH and he has me. Too much!!!

 

[smillerguy]

OK I need ideas...

DS 8 wants an Nintendo DS. he asked for one last year but he did not get one. I love that he reads now when we are in the car or on trips. Loves music. He could also use a new bike and surfboard.

DD6 Loves AG and really wants the princess castle set from Disney. I waited too close to Christmas to order it last year and they were on back order so she ended up with Polly Pocket set. She like it. I thought she would outgrow the castle set but it was the one thing she wanted when we got to Disney in May. I meant to order when they had 20% off but I did not. I think I will get her that this year as her big item. she would also like a DS but still wants toys and dolls.

I really wish my SIL would agree to no adult christmas exchange. We have asked for 2-3 years but she always says she just has to give us something.

I have decided to stop buying for nieces and nephews when they get to college. that means 6 to buy for instead of eight

 

[SCHBR'smom]

I just started Christmas shopping not too long ago. I have 5 kids, and the 6th will be here before Christmas. AND, 2 of my girls have birthdays right around Christmas (the 23rd and 29th). Lots of shopping to do.

So far, I have lego sets for my neice and 2 nephews, and Disney dish sets. They are done!

 

[figment301]

I shop all year round. Whenever I see things I know my girls (8&7) would like and things are on clearance. So I have some stuff already stocked up. Last week I got a 20% off coupon for the disney store. I picked up tiana and navien dolls for their collection. Then I got a 15% off coupon and free shipping from Disney.com and ordered a second set of tiana and navien dolls plus 4 ds games that were on clearance for $10 but with the sale ended up being $8.50 each. Then toys r us had disney movies on sale I got the new alice in wonderland, finding nemo and monsters inc for $11.99 each and another 3 movies for $10 each on a buy 3 for $30 promo. Then they had ds games buy one get one for $5 so for $17.50 each I got club penguin for my 8 yr old along with the stuffed mermaid dressed club penguin from disney online and a princess game with interactive wand for my 7 yr old. So my Ho Ho shopping is pretty much finished. I am taking my girls to Disney in the beginning of Dec. so I plan on sneak shipping some stuff home as well. But that will be my gift to them for christmas lol They won't know about the trip until we get to the airport.

 

[vanreg]

I started shopping a couple weeks ago....just picking things up here and there. It helps spread the cost out.

DD and I decided that we will go to Dis at the end of Jan....we aren't planning to tell 3 DD's....want it to be a Christmas surprise. Now we'll just have to see if that works!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I can't really start shopping until after I'm done shopping for my DS's September birthday, but I have started thinking about what I want to get. And I have all of the teacher gifts bought (after-Christmas clearance last year) and two stocking stuffers for DD that I picked up.

So far what I'm thinking is:
DD14--netbook and a few accessories, itunes GC
DS13--netbook and a few accessories, itunes GC
DS11--itouch, itunes GC, not sure what else yet
DS 9--a couple Wii games, a couple DS games, not sure what else yet
DS 6--I have no idea. He loves sports and being outdoors, but he has most of the toys he wants for that. Maybe gymnastics classes or something, I don't know how excited he would get to open that, though (but i know he'd love them). Or maybe something for Cub Scouts,he's starting that this year. He just isn't into toys, he has a room full of stuff he doesn't play with.

I'm thinking of getting my nieces and nephew hooded bath towels this year. I don't know what I'm getting MIL and her husband or DH.

For stockings this year I'm going to try to pick up gift certificates and arcade tokens to our local amusement places, bowling alley and Chuck E. Cheese. And a McDonald's GC, they loved that last year.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Man I don't have a clue what to get my girls DD11 and DD8 for christmas. I'm using a new Christmas fund this year which isn't available until October so I have to wait because I'm determined to pay in CASH this year!!! Usually once school starts the girls usually have ideas. However I'm getting ideas!!! I always use a strict budge so it's only figuring out what to buy that's the problem.

DD11 - will probably ask for something for her American Girl Doll and clothes
DD8 - clothes, lipgloss and who knows.
DH - ?? paintball GC
BIL/SIL - GC - Lowes, Joanne
MIL - GC??
M/F - GC - their favorite restaurant

Cash is an awesome way to pay!! Keeps you focused!! I used to do that too...now I just make the same budget i would have had...only I use our rewards card...all our points go to vacation airfare!!!!!

Great thread!! Can I play too??

It's a little early for me, but I am determined to be done by Thanksgiving!! Baby #3 is due January 12th and my babies tend to come 2-3 weeks early, so I'm trying to keep December as stress free as possibly and hoping the baby will wait until after Christmas to arrive!

Here's my list so far:

DS6 (7 in October) - He just asked for an electric guitar out of the blue. For some reason I have always wanted him to play guitar, so I'm very excited. Any suggestions on a smaller guitar that he could start out with?
He has also mentioned Legos and a glow in the dark basketball. Plus I'm sure he'll pick out some DS, Wii, & PS3 games. He's also seems to be very interested in science/nature, so I'm thinking about a microscope.

DS3 - You would think he'd be easy, but I'm having a hard time with him. ALL he plays with is his hot rods!! The only thing he says he wants Santa to bring him is more hot rods. With 2 boys, we have hot rods coming out of our ears! He will get a couple more (otherwise he'll be very disappointed on Christmas morning!) but I have no idea what else. I do want to get him a Flag Football set so big brother can teach him how to play. He also has a ride-on "hot rod" for outside that he LOVES, but he's getting too big for it. I'd love to find him another one, but haven't seen anything yet.

Baby - We have no idea when the baby will arrive, but the boys will think it's odd if Santa doesn't bring anything for him/her. But I'm sure that will be easy!

DH - He wants an iPod touch and a portable speaker set to take to work. That will be his big gift and I'll just pick up some small hunting stuff or some clothes and a couple of PS3 games for him.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!! Looking forward to following this thread!

Yes, you can play!! LOL...hope your baby doesn't come till 2011!! Ha!! New Years baby!!!!! sounds like you have pretty good ideas...I always find more stuff once I get focused and know that I am out to shop and need to get finished!

My favorite time of year! I started this past weekend by hitting up some good deals at Target. I always start early as 2 of my kids have birthday's in Dec (24th & 30th). So not only do I have to buy Christmas gifts for the 3 kids, I also have 2 birthdays. I also have a brother who is 11 and 4 nephews and 1 neice to buy for. Of course DH is the biggest kid of all.

Here is what I think I am going to get.

DS11: Ipod, digital camera, some DS games, legos
DS9 (going to be 10): DS Games, Legos (he wants big expensive sets), hotwheels
DD6 (going to be 7): CD's (she loves music), new portable CD player(not ready for ipod yet), and I don't know what else. She does not really play with toys. I think I am also going to get her the butterfly garden (she loves bugs) She is my hardest child to buy for.

I love blackfriday so unless I find a specific item that I know they will want I will hold off until then to do the majority of my shopping.

Yes...you have a lot to buy for in Dec! You definitely have to start now!!My dd loves butterflies also...have you seen all the ones on the Pottery Barn Kids site for room decorations? They are beautiful!! Maybe she would like that, or the butterfly sheets!! My dd is getting some for Christmas!!

DisneyMommy...

Thank you for the welcome, and THANK YOU for the Apologia idea! I went and looked at the website and I found so many things that I can order! They have actual specimens that he can dissect and some slides of things that he hasn't seen. I am really excited now!!!

Wow... this thread has already helped me immensely!

Does anyone have any ideas for the gadget geek hubby??

Someone mentioned the I-Touch as the gift for their hubby this year. We LOVE ours! It was my present last Christmas but my hubby and son have really stolen it from me. You might want to get one of the new app books to go with it, it will list all kinds of ways that you can use it. You can get them from some of the sellers on Amazon so that you don't have to pay near full price.

Oh this is FUN!

Your Welcome!!! glad you loved the website...got some reeeeaaallly neat stuff!! My son loves it!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

DS6 (7 in October) - He just asked for an electric guitar out of the blue. For some reason I have always wanted him to play guitar, so I'm very excited. Any suggestions on a smaller guitar that he could start out with?
If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!! Looking forward to following this thread!

do you have a local guitar center? ours sometimes has gently used guitars..people like to trade up frequently...we have gotten a couple of very good deals that way!!!

We do Christmas BIG around here. So we usually spend the whole day unwrapping stuff, althought this year I might combine some things into gift bags to make it easier.

For adults I have my SIL & BIL on my DH's side. His Aunt/Uncle/ his cousin (our DD"s godmother), his other Uncle, MIL/SFIL, and FIL/SMIL. Then on my side we have my parents, my Brother/SIL, my sister/BIL. Then I have my DH and he has me. Too much!!!

Good idea on the gift bags!! Maybe even put them in one or two large wrapped boxes and she will get a little bit surprised!!!! You do have lots of people to buy for...I think GCs for all the adults!!! easiest way really!!

OK I need ideas...

DS 8 wants an Nintendo DS. he asked for one last year but he did not get one. I love that he reads now when we are in the car or on trips. Loves music. He could also use a new bike and surfboard.

DD6 Loves AG and really wants the princess castle set from Disney. I waited too close to Christmas to order it last year and they were on back order so she ended up with Polly Pocket set. She like it. I thought she would outgrow the castle set but it was the one thing she wanted when we got to Disney in May. I meant to order when they had 20% off but I did not. I think I will get her that this year as her big item. she would also like a DS but still wants toys and dolls.

I really wish my SIL would agree to no adult christmas exchange. We have asked for 2-3 years but she always says she just has to give us something.

I have decided to stop buying for nieces and nephews when they get to college. that means 6 to buy for instead of eight

Sounds like you have some good ideas? what are you not sure about? I dont think most adults really want to exchange gifts once the kids start coming! so it surprised me when some act crazy when you suggest that it stops. I have had to deal with that also....strange!

I just started Christmas shopping not too long ago. I have 5 kids, and the 6th will be here before Christmas. AND, 2 of my girls have birthdays right around Christmas (the 23rd and 29th). Lots of shopping to do.

So far, I have lego sets for my neice and 2 nephews, and Disney dish sets. They are done!

Yay for the kids you are finished shopping for! Congrats on the new baby!!!

I shop all year round. Whenever I see things I know my girls (8&7) would like and things are on clearance. So I have some stuff already stocked up. Last week I got a 20% off coupon for the disney store. I picked up tiana and navien dolls for their collection. Then I got a 15% off coupon and free shipping from Disney.com and ordered a second set of tiana and navien dolls plus 4 ds games that were on clearance for $10 but with the sale ended up being $8.50 each. Then toys r us had disney movies on sale I got the new alice in wonderland, finding nemo and monsters inc for $11.99 each and another 3 movies for $10 each on a buy 3 for $30 promo. Then they had ds games buy one get one for $5 so for $17.50 each I got club penguin for my 8 yr old along with the stuffed mermaid dressed club penguin from disney online and a princess game with interactive wand for my 7 yr old. So my Ho Ho shopping is pretty much finished. I am taking my girls to Disney in the beginning of Dec. so I plan on sneak shipping some stuff home as well. But that will be my gift to them for christmas lol They won't know about the trip until we get to the airport.

I loooooove surprise trips!! They have been my favorite vacations!

I started shopping a couple weeks ago....just picking things up here and there. It helps spread the cost out.

DD and I decided that we will go to Dis at the end of Jan....we aren't planning to tell 3 DD's....want it to be a Christmas surprise. Now we'll just have to see if that works!

How fun!! I love it!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I can't really start shopping until after I'm done shopping for my DS's September birthday, but I have started thinking about what I want to get. And I have all of the teacher gifts bought (after-Christmas clearance last year) and two stocking stuffers for DD that I picked up.

So far what I'm thinking is:
DD14--netbook and a few accessories, itunes GC
DS13--netbook and a few accessories, itunes GC
DS11--itouch, itunes GC, not sure what else yet
DS 9--a couple Wii games, a couple DS games, not sure what else yet
DS 6--I have no idea. He loves sports and being outdoors, but he has most of the toys he wants for that. Maybe gymnastics classes or something, I don't know how excited he would get to open that, though (but i know he'd love them). Or maybe something for Cub Scouts,he's starting that this year. He just isn't into toys, he has a room full of stuff he doesn't play with.

I'm thinking of getting my nieces and nephew hooded bath towels this year. I don't know what I'm getting MIL and her husband or DH.

For stockings this year I'm going to try to pick up gift certificates and arcade tokens to our local amusement places, bowling alley and Chuck E. Cheese. And a McDonald's GC, they loved that last year.

That all sounds great! Well...Sept is just around the corner!!!!

 

[Perditamarie]

Wow, this thread has grown...I have some catching up to do!

I am considering an I pod touch for a Christmas gift....is 8 gb enough for a kid, or is 32 better to grow into? 32 is not better for my wallet!! Also, anyone have any great stores/sites/strategies to purchase digital movies to load onto the Ipods?

Also, there is a great sale at americangirl.com...even good w/o a free shipping code!!Thanks for the help and inspiration!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Wow, this thread has grown...I have some catching up to do!

I am considering an I pod touch for a Christmas gift....is 8 gb enough for a kid, or is 32 better to grow into? 32 is not better for my wallet!! Also, anyone have any great stores/sites/strategies to purchase digital movies to load onto the Ipods?

Also, there is a great sale at americangirl.com...even good w/o a free shipping code!!Thanks for the help and inspiration!

I know!! hasn't it taken off!!!! What about a 16? My son likes that one...