Christmas Shopping 2010

[lyncecelia]

Ed that sucks!!!! You were our expert shopper! What would we do without you?!

I'm sorry it's terrible....you were just giving us guidance. Warning would've more than sufficed. How do you know if they don't tell you?

 

[justed]

Ed that sucks!!!! You were our expert shopper! What would we do without you?!

I'm sorry it's terrible....you were just giving us guidance. Warning would've more than sufficed. How do you know if they don't tell you?

I did hear back.

My help crossed a line, and as a guest here, I can accept that.

Thanks everyone for the back and forth.

And thanks to the mods for allowing me to be here up until this point.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Thanks for the help, Ed! Hope you are able to stick around.

I did enter the zipcode and there are not any available. Oh well. DH said it was the Lego At-At that DS wanted. Thanks so much for the heads up!

 

[southern_redhead]

I'm sorry Ed. Your opinions as a parent should still be safe, though!

To continue the theme of the thread: I am pretty much done with the kids shopping. Yesterday I got DD the Moxie Girlz Snow Magic stuff (Kellan doll, RC Snow Car, and the CUTEST tent that I've only seen in Target stores...comes with Lexi doll.) She has one gift left on her list.

DS11 is not quite as far along but his list is hammered out. All that is left to buy is a camera, upgrade his cell phone, and pick up his Kinect and games next weekend. He loves Wimpy Kid books and I plan to get him the latest book but need one other so they each get 2... ideas for a kid who ONLY has enjoyed Wimpy Kid and Narnia series?? I've already got clothing and a few crafty type sets for him.

DS (7 tomorrow!) has 2 gifts left. I'm having a harder time with those. He wants dress up items, superhero!, and I figured this would be the PERFECT time of year...um, no. All they had in his size, 4-6x, is generic stuff like a magician or pirate. I needed Superman and Batman to go with the Spiderman he got from older DS. I did find an Optimus Prime to go with his Bumblebee and they have Ironman in the toy section...I found him Darth Vader on sale for $8 at TRU yesterday but can't find an Anakin or Luke Skywalker anywhere! Ideas?! And I need a cute trunk to put them in... His other item is a wooden playhouse/swingset from Santa. The only trouble I'm having with that is getting DH on board with putting it together

My stepson, at nearly 15, is a headache to buy for. Too old for toys but will be mad if all he gets are clothes. He wants to upgrade his phone, too, but DH is saying no as he ruined the one he got last year in the first week he had it. I'm all for getting the upgrade and being done, though. Thankfully, he did say he wanted Nike Shox and Under Armour shirts (even gave me the colors) so those are easy buys. And we have some Gap and Aeropostale clothing for him already. I also need to pick up the last two books of the Ranger's Apprentice series for him.

I've got my Mom's Dec bday gift taken care of and my MIL and stepFIL's Christmas done. I'd like to get my mom and stepdad a new TV for Christmas if I can get a good BF deal. DH is probably getting the Kindle and a giftcard. Also one of those super-plush blankets from Brookstone. He loved it but refused to pay that much to buy himself a blanket

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Just ordered my DD7 a Kodak digital camera online from Target. $70 free shipping. DD9 has one already. Now she's always looking at the sky to find Polaris - maybe she should get a telescope? Any recommendations?

DH and I are going shopping on Veteran's Day (we have off and the girls have school!) It's our tradition to go, buy some gifts and go out to lunch. I have a feeling we will be at the Mall of America - they have an American Girl store!

 

[2littleprincesses]

Just ordered my DD7 a Kodak digital camera online from Target. $70 free shipping. DD9 has one already. Now she's always looking at the sky to find Polaris - maybe she should get a telescope? Any recommendations?

DH and I are going shopping on Veteran's Day (we have off and the girls have school!) It's our tradition to go, buy some gifts and go out to lunch. I have a feeling we will be at the Mall of America - they have an American Girl store!

Thanks to your post I am looking at this camera for my dd7. I hope it is good one. I think she would love having her own, but don't know if I want to spend the money. DD9 wants a sewing machine any recommendations for that?

 

[luvmy3]

I'm finishing up my dses tomorrow. They both want one of those huge nerf guns, and my oldest wants the remote control helicopter with the video camera so I'm going up to TRU to get them. It will be nice for Santa to have all his shopping over with so that I can concentrate on everyone else.
I got my DGDs snuggies and books, and I'm also giving them each a webkinz too.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Well...this weekend dh took the kids out fishing and hanging out Sat, so I got some things done!! Bought wrapping paper.....wrapped all of DS11s Legos and rehid those!!! Bought cards,...went thru dd AG wish list...want her to look over it again today, then I will order it this afternoon....pretty much decided ds14 will get $$$ to start help him saving for a mac. He has some money saved already, but whatever we spend on the other two, will be what we are gonna give him... Need to shop for my nephew, but want my kids to be there and help me decide...he's the only one I have on that side of the fam and my kids love to help shop for him.
So...it's NOVEMBER!!!! We are getting closer!! I think you all have done terrific on your shopping and sale findings!!! Seems like most of you are done, or pretty close to it!! We are going to get out the decorations this weekend--dh is going to at least hang my lights outside...we leave on the 13th and wont be back til Thanksgiving week...this way they will be up and we can turn them on after Tday!!!! I will put the tree up and spend all weekend decorating...when I get home from Disney, I don't want to do anything that week!!! LOL...we may have family coming in, so there will not be time to do it anyway.And I have to have Dh help with that tree!!! Hope you all have a great week!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I'm finishing up my dses tomorrow. They both want one of those huge nerf guns, and my oldest wants the remote control helicopter with the video camera so I'm going up to TRU to get them. It will be nice for Santa to have all his shopping over with so that I can concentrate on everyone else.
I got my DGDs snuggies and books, and I'm also giving them each a webkinz too.

TRU had the big Nerf guns B1G1 50% off last week. If you didn't buy them then check Walmart in your area first before getting them at TRU. I was in Walmart this morning and they had a huge display of the Nerf big guns (Stampede) as a RollBack price of $39.99. They are $49.99 at Toys R Us!

 

[Figment1990]

I am a few gifts closer now, thanks to the stores starting their sales early. I usually don't start early, I like the thrill and rush of November and December shopping. But I've been doing my homework online and I have a bit of a fear that I will end up disappointing DS this year if i end up not being able to get something he asks Santa for that he really wants. So out I went on Sunday, grabbed my Starbucks peppermint mocha and headed to toys r us! I was so mad! My precious iXL for $65 - best price I've found yet - out of stock! I understand they may not have had a lot to begin with. Or that I was late (it was noon, not 7am) starting out. But geez! I'm shopping for christmas on Halloween, I should be rewarded with low crowds, high inventory levels and great deals! LOL!

I got a few "stocking stuffers" for DS and DNiece, a Thomas the train holiday book and left....

Anyways, I ended up going home, setting up in my home office with my mocha and my holiday music (now successfully all loaded onto my ipod - which I forgot to bring with me to work today ) and started comparing deals online. Got the iXL and the Toy Story 3 cartridge, the Bugsby Reading System starter kit and Super Why book from TRU online. Managed to get free shipping b/c it was (just barely) over $100. Then I ordered DS's Curious George puzzle with my Barnes and Noble coupon and debated whether there were any "best sellers" that would qualify for my BN coupon that ended yesterday. I decided not to. Over to amazon to order a slew of Holiday movies that I thought we had but found we only had on VHS. Like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. DH would NOT be happy to miss that this year - it's his favorite.

I'm getting pretty close to being finished with DS. I want to get a few more things, but I'm not sure what yet. I'm sure that I'll see stuff as I shop for everyone else. I'm debating the Chuggington stuff, not sure I want to do ANOTHER train set, but DS saw the training yard loop in the Toy catalog yesterday and it intrigued him so maybe that. Waiting for a sale on it though...

Now onto everyone else.... I have 24 days until we exchange with DH's family over Thanksgiving. And I have NO idea where to begin... I should go visit the christmas shopping for adults thread.

 

[luvmy3]

TRU had the big Nerf guns B1G1 50% off last week. If you didn't buy them then check Walmart in your area first before getting them at TRU. I was in Walmart this morning and they had a huge display of the Nerf big guns (Stampede) as a RollBack price of $39.99. They are $49.99 at Toys R Us!

Thanks for the info, and if I didn't have TRU coupons and GCs I would have gone to Walmart. I didn't make out to bad, I got my dses each the same gun (it wasn't the stampede) they were on sale for $30, and they had a promo that you got a free pack of ammo with each blaster purchase. So with all my coupons and GC's I got 2 nerf guns, 2 pks of ammo, and the rc helicopter for $60 plus another $10 GC from the coupon on the big toy book.

 

[Speed Weasel]

... and I'm also giving them each a webkinz too.

One of the things that I love about Webkinz is their online world. The kiddos get their animal (4yr son goes to bed with two every night) and then they can create the online version. There are alot of games to keep them entertained and it helps to extend the 'life' of the toy. You have to add a new Webkinz at least once a year, or do a subscription, but it does help to add the overall value of the product.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

So I was glad I started early this year (in september) I usually don't start until after Halloween. BUT, it seems like my lists are getting longer and more things for my kids are being added. So not sure if starting early is a money saver for me. Mindflex, the video air hog, and the IXL have all been put on my shopping list tonight. 3 pretty pricey items I wasn't planning on. I know TRU is having good deals on all of that right now, but I have to order 3 American girl dolls first.

I do LOVE Christmas shopping!!!!!

 

[neatokimmo]

I've bought DD a TON of stuff. I mean a ton, and none of it is on her list to Santa. She will almost be 4. She wants to be like Mama. She has requested:

A camera - not a biggie, nana got a kid-ok-to-drop one on sale. $30.
A computer - not a biggie either, she can have my 8 yr old one I just replaced. I've picked out 2 software programs that are $15 each.
A purse - I buy myself a vera hipster every year for Christmas. She asked Santa for one "just like Mama's" so I guess a mini hipster?
about 50 different DVDs - ok that's not going to happen.
A video game system - I did get a vsmile and 3 games at a yard sale for $10 so I'm good.

So the new stuff isn't that bad price wise, but what on earth do I do with the pile of stuff I've bought? When did everyone's DDs really like Barbie sized dolls? Maybe I can hide some of it for next year. I'm a little ill lol

 

[northriver]

I had a great weekend:

I actually returned 2 items this weekend - yeah me! I've got way too much for my 5 yr old, returned one of the two pillow pets and also a board game that I though would't get much use.

Bought a Leapster game for dd5 to replace the board game I returned.

Bought a leatherman tool and a set of dental picks for my teenage son. He has several airsoft guns that he is always repairing - thought the dental picks would be perfect forthat and a great, although odd, stocking stuffer.

Bought slippers for a friend.

Spent a couple hours reading toaster reviews online and picked out the toaster I plan to buy for my mom. Planning to buy that at Bed Bath and Beyond with the 20% off coupon.

Also found the best online price an a piece of china mom needs to replace a piece she broke but I haven't had time to call to make sure it is stock before I order.

I still have NO IDEA what to get my sister and brother in law. Sister is supposed to email me a list but has been promising to do so for about a month but has not yet done so.

Anyway, I had a great weekend. I'm pretty well set to have all my shopping done before Thanksgiving and all credit card bills paid by the end of the year. Black Friday, I do shop but usually for ME! I've found great prices on sheets, always great sales on memory for camera/computer, and other odds and ends. I also buy for the needy family we adopt at work.

I'm enjoying reading about everyones ideas and purchases. Thanks for sharing!

 

[vllygrrl]

I can't believe how behind I am!

I do have a few things in the basement for DS6 that I managed to pick up on clearance this summer at Target, and I've also purchased the Lego Hogwart's Express and that Spy Net Spygear video watch. I'm actually pretty excited about the watch - it's on the Parents' Council top toys of 2010 list, and the version they sell exclusively on QVC through 12/31 has double the memory of the one they sell in stores. So, it does 40 minutes of video, or 4000 pics, or 4 hours of audio. He'll love it!

I'm getting my sister a Mickey Dooney Bag when we take our trip next week, beyond that, I'm lost! We normally get my parents one big gift, and DH's parents a gift card and gift basket. Most of my nieces, except the little ones, will be getting gift cards. I don't even have the inkling of an idea as to what to get DH...

 

[3princesses+aprince]

My girls are really into Monster High. I saw on the Toys R Us website. Monster High icoffin. It slides open and it says you can "text"

If I get one for each of my 3 girls can they text amongst each other? Just trying to figure out exactly how they work. My dd11 has a cell phone and texts all the time, so my 9 and 6 yr old would think that was very cool if they could do that with each other with these toys?

Thanks

 

[brennicksmom]

Hey Ed,

I'm looking for some night vision goggles for my sons (age 11 &8). I want the kind that strap onto their heads, not the binocular type. You can't shoot and reload nerf guns when you have to hold the goggles with your hands!! Anything good out there? Eyeclops?

I looked at your website and didn't see any reviews on them.

 

[rskbh00]

I have picked up a few more things for my youngest and middle daughters today. I found some doll food (actually erasers but perfect size), a washer for the dolls that actually opens and makes all the real sounds. And I got my youngest a Snow White costume on clearance but will probably put that up for our very 1st trip to WDW in a few months.

 

[MikeinBoston]

Hey Ed,

I'm looking for some night vision goggles for my sons (age 11 &8). I want the kind that strap onto their heads, not the binocular type. You can't shoot and reload nerf guns when you have to hold the goggles with your hands!! Anything good out there? Eyeclops?

I looked at your website and didn't see any reviews on them.

The eyeclops are great. The range is about 30 feet in pitch blackness, so more then enough light for kids to run around with in the dark. The price has been getting better on them too.