Christmas Shopping Panic, DD11 and DD8

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I am usually done shopping way before now, and this year I am so behind I am starting to panic. It's not the way I usually am so for the first time I can feel what others feel about the "dreaded shopping."

My issues are with my DD11 and DD8. I have bought them nothing. If I didn't buy them something I'd be OK with it, we don't do much for them on our Disney years which this was, but Santa has bought nothing yet either. They have asked for nothing, I have sat them down to write letters to Santa (I don't think DD11 still believes, though she hasn't said for sure, but all the kids do letters to give ideas.) My DD16 wrote one with suggestions so she is set, DD11 just wrote a thank you for last years gifts and said have a good Christmas, didn't ask for anything and DD8 said surprise me.

I don't know what to get them. They can't have nothing to open on Christmas. Santas gifts are about all they get. We don't have much family. My mom will get them each a book (not one they ask for, one she wants them to have. For DD16 it will likely be an SAT study guide, DD11 and DD8 will be something about science, neither of which they are interested in so while it's the thought that counts and they will be polite and say thank you, it won't be too exciting for them.) My grandparents will give them each money as will my great-grandma. They enjoy this a lot so when they do want something later in the year they can get it, but that leaves nothing wrapped and that is it from our extended family. No one else buys for my kids. So, that leaves us and Santa as the only gifts they will get.

As of now I have 3 Wii games and 2 DS games that they all will get as a shared gift. But what else for girls this age. They aren't into toys and DD11 especially doesn't like to waste money on junky stuff.

Ideas for that age group? I want them to have presents to open but this year I am just at a loss. We love to play board games but after 3 kids we have so many. Same with clothes, with 3 girls we have too many as it is and very little closet space. And space is an issue as well, nothing too big our house is just under 1200sf for the 5 of us so the idea of Big Things Come In Small Packages is a good one. I will do some giftcards probably, but same as cash they aren't so fun to open and being that my years of having believers is winding down and I want to enjoy seeing DD8 enjoy Santa's visit.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[maggiew]

Is your DD11 at an age where she would want to "redecorate" her room from little kid to tween??? Maybe get her a new comforter and sheets??

Maggie

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Is your DD11 at an age where she would want to "redecorate" her room from little kid to tween??? Maybe get her a new comforter and sheets??

Maggie

Not a bad idea, it would work for both of them. They share a room. The room itself isn't decorated in a particular way, just pink and purple and recently painted and they have new sheets but maybe comforters. Thanks

 

[stsomewhere]

My DD will be 10 in Jan. She askes for Aeropostal clothes, toe socks, makeup, lotions, hair acessories, itunes gift card. dvd, cd, american girl dol clothes, ipod, shoes, mittens,

 

[sunlover13]

I have an 8 yr old DD and this is what is on her list:

DSi
DSi games
Wii game, Just Dance 2
Liv Katie doll
American Girl doll stuff (cheerleading outfit & Felicity's riding outfit)
Blackhawks jersey

I'm not sure if your DD is into American Girl Dolls. If she is, you can't go wrong there........

My DD would enjoy a gift card to Target and picking out stuff she wants.

Good luck!

 

[leadfootlevi]

A mani/pedi kit - you could spend a day giving each other spa treatments.

 

[akcire]

You could get the 11 year old a piece of jewelry. I think I was that age when my parents started buying me inexpensive 14K earrings, or a necklace. At that point I was old enough to take care of it. Something that she could wear every day. Birthstone earrings or small pearls. They aren't that expensive.

Or just wrap up a favorite food, and give her a gift card somewhere she can pick out her own gift. My parents had a couple of years where Santa brought cash. The card said I was old enough to pick my own gift; he was too busy making toys for little kids (I think it said something about the elves in the workshop all getting sick and having to take some days off work). We often travelled over holidays--"Santa" didn't want to have to lug gifts all over the world; and I was a pretty easy going kid.

As for the 8 year old. No idea. I like toys. I can't imagine a kid that doesn't want any. I could buy the whole American Girl catalogue, I don't have any, nor do I need any; but if I was 8 I would want them all. I also like Legos, once again I don't have any; but I really like them.

 

[amy-momofthree]

What about some gift cards to a movie theatre? That could be something you all could enjoy.

How about a scrapbook kit? Amazon has them for under $15 and they could scrapbook past Disney vacations.

Clothes?

Jammies?

A gift card to a local salon that does manicures/pedicures?

Movies and popcorn? Amazon has some GREAT deals on dvds.

 

[olwyngdh]

My DD's entire list this year is American Girl doll stuff, so unless your girls are into that, I can't help too much

Webkinz are always a hit with the kids around here, as are CDs (I keep reminding myself that I swooned over Bobby Sherman and David Cassidy, so I guess I have to suck it up with Justin Beiber) and anything that marks them as military kids.

We always do a new ornament for the tree, and new PJs. New Leotard for Ballet too.

Depending on your budget, a digital camera for your 11 yr old might be really nice.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

You could get the 11 year old a piece of jewelry. I think I was that age when my parents started buying me inexpensive 14K earrings, or a necklace. At that point I was old enough to take care of it. Something that she could wear every day. Birthstone earrings or small pearls. They aren't that expensive.

Or just wrap up a favorite food, and give her a gift card somewhere she can pick out her own gift. My parents had a couple of years where Santa brought cash. The card said I was old enough to pick my own gift; he was too busy making toys for little kids (I think it said something about the elves in the workshop all getting sick and having to take some days off work). We often travelled over holidays--"Santa" didn't want to have to lug gifts all over the world; and I was a pretty easy going kid.

As for the 8 year old. No idea. I like toys. I can't imagine a kid that doesn't want any. I could buy the whole American Girl catalogue, I don't have any, nor do I need any; but if I was 8 I would want them all. I also like Legos, once again I don't have any; but I really like them.

We travel too so smaller is better for us too, I like that idea but still wants some things to unwrap. I think I will use this a bit too though, thanks.

It isn't that she doesn't like toys, but she is the youngest of 3 girls so she has pleanty and space is an issue. She still plays with her Polly Pockets and LPS but doesn't need or ask for more. She did ask for an American Girl doll last year but it wasn't in the budget so I got her a Madame Alexander doll, she loved it for a few weeks but she never plays with it so the American Girl is out for sure. For some reason non of my girls were that into dolls yet give them access to a real baby they won't put it down.

 

[KBazzel]

I completely understand. My girls (9 and 6) are so hard to buy for. They don't play with toys (although both of them put some on their list and will be getting some, I absolutely know they'll only be played with for about 2 weeks and then never again). They both have DSs and play them. Both of my girls have mp3 players. Oldest daughter got my hand-me-down ipod and youngest got an off brand that's actually very nice but didn't cost as much because no brand name.

This year, we bought them both 32 inch tvs for their rooms. Their rooms aren't huge and putting their tvs on the wall would free up some space for both of them. Plus, they asked for them thinking there was no way they'd get them so they should both be surprised. I got a great black friday deal.

We're breaking down and getting my oldest a cell phone. We've been against it for so long but just this year she's started to wander off on her own at the park during youngest's cheer practices. For safety reasons I want her to be able to call me if there's a problem or for me to call her if we need to leave early. If it weren't for that, she wouldn't be getting this either.

Both of them are also getting large jewlery making kits (Totally Me brand from toys r us). While oldest DD isn't into jewelry and sparkly stuff as much as youngest DD, she is into crafts and making things for her friends. I honestly think these gifts are the ones they'll enjoy the most when it's all said and done. Oldest is also getting a book on drawing and a DS game on drawing. My sister is getting them both lessons at a ceramic store here in town.

They're getting a couple wii games and ds games and the pillow pets they've both been asking for (despite the fact that they have more stuffed animals than they know what to do with).

Have you considered getting some activity gifts? Season passes to a museum/park/water park/sporting event. Something you could all do together and that would last longer than the one day?

Kira

 

[YukiPhnx]

How about stuffed animals? Or a Disney plush? Most girls like this kind of stuff.

The idea of birthstone jewelery is a great idea too. I've always liked that stuff, especially when I was 11. Or maybe even zodiac jewellery. This kind of stuff is personalized, unique, and they can wear it all the time

 

[l_mccafferty]

I am usually done shopping way before now, and this year I am so behind I am starting to panic. It's not the way I usually am so for the first time I can feel what others feel about the "dreaded shopping."

My issues are with my DD11 and DD8. I have bought them nothing. If I didn't buy them something I'd be OK with it, we don't do much for them on our Disney years which this was, but Santa has bought nothing yet either. They have asked for nothing, I have sat them down to write letters to Santa (I don't think DD11 still believes, though she hasn't said for sure, but all the kids do letters to give ideas.) My DD16 wrote one with suggestions so she is set, DD11 just wrote a thank you for last years gifts and said have a good Christmas, didn't ask for anything and DD8 said surprise me.

As of now I have 3 Wii games and 2 DS games that they all will get as a shared gift. But what else for girls this age. They aren't into toys and DD11 especially doesn't like to waste money on junky stuff.

Mickeymomof3 - I could actually be your daughter. I never asked for anything from Santa or even from my parents. In fact, I'm the same now!!
I also shared a room with my Younger Sister and we could never agree on what we wanted our room to be like so decorating might not be a good idea unless they can agree!
What about a new watch? Birthstone jewellery? Pillowpets? What about some nail varnishes? Some of their favourite candy? My mum always buys us skincare stuff. What about the Disney LPS sets? Do you have a zoo or anything near you that you could buy an adoption of an animal? I did a WWF tiger adoption for my DBF and he got sent a cuddly toy and gets a newsletter every so often.
A nice charm bracelet? This would save problems in the future - you'd know what to get in future!
A book that they would actually like
Something personalised - Cushion, pjs,

Hope this gives you some ideas!

 

[HLDisney]

I have an 8,almost 9 year old and she's been into stuff like diaries/journals with locks and the American Girl "The Smart Girl's Guide to....." books. She also wants games for her DS. Her classmates and friends are very into craft kits. Digital cameras and camcorders (like the Flip) are also big hits at this age.

Helen

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Stuffed anything is out. Yes, they love them, but even they will tell you we have too many. We have given some away and continue to do so, there just isn't enough space for more.

They have $10 MP3 players and are happy with those. We have one TV that we put in their room if someone is sick or for a special treat on a snowy night, but not full time and they are fine with that.

Jewelry is a nice idea and one I will give some thought to. They did Pick a Pearl in EPCOT this year and I got them carriage cages off eBay for them and they have enjoyed wearing them since we got home. I have never had my birthstone so the thought of them getting their already seems a little extravigant, but maybe getting them something small with their's would be a nice idea. It couldn't be too big budget wise, but I will look into it.

DD11 bought herself a digital camera a few months ago, or that would be what she got. DD8 has her old one and that is good enough for now. Flip cameras are cool but not in the budget.

The Smart Girls books are great, love them, but DD16 had all of them and they are passed down. That is our biggest issue. All the hand me downs satisfy them. Not a "problem," I love that, but it makes this time of year tough.

 

[lovesmurfs]

DD11 is my magpie and loves anything shiny. Jewelry, hair accessories, etc. I get her a calendar every year -- this year I found a Hoops and Yoyo one (WITH SOUND!). She also likes word finds and puzzle books -- I picked up a hidden picture computer game that I think she'll like.

She also likes to cook and bake, so I bought her some sprinkles of her own, and a kids recipe book. She's also getting a couple of magic tricks and a yoyo.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I like the idea of scrapbook stuff. Michael's has nice 12 x 12 boxes you could put paper, scissors, stickers, pens, and a scrapbook in. The stuff can add up quickly, though.

 

[StephMK]

My DD is 10 & here is her list -
camera - top wish item
EZ Bake oven - she's getting the Babycakes maker instead
Legos - Beach House ordered through Amazon
ds & wii games - really wants Super Scribblenauts
art stuff
PJ & slippers from Justice
a fun scarf to wear - inside kind

She loves art sets like those from Klutz & some other brands. She has really enjoyed weaving, friendship bracelets, body crayons.

Bed/room stuff is a good idea. DD wants one of those round fuzzy chairs and would love to get a more teen looking comforter set.

 

[gdulaney]

If you have a KMart near you...they usually have children's jewelry that is Disney themed...and often heavily discounted.

Another idea - our Borders bookstore has really neat kits, most are priced under $20... rock painting, friendship bracelet making, drawing, cupcake baking, etc.

Good luck!

 

[robinb]

Hanukkah is over and my 11-year old DD makeup (blush, pinkish eye shadow, brown mascara, cover-up, lip gloss), a makeup box (a hard plastic one from Target), nail polish from Claire's, fake Uggs from Marshall's/TJ Maxx, American Girl clothes for her dolls, charms for her Silly Bands, Webkinz (40% off at Justice & 2/$5 at Walgreens), Converse Chuckies, Toy Story Mania Wii game & stuff from Bath & Body works (mostly lip gloss).