Have you bought or made any Christmas presents lately?

[JanaDee]

So far, I only have one thing, a PINK zip hoodie for DD.

 

[jmac323]

Speaking of buying at Halloween stores......
One year I hit Toys 'R Us after Halloween and scored 75% off Disney princess dresses and DD got 5 of them at XMAS time!

 

[gymboqueenkaylee]

I have done a good amount of Christmas Shopping.

For DD I have bought:
American Girl Doll that she wanted
Lego Friends Set
Disney Infinity 2.0 set
Ski pants (since we are going skiing for christmas)
Vanity

Nephew:
Some walking/roaring Dinosaur thing he wanted
Niece:
American Girl Doll

There are still a few more things I need to pick up for my parents and my brothers and sister. My plan is to be completely done by the first week in December this year since we will be out of town the week of Christmas.

 

[disney is my life]

So far I have only bought for dd8. Our Disney Store (like all the others) has been sold out of Frozen merchandise since November 2013. About 2 weeks ago they got a HUGE shipment of Frozen items and I bought tons of things for her that I put away for Christmas. So far I've bought:

-Anna mini wardrobe doll set
-Elsa mini wardrobe doll set
-Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Hans mini doll set
-Frozen figure set
-Sven plush
-Frozen T-Shirt
-Frozen PJ's

I bought some other things too but I plan to give those to her on our Disney trip in March

Non Disney Items I've bought
-Easy Bake Oven- On sale from $65 down to $20
-Monster High Dolls- On sale from $23 down to $10
-Littlest Pet Shop House- On sale from $45 down to $30

 

[Patience]

I have a lot of shopping done. Here's what I have so far: For my 7 year old daughter- Snow Glow Elsa doll Frozen castle (the big one) Frozen doll set, barbie sized Zoomer Zuppie (Candy- the only one she wanted) Sew Cool Little Live Pet bird in cage Puppy Surprise I bought Marie Grace from American girl during the Today show sale but I'm holding her back for my daughter's birthday. She wants an American Girl party. For my 20 year old daughter- Michael Kors earrings Patagonia vest Escada perfume For my husband- Tactical watch Edited to add that I didn't realize I had a $72.00 credit at Barnes and Noble which I received in the e-book settlement. I bought my 2 lego sets for my nephews today for Christmas for free using the credit and still have some credit left.

 

[rszdtrvl]

Nope. Although I have some ideas of what to buy. I shop for DS's birthday & Christmas at the same time because his birthday is on the 9th of December.

DS is a senior in high school this year. Definitely going to help pad his savings account. Ipod/IPhone chargers will be purchased. And a GC to Sports Authority and Ross, as he loves to shop.

He is a harder child to shop for, as he really does not want anything (except a Nintendo 3Ds and I refuse to buy him one because I purchased him a DSi at his request a few years ago and it was never used - we still had a game in the shrinkwrap!).

I am really going to make sure I don't buy "stuff" this year that will clutter - I want to make sure everything has a purpose.

 

[melissakrichards]

I've got a pretty full gift closet! I'm following a couple of people on Pinterest who post Amazon deals. I have Prime w/ free shipping so I've been buying when things go on sale for at least 50% off.

 

[tchrrx]

We stopped by Stapes to buy printer ink today, and I found some great deals!

- duct tape wallet kits for DD and nephew (regular $10, sale for $2)
- one Direction duct tape for DD (regular $4-$7, sale for $.50)
- paper clips in a pretty tin (regular $3. Marked $1. Rang up at $.50). I'll add a notepad and give these to coworkers.


A couple of weeks ago I found solar address lights for DB and DH. Regular about $35 and on sale for $6.

Kohls and Hobby Lobby has some great deals for DD's bedroom. I bought a really cool clock ($40, on sale $20), wooden sign ($35, on sale for $6), and a little figurine shoe ($7,on sale for $3.50).

 

[tchrrx]

I've got a pretty full gift closet! I'm following a couple of people on Pinterest who post Amazon deals. I have Prime w/ free shipping so I've been buying when things go on sale for at least 50% off.

Could you share a link to those pages? Thanks!

 

[DizMe]

Not much. I've made 2 fishermen's sweaters and 4 purses and have begun some other knitting projects. Beyond that, nada!

 

[Kenjie B]

How did you Get chrome cast for so cheap?

Staples had the chrome cast on sale for $28 and there was a 20% off everything you can fit in the bag sale, so it came up to $22.40 before tax. I think Amazon still has it for $28, which is a decent price.

 

[dizluvah]

I am done with shopping for my 4 yr old DD. Got her toys on clearance at Target and Kmart and got 2 games still new in plastic wrapped boxes at local consignment sale along with some clothes.

Sophia the first doll with animal friends
2 Barbies
2 Disney princess dolls (Ariel and Cinderella)
2 puzzles
Lambie slippers (from Doc McStuffins)
Connect 4

 

[barkley]

I'm waiting on the bulk of shopping (video game fans in this home) until the magic dates target, walmart and gamestop RETAIL (vs. on-line) initiate their holiday return policies. no way I'm going to purchase video games to find out one doesn't work, and by virtue of having purchased it a week or two before an individual store's holiday return policy is in effect-be unable to exchange it.

I did get a gift for db/dsil while shopping for our household last night. we found a great little spice booth at pike place in seattle this summer-AWSOME stuff. we needed to restock, and since I had a 15% code I could use I decided to take advantage of their 2.95 flat shipping rate and get that gift knocked out.

 

[dpswift]

We are done with only one DD 19 is getting a bunch of Snow White stuff. 2 Jim Shore figurines, the Walgreens Snow White make up, and some other Snow White stuff.

 

[bababear_50]

I am scouring local food stores for sales on chocolate chips.
I want to make some Peppermint Bark to add to the "Olaf" baskets I'm making for my family get together.
I need a total of 8 pkgs.

Here is the site that has the recipe I'm using

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2010/12/20/peppermint-bark/


So far the baskets are going to have:



snowman basket made of a small apple basket
a snowman decorating kit
bottle water (melted snow)
hot chocolate
package snowman poop (marshmallows)
popcorn
movie passes
peppermint bark
shortbread cookies
peppermint stir sticks (candycanes)
set of 4 snowman mugs
couple of snowman decorations
Package of Hershey hugs

Hugs Mel

 

[brennicksmom]

I made the photo coasters a few years ago, everyone loved them. I did the ones where you tape tissue paper onto a regular printer paper, and print with black ink (greytones, no color). Then I mod podged onto the coasters and sprayed them with clear coat.

I have a laptop for both kids. We found them at SAMS on the tax free weekend in August for great price. I got one of them for my birthday present as well. Usually we get a family gift, like a WII or XBOX, but they are each getting their own laptop instead this year. It will be nice since my oldest has to do most of his Honors classes on the computer.

I also have a running t shirt for my DS15. I saw a guitar puzzle that I want to pick up for my DS12 at Hobby Lobby, but I haven't bought I yet. He was with me when I saw it. I have NO other ideas for them. We usually do Christmas big for them. The laptops are the main gift, but I need more things to give to them.

I got each of my two nieces a Vera Bradley travel bag. I have two cute patterns, they were on clearance over July 4th, I think they were about $20 each.

For my cousin's kids (that we see about once every 3-4 years) I got nice water guns. About $3 each on clearance at Target.

For one of my sisters and for my sister in law I will get Annual Zoo Family passes. I don't know about my other sister yet. I'll get from their lists.

I really like the landline phone idea for my parents. I'll have to look into those. They also want some solar path lights. They get super gifts for everyone every year, so I want to find something great for them.

My inlaws are the hardest. Every year we get them something that we thing is perfect for them. A wireless waterproof speaker for ipod for their pool-Nope, they still use a wired stereo that they worry will get wet. A waterproof camera for their 6 week annual trips to Thailand for snorkeling-Nope, took them two years before they opened the box, then they promptly "lost" it. A coffee maker that grinds coffee then automatically brews-Nope, too loud when it grinds. A Kureg-Nope, gives them heartburn. Nothing we get them is ok, EVER!! My sister in law once gave my father in law a gift card for Steak N Shake. We still hear about how much he loved it. I'd love some creative ideas for them. Please!

 

[NYEmomma]

I shop year-round for my kids (especially since one has a birthday the week after Christmas) to make the financial aspect seem less painful, lol, so I've already got a good amount accumulated for them.

The twins (2yo) are both getting kindle fires... seems ridiculous but their dual screen DVD player for the car broke and it just seemed to make more sense to invest in tablets that they can play games on OR watch movies on (and they both don't have to agree on one movie) than another DVD player. We're buying them used so I got two for $100. I also have some AG Bitty Baby clothes stashed for their baby dolls, a couple stocking stuffers from Walmart & Target's toy clearances and Disney blu rays left over from when I signed back up for the DMC.

For oldest DD (will be 6 right after Christmas) we got her the Disney Infinity game and some characters but still waiting for a good deal on the WiiU. Have some books for her that I bought used but have never been read, a couple My Little Pony things & board games from Target's toy clearance.

Only other presents I know for sure are DH's photo calendar that I use my Pampers points on every year, and a running medal holder that I'm making for my SIL.

 

[StephMK]

does anyone else do any of their Christmas shopping at the Halloween super stores that are open now? I've found them to be a great resource for stocking stuffers and fun gifts that tie into hubby and dd's interests (dr. who in particular). I can get stuff for a fraction of what they sell for on sites like think geek (dd loves to get dr. who, adventure time, minecraft socks).

if anyone is interested spirit's online store has a big sale going (up to 33% off) and they are offering flat rate shipping.

What a great idea! Thanks, I'm going to check it out.

I've got a pretty full gift closet! I'm following a couple of people on Pinterest who post Amazon deals. I have Prime w/ free shipping so I've been buying when things go on sale for at least 50% off.

I would also love the names to follow! I have Prime too and love Amazon.

We are done with only one DD 19 is getting a bunch of Snow White stuff. 2 Jim Shore figurines, the Walgreens Snow White make up, and some other Snow White stuff.

DD20 loves Disney and I think she would really like a Jim Shore. Thanks for that idea! Now to figure out which character. She dressed like Belle one year so I'll have to look around. DD14 is going to Disney with choir next summer so I hope to find her some Disney stuff too.

I am scouring local food stores for sales on chocolate chips.
I want to make some Peppermint Bark to add to the "Olaf" baskets I'm making for my family get together.
I need a total of 8 pkgs.

Hugs Mel

What a cute idea! We might have to do a version of this for MIL/FIL when we go up for Thanksgiving.

Like PP, I am waiting until closer to Christmas for the 4x Kroger gc offers and video games for DS.

Recently, I bought DD14 a magnifying makeup mirror at TJ Maxx and a kid's history DVD set that she loved in elementary school. It was clearanced out at $5 so hopefully she'll enjoy the little surprise. DD20 picked out a new shower cap & some lotion socks that I set aside.

I feel like the holiday season will sneak up quickly this year. I will be checking this thread for more ideas and love being able to pick up stuff here and there.

 

[TinkTock]

My inlaws are the hardest. Every year we get them something that we thing is perfect for them. A wireless waterproof speaker for ipod for their pool-Nope, they still use a wired stereo that they worry will get wet. A waterproof camera for their 6 week annual trips to Thailand for snorkeling-Nope, took them two years before they opened the box, then they promptly "lost" it. A coffee maker that grinds coffee then automatically brews-Nope, too loud when it grinds. A Kureg-Nope, gives them heartburn. Nothing we get them is ok, EVER!! My sister in law once gave my father in law a gift card for Steak N Shake. We still hear about how much he loved it. I'd love some creative ideas for them. Please!

I would get them a Steak N Shake gift card. At least your FIL should like it. If he's still unhappy, nothing you get will please him, so don't worry about it.