Just bought my first Christmas present

[clh2]

it is for my DD. She will have an apartment on campus starting in the fall of 2014...and I found a knife set that was very reasonably priced...and had free shipping...

Knife Set

The free shipping code was "freeship"

I started looking early, since my mom is probably going to ask what she wants for Christmas in the next month or so. I ran into this knife set along the way...

 

[dreamin_disney]

Christmas already! Lol! I'm just trying to get through the summer Im late starting my Christmas fund but my cc are all paid except for one.
I wish I could start early but its hard with dh's family. I have no idea what to buy for dd and dh I'm totally lost this year! Hopefully your post will motivate me

 

[nemofish]

My plan is actually to start this upcoming weekend. I'll start with the youngest family,friends and relatives. November and December are just so hectic every year that I find shopping in august, September and October are much less stressful. The bad part is I swear almost everyone's birthdays that I buy for are in the fall and early winter...ack

I'm honestly thinking giftcards for many people this year.

 

[Aliceacc]

I know I want to get each of the kids a new suitcase for Disney next summer.

But we just started construction on our kitchen and dining room. There's not a square inch of extra storage space in my house right now-- new appliances are in the garage, all the kitchen stuff (including the microwave, toaster, Keurig and my teapot) are in the basement, and the pool table is covered with paper plates and groceries. (The dog can't get to the food there.)

So let's just say it's a bit early for me to start.

If anyone is looking to buy a 10 inch tablet for Christmas, Samsung has its student edition out for a very limited time:http://www.intomobile.com/2013/07/2...nt-edition-comes-bluetooth-keyboard-and-dock/

Last year, Santa got each of my 3 kids the 7 inch student edition, and it was the BEST gift. So last week I got myself the 10 inch version of the student edition. It will only be out for a short time, so if you're considering it, don't wait too long.

 

[sk!mom]

Wow! I love Christmas but I also love Summer and Fall and don't like Christmas to take over.

When my kids were young, I would occasionally pick something up if I ran into it but as they got older I would know that they could their minds. Plus electronics have limited return periods and I wouldn't be able to do a return if necessary.

I also think that early or year around shopping would have the potential for over shopping. It's difficult enough to keep from buying DD17 too much as I see something she would love any time I shop. I combat this by rarely shopping.

I Christmas shop in November. I buy 90% either online or in person on Thanksgiving weekend. I find great deals around the end of November. We celebrate Thanksgiving and then spend the 3 day weekend kicking off Christmas- decorating, shopping. We then relax and enjoy December.

 

[luvmy3]

I used to be started and half finished by now when the kids were little. They are tween and teens now so I can't really do that anymore. I did get them each an ornament already and I'll probably pick up some things while at the world but everything else will have to wait.

 

[worm761]

I bought my first gift in May so don't feel bad. It isn't about shopping for Christmas so much as it is about finding a great deal. I got some Disney story books, a set of 4, that retail for $60 for $11. The deal was too good to pass up so I bought them and am saving them for Christmas.

 

[pigletto]

We plan to take the kids on a surprise Disney trip from December 13th to 23rd as their big present. Because of that, I want my shopping done, wrapped and ready before we leave. Hopefully by December 1st. I'll still get a few things for the kids but the majority of my shopping will be for other family etc.
So I am starting to look but I'll probably do the bulk of it in October and November.
I wish I knew someone that needed a knife set .. that is a great deal.

 

[ktate82]

Thanks for the link! While we didn't buy those knives, we did find a set of KitchenAid ones for $42.50, plus several other good buys!

 

[TxRabbit]

I'm making Christmas gifts this year. I don't every year...but I am something of a seamstress/handywoman and when the mood hits...I make the gifts. I got a great coupon for JoAnns that will take an additional 20% off my entire purchase and the licensed fleece is on sale. So everyone is getting a personalized fleece lap blanket. Everyone tucks in with our lap blankets when they visit our house, but no one has gotten their own yet... It's all part of my personal effort toward limiting my evening computer time.

 

[ceemys]

I normally start shopping for Christmas this time of year also...but since our house will be our present...It eliminates many items. Just the one or two Santa items. They both know that it is a very small Christmas. and they are OK with it.

 

[taymaesmom]

I have one gift bought too! Dd(14) has really been wanting a new camera, a Nikon, that was very expensive. So we made her a deal that we would buy her the camera if she mowed our yard this summer every week. It ended up just about breaking even with what we would have paid someone else to mow so we are both happy. When I went to order her camera they were running a special, I could get an extra lens for $50 more ($150 value) so I went ahead and bought it too and put it up for Christmas!

 

[Handbag Lady]

Oh, for HEAVEN's SAKE! I refuse to start until October. The Summer is STILL HERE!


Even my sister is in on the act. She's planning her Halloween already. I'm here getting tanned, people!!!!

 

[gracie1]

I normally start shopping for Christmas this time of year also...but since our house will be our present...It eliminates many items. Just the one or two Santa items. They both know that it is a very small Christmas. and they are OK with it.

This will be the best Christmas present!! And most expensive!! Lol

 

[rharper1496]

I'm about half done. I usually do my list in May and then budget for 1 or 2 gifts per month. The only thing I don't buy ahead of time are Santa gifts, I wait until we go see him at the mall so I know what they asked him for (we do 1 gift from Santa, the rest from us). I was planning on getting DH a tablet for Christmas and then the bank started offering Galaxy Tabs for opening a new chequing account. I needed an account for my business expenses anyway so I opened one and I'll give him the Tab as his gift. I'm making a lot of gifts this year too so I wanted to get a head start on those.

The trip is the kids' big gift this year so it's especially easy. They're only getting a few small things and stockings on Christmas Day.

 

[tinktinktink]

I'm about half done. I usually do my list in May and then budget for 1 or 2 gifts per month. The only thing I don't buy ahead of time are Santa gifts, I wait until we go see him at the mall so I know what they asked him for (we do 1 gift from Santa, the rest from us). I was planning on getting DH a tablet for Christmas and then the bank started offering Galaxy Tabs for opening a new chequing account. I needed an account for my business expenses anyway so I opened one and I'll give him the Tab as his gift. I'm making a lot of gifts this year too so I wanted to get a head start on those.

The trip is the kids' big gift this year so it's especially easy. They're only getting a few small things and stockings on Christmas Day.

Which bank is offering the tablet? That is an awesome perk!

 

[ChiCat]

I got quite a bit done this month because we got that SW card and I needed to reach 2k fast! I got some great deals on Macys & Toys R Us.

 

[cheap traveler]

I picked up a few small things when I went out specifically to get something you can't find near Christmas: those backrest pillows for reading in bed. I wanted to get them for my girls last year, but once the back-to-school sales are over they are nowhere to be found. I picked on up at Kohl's for $7.50 with Kohl's cash and a coupon, and the other for $15.00 at Bed Bath and Beyond with a coupon.

$22.50 and I'm happy.

My problem this year is what the "big gift" will be. The got ipod touches last year, and while I was very tempted by the sale at Staples on the Kindle Fire, I realized that will: do exactly the same things as the ipods just on a bigger screen, and also encourage to have their noses stuck even more in the electronics. At 9 and 7, I think they need a bit more reality while I have control.

I was thinking another American girl doll, but half the bedroom is already taken up with that stuff, and DD9 will be 10 right after Christmas, so how much longer can I expect her to play with dolls?

 

[ktate82]

My problem this year is what the "big gift" will be. The got ipod touches last year, and while I was very tempted by the sale at Staples on the Kindle Fire, I realized that will: do exactly the same things as the ipods just on a bigger screen, and also encourage to have their noses stuck even more in the electronics. At 9 and 7, I think they need a bit more reality while I have control.

I was thinking another American girl doll, but half the bedroom is already taken up with that stuff, and DD9 will be 10 right after Christmas, so how much longer can I expect her to play with dolls?

I'm facing these same problems. We don't do a lot of electronics, but the kids each have their own DS. We have an Ipod mini and a Kindle Fire that we share in the house, and thought of getting them each their own Kindle Fire. But then its another electronic to have to keep track of how much they play them (I know the new ones have timers), and what will I get them in a few years if I get them this now? I think they might be a little young (7 and will be 9 after Christmas). My daughter has asked for an AG doll, but I worry about spending that much and her not playing with it much longer.

 

[kthruz143]

I started about a month ago. we are going to Disney at the end of October and i don't want to have to deal with it when we get back. i am going to christmas shop in disney to