The annual What was Hot/What was Not gift tracking thread

[Piecey]

DS1: Hits were his Thomas Wooden Railway train table, track, etc... And the chocolate train I put in his stocking. The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVDs were a hit too. He had to watch the Space one this afternoon.

DS2: He crawled around and played with all of it. Likes big brothers train table, too.

Miss: DS1's LeapPad. I mostly bought it as a car/plane/going to WDW next month toy so I'm not disappointed yet. He was eating the chocolate train and watching Mickey when I tried to show it to him and he just wasn't interested. Too much to see.

Played with the train table for hours though. He was unimpressed with mommy and daddy's skills at making a decent track layout though.

 

[204charity]

Hits - DS4 loves his Innotab (already loaded it with photos and music for him) and his BatMan/Joker toys by Imaginext.
DD9 loves her new Hard Candy headphones, and the $130 we gave her for her Disney Workd Savings Jar. She also loves her Callico Critter Furniture.
DH & I - no misses, we are just happy to see the kids happy.

 

[Sandy321]

what an entertaining thread! from the wee ones to the big 'uns!

DS 26 just got divorced (no kids - last Christmas they went to Vegas and did a wedding vow renewal..no nice thoughts) He asked for - "joy"

at the end of the day - he said he felt "joy" and was so grateful!

HITS - everything -

DD 15 - Kindle Fire, you'll not believe it, but a "sing-a-ma-jig" doll - she picked it up in target and went nuts thinking it was the best thing... um, no - when I found out it was only $6 I bought it! They all played with it - then there was that "topsy turvy" bowl... yep, she loved that too! I loved I got 2 Bare escentuals kids for $25 - she had a coupon, $25 off a $50 purchase, I got her the $54 case with make up, and entered a drawing and won the 12 eye shadow kit (sells for $75) She doesnt like all the colors - and will give some to me!!

Perplexus big hit with the family DS 26, DS 24

Fiance - loved her tea dispenser thing from teavana,
DS 24 - Extreme Pancake kit from B&N (+ griddle, and pancake mix)

DS 26 and 24 - loved their Nerf guns - loved teasing me that I wouldnt let them have guns when they were younger, and were going to make up for lost time!

DH - Kindle Touch - and of course, he just got a job! (started last Monday - he now has a 1 hour train ride - awesome)

Just grateful for family!

and joy!

 

[momxx5]

Extremely low key Christmas, and the kids knew it would be.

Huge Hit: DD9.....hamster cage, accessories & gift card to Petsmart to get hamster. She knows mommy not fond of "rodents" and was thrilled that Santa actually brought it for her.
Hit: DD13, bike helmet and license plate, rhinestones (she blinged out her helmet), Santa left gift card to get new bike this week! (hoping to get her to hold out till Friday payday.

The boys got underwear & socks, a few t-shirts....so while they were grateful there was not much thrill.
DS17, hit: new Miami dophin hoodie
DS16, hit: new sneakers (old ones had holes in them and he thought he have to wait a few months for new ones)
DS15 BIG MISS: air soft gun......totally wrong one, a cheap one that cannot really be played with. He plays every weekend with a group of 8-10 and between them they always "lend" him a gun, so thinking it would be nice to have his own.....turns out a cheap gun is actually worse than no gun

I do feel bad for DS15 because all his friends are of the "newest, greatest, latest" group. Most got new Ipads or Kindle Fire (already had iTouches), and suprisingly most got cash.....pictures on FaceBook holding anywhere from $300-500 in cash. Didn't expect ANY of that.

The BESTEST part......DS16 made all conference football, AND all Region....all Region annouced on Friday and his picture was in today's newspaper....front of sports section. So proud!!

Looking forward to a better new year!!!

 

[mickeymaker2003]

DD7- Hits: Nintendo 3DS, a "grown up" jewelry box, the webkinz tabby cat, a cat themed blanket
Misses: too soon to tell really as we weren't home most of the day to even play with stuff

DH- Hits: kindle fire, jar of cherries (lol!), remote controlled helicopter (I'm actually regretting NOT buying these for all the men on my shopping list)
Misses: I don't think there will be any, but time will tell. Most everything else he got were clothes

This made me laugh. My daughter also got a jar of cherries as a gift. She got a 4 lb 10 oz jar of cherries with stems. My 4 year old DD's eyes were HUGE when she saw it.

 

[204charity]

I do feel bad for DS15 because all his friends are of the "newest, greatest, latest" group. Most got new Ipads or Kindle Fire (already had iTouches), and suprisingly most got cash.....pictures on FaceBook holding anywhere from $300-500 in cash. Didn't expect ANY of that.

!!

Well, your not the only one. I was wondering why nearly every friend of DD's got an IPod Touch this year?! They are like $200!!! Plus a case, and the iTunes cards. Sheesh. DD is only 9!!!!! Is this normal nowadays? Even my friends who have very little money are buying these for their kids. Is it just a case of "keeping up with the Jones" or what? I just don't get it. My DD has an old IPad of her grandmothers, it has no video or camera though. Just for games and email. I guess she is falling behind the cool kids now.Ha!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

This made me laugh. My daughter also got a jar of cherries as a gift. She got a 4 lb 10 oz jar of cherries with stems. My 4 year old DD's eyes were HUGE when she saw it.

DD17 got a can of black olives in her stocking. I think that was her favorite thing besides her new red Keurig!
DD13 loved Sims Pets and her new roller blades.
DS10 freaked out when he saw the Lego City Airport set. He put together Lego sets all day. We made him save at least 1 for tomorrow.
DS7 loved everything. He told us he hit the jackpot!
DS4 loved his Disney Cars racetrack set that his Godmother gave him.

The surprise hit of the day were 2 wigs I had picked up out of the dollar clearance bin at Walmart a few days after Halloween. I wrapped them up for DD13 for fun. She and DH took turns wearing them and posing for goofy pictures.

 

[Leajess99]

Well, your not the only one. I was wondering why nearly every friend of DD's got an IPod Touch this year?! They are like $200!!! Plus a case, and the iTunes cards. Sheesh. DD is only 9!!!!! Is this normal nowadays? Even my friends who have very little money are buying these for their kids. Is it just a case of "keeping up with the Jones" or what? I just don't get it. My DD has an old IPad of her grandmothers, it has no video or camera though. Just for games and email. I guess she is falling behind the cool kids now.Ha!

I am with you. My youngest DD is turning 9 in a few weeks and most of the kids around her got phones or Ipod Touches or laptops. She has my 2nd generation touch now since her brother and sister have one but it is funny to see how many cry poor and yet have the funds for the expensive stuff.

For us everything was a hit.

 

[Neesy228]

Overall it was a very happy christmas here, minus my DD who woke up feeling fine, but 2 hours into the day started feeling sick....by lunch time, she was feverish and throwing up. She hung in there pretty well though and played when she was feeling okay.

DS11 - Hits: Xbox 360, Several Lego sets, Electronic Monopoly, some gifts for his dog which made him super happy.
Misses: Lego Creations Game (for as much as he loves legos, he doesn't like the games)

DS8 - Hits: baseball catchers gear, Pittsburgh Steelers bedding set, Scrabble Flash, hockey goalie stick
Misses: I'm not sure he had any...he loved everything he got!

DD5 - American Girl doll with a couple outfits/accessories - including the ballet outfit she thought looked just like hers - some Steelers stuff (pink jersey and terrible towel) so she could play with her brother.

For all three of them: Santa set up this cool tower of cardboard blocks, with stuffed Angry Birds and pigs and that was a massive hit all day...as was Skylanders for Wii. They didn't even ask for it, but Santa just knew it would be fun! The boys played with that a lot today, and have already decided that they need more figurines!

Hope everyone had a wonderful, joy filled and cozy Christmas.

 

[evandmp]

No misses.

DD4-hits- lite sprites, princess kitchen, hello kitty mega blocks house, strawberry shortcake sets, lotion, webkinz dog.

DS7-hits- Dagedar, disney universe game, smurfs dance game, super paper mario, hot wheels nitro, real construction sets, webkinz dog.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

We've had a very successful Christmas here

DS14
Hits: 19" flatscreen t.v., foot massager, popcorn maker

DD11
Hits: iPhone 4S (hasn't put it down all day), Justin Bieber posters, notebooks, book, Just Dance 3
Misses: sapphire ring (too small), Justin Bieber shirt (not her style..from Grandmom), Crocs (too small)

DS8:
Hits: telescope, used Power Wheels car, Moon in my Room
Misses: surprisingly, a season pass to a local, small, amusement park type place

DS6:
Hits: iPad (upgraded from the 1st to 2nd), and has taken a zillion pictures so far, Angry Birds toys, and perhaps the biggest hit is an Angry Bird pillow and blanket.
Misses: Although he would have liked it, we didn't realize the Chocolate Candy Land was actually a game made of real chocolate (thought it was just a chocolate theme). We came home from dinner at my parent's to discover that our dog devoured everything but the gameboard.

All in all, a great day

 

[solfan68]

DS9 - Hot - Skylanders. I see many more figs in our future.
Not - Socks. Some things never change.

 

[moonpie85]

Misses: Although he would have liked it, we didn't realize the Chocolate Candy Land was actually a game made of real chocolate (thought it was just a chocolate theme). We came home from dinner at my parent's to discover that our dog devoured everything but the gameboard.

All in all, a great day

Oh no! Hahaha. Just keep an eye on the poor thing since chocolate is dangerous for dogs. A little is usually fine but I dunno about a whole board game

 

[NLD]

Fun thread!

Well, the biggest "hit" in our house was: a Disney trip! I'm taking my MIL and dd for dd's eighth birthday in January. Planned for months, revealed to dd on Christmas morning.

Other hits and misses:

DD
Hits: camera, bike, Figit friend, Lion King movie, watch
Misses: Password Journal Ugghh... dd wanted this so badly, and was so happy when her grandma got her this. But the "password protection" feature is junk and dd was so frustrated trying to get it to work.

DH
Hits: robe and slippers, bag of sunflower seeds ( ), gift card for Lowe's

Me
Hits: the look on dd's face when she found out about the Disney trip! And new luggage from dh.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I think this year was the year of misses at our house for sure

Thus next year dh and I already told the ds they are getting cash. I have cancer and have worn myself out shopping and they proably want to return most of the stuff. Oh well. Lesson learned.

ds24 - Hit: Chuck Norris desk calendar for work

ds21 - gas card
Miss - most everything we got him, mostly clothes

ds 20 Hit : dwarf hamster from ds21
Misses - most of the clothes we got him too. He asked for the receipt so he can return some already.

Me: miss: Jewelry from dh. Half my neck is cut out from cancer. I dont need that.
Book on cancer and book about Disney World from ds20: like I dont know about those things already
Hit: ds20 gave me a photo frame with our photopass picture in it and 2 disney shirts that I havent tried on yet.

DH: Hit: Keurig and food gifts and a few tools
Misses - just for men hair dye from ds20

Really, it is not about the presents. I am just glad to be alive to enjoy being with my family and celebrating the christmas season

 

[princessmom29]

Well, your not the only one. I was wondering why nearly every friend of DD's got an IPod Touch this year?! They are like $200!!! Plus a case, and the iTunes cards. Sheesh. DD is only 9!!!!! Is this normal nowadays? Even my friends who have very little money are buying these for their kids. Is it just a case of "keeping up with the Jones" or what? I just don't get it. My DD has an old IPad of her grandmothers, it has no video or camera though. Just for games and email. I guess she is falling behind the cool kids now.Ha!

I don't see anything wrong with it if you have the money to spend and it is something the child wants. All of the kids i know who have them get thier money's worth from them. DD8 has a nano, and has no interest in a touch so I haven't gotten her one, but wouldn't hesitate if I thought she would enjoy it. I wouldn't do it if I was having difficulties paying bills, but sometimes people make sacrifices to fulfill thier kids wishes at christmas. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[DawnM]

There wasn't anything that was a big miss. My 7 year old even liked his new jeans! :good vibes My older ones didn't seem to mind their clothing items either, but I don't give too many clothes for Christmas because I have BOYS and they just want the bare necessities anyway.

Biggest hit was the new airsoft rifles. They are out again this morning playing with them.

Legos are always a hit

3ds games were big and the $5 Best Buy deals really helped with allowing me to add more games to their amounts.

They didn't get any big electronic items this year.

Passes to our local theme park.

Ski passes for later in the season.

Camping equipment.

 

[204charity]

I don't see anything wrong with it if you have the money to spend and it is something the child wants. All of the kids i know who have them get thier money's worth from them. DD8 has a nano, and has no interest in a touch so I haven't gotten her one, but wouldn't hesitate if I thought she would enjoy it. I wouldn't do it if I was having difficulties paying bills, but sometimes people make sacrifices to fulfill thier kids wishes at christmas. Nothing wrong with that.

I know this - I just had no idea they were like the "IT" gift this year!

 

[crashbb]

Hit: DD13, bike helmet and license plate, rhinestones (she blinged out her helmet), Santa left gift card to get new bike this week! (hoping to get her to hold out till Friday payday.

Totally OT, but, As some who spends a lot of time at the paediatric ER - "blinging" out a bike helmet is actually really dangerous. Helmets are designed to work as sold - with smooth tops. Interfering with the friction level of the helmet greatly impedes its ability to protect your daughter's head

 

[rszdtrvl]

The Facebook stories make me very happy that DS no longer has a Facebook account. He feels left out very easily, and does not need that kind of anxiety.

We had a very low-key Christmas. DH and I don't buy for each other. We only buy for family and DS.

Hit (DS15) -
Rocksmith for PS3. He loves this game! We decided to stop his guitar lessons in November, and I think he may actually learn to play the guitar MORE with this game.
Amazon.com gift card
Walmart gift card
Eminem t-shirt
New luggage of his very own for his trip to NY in June (blue in color - to match his camera we got him for his birthday)

DH got a t-shirt from my parents. I got a Coach camera holder from my parents. DH's parents gave us nothing (including DS). No phone call or anything (his parents are divorced). DS said "That's fine - I know I will get good stuff from you guys" (DH and I). It's nice to know he has matured a bit as he is getting older.

All in all, it was a good Christmas. Took the tree down last night (a small 3-foot tree) and all traces of Christmas are gone. Glad it is over with, and now I get to work on my New Years Resolutions!