What's Santa Bringing Your Kids?

[kkevcamsmom]

DD (8) is getting a new bike and DD (22) and DS (19) will be getting around £30 cash or gift vouchers each

Unfortunately we've had to cut back pretty drastically this year as DH's brain tumour hasn't been behaving itself recently meaning he hasn't been well enough to work much

Sorry to hear about your DH. I hope he's doing a bit better now.

Lori

 

[kkevcamsmom]

Your right and it isn't rude to say I am depriving my kids? I think that is the pot calling the kettle black. It is ok I guess if it comes from you and not a troll such as myself (I am a very pretty troll by the way).

I am trying to raise children who think of other people, who use their imaginitions and I don't need toys for them that do nothing for their minds and sit in the back of their closets until I give them to Goodwill. So if you want to raise two "spoiled brats" go right ahead (your words, not mine). You sound so proud. Buying your children gifts does not make you a better parent. And I have found that people who feel the need to buy their kids everything under the sun are overcompensating in some way. My kids have everything they need, especially time with me doing meaningful things (and this does not include shopping at TRU!).

Sorry if the truth hurts. For someone who didn't have "two nickles to rub together", your sure are making up for it now. Your kids will tear through their gifts and still want more. But hey, your kids and when they are teens you deal with it. I won't have to because my children are well aware of what true deprivation is. They don't understand greed like your kids will. Hey if you want to say such a rude thing (depriving my kids, you obviously have never seen suffering to make such a cruel comment) then I have every right to respond. Call me a troll all you want becasue it is easier than dealing with the truth.

By the way, how old are you? "Get a life", that is something my 11 year old would say (but she doesn't because she has better manners).

Tracy

Wow, you are amazing. You seem to think that everyone is spoiling their kids while you are the only one raising your kids the right way.

What would you have said if I told you last year we bought our DD then 14 a 30 gig Ipod for acing her AP class? Just on that one item alone we 'blew' nearly $400.00. She also has her own cell phone and a 5.1 stereo system in her room. She will be GIVEN her dad's old car (a '96 Honda Civic in excellent condition) and he will buy a new car. She can drive the car as long as she's got the grades to deserve it. She also must have a job to pay for at lease 1/2 of the insurance increase she will add to our insurance. She also has her own Visa Bucks and Discover credit card. She understands about interest rates, credit scores and all that other stuff others don't learn until much later in life. Is she spoiled? You may say so, we don't think so. She works hard for what she's been given, she is very bright, beautiful and we have taught her to work for what she wants. Nothing in life is free. We will not be paying for her college, she needs to do that, not that we couldn't but she needs to learn to earn her way.

We have two younger boys whom I would suppose you would say are spoiled too. I won't go into that, I think my DD will be enough for you. However, the most important thing I give my kids is my time. I am with them 24/7, they are my life, it is MY responisbility to see they are raised to be decent loving, caring people. Overindulging your kids DOES NOT make them selfish, unless you are that way. Children learn far more from example then from what you tell them. What message are you truely sending your kids? People who have more are spoiled and selfish? Look at what we gave up for others, aren't we much better?

What you wouldn't see, if I posted my kids Christmas lists, is that we donate a TON of good used clothes to charities all year, we support the Fire, police widows funds, we give food and money to the different charities around our town. We volunteer our TIME to get out and help too. We always save our change to drop in the boots for the firefighters collecting for MDA. We make sure we drop change for the bell ringers. You wouldn't know that on top of spends a 'ton' of money on my kids for Christmas and on vacations we also give a ton.

Does that make me better than you? Are my kids better then yours? No, and your's are no better than mine either.

Why are you so offened by people spending XXX amount of money on their kids? Why do you feel it neccesary to bash them? If they can afford it, why does it make them selfish?

Are we selfish because we bought a new mini van 4 years ago (yes was paid off 3 year early too) and paid more for it then we made our first year of marriage?

Lori

 

[jme829]

We try to stay around $100 per kid plus stocking stuffers.
Here's our list. And actually everything from Target was Free with the gift card we earned with our Holiday Inn points.

DS 5

Geotrax starter set ($20 with coupon at Sears)
Geotrax Rainbow bridge (it looks like the one they are building here in Toledo for the last few years! $15)
Hot Wheels Mummy racer thing ($20 Target-free for us)
Disney plug and play game (on sale at Target for $10 we paid for this one)
POTC slippers (Sears $10)
Pirateology book (Amazon.com $13)
5 or 6 story books (free -joined a book club!)
Pirate game (Walmart $10)
Army play set (TRU $20)
Remote Control Car ($10 Target -free)
Kids Knex set ($4 Walgreens)

DD 7

Biggest Littlest Pet Shop ($35 Walmart)
Littlest Pet Shop Game (Free-came with above as a bonus)
Holly Hobbie doll ($20 Target-free)
Soda Pop Doll ($8 Target-free)
Disney Plug and play game ($10 Target-we paid for this one too.)
Perfection ($5 Meijer after $3 mail in rebate)
Egyptology book (Amazon.com $13)
Set of Drawing books (free from book club)
Drawing supplies kit (free from book club)
Kid Knex set ($4 Walgreens)

DD13

Volleyball shoes ($40 from MC Sports-she plays JO vball)
Volleyball pj pants ($14 MC Sports)
Spongebob pj's ($15 Walmart)
Bath Set ($7 Walmart)
20 Q ($7 Target -free)
Not sure what else have 1 or 2 more things to get her.

So approx $310 so far of which $100 of it was free at Target plus about $15 in stocking stuffers for each so figure $210 plus $45 so just over $250 total for 3 kids...I don't think THAT is too bad at all!!

We use as many free gift cards for Christmas that we can (my DH travels every week for business so the points really add up-we did 8 days at WDW for $1000 in Sept by using all his points our 4th such trip!)

WE got my parents a $100 CHoice hotels gift card free with those points
Our neighbors a $40 GC for Applebees free with Speedway pts.
Our friends a $50 GC for Red Lobster free with points (don't remember from where)
My niece is getting $40 Hollywood Movie $ free with AMEX pts.
My grandma is getting a $40 item from my free hostess gifts from having a Home and Garden party.
Just have to buy something for MIL and BIL and other grandma
So we will maybe spend $500 total on gifts 13 people...Not bad at all!!!

I only put prices so people on a tight budget can get some ideas that don't cost a whole lot.!!!

 

[alisonbestford]

Sorry to hear about your DH. I hope he's doing a bit better now.

Lori

Thanks Lori

Unfortunately he isn't but we're planning on a great Chriistmas
Adding little bits whenever we can

 

[earthyfamily]

Every year I try really hard to cut the list down more so than I did the year before. Next year I think a majority of their christmas "spending" money will go towards purchasing "gifts" for others who are more needy in other countries. A goat for a family in Ghana or a spinning wheel for an old woman in Russia...those kinds of things. This year however I am a bit disappointed in how overboard I went with shopping for them.

DD6
An Our Generation Doll and Horse
A calendar
A baby doll
some lotions and lip balms in a cute Christmas purse

DS5
A car carrying truck...have no idea what they are called
An Our Generation Doll and Horse
A "Cars" play mat and "Cars" cars
2 books
A build it yourself solar system
A "Cars" poster

DD2
An Our Generation Doll and Horse
A "Blue's Clues" iron on and shirt
A baby doll
A Giant "Blue's Clues" stuffy and a little one too
a book

Family Gifts
A telescope
"Cars" DVD
"Little Mermaid" DVD
"Little Mermaid" CD
Zooreka game
3 books
And I'm home making some playdoh as well

every year they get a pair of pajamas from the elves and a sleepy time book as well.

 

[DaisyD]

Not too shabby? My almost 10 yo hasn't had that much spent on his Xmas gifts in his lifetime!

You're telling us that you are spending $275 for a 3 yo's Xmas and you think you got off cheap? Yikes!

I think $275 is good! I spend at least $600 on each of my kids. I can't imagine not having spent that much in 10 years combined. What do you buy your son for $27.50?

 

[DaisyD]

I think that some of the posters here could give half the toys they bought to charity and their kids would still be happy as clams and over indulged on Christmas morning. A little overboard some of you, don't you think?

Tracy

Actually I do buy for Toys for Tots each year also. I just spent a little over $1000 at TRU yesterday and donated to Toys For Tots. I still buy my own kids tons of stuff and have no guilt about it whatsover.

 

[DaisyD]

Well, you got me there!

I have found with my own too much means being overwhelmed. If you give them less, they appreciate what they have. My kids anyway.

But please, what four year old needs 25 gifts to open? Really. This is overkill.

I work with underprivledged kids. They are thrilled to get a new book.

My kids were taught from an early age to help the less fortunate all year. They are scouts and work hard to make sure others have something to open on christmas morning.

But, again, different families, different priorities.

Tracy

Boy, aren't you full of sour grapes. What makes you think you are so much better simply because you don't buy your kids a lot of gifts? I will buy as many as I want because I love to see the expression on their faces when they see under the tree Christmas morning. If you have the money then why not? Big deal about them being scouts. All 3 of my kids were scouts growing up and little DD is still in scouts. Certainly doesn't make them better then anyone elses kids. My kids do have their priorities straight. Not only do they volunteer in shelters but they also DON'T JUDGE others. I guess different families, different priorities is right~!

 

[DaisyD]

Buy your kids all you want. I, personally, know that in the long run it is not plastic toys that will make my kids happy but an education. So, I choose to put the money I would have spend on toys that do nothing for their imagination in an account for college.

I have found that kids who get to much at an early age do not appreciate it and have nothing to look forward to. So spend away, it is your kids not mine.
You reap what you sow.



Tracy

Nevermind. Just noticed I was responding to a troll! Silly me!

 

[mandysbus]

for DS(6) we have been trying to stay with small items, just dont have room for lots of big stuff... The small stuff has kinda been a curse though, DS's Bday was right after thanksgiving and he ended up getting some of the same stuff from other people that "santa" was supposed to bring. So I was hunting down sales slips to try to exchange the double items (would not do on xmas morning for santa to bring lots of stuff that would need to go back to the store). So here's where I'm at:
-1 playmobil pirate shipwreck set
-some big POTC figures from spencers
-a POTC sweatshirt and a tshirt from the disney store
-some hotwheels classic vw's that hes been wanting
-2 small POTC megablok sets
and we gave in and got him the Megablok Black Pearl ship (told myself that we would not get one of this big sets from megabloks, they just do not stay together very well...not like legos at all) but DH was at toysrus the other week and they had the $40 ship on sale for $22 so he got one. If it does not stay together well, I'll just glue the stupid thing so DS will be able to play with it). I think he will be very surprised to get this since he knows he would not be getting anything "big" and that I really hate the quality of megabloks.

was going to give him POTC2 dvd for xmas but he ended up going with us the night it came out so we could get our free shirts at walmart (just was not anyone to babysit him at midnight).

still want to pick up a spongbob lego set and playmobil pirate raft set.

 

[mandysbus]

I have two boys, ages 11 and 7. There comes a time when you realize they just have too much crap! I especially feel this way because every year, I feel like we outgrow our house a little more. I do go through things and purge, but still toys/games/trading cards etc. seem to multiply! It's easy for me to limit what I buy because I'm pretty much a minimalist...I hate clutter....and I'm also very frugal! I don't necessarily set a money amount, but I try to keep within my comfort zone (when I spend too much, I get a little twitchy!)

Also, I've noticed as they get older, they get harder to buy for. DS11 isn't into toys anymore. Of course, his items are pricier now (the PS2 games, the MP3 players, etc.) but he never asks me for anything. He's happy with clothing and sports magazines! DS7 is still into toys, but I try to go the more practical or educational route for him. He loves Playmobil, but he has several sets. After a while, how many sets of Playmobil does a kid need? Plus, he has all of those hand-me-downs from his older brother....

And then, there are grandparents. My mom usually always gets the kids what they want, so it gets me off the hook, so to speak.

I like to think that we have a happy medium going on here....my kids have never expressed that they feel deprived, so I think I'm on the right track!

You can never have to much playmobil! Just like you can never have to many legos...we are thinking of building an addition onto our home out of lego bricks But seriously...playmobil has such a wide range of neat stuff, most of which does not require batteries and encourages use of the imagination. Our DS has Pirates, western (cowboys and indians), Town stuff and everything in between and the stuff actually gets a lot of use so I dont mind adding to it every year. And legos, the sky is the limit, I always get DH's nephews legos for xmas...they like them and I figure if they don't like the set I get them, the pieces can be used to build whatever they want

 

[GEM]

My little guy is 3 this year, and it's been SO much fun doing Christmas this year. He's really into it and understand this year about Santa and all of that, and I'm just having a blast enjoying it all with him.

I know he's getting way more stuff than he needs, but he's our only one and we enjoy it. We aren't putting ourselves into debt or anyting. We are also doing lots of charity stuff - the Angel Tree, Toys for Tots, and other programs. And, he really is a sweet natured and generous kid. So, I don't really think we're doing any serious harm to his future by going a bit overboard. After all, he's only going to be 3 once!

He's getting all kinds of cool stuff.

His main present is a Thomas the Tank Engine train table and some track, buildings, trains, etc. to go with that. It's the only thing he's asked for and he's wanted one for a long time. He's an absolute Thomas fanatic, and I think it's something that he'll really enjoy for quite a few years to come. Plus, it's something we can eventually pass on to future kids (if we're that lucky) or to nieces or nepwhews. So, although expensive, I really do feel like it's a good investment.

He's also getting plush Leo, Quincey, Annie, and Rocket dolls to go with his June. I got these all on sale at Disney Shopping. (He ADORES the Little Einsteins' so I know that will be a big hit!)

Other than that, it's just some smallish stuff. Nothing else really expensive.

-A pair of Fisher Price My First Roller Skates with helmet and pads.
-A modle of the solar system to hang in his room and a big picture book about space and planets. (Another obsession of his!)

-A "Lucky Ducks" game.

-A complete set of the Hot Wheel sized Cars characters. (His favorite movie right now!)

-A bunch of books. (He LOVES books and we do lots and lots of reading togehter. You can NEVER have too many books!)

And, of course, lots of fun stocking stuffers - sparkley Play Dough, bath stuff, and other little things.

All of the above is from Santa.

He'll also get tons of stuff from family. I know my mom is getting him the Fisher Price "I Can Play" Piano. I think he'll love that. Other than that, I don't know.

One cute story -

Paul has a new cousin who is four months old and Paul is absolutely nuts about him. He's been very worried about Baby Will this Christmas. He's concerned that, since Baby Will can't talk at all, Santa won't know what to bring him and he'll end up with the wrong presents. This is something that Paul has fretted over qite a bit. I've told him that Santa will just "know" what Baby Will wants, but I can tell that Paul is still pretty concerned. I thought it was sweet.

 

[a&c'smommy]

Lets see here...

Our BIG gift this year is our trip to Disney....we leave in 12 days!

DD7

Game Boy Advanced
6 games for it
Mix Stick
mix clips
Hannah Montana CD & DVD
Guitar
I dog
Password Journal
outfits for I dog
Bella Pop star dance Mat
Itunes gift card
Pillow pal

DS1

Ride-on Thomas the train and extra tracks
play tent with tunnels
ball pit
Elmo TMX
Little People Noah's Ark
Little People Pirate ship
Bubble Lawn Mower
Cars DVD
Pillow Pal
a potty

We usually spend about $1,000 each but I'd say we went over this year if you add the Disney trip. Yeah, other people probably think my kids are spoiled....they are right!! I'm not ashamed of that at all. There may come a day that I can't buy things they want and as long as I can afford it I will.

 

[shelly3girls]

I don't know about everyone else but two weeks ago I said I was DONE. Now of course the kids add to their list (which does not mean I necessarily buy the stuff) or I find things on sale that I did not plan to buy. This week alone I purchased:
I-dog
Barbie Dance with Me (Etoys great sale)
Elmo TMX (thanks to the DIS)
Busy Ball popper
Jumperoo (would have bought anyway)

I restrained myself from buying the I-dog accessories and those stuffed animals you raise online. I will put them on their birthday lists. Christmas better come quick!

 

[Tinkerbell424]

If I were your kids I would defintelybe pleased!

I do not have any children becuase I am 13,but my mom usually buys me cds and dvds.But this year our christmas present is a wonderufl trip to Walt Dinsey World and a MVMCP.

Merry Christmas!

 

[kaysmommie]

I'm done shopping at least for the kids..I went a little crazy this year I think

For DD6
American girl doll (Emily, her 3rd doll)
AG Doll trundle bed
AG doll bedding set
AG Emily's dog
AG outfits
AG Pajama's set for Girl/doll
AG doll tote
AG Kailey's dog Sandy
AG Kailey Boogie board
Doll dresser with vanity
Princess Cd Player
CD's (4)
Clothes from Disney store
Barbie 12 dancing princess dolls
Barbie 12 dancing princess DVD
Barbie Guitar
Baby doll crib
Easy bake oven
Candyland DVD

And for DS 2
Deluxe Roundhouse for Thomas the train set
Thomas Expansion pack
Thomas trains(3)
Harold the Helicopter
Buzz Lightyear
Mickey Mouse Club house
Mickey Figurines
Mickey's counting car
mickey's cell Phone
Lego's
McQueen race car
Tonka FireTruck
Animal Kingdom Sing along DVD
Drawer for Thomas Table
Clothes from Disney Store & Gymboree
Also we got him the Lightning McQueen twin bed a but we decided to give it to him early so he would sleep all night ( works like a charm)

Wanted to add to the list a few more things...
DD Cheetah girls tickets ( she will love this)
DS and DD new Disney bath towels and lots of books from scholastics warehouse sale.

 

[pooh4evr]

Just from Santa

DD 5-
American Girl Just Like ME Doll with Target brand Wordrobe/vanity with clothing
Dollhouse with Furniture (Fisher Price Loving Family)
Disney Princess Door Curtain thing from Toys r us
a few other small things and stuff in stocking other stuff from us

DD 2 -
Giant Ariel Doll from Disney Store (Daddy couldn't pass it up)
Ariel Bike
Disney Princess Door Curtain
Mickey Mouse remote control car
Ariel costume
smaller stuff and Stocking and other stuff from us

Santa usually leaves them a couple of things at my moms house too our basement looks like the Disney Store exploded in it! They have been the only 2 grand and great grand kids on both sided of the family until October so we got stuff from everybody!

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

DD 9(almost 10) already bought
Nintendo DS
Nintendog
Target Horse for AG Doll
Salon Seat form Target
Mix Stick
Mix clips
Kit's Bed from AG
Kit's bedding
Kit's christmas dress(they have all but Emily so no new dolls right now)
Designers World
Yank the Dog form AG
An Art Set
Tent & sleeping bag form target for AG dolls
Some various AG outfits
Some books.

DD 8
Molly's christmas dress
Yank the dog
Molly's Bed
Molly's PJ's
AG horse lovers outfit & matching top for her
AG Horse Book
Bitty Bundle up bunting
bitty bath set
bitty stroller
playpen
Dogz game for Gameboy
Breyer Pony stable
Pony for AG from Target
Breyer Pony
Bitty Layette
Coconut Books
FP FP3 Player

DS 4
A bunch of various Thomas trains & A wooden train set
FP FP3 Player
radio control car(more for DH)
Imaginex Castle
Geo trax stuff
A bunch of hotwheels stuff

stocking stuffers are toothbrushes, some candy, tickets for the girls to see AG Circle of Friends show at AG Place, a trip to Disneyland,Knotts Berry Farm , and a stop at AG place LA with spending money.
Plus a bunch of My Twinn stuff that I forgot about. Some books and DVD's.

Wanted to add AG Emily with Accessories for each girl(makes #6 for DD8 and #10 for DD9) and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. another Thomas set and TMX Elmo for DS

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

I'm finished! I can finally post in this thread. Let me start my posting by saying I am a bonafide Christmas Junkie. This Christmas, I made my husband a promise to limit the number of gifts for each child. It's been hard for me But, there are truly other things our family will enjoy and frankly, I looked around to find last years Christmas toys and realized I couldn't even remember what they were.

So, Da Da Da Dum! here it is....

Together: a 13 inch TV/DVD for the motorhome (our old one died this summer and only played VHS)

DS7
Nintendo DS Lite
DS Lite carrying case
DS game
bath robe (that's what he asked for, I swear )
Nerf gun of some sort
Roken Bok starter set
build a fort by Cranium

DS4.5
Gameboy Advance
Gameboy carrying case
Gameboy game
PJ's
Nerf gun (same as DS7)
An animal play set
build a fort by Cranium

DD4.5
Hand held Leapster
Leapster Case
Leapster game
PJ's
Disney Princess Castle
2 Princess's with clothes for Castle
Jewelry making kit

Stocking stuffers include bubble bath, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sugarless gum and flarp

I'm so worried about what it will look like. I'm fine with really limiting what we spend as long as it looks like a lot under the tree. I love that awestruck look they have when they first see the tree after Santa comes. Well, this is about half of the number of gifts from last year, I hope it goes well.

 

[makinorlando]

DD9 had only three or four things on her Christmas list - I was pretty proud of her for not being greedy this year, she also included some things on her list that she wants for her "boys" HER two kittens -

Not sure which I will put from Santa and which from me. We have a SMALL family, so she does not get much of anything else except from my mom and brother. She already spent my sister's XMAS money.

1) Monopoly Here & Now (I'm tired of playing Jr Monopoly) - this was my idea
2) Catz for Nintendo DS - like Ninetendogs I guess - it just came out this week - she has two Nintendogs
3) Ariel Pop up Playset - This one surprised me - but she had it on the list -it's the one that folds up
4) Mumbles from Build A Bear
5) Pirates of the Caribeen Dead Man's Chest (thanks to overstock.com deal!)
6) Bratz Doll (this is a new thing for her - she just got into them)
7) Chip & Dale Christmas pin, Chip & Dale magic towel & mini Jasmine snow globe from Walgreens
6) I will probably get her another movie - Fried Green Tomatoes and a Gamecube Game

Breakfast on XMAS morning at Crystal Palace.

This is the first year she is not getting a "big" gift. 2003 was cell phone & Gamecube, 2004 Electric Scooter, 2005 Nintendo DS.

Doesn't seem like much but almost every week when we go to Disney she gets something - recently (since T-giving)she got two Chip & Dale squishy pillows, and two sets of Chip and Dale plush toys - one XMAS one not. For her being the only child of a single mom - it's Christmas just about all year long!!!!