Christmas Lists?

PSU_Texan · October 2014

Has anyone started their holiday shopping lists? Want to inspire me with your ideas? I always wait to the last minute and I'd like to avoid that this year. I won't be near as cray cray as my MIL who shops in July... but October is not bad.

What do you intend to buy your kids, SOs, relatives, friends, etc.?
What do you hope someone buys you?

jlaOK · October 2014

DS: hulk mask and pajamas, spiderman gloves, still need him to think of something else

DD: Little People princess castle and people, play purse

DH: luggage

We draw names on both sides of the family. I have 18-yr-old niece who just recently moved into her own apartment. I'll probably get her something for her place. DH and I drew BIL and my sister. We are going to get them a joint gift but I'm not sure what yet.

I want a set of Calphalon cookware. I'm hoping that my parents get this for me. DH says he already knows what he getting me. I have no clue what it is.

simbaroo27 · October 2014

For my mom and sis, we give each other lists of what we want and we pick from the list based on our budget.

For my daughter, I will get some of the things that she has said she has wanted. That includes Little Live Pet, Beados (she had a blast with this for her b-day), and KiddiZoom.

For my hubby - he wants a DVD set which he told me to order (he will also get a stocking full of little things he likes)

Nieces and Nephews on my hubby's side get money because they like shopping for stuff

Cousin's little ones - toys that they request or money (they all go to Disney)

For my Inlaws, my hubby does the shopping, I just wrap them!

For me, I don't really need anything, like a previous poster, I typically buy what I need during the year but I usually put some items that I would like to support my hobby (knitting).

kristinc01 · October 2014

I'm looking into getting DD age 3 Magnatiles as well since a lot of people on here rave about them - I never actually seen them before.

I was looking on amazon and the actual Magna Tile brand seems pricey - does anyone have the cheaper brands (Picasso Tiles or Magnetic Stick and Stack) and are they comparable?

TIA

kmh2201 · October 2014

Okay, so I've already started buying Christmas gifts for my LOs. If I see something for a good price, I buy it now, and that helps spread the cost over a few months. For example, Amazon had a lightning deal a month ago for an Elsa doll with a bunch of hair accessories for $23, so I bought it. (It sold out in about 30 seconds, so I'm pretty glad I had a reminder set for it!) I have mostly stocking-stuffer type stuff now. The kids like to go through the Sunday newspaper ads as it gets closer to Christmas to circle things they like, so I want to be able to buy some of those things/pass along to family for gift ideas. In general, DS wants Transformers and Ninja Turtles toys, and DD wants Frozen toys and a Barbie electric guitar toy.

For me, I usually ask for gift cards to my favorite clothing stores or Pandora charms.

DH wants a new big screen TV, so that will be his b-day and Christmas (his b-day is late November).

For my parents, we're blowing up a recent photo of my great-grandparents' barn at their old farm (my mom and her brother still jointly own the farm) and having it framed with a nice matting and frame. My mom and her brother just had the barn repainted, so it looks really nice. I'm super excited to give it to them. I think we'll also give them a gas card from the kids.

Nieces & nephews - I plan to ask their parents if they can give me a general idea of what their kids would like.

I may be weird, but I love Christmas shopping. Christmas is my favorite holiday!

SunAndRain · October 2014

DH: I'm hoping we'll agree to forgo gifts since we're remodeling. But...we are always remodeling...

DD (2.5 yrs): helmet, scooter (I think grandma will get her this), items for her play kitchen.

grandparents: gift cards for DH's family (since that is all they ever give and I've given up on trying to give them anything else). probably jewelry for my mom (I usually find something unique when we travel)

Leap08 · October 2014

We are going to FL with my entire family for the holidays and aren't doing adult gifts as a result. We're going to spend a few days at the end of our trip in Orlando and Santa is going to give the girls tickets to Magic Kingdom. Also my girls have birthdays before Christmas (late Nov/early Dec), so the list below combines both.

Scooters
Protective gear for scooters
Legos
Books
Spot it game
PJs
Personalized necklaces
Leap Bands

We will probably give my nephews some cash or gift cards (they are high school/college aged) and my husband and I may do small gifts for each other from the kids (something like new slippers). And I do photo books every year from snapfish for my mom and MIL.

rubber_chicken · October 2014

DD (2.5 at christmas): wooden train set, some kind of scooter or ride-on, a toy digger, the TOMY gearation building toy, and a world map. On Christmas eve, she'll get a set of pajamas and a book from us. Maybe a set of pajamas for her baby doll too.

my siblings: every year we do secret santa - we pull names at Thanksgiving, then everyone puts together a wish list. I usually ask for, and receive, a museum or zoo membership.

nieces/nephews/friends children: I think this year we're doing subscriptions to Highlights

DH's sister and brother-in-law: we usually do a family gift, like a museum membership

DH's parents: photos/photo calendar

my parents: next year is my parent's 40th wedding anniversary. so all my siblings and I are planning a big family trip to the grand canyon. my parents always struggled, so we never got to take a real family vacation when we were kids. We're all flying into Vegas, going to do dinner and a show, then driving to the south rim for a few days. We've got our Vegas hotel and a south rim vacation rental already booked, and we'll tell my parents about it at Christmas as their gift. I'm thinking we'll give my dad a guidebook to teh grand canyon, and my mom a silver frame that says "40th anniversary" for them to open. I am SO EXCITED about this.

ETA: I forgot about DH! I'm screwed because our anniversary, his birthday, and christmas all happen within 8 weeks. He's been wanting new fancy pots, so I might buy a pot for each. Or maybe something for his new woodworking hobby.

2chatter · October 2014

Santa is bringing camping gear - a tent big enough for all five of us, two more sleeping bags, a sleeping bag for DS, something to level the gifts for the girls because they already have sleeping bags (IDEAS??), lanterns (including kid ones), a propane stove and a few other things TBD (maybe a game to play outside - we have cornhole, but was thinking of washers). We plan to set it up in the backyard so the kids can go out and see it/get in it.

ILs will get the kids a mesh bungee swing to hang from one of our trees.

DD's big gift will be a PVC pipe soccer goal we actually dig into the backyard and can take it in and out. If I can find a volleyball returner that will be older DD's big gift. DS no clue on his "big gift" - I think he has 30 trucks and has a play kitchen.

DS will get the toddler sounds bingo game his sisters loved that was destroyed when we moved.

I usually do a "family gift" and this year think it will be a game of some sort - also open to suggestions here!

traveltheworld · October 2014

DH and I don't get each other gifts, so I don't have to worry about that.

I have no idea what to get for the adults in DH's family - we always exchange gifts and every year I have to struggle to come up with something. Usually we end up buying some sort of gourmet food item.

For my parents - I'm getting a calendar and a photobook made wtih DS's pictures and pictures of him and my parents together - DS is their only grandchild and they would LOVE something like that. My Dad is constantly showing people (including semi-strangers) pictures of DS.

I'm getting all my close friends' kids the personalized "Lost My Name" books - I think they are adorable! I'm probably also going to get the VTech Go Go Cars for DS as well, but I think that's about it.

Samiantha101 · October 2014

My husband and I decided we are buying ourselves a kegarator and maybe a pool table for Christmas. We're not doing individual presents.

We bought my daughter a ton a doll accessories on sale. We will probably get her a new doll and a few books and call it good.

I usually get my mom something nice. Last year I bought her an iPad. This year, I hope to find her something nice and totally unnecessary.

I'll buy my dad whatever he asks for. He usually gives me a suggestion. Last year I think I bought him a rain coat.

I bought my grandparents a super cool toaster last year. It sounds lame, but what do you get cheap old people who eat a lot of toast? I think I'll get them another kitchen gadget that they would never buy for themselves.

shannm · October 2014

I only buy for my husband and kids, niece and nephews. I stopped buying for the adults in my life last year and requested that they do the same and not buy me crap that I don't need. Christmas became about material stress and I thought that was silly.

Important to note: I will gift my folks things that they need throughout the year including birthdays because we do better than them financially at this point. Like I may buy my dad a tent set up so that he can enter some juried art shows with his furniture.

emberlee3 · October 2014

DS's art teacher does a fundraiser where you can buy stuff with your kid's art on it, so we will order a few things for grandparents.

Last year, I gave my nieces and nephews National Geographic Kids subscriptions

Not sure what I am getting for my kids. Maybe scooters.

I want a new bed. Our bedroom furniture is pitiful.

justjinny · October 2014

DH & I are going to "give" each other a new camping tent and maybe some other camp gear.

DS will get the 4 gift thing (want,wear, read, need gifts)

My Mom & MIL - oxo storage bins with the clicky lids

Stepdad & FIL - garden tools

sister & SIL's - crafting stuff & maybe some nice Gingher scissors for the ones who sew

Niece - coloring books + a cute outfit (love the idea of a Kid's National Geographic subscription)

Friends - beer or booze! or something else equally fun and consumable

I am soooo thankful that this year we decided to trade names for the siblings in our families. I get to buy two gifts instead of 8+ which makes it much much easier! We also make a home brewed batch of beer each year to give out to our neighbors, friends and some work friends.

mlee116 · October 2014

Love this thread

I'm trying to get Christmas stuff done asap this year as I'm having a RCS on Christmas Eve.

DS- we are trying to do the something he wants/needs/wear/read thing too plus a stocking. So far I know he's getting an easel with art supplies and Thomas books. Maybe a lego set or table. Not sure about the wear..I'm sure he'll need some clothes or a coat or pj's.

DD- will be one day old, so she'll probably get a stocking and a Christmas outfit to wear.

DH- says he wants work clothes, so either he'll buy them or he'll get a GC.

Me- I'd like some new sheets and random kitchen stuff like dish towels, measuring cups, etc.

Everyone else- who the hell knows, haha. We are trying to really watch our budget since we're having another baby and I'll be on ML but both of our families are big on exchanging gifts. It really gets ridiculous. We might do GC for our parents and then some small practical gift for everyone else.

jenn43 · October 2014

I am so hoping DH will forgo the adult gifts for his side of the family. He inists on buying his grandparents, aunts and uncles gifts every year. They don't expect it (and he's the only "kid" who does this in the family), and honestly, we can't afford it.

MommaP12 · October 2014

DD - I'm thinking maybe a toddler trampoline

DS - wants a bunch of transformer toys and I'll get him some educational toys too

DH - we usually don't exchange but if we do it's small like a couple of items that total $50 (sweatshirt, book, like that)

We did a grab bag on either side of our families so only 2 adult gifts to buy there but we do have 2 nephews on DH's side that we'll buy for also.

I also buy for my BFFs kids and a little something for her.

I love Christmas. I start shopping as I find things, I love the cheesy Hallmark Channel movies, I love to bake and this is our first year in our house so I'll be going all out with decorating too. I cannot wait!

mlee116 · October 2014

LibraryChica said:

@mlee116‌, congrats! My daughter is a Christmas Eve baby. :-) I forgot myself! I would like some PJs/loungewear type stuff, wine and a YMCA membership. I'll buy that last one for H and I, from H and I.

Thank you

litzo27 · October 2014

I shop a lot on Cyber Monday after Thanksgiving. I've gotten good deals on children's clothing, toys, books, etc. Amazon runs a lot of specials as do many other cites.

Also for jewelry, home stuff, etc. I buy some from Novica.com - it's a website of national geographic to buy work of artisans from developing countries. They have expensive stuff as well but I have bought a lot of jewelry, scarves, jewelry boxes <$50. It comes beautifully wrapped already too

myjohnsonboys · October 2014

DS 1 is 13 he'll be getting a laptop, a few outfits, coat, and warm boots

DS 2 is 4 so far I've gotten him a Disney Infinity Marvel Set, Ninja turtle play set, and two talking ninja turtles. He'll also get a new bike, some Infinity figures, a few video games, and a play kitchen and shopping cart as a joint gift to him and his 2 year old brother

DS 3 is two and so far I've gotten him a Vtech Go Go smart garage, a stuffed talking Ninja turtle, and two other turtles toys. He will also be getting a power wheels, zoomer puppy, Let's Imagine Elmo, books, and a few superhero toys.

DH I'm not too sure of and actually would not mind if the two of us did not exchage and just did the children. We just moved into our new home so that is gift enough for me.

My mom will get a gift card. She just brought a new home and most of her cash has gone on house things so I'd like her to treat herself.

I always get my MIL and 1 SIL as well because they help us out during the year with the kids. Christmas is big in my family so we go all out. We usully have most of our shopping done by Cyber Monday so that is my goal again this year.

AZ123 · October 2014

I'm type A and here are my tips:

1. Throughout the year I make lists of what I think people want or they tell me they want on my I Phone. it really helps to have that list so I'm not trying to think of things last minute.

2. For the kids, if they're in a store and want a toy I'll say "let's take a picture of what you want so we remember to put it on the list for Santa." I then know what it is and can order it online.

3. I buy all my presents before Thanksgiving or the first week of Dec. so then I can just enjoy the holidays.

4,. Wrap everything at once. It is such a pain to pull out all the wrapping stuff and then put it back again. It takes hours but then you get it all done at once.

5. Set a budget and track what you spend on people.

This year, I'm doing a lot of personalized gifts from etsy for my relatives.

sweetsunnyc · October 2014

DD1 is 15. She just got a laptop last year, so this year will be clothes, gift cards, books- stuff like that.

DD2 is 6 and she wants a hamster. Yes, a hamster. Her and DD3 also share a room and they are getting a new set of bunk beds and matching linens. She will also get outfits for her American Girl Doll, books, boots and new clothes.

DD3 is getting the Bitty Baby and her stroller. Her b-day is on the 10th, so she will get clothes, books, new winter jacket, art supplies....

DH and I do not exchange gifts. It all goes to the kiddos.

We do a secret Santa exchange with the family and do a big party the week of Christmas.

We do buy for our niece and two nephews though- usually creative toys or books.

Oh, for inlaws, we do a nice framed photo of the girls or something that the girls make.

2chatter · October 2014

I need more ideas, so adding things I have purchased since initially posting:

For MIL, who is retiring from teaching, a custom necklace off of etsy with a quotation, an apple, pear and disc with the number of years she taught.

For FIL, a custom cutting board with his alma mater and his monogram.

For niece, a sorority bracelet with the motto (she rushed my sorority).

For DD (who is 10), a knitting loom (circular) and yarn.

For DD (first grade) readers that are simplified versions of Rainbow Fairies. She's not fully in chapter books yet and these are a great bridge.

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