Christmas Shopping

[Marilyn. 340]

I am proud of myself this year... I have most of my shopping done ... Usually is doesn't get done till a week or two before Christmas...

All I have left to buy is a gift for my mom, dad and sis-in-law and a giftcard from Targert for hubby's aunt and I am still working on a present for two of our nephews and 1 niece....

I even have most of the presents wrapped already ...

we did end up buying gift cards for all the adults on his side.... it is just easier that way... but we did buy a gift for each of our nieces and nephews... except 2 older ones, we got them gift cards... it is hard to pick out presents for teenagers

We stayed on a strict budget this year because money is a little tight right now... Our budget was @10 bucks a person....

We went to the Matel store on the weekend and picked up some really great name brand toys for under 10 bucks for 4 of our nephews and nieces.... we have 11 nieces and nephews all together....

And just a little while ago I put in a order from EBGames for my 4 brothers ... I love online shopping even managed to get two of my brothers Birthday presents while I was at it... Cost me about 60 bucks including shipping...

I bought a combo pack of Beyonce's new CD and DVD for about 14 bucks at Walmart for my little Sis... and also a present for the remaining niece and nephew...

For my dad I am either considering getting him the 2nd season of Dukes of Hazard on DVD or the Dukes of Hazzard tv show sound track...

I might get Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul for my Sis-in-law because she loves horses...

and for my mom I will prolly get her a bunch of scrap booking stuff...

we bought hubby's mom and dad a Sirius satellite radio plus a 6 month subscription back in September...that was their Christmas present.. we are just going to get them a couple of little things....

As for hubby...we have tentatively decided to get one big thing for the both of us, which would probably be a computer chair because ours sucks and then buy some little stuff for each other...

Now all that is left to do is pay for all of it.... gotta love credit cards

[hockeygal 0]

You're good. I suck.

November is traditionally the time of year I spend ridiculous amounts of money on myself, and then realize...oops.

I need to mail a few things off, and send money to the nephews. Find a few things for my girlfriends in town.

The one stumping me most of all? Snugglebunny. I have no idea what to send him. Gortex pants?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I usually 'shop' for Christmas all year long, buying something that I think is appropriate for someone on my list when I see it then holding on to it until Christmas. I just have a few small things to get for my husband and something for my brother - everyone else is done. Actually, my step daughter's and son-in-law's and two grand children's gifts had to be packaged and delivered this past week. They live in Texas so we decided to take them with us when we drove down for Thanksgiving rather than ship them closer to Christmas. The two big boxes have "Do Not Open Until Christmas" on them, but ha! we are both suspecting that the temptation might prove too much for the little ones now they know the gifts have arrived.

[jordanianprincess 0]

I have done NOTHING. I like to go the week before Christmas, late at night when the mall is empty.

[ceriserose 1]

After watching my poor hubby stress himself out last year trying to get finished, I started us around September with lists and picking up a bit here and there.

He's got stocking stuffers still and I have a couple of things to get online and a couple of store things...all easily done in the next week or so.

It's a relief. Now we can just drink copious amounts of Bailey's instead.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

I know what you mean! Only...I'm a procrastinator, so I have nada. I can figure Craig out, but I'm struggling with Corey this year. We don't have a load of cash or anything, and what do you buy a 13-year old?? He just did a fundraiser for school and sold over 50 things, so he gets a cell phone...I've told him over and OVER that fine, he can get it, but he has to buy minutes if he wants to keep using it. Luckily, he just got a paper route a month or so ago, but as anyone who's had one knows, they don't pay much! Plus, half of his money has to go in the bank...I've given him a break though and told him that part can start at the first of the year....1/2 of what he makes in Dec. has to go for gifts...trying to teach him a bit of things mean more when you've worked for them and got them yourself..and that it feels good to give. Anyway, enough of all THAT...what do you get a 13-year old that's not TOO expensive?? He finally got an MP3player for his bday last June, so I dunno....

Could always do PS2 (yes TWO..no three in our house for a while yet!!) games and things like that...but...any unique ideas from you'all with teenagers??? M.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I'm struggling with Corey this year. We don't have a load of cash or anything, and what do you buy a 13-year old?? He just did a fundraiser for school and sold over 50 things, so he gets a cell phone...I've told him over and OVER that fine, he can get it, but he has to buy minutes if he wants to keep using it. Luckily, he just got a paper route a month or so ago, but as anyone who's had one knows, they don't pay much! Plus, half of his money has to go in the bank...I've given him a break though and told him that part can start at the first of the year....1/2 of what he makes in Dec. has to go for gifts...trying to teach him a bit of things mean more when you've worked for them and got them yourself..and that it feels good to give. Anyway, enough of all THAT...what do you get a 13-year old that's not TOO expensive?? He finally got an MP3player for his bday last June, so I dunno....

Well, how about buying him some minutes for his cell phone?

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Sorry! Forgot to add...I'm doing that already! Thanks tho! M.

[Sinergy 3]

I have done NOTHING. I like to go the week before Christmas, late at night when the mall is empty.

You break into the mall when no one is there???

[Mags 112]

Because I am moving over to the USA on the 8th December, I have been too busy sorting out my house for its sale and packing up my stuff.

I haven't even started getting stuff for Christmas yet....

[Ban Hammer 13,656]

I know what you mean! Only...I'm a procrastinator, so I have nada. I can figure Craig out, but I'm struggling with Corey this year. We don't have a load of cash or anything, and what do you buy a 13-year old?? He just did a fundraiser for school and sold over 50 things, so he gets a cell phone...I've told him over and OVER that fine, he can get it, but he has to buy minutes if he wants to keep using it. Luckily, he just got a paper route a month or so ago, but as anyone who's had one knows, they don't pay much! Plus, half of his money has to go in the bank...I've given him a break though and told him that part can start at the first of the year....1/2 of what he makes in Dec. has to go for gifts...trying to teach him a bit of things mean more when you've worked for them and got them yourself..and that it feels good to give. Anyway, enough of all THAT...what do you get a 13-year old that's not TOO expensive?? He finally got an MP3player for his bday last June, so I dunno....

Could always do PS2 (yes TWO..no three in our house for a while yet!!) games and things like that...but...any unique ideas from you'all with teenagers??? M.

hey get a bigger hard drive for your comp

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I just picked up a couple Tickle Me Elmo 10th anniversary edition toys.

[chri'stina 190]

Good job Marilyn!

I have picked up a few small things here and there over the past month but I don't have anyone completed yet. I'm usually done with my shopping by a week or so before Christmas. I like getting the important things out of the way earlier in the month, but then I like waiting a little closer to Christmas for some smaller things that might go on sale.

[Canuck Carrie 1]

I'm more organized this year compared to others, I've at least started the gifts list but we haven't started shopping yet. I'm also one of the ones that wait until the last few days and then go into a shopping & wrapping frenzy. This is the first year I have kids to buy for, the 2 neices are 5 & 3 so it looks like we'll be checking out the Barbie aisles. The hard part is that hubs birthday is Dec 5th and the 5 year olds birthday is Dec 28th so the presents will have to be split up.

We have at least managed to get some lights & decorations for our tree when we get it. R hasn't had a tree at home for years as he usually goes to his parents and I sold/gave away all my stuff before moving. My MiL gave us a beautiful glass ornament set that is for a "Brides first Christmas Tree", the ornaments all symbolize things like prosperity, happiness, love etc. Here's a list of what they mean:

1. Heart- love in the home

2. House - family shelter

3. Flower basket - beauty in the home

4. Basket of fruit - plenty

5. Teapot - hospitality

6. Bird in a nest - confidence in the shelter

7. Pinecone - eternity

8. Animal - peace with nature

9. Fish - Christ, as well as fertility

10. Rose - Virgin Mary

11. Church or angel - God

12. Saint Nicholas - giving and sharing

Today I'm trying to figure out how to string lights outside, we only have 1 outlet out there, you would think that by marrying an electrician we'd have have sockets everywhere but that isn't the case.

Edited November 28, 2006 by Canuck Carrie

[rebeccajo 14]

Remember to donate to any local reputable charities that provide Christmas for families in worse shape than you. There's one in my town that provides gifts for teens, as they are often overlooked by the 'Toys for Tots' type of drives.

You never know when a gift of generosity will touch a young person.

My MiL gave us a beautiful glass ornament set that is for a "Brides first Christmas Tree", the ornaments all symbolize things like prosperity, happiness, love etc. Here's a list of what they mean:

1. Heart- love in the home

2. House - family shelter

3. Flower basket - beauty in the home

4. Basket of fruit - plenty

5. Teapot - hospitality

6. Bird in a nest - confidence in the shelter

7. Pinecone - eternity

8. Animal - peace with nature

9. Fish - Christ, as well as fertility

10. Rose - Virgin Mary

11. Church or angel - God

12. Saint Nicholas - giving and sharing

Oh, I wanted one of those last year but nobody got me one.