What's new

Yikers! Anyone Christmas shopping yet?|pad patter 10.24

My 3 kids are staying over at my aunt's house this weekend so the hubby and I plan on Starting our shopping (honestly, I'm more excited to just get out the house & spend some time with him!). I know he put a tv and playstation on layaway since ours died in a storm surge this Summer (along with our phone which we had to replace right away), but besides mile long lists from 2 of the 3 kids that's all we have. Of course it doesn't help that my work (I'm a in-home caregiver) has not has any hours for me to work for 2 months so money is going to be extra tight.

We always get the kids pjs, a book, an ornament, and usually one bigger gift (last year it was Kindles for the older two) and a bunch of littler stuff likes clothes, socks, games, movies etc. They have so many toys that I hate to buy more...but my husband likes to spoil them with Legos & Disney toys. My boys are pretty easy to please, but my 12 yo daughter is pretty picky.

We always say we are going to cut back, but somehow my husband always gets his way and spoils them....even if it means running out on the night of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, or even Christmas Eve to get the best deal. He's not afraid of the crowds like I am! He and I don't really exchange gifts. We usually get something 'from the kids' like fun pjs!

I'd like to start some new traditions this year, but not sure what?!
 
AnneofAlamo said:
A few years back we started a cool thing
Something you read,
Something you want
and something your wear;
Something you need.
!
Click to expand...

We do this, but with a small twist:

Something you want,
Something you need,
Something to share,
And something to read.

I actually Christmas shop all year long (yes, I'm one of those), so I've got a large chunk finished. My side of the family does gifts for everyone, which is a ton of people, but we all love it and no one cares about any differences in budgets. Now I need to get to work on some of the things I'm supposed to making . . .
 
Tree City said:
This year I'm going in a different direction: a side table made with a 2-inch thick slab cut from the tree that DH and I got married under--it died and I asked my parents to save some of the trunk for me). Anyway, IDK if the table will be finished by Christmas, so perhaps that'll be a gift for next year. :)
Click to expand...
Oh my goodness, this is amazing! I'm such a romantic sap - this actually made my eyes glisten a little. Beautiful! :)
 
@honeyandcheese I love that something to share....that intrigues me. My children are all adopted from foster care, and I am sad to say, the system has gone to such a teeter totter (in the good) but too much the victim and I deserve MORE. So, sharing something with others, makes my momma button happy!
can you elaborate on some of the ways you have done that?
 
@AnneofAlamo - My guys are all 4 and under, so we haven't done much of this yet, but I'm looking forward to keeping up with it as they get older. Last year we gave them a puzzle to play together. This year they're getting a wooden moon phases wall hanging (for our homeschool room :lol2) and cookie cutters for making "moon cookies" together.

Other ideas we've tossed around are things like a rock tumbler, games to play as a family, items for the dress-up trunk, etc.

(Also, my four oldest sisters are from the foster care system. :heartlub )
 
oh share together! I get it! duh moment, I was thinking share with others...like outside the family! but I like your idea! a game to share...or something...that is cool! @honeyandcheese - and a big welcome to the Lily Pad!
 
I've done a couple of little things through Shutterfly discounts. Cute stuff. :)

For Kennedy, we're trying not to be crazy this year. We're going to *try* to do the... Something you want (drum lessons), something you need... something to wear, and something to read.
 
This morning when I checked my email, I saw an Ulta 20% off coupon that was valid for the premium makeup lines that are typically excluded from coupons. Courtney sat with me for about an hour telling me what she liked. (She sure knows a lot about makeup!!) I bought her an new palette and bronzer that I know she'll like.

Unless it's something that I'm worried they will sell out of, I typically buy the bulk of her Xmas clothes on Xmas eve-eve. The sales are amazing, it's not too crowded (we'll go out on the later side and close out the stores), and the clerks are usually very friendly and helpful.
 
Yup, I've started, but I'm nowhere near finished. Over the past several years, I've learned that I have to start early and shop online in order to manage my health. (I've got a chronic pain ... thing ... and an autoimmune ... thing. Crowds = cold after virus after infection. I miss shopping in person, but it's too hard on my body these days.)

My biggest challenge is getting my stepkids to send me their wish lists. The youngest - my stepdaughter - is good about it, but the boys? It's like pulling teeth. I've had to resort to threats in years past: either they send me their list or they're getting an Amazon gift card.

But I figured out the trick last year: buy them expensive alcohol! (They're 30 and 26.) I picked up a top-shelf whisky and top-shelf tequila at the military Class Six store when I visited my parents in San Antonio, and the boys were thrilled. And they were nice and laid-back that evening. :D

Alcohol: Family Lubricant.
 
Ugh. I haven't even thought about it. Jet lag is cruel. Tomorrow is my daughter's 12th birthday. I've barely had time to think about that. Thankfully I was able to order something for her and it arrives tomorrow night, just in the nick of time. Thankfully she's very understanding!

With that said, Christmas this year will be very exciting!
 
I have finished AND wrapped all my Christmas shopping. Yeah, I know, bite me :backing

My husband is making fun of me big time, but I told him that I needed to just get it crossed off the list because we are flying out of the country for a month on Christmas evening and I have SO much to do before then that it would stress me out knowing it was hanging over me.

So now I can just focus on designing until we leave :byay
 
Back
Top