purplefenix

Nope - you are not coming across as a jerk at all. Like I said - I was the last holdout of all his friends in getting COD. (He's 12, 7th grade). I actually find there is a real gap in pre-teen appropriate games. There's younger child, and then lots of FPS games, but not much in-between. Half the time the Xbox winds up in my bedroom so I get to listen in on the boys when they are playing. They have very strict rules that they all follow set down by one of the other moms - and they never complain about following them! They are not allowed to call each other by their real names (so all you hear is "Vamp!" and "EMan!" and "CoolNinja" half the time), and if someone is in their party they have not actually met, they are not allowed to be on chat at all. I think it's great, because it's also fostered a lot of sleepovers/non-gaming get togethers with the boys so they can meet each other. (I mentioned before, our districting is weird here, they are constantly switching schools from elementary to middle to high (and getting ready to close 5 schools in the county) but the kids all get to know each other through sports and "friends of friends".) He is REALLY looking forward to Star Wars Battlefront. It's on his must-have list. He played the beta a few weeks ago a loved it. He kind of wants Lego Dimensions - but still feels burned over the whole Skylanders thing. Plus knows I will probably play it more than him, but I just want the Doctor Who add-on.

COD Ghosts is popular here. So is Halo 4 (apparently I was the last holdout parent to allow him to have it). Oddly enough I have no problem with the Assasins Creed games - I really like them for my own gaming - but a number of other parents don't like them. I think they are less violent than COD and Halo. I'm the one who plays the Lego games. PvZ Garden Warfare is another one they go to when bored with Destiny.

My son had originally wanted an Xbox One, then said a PS4, but then I pointed out one very important factor to him. All his friends play on Xbox, except 2. If he were to get the PS4, he'd lose that social interaction (which is very important to him - these are all boys that grew up together in baseball and elementary school, but due to wonky districting in our town they all go to different middle schools). So even though the PS4 has more appeal (mainly the Taken King special edition), he's going to stick with the network where he can find his friends. (He's almost 13.) And as a side note, Xbox Live goes down far less than PSN.

Okay, so apparently it was not okay to start a video game SYSTEM thread. I beg to differ with the admins that SYSTEMS are different than GAMES, but whatever.

I hope it's okay to start this thread (and I'm sure the admins will let me know if it is not!). About the only thing on my shopping list this year is an Xbox One (preferably the Halo 5 edition). I know many others are looking for them as well. Should we start a thread that complies all the deals in one place? I know thus far Dell has one with the following specs: Online Exclusive - 11/26 @ 6pm Xbox One Gears of War Ultimate Edition Bundle 500gb console and full GoW download Fallout 4 and extra controller Headset $299.99

I actually hated mine, and went back to using just a hotpot. Then again, we don't drink coffee - only tea and hot chocolate.

My BF works as a picker at the Middletown DE warehouse. Several weeks ago they were told everyone would have mandatory OT this week, no vacations would be allowed, staffing would be at holiday levels, etc. He left at 2 today, after standing around for about 2 hours with about 20 other pickers because they had nothing to do. Apparently the orders just were not coming in.

Tried to go this morning - the line wrapped around the building. Drove by again a little while ago, not a spot in the parking lot. And yes, it seemed like people were walking out with carts and carts of kitty litter. Went to PetCo instead. They were deserted, as I excepted from their totally lackluster ad, but I was going more because to give my dog an outing than anything else. Yes I'm weird.

Is it worth going to PetSmart for their coupons when they open?

On Black Friday, Texas Roadhouse is having a special. If you buy $100 in gift cards, you receive a $50 gift basket. Does anyone know what is in the gift basket?

We have the little square box one too! I get most of my stuff for it at 5 Below. One year I did holiday erasers - it was a 6-pack for $1 so that took care of 1/4 of it right there. They have the "candy wall" where you can pick out pieces for 10 cents each; or if you have a grocery with a bulk food section that works too. Notes for a "free" upsize on a kids meal (meaning the get more fries); an extra 15 minutes at bedtime (best on weekends); their pick of a treat to be packed with their school lunch that day. I'm sure I can come up with more ideas if you need them. My son is 11 now, still loves his calendar but it's harder to fill it every year!

I'm still holding out hope for Kindles Fire deals. I decided to get one after their other promotions ended.

I just signed up to get them. Thanks!

I have to admit I'm really surprised at the number of people still buying DVD players and DVD's. I've been 100% digital for years now and all my old discs are sitting in a binder in a closet, having long since been digitized and put on a hard drive. I'm really at a loss for what to get for my son (age 10). He wants the usual video games, but I hate to get those because he can't play them until we get back home (Christmas is spent at my parents, 300 miles from our home). He actually said to me the other week that he thinks he has enough Legos. His current obsession is Minecraft, but you can only have so many Minecraft shirts. His brand new iPod Touch went through the washer a few weeks ago and is DOA...I could replace that for him but I feel he needs to earn that replacement himself to learn a proper lesson. (I am paying 25% of the replacement - we both fell down on the job on that one...yes he left it in his pocket but I also should have checked the pockets before starting laundry). I'm definitely on the lookout for XBox Live subscriptions deals. For me, I just bought my first ever house (at 40!), so I'll be coveting the Lowes and Home Depot ads. I'd love some Ryobi tools. Yea, I'm not your typical girl.

Not impressed. mommy2twingles, chances are you will find better deals elsewhere. Amazon especially, if you're willing to sit and stalk the computer.

Posting this in case anyone needs to look this up in the future. I purchased two, black and gray. My intention was to use one as a digital picture frame, and the other in our household "command center" as basically a calendar and a quick way to check the weather. Oh my how I was wrong. I wish I'd gotten one or two more. I've only charged one thus far...but I LOVE it. The screen is just as responsive as my iPad (1st gen). There is a micro-SD card slot, so there's now another 32gb of memory I've loaded for it. It comes with a bit of software - most of it useless for me but a few interesting little apps. I'm working now to get some of my core apps loaded - Kindle, a few games, that sort of thing. I get the feeling this is going to be going everywhere with me now, and the iPad might be the one relegated to home use. Camera quality does suck, but I didn't buy it for the camera. It doesn't charge through USB, only the charger (which is not a USB charger of any sort), which did surprise me. Overall, for $30? A total steal.

I just received notice that my item shipped. Having heard horror stories of items being ordered then cancelled, this is also a huge relief!

I checked at 6am EST and it was up. We've cut an hour out.

Sweet! I never expected the Black Pearl to be on there since it said limited quantities in the store. My shopping is now almost complete - and I did it all online!

Wow the video games went FAST. I dread to think what it will be like for Madden...but it's better than going to WalMart *shudder*

I have been an avid stitcher for almost 30 years. Unfortunately, most stores have discontinued or greatly reduced their offerings in the past year in favor of knitting or scrapbooking. My recommendation would be to find an LNS in your area (Local Needlework Shop). You can find a list at Hoffman's: http://www.hoffmandis.com/index.cfm?page=shops. There is a message board I have belonged to for over 12 years at 123 Stitch - the ladies there can help you out as well with finding supplies.

Target "Doorbuster" for the wireless XBox controller for $39. It's currently $36 at Amazon and probably will drop lower since I think Walmart also has it on BF sale.

I'm kind of bummed. I don't need one - my 1st gen iPad is just fine. My son is inheriting a Nook Color from my mother, so he doesn't really need it. Yet I still want one!

For those of us looking at the Skylanders pack, places have started pricematching the BF price. Amazon, Target and TRU all have the advertised price right now.

WOOHOO! I don't have to set foot in WalMart at all this season! Target has Skylanders for WM's Black Friday price...and Amazon has matched it. Now I just have to watch and see if they match KMart's BF price for the character packs. I am a very happy person right now.