bamamomma

Do you think that they will have these items in special places or just have them where they would normally be? I am planning to get the Disney Infinity. Super stoked about this!

I have to say that yesterday I had a real Bah Humbug kinda day. I got up this morning and a friend had sent me the video and I couldn't stop laughing! Best way to start the day out!

I am having a downer kinda day and I keep thinking I sure wish my tree was up. I am starting to panic about everyone coming for an extended stay at Thanksgiving and not being able to do my Christmas decorations while my son is home from college. I'm afraid everyone is going to overtake my house........sorry guys, just having one of those days. :-/

Stockings are my least favorite thing to do....and I LOVE Christmas. I think the big thing for me is I always feel like it gets more expensive to do them. Now that my kids are no longer "little kids", the things that go in are not from the Dollar store. I keep looking at other peoples list of what they put in for some ideas. Spending 100+ for 2 stockings just bugs me.

I am also waiting for the Dillards ad to show up. We moved south and this is our first year of shopping there. I have fallen in love with the store. I only buy things when they are on sale and Dillards always seems to have incredible sales.

Our 2 biggest shopping spots aren't on the list. Especially looking forward to Belk and Dillard's on BF. Plan to be buying a sport jacket for our son that is normally 350.00 and it will be 70% off! Wouldn't happen if it weren't for that!

Our son attends UA.

I just want to give a heart felt thank you for your thoughts and ideas! And to ajogg, we are actually in SC and our son is in AL. We actually have a brand new Publix about 5 minutes from our house. That price is incredible! So much cheaper than anything else I have seen. Will be heading over there tomorrow to see what they have.

Thank you for your very kind words. It has been a VERY stressful year to say the least and we have a long way to go dealing with things. That's OK, BUT I just am a little more thankful and stressed than usual. It is very important that we appreciate what we have and to enjoy those of us that are part of our family and extended family. I am so excited to have a house full, I just am looking to make things flow smoothly.

I do completely understand your point. I wish my house guests were more like you. As much as I love everyone that is coming, if I do not ask, none of them would offer to do something. They expect things but unfortunately don't always give back. It's how they are and that's OK. It is what it is. I accept them as is. Thank you for showing the other side of it though!

Gift cards to local places where they shop for classroom supplies is ALWAYS appreciated! I know from personal experience. Also, if you know that they frequent a certain coffee place, restaurant, or store a gift card comes in handy. Don't forget a message on why you appreciate them. Means more to have kind words than an actual gift in hand.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful ideas. I am wanting to make this an extra special holiday for our family. My DH has been through many very difficult medical issues this year and it has been a very trying time getting through them along with moving out of state and having a college freshmen. I want to make this to be as stress free for him as it can be and for our guests to feel welcome. I just know if I show that I am wanting to pull my hair out, no one will be able to enjoy it.

Yes, the other days. I never thought about soup and I have to say I make a pretty mean batch of chili. Also, is it acceptable to ask the out of town guests to bring things? These are all big eaters that are coming. I want to be able to enjoy this time and not feeling like i'm going to panic! I'm still trying to figure out how to have 12 people showering in our 2 bathrooms LOL! Hoping to be able to relax! I'm pretty sure a nice glass of wine each night will help.

You mentioned that she is interested in makeup. What about a trip to someplace like Sephora where they could teach her how to apply the makeup?

We are hosting Thanksgiving in our new home this year. We recently moved down south. Thanksgiving weekend originally started as just our family and our son bringing a friend home from college that wasn't going to be able to go back home. That meant just 5 of us total. We then received a call from my husbands aunt asking if she and her daughter could come visit. A few days later our best friends (family of 4) wanted to come and then my husbands cousin called yesterday to ask if her boy friend could come. That makes 12 of us in this house from Wed. to Sunday. I love having guests, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't just a little bit nervous! I am trying to figure out how to feed this many people without going broke. I am hoping for leftovers from Thanksgiving Day for Friday night. Plannng to cook an extra large bird. Also, is it acceptable to ask these other families to bring things that they could carry without issues such as cookies, rolls, snack items? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

In their suite, they have a full size regular fridge and full size microwave. There is a communal kitchen down the hall like your daughter has and they have used that on several occasions. Any suggestions on things that you made that went over well or were easy for them to reheat?

Does anyone know when Direct TV starts playing Christmas music? I flipped throught he music stations. yesterday looking without any luck.

The ads have actually been really good this year for what we are looking for. I'm still waiting for Target and would love to see an ad for Dillard's. I guess if our kids were younger, I might be thinking the same thing.

I'd really love the new Disney Vera Bradley bag in the blue print.

I have to say there are some very creative ideas! I am loving the idea of gift cards for places right around campus. I'm thinking about getting several and going on Pinterst to find some unusual way to wrap them up and put them into his stocking. He doesn't have a car at school, but the car items swould be a great idea for kids that do. Hopefully someone can use that. Also to the person that suggested sending cookies, I think I may use that idea when it's time to take him back. I also thought it could be fun to buy a couple of cheap freezer/microwaveable dishes that I could make up a couple of casseroles that he can fit into his freezer. He shares a suite with 3 other guys and they have a full size freezer. My son mentioned when he came home this past weekend how great it was having a real home cooked meal. Thinking the 4 boys might enjoy that.

Thanksgiving weekend. I usually try for BF if I have energy. Otherwise it's up by Saturday. Not sure how it will work this year. We recently moved down south and have a huge group coming in to stay the weekend. Guessing I will play it by ear this year.

Thanks for the great ideas! Keep them coming!

My DS is a college freshmen and I am looking for some suggestions. He is no longer into video games like he used to be. I have picked up some clothes that I got a great deal on and a Walking Dead calendar. We are giving the kids a trip, so that will be their big gift. Any suggestions?

I know our family is not as excited as in years past. We are hosting many family members this year for the Thanksgiving weekend and we won't be giving up Thanksgiving day to go shopping. I already told my husband that I'd like to go to bed and maybe get up at 4 and head out on BF for a few hours. I'm disappointed that things have changed. I'm glad that my kids are older so that I'm not waiting in the crazy toy lines.

Can I make a suggestion that if you are looking to spend that kind of money that you take a look at Bose earbuds instead. Sound quality is amazing and Bose products are VERY reliable!