thebusylife

We have: my immediate family on Dec. 10th (parents, siblings, kids) my extended family on Dec. 11th (aunts, uncles, cousins) Christmas Eve with dh's parents (nobody but us, he's an only child) Christmas Day - stay at home for the first time!! New Year's Eve - party with our friends. This one is my 3 girlfriends from high school, spouses and kids. We have a dinner and the kids exchange gifts. It's just about my favorite party!LOL Neither of our workplaces are having parties this year and dh wanted to skip going to his aunt's on Christmas Day. He said that for once he'd like to stay home and enjoy the family and play with the presents. I'm so grateful!!!

I love to regift! I always appreciate the thought if not the gift and simply move it on to someone not affiliated in any way. However, I have been on the receiving end of an...unfortunate regifting. My best friend from college got married in 1997 and I bought her these, I thought, beautiful candle holders. Apparently she didn't like them too well, as I received them as a wedding gift 3 years later!!!LOL I never told her and since I like them, it was fine. But dh and I just laughed about it. She had a closet full of wedding gifts that she didn't like and would just pull one out and regift it. I asked after the wedding if she had ever regifted back to the person that gave it accidentally and she said, "Never! And if I did, it's not like they would remember what they gave me anyway."LOL

10yo DD wants: Pixel Chix - got it! Gameboy Advance SP and games - trying this week Harry Potter Scene It - is this on sale somewhere? Harry Potter clothing - don't see much around here, trying ebay books That's about it for her, she's not seeing a lot she wants this year! 4yo ds wants: dinosaur stuff GI Joe guys and stuff Leapster and games Remote Control car - the bigger the better

Last year we each got (as a gift) Christmas flannel sheets. But no quilt or shams or anything. That is a bit too much for me. But, some people really get into it. If it makes her happy and it's affordable for you, does it hurt anything?

I started making my own cards a few years ago and like doing it better than buying cards. I stencil, color, sticker, stamp, you name it!LOL Every card is a one-of-a-kind! I do tuck in a pic of the family or kids each year. I also usually write a quick note in each and sign them with all our names. I do it over a few weeks, that way it doesn't seem like too much work.

If she loves animals, she'd love the Nintendogs! We don't have one, but checked them out online and apparently they are quite the "in" thing!

I have 4 siblings with in-laws and 6 nieces/nephews. We all buy for the kids and our parents and the "big kids" do a name exchange. We don't set a min/max., we just buy what they want. I spent only $15 on one of my nephews, but he'll be thrilled as I got him something he really wants. I may spend $30 on one of my nieces, but the same reaction. DH's family is just him and parents, so it's easy there! We also do a kid exchange with my friends from high school. All the kids exchange names and we have a party and then later in the season all the adults go out to dinner by themselves. Good luck!

I put everything I get (normally) in the basement workshop. Except for dh's, his go under the bed. That's one place he will never, ever look in a million years!LOL In the basement I have several piles of gifts for other people (not my kids) and I wrapped each group in the same paper too. Now I know at a glance, who that pile is for. Since dh and I shop separately, I don't wrap them until he sees them. That way, when he shops at the last minute, he knows what they already have. Dawn

So Keebelf, are you saying that they made you look soooo good that you just had to wear the skirt?LOL That's a great recommendation! Dawn

They must have gone fast, they were still available when I went. Sorry.

GBA Disney's Extreme Skate Adventure for $4.99 plus it looks like $1.99 shipping. You get to use characters from Toy Story, Tarzan and Lion King in the game. Dawn

Ooooh, sorry Zim!LOL I guess I should have been politically correct and just posted it! I didn't realize....

I know, it's a funny name!LOL Have you seen thet TV show "Rebel Millionaire" or something like that anyhow? The owner of this company is on that show. Right now if you buy any garments from her site and type in "Rebel" as the code at the end of the order, you get 50% off your total order. She sells slimming garments - bra's, panties, regular clothes. They are supposed to be way comfortable. Go check them out at: http://www.spanx.com Dawn

Sorry, I was typing quickly and didn't realize I missed the store name - it is Toys R Us. I am a "she" not a "he"!LOL Dawn

I found this on another site I visit: Sunday 10/24/04 video games for Gamecube, Playstation2 and XBox will be buy 2 get 1 free. I would probably call before I went, but that's just me! Dawn