Pseed

DJ Hero is a lot of fun (think Guitar Hero only with a turntable), and has some good mixes, if you're into that kinda thing. Picked up a couple today for gifts. Can't beat $50 off.

Metal detectors are on sale on Amazon. I had one on my list this year too, for my DH.

Amazon.com, right now, has Friends Season 1 for $11.99.

Hi everybody! I'm April and I'm in Alabama for now.

We do the ornaments too. My gramma did it for my mom, (and etc etc. til it got to me doing it) We don't set out cookies. We've always set out vanilla pancakes (no syrup, just cakes) for Santa. It kinda started because it was "something different that Santa could also share with the reindeer." LoL .But, I kinda would like to keep that going in my family.

I would agree with daworths8 . Call the store first and then weigh your last two options. At 2 years old, she may not be as upset. You can always give them as a "just because" present after X-mas. Hope they have it in stock for you at the store!

Yeah, I've always gave pets gifts at X-mas. We have a hamster now. She's getting a new cage (she needs it cause we're getting another hammie (male) anyhow later and they need seperate "quarters" LoL). That was pretty much impluse. Her normal gifts are a new bigger ball to roll in and some treats, and a "play hut". Those together were maybe $15.

0% I don't even have one

Growing up, my parents would put all mine on one side of the "tree room", and my bros on the other. It was rip , rip, and see what you got! THAT was fun. But, I only have one child, so, she does them one at a time..and it gives me room to get digicam shots of her and her expressions, gifts, etc. to send to my boyfriend who is away and/or family. (as well as to keep for me and her!) Her call though, I swear she loves the anticipation of "and I wonder what THIS one could be?!?!" At the family getogethers however, we all pass out all the presents (typically 1 or 2 per person. We draw names), and you can open them when you get them or wait for everyone else. The kids usually go for it, the adults usually wait after making sure their kids say "thanks" (or at least acknowledge who it is from) and are taken care of. :-P

I found my presents when I was still really small (6-ish). I apparently asked about it, but, I was told they weren't "mine" they were someone else's, and I guess I didn't ask anything else about it. Again, the next year, found my presents..LoL..after that, my brother and I both put it together, and the parents fessed up. We also figured out if we played along though, we got more goodies. So, even though we "knew", we played along, (parents did too. We humored each other.) for a few more years. I guess the magic's not gone unless you want it to be.

2 weeks ago, I ordered maybe 20 TRU items off of there. Of course, it broke up into several shipments. There was one item that after the order was placed, a few days later, they emailed me to say it would ship after Christmas and to expect it between the 26th and sometime in early January.(the others were already arriving at my door one by one) because they just didn't have it at that time, but were expecting more in. I wasn't too bummed because it wasn't a "have to have for X-mas" item. Anyhow, a few days later after telling me that , I saw that it had been shipped. So, I still got it long before they expected to ship it. Sorry to hear it went like that for you! I know, especially if they are to be main X-mas gifts, it is risky to bet on if they'll ship it when they get it, or get to it, or if they'll stand by their delayed shipping. At this point of the month, I imagine they're at their busiest...so, your post was a good heads up. Thanks!

I do this too. Someone "leaked" to her that Santa brings "whatever you ask for" early last year, so, I started telling her that, no, parents have to help Santa pay for all the toys. It cuts down on disappointment when they don't get "ridiculous" items. (For ex. She has a nice new "big girl bed" now, but, she saw a dora toddler bed and wanted to ask Santa for that...figuring she would get it BECAUSE she asked for it. But, I don't forsee myself downsizing the bed. At all. So, I just explain to her that it costs too much, etc., and if she got that, she wouldn't be able to get "something else on her list", so she ends up okay with it) I figured it would also help when she gets "too old for Santa". She'll already know I have a hand in the presents, and a little explanation about "when you reach a certain age, parents take over completely(because of all the "new" children in the world to get for)"...might make things go more smoothly. "Stick with the lie"

The past two years, I spent around $500 each year. (But, we always dig through and donate all the toys she outgrew, so, it's pretty much replacing toys) This year, totally different. I spent maybe $75 cash (hit many sales, so stretched it way far) (and about $275 with "earned" amazon GCs I got throughout the year.) Hope to make it a trend..LoL.

There are LOTS of us, and so we draw names. There is no real "minimum", but all the wives/women (they do the shopping anyhow..lol) are really good at finding "deals" . We draw the next year's names at the wind down of our x-mas get-together, so we have all year to buy. If you have all year long, you can hit all the good sales and you'll see things clearanced or whatnot...and you can get $200 (normally) worth of "good" stuff for $20 total at times. Year before last, I received a box of nice x-mas dishes and place settings, a very nice fleece robe, some scented lotions, and warm gloves...and I know she only spent like $10 total. LoL..that was impressive!

I like Silent Night sung by the Temptations..lol. I like Santa Baby too :)