abentley

It was soo much fun EXCEPT not enough decorations out yet. I know, it isn't Halloween, and Thanksgiving, but it was snowing here and it really made me think of decorating for Christmas! I tried to find some of the new Martha Stewart "confections" line for one of my trees. Then Kohls was already sold out of some of their ornaments. So we let the boys look around as we tried to get some ideas for them, picked up some gifts for their brother, and got really excited thinking of the months to come.

We bought 2 of the ones similar to the ones you are looking at for our boys last year. They still ride them almost daily. Do I regret it? NO!!! We have bigger atvs, and are outdoors all of the time. These were strictly for the boys around our yard and rural area....they have been great for that. We will upgrade them in a couple of years to Can-ams, but for now they have been awesome for them.

I am still waiting on ideas for our ds18, now that he has moved away for college. I have one other gift to purchase to be ready to ship out packages..other than that I could be done, but I won't quit shopping and looking!!

I keep going over my list of what I have already gotten, and I am trying to resist wrapping at this point. It is getting really hard to not get too excited!

My DS11 is begging, and actually crying because he wants to go soo badly. My DH has told him over and over how ugly it can be,yet he is so wanting to go! He is the one who really gets into the value of a dollar, and searches out great deals. He out of all of my kids would be the one to take, my dd20 loathes shopping, yet she is my partner this year! If the kids can enjoy it...it is something to consider!

I did just think of our Christmas morning phone calls we make. My DH will call his Dad, and I do my side of the family. We pass on how much the kids liked their gifts, if they were sent any during the call. Send warm wishes for the day, but I am guilty of not having my kids send out "Thank You" cards. I might reconsider that as an option this year!!

My greatest desire for this years BF is that stores really look at these lists of ideas from their customers!! If your ad is leaked...don't threaten the ones like here who post it. Embrace the flood of customers it might bring in, and make sure you have enough stuff in stock!!

http://www.forbes.com/prnewswire/feeds/prnewswire/2008/10/01/prnewswire200810010001PR_NEWS_USPR_____LAW034.html I hope my link works!!! It had some interesting things(ones we already know) about a study of peoples shopping habits!!

I just want people to feel joy in the season no matter how they choose to celebrate it. I feel bad that some people don't for what ever reason.

I can see we are excited to get our "name" for who to shop for!!! It almost makes you feel like a kid again!!!

To each their own how they celebrate, but it makes me soo sad to work with people who think it is "too much" to do. I work in an elementary school, and those little kids are the funniest, happiest things singing in the halls every morning. My coworkers think Christmas should be cancelled or done every 5 years!! No they don't want exchange gifts or cards, or try to be happy during the month of December. I am trying soo hard to not get the fun sucked out again this year!!! Suggestions to help "keep my spirit"?

Check your local utilities and gas companies websites. We have checked ours for rebates on our new washer and dryer, and we added 20" of insulation in our attic.

OMG!! I thought we were the only ones whos kids did not get gifts! It can be so hard to witness and go through every year!!! I swear if I did not purcahse stuff for "those" people as soon as as possible after every Chrsitmas, I wouldn't buy anything. They suck the spirit right out of me every year, and I feel soo bad for my kids AND them , because these are two very sweet boys!

Years ago in a church activity ago my MIL made each of her sons a book in a church activity that is Christmas stories to be read with the kids every evening. On December 1st, she would give the families a little something like hot cocoa, popcorn, whatever to snack on while reading the stories. It has become a little treasure in my home. So many of the classic stories in one book, and something the kids will always remember.

Most of my purchases on BF are extras for my family, so it always depends on what is on sale for me. This year most of our gifts are purchased, and we are going to Disnleyland for the week before the big day...once again for me it depends on what is on sale!! If they have a lot of dvd's for my kids to watch while traveling I will be very happy!! I will spend according to the quality of the ads!! If they are awesome, I will buy a lot! If they sucks agian, it will minimal!

My best tip to preapre is to save the ads right when you first see them posted!!! They can soon vanish!! The most important tip is = remember the season, we are all out their for the same reasons and yes, we will ALL run into people who left their manners at home...but HAVE FUN enjoying the day!!!

DD20 married- they have moved to "less fun gift lists" DS18- depends on if he flies home!! DS11- xbox 360 w/Halo3 ps2( had to send his big brothers out to him when he moved) rockband magic set star wars toys Trip to Universal studios DS10 xbox 360 w/Halo3 ripstik chocolate Trip to disneyland!!

I am so excited about this again this year!! I have to admit my mind goes blank every year when I am trying to list my likes and dislikes!!LOL!! Just like when my DH asks if there is anything I would like for a gift!! BLANK!!!! I have started to brainstorm some ideas for who ever I get!! It just seems so long to wait!!!

I forgot one year I put everything in other boxes...like my ds18 laptop went into an Avon box(my friend sold Avon). Not a reason for him to ever look in an avon box, and it remained it basicly plain sight for a couple of months.. I have put stuff into shoe boxes in my closet...my kids think they are actually my shoes in them. When the tree goes up, I have been guilty of wrapping and tagging some of their gifts to my DH. They never thought to snoop into his gifts!!! I remove the tag Christmas eve and replace it with the right one.

I have a locking hall closet that I have used, and a closet that is under stairs. My older 2 children would go through every square inch of the house if we ever left for 10 minutes. My younger 2 have not yet snooped and they are 10 & 11!!

I have a candy/gingerbread themed tree with white lights...but covered with the plastic ball light covers in all colors( like the ones at disneyland). My tree is 12 ft tall, I add flocked branches to it, and yards and yards of bubblegum pink tulle and ribbons through out it, before the 200 ornaments. I have 2ft tall old fashioned lollipops wired into it, along with all of the fruit slices, cookies, candy, gingerbread people, candy cane ornaments, and gumdrop and starlight mints garlands. I have the Sugar and spice village pieces that look so cute under it!! I broke out of my VERY traditional red/green/gold decor !!!

I don't DESERVE to win...but I would be extremely grateful and wear it with PRIDE!!!! I love GOTTADEAL.COM all year, have never left since 2004. I enjoy the atmosphere, personalities, and look forward to it every day. Black friday brought me here, you guys have kept me here!!!

Our little ones aren't so little anymore!!! They are 10 & 11!!! And they still believe...or choose to!

We are in a BIG transition this year. My 2 older kids have grown and left the nest, one will still come by on Christmas, and the other too far away( unless I cave and buy airline tickets)!! I have decided to embrace the change instead of being sad, and shake it up a bit around here for the holidays. Instead of hanging stockings for the 2 that won't be here..we are buying new for us that are( they will still get the goodies in their packages). I need some fun new ideas to help my little ones make the adjustment with out missing them too much!! I think when they go to bed it will be the hardest, as they ALL would sleep in one bedroom Christmas eve. Any ideas?