ms_mckenna

Yes a little panic is starting to set in here. Money is not what it usually is this time of year because of the big bday/Halloween party, plus the trip. I have had to quit thinking about it. DH always says it always works out doesn't it. I keep thinking it would only take once to not work out wouldn't it? Not to mention no lists from the kids but he keeps adding stuff he wants to get them. IE the go kart they know nothing about.

Well I think they questioned it the first time when they were really little because of kids at school 6 or so. I think they really quit believing for DD probably in the 4th grade and DS around the same time. Course in our house we have a deal that Santa IS real. He may not live in the North Pole but he sure knows what is going on with you. The kids believe in him so it all works out.

LOL my DD would rather have cash than anything else so she can hit the day after Christmas sales. I am sure once my kids get older we will celebrate at least the day after the day after .

I love the Disney ones. Usually they are really picked over by the time it goes to the day after. I wish I was not so cheap that I will only buy them once they go on sale.

My DH just bought a new game Fight nite 07. My nephews that are that age love it.

I usually get the Walmart Disney stuff from the kids you know the "Christmas Cook baskets" I usually get a few of those. Which is fine my Kitchen is in Disney so it works out well for me. I always tell them save the reciept so the day after I can take it back and get it and something else since they always drop the price.

We used to get them all the time for the kids for Christmas ... especially the little ones with the puzzle or whatever on the top. We got them at Walmart and other discount places for at most 10.00

The few we send out we use Christmas stamps. I think it would be cute to use the stamps.com thing too ... where you take a picture and they make it a stamp.

I agree gift cards or cash. I know it is ho hum but that is what they really use. I know at CVS you can get American Express ones or a Simon GC can be used anywhere MC is accepted.

sent pm

As long as I can remember. Went with my mom before she died for a few years so I would say at least 15+ years.

Last year they had the sears 10 and then goodies did one too. Then later at JC Penny the snowglobe. I think we ended up doing all three last year. DD was soo worried she would not get a snowglobe and lit up like a Christmas tree when she saw the huge pile of them.

DD and I went there two years ago and then again last year. She got really ticked off at the manager year before last over a cd player, and so we have to go to the older one in our town or I have to hear the story again! They always have at least one or two things that are really good and it is kindof our winding down before we go grab something to eat thing to do.

Sadly our outside lights have been up for two years now. We keep saying we are going to move and I have new lights I bought a few years back for the "new" house. DH said he wasn't taking them down if we weren't going to use them when we move. Now if we could just find a house we can agree on.

The kids are allowed to pick and open one present. Then we go to my brother in laws house where we play games and eat Christmas eve dinner with the family. It is usually pretty late when we get home so the kids put out the cookies, coke (Santa does not like milk ha ha), and a note. Santa of course always eats a few cookies and drinks about 1/2 the coke. We do a note from Santa as well. My kids are past the age of leaving hints of Santa being there but when they were younger we did. Prints in the snow when it did snow (not very often). Sleigh bells ringing outside have woke my kids up more than once when they were little . When DD got to the point where she almost did not believe anymore my brother in law got on the roof and we waited till we thought she was almost but not quiet asleep and he made noise on the roof and chimed the bells. She was so excited she ran to wake up her little brother ... it was very cute.

We hide in our closet as well. They don't go in there out of fear. The standing rule is if you find it it goes back ... and if that was your big present to bad. I have no list I just keep track by pulling things out once a week or so.

I laugh with ya on this one I have said that so many times before.

My mom used to burn Candy Cane with something else really sweet think it was sugar cookie (Root candles) It always smelled so great. DH and I bought cinn apple pie this weekend it smells very Thanksgiving like. We usually go something less cidery after Thanksgiving ... like candy cane or cocoa. My best friend makes candles so she always sends me her new holiday scents.

This won't be a BF item will it? I was just assuming that since Ipod never goes on sale really this probably won't either? I think we have a winner for my oldest's big gift. So I am debating on preordering and not having to worry about limited quantities or wait for a "deal" like buy this get this on it.

I agree you can get a tree and decorations at Hobby lobby or micheals at 50 % off before Christmas just watch thier ads. As much as you can I personally would hold off until after Christmas ... they are much cheaper when they clearance everything out . We love Dillards and Macys the day after Christmas ... just be there early it's just as bad as BF in the Christmas department

Not a lot in our town. We usually go to the Kilgore parade and a few of the ones in the surrounding areas. There are two drive thru parks near us we go to the one every year near Marshall because they always have hot cocoa and cookies. We also go to the Marshall Wonderland of lights.

Deadline is Thanksgiving day ... unless you want something that releases this year (like a game system) and then I have to know a few weeks before the release. They also know that if you asked for something after it releases there is a very good chance you won't get it. But final choices are before BF cause that is when I do most of my shopping. DD does not make any decisions till she sees the ads lol. Course there are exceptions my daughter at the moment is saving a spot on the list for the new Emma bag but it does not release until December so if she doesn't like it she will replace it with soemthing else.

I don't even want to talk about it Way to much after it is all said and done. We always say well we will only spend 300 or less per child but :cough: it usually balloons. We are talking about getting DS either a PS 3 or a 360 for his big gift so that should say a lot. DH is as bad as I am, he has hinted in suprizing the kids this year with a go kart. In our defense we are the only ones that buy for the kids. Both sets of grands are deceased and they are lucky if they get anything from my ex. So a lot of it is overcompensating for other things . Plus DH buys things for DS that he wants too ie the PS 3

Do you need them for this Christmas? Cause I highly recommend hitting Dillards or Macy's the day after if not. You can get some beautiful ones at a really good price. I want to get some to make this year ... you know the kind with the sequins?

We do the all the eves and overhangs. I think this year after Christmas we are going to try and find a lighted santa, sleigh, and reindeers for our roof for next year. We do a ton in the house but we never leave or go to bed with any of them on ... except for Christmas eve. But DH and I are usually up most of that night anyway.