fluffkin79

I have 3 kids ages 6, 4, and 3. For some reason I have a ton of ideas for DD6 and lots of ideas (most already purchased!) for DS3, but am kinda stumped on DD4. I can think of a lot of "stuff" that would glitter for awhile, but nothing with true, lasting "WOW!" power. I know that she would love a kitchen set, but I would probably have to take the doll house that she also loves out of her bedroom to make room for it. I've even considered giving some of the things that I was thinking of for DD6 to DD4 instead, since we are pretty good about sharing toys and everyone gets to play with everything in our house. Or making some of them joint-gifts. So far I have: DD6: Cupcake making stuff (she wants a cupcake maker but will be getting muffin tin, mixing bowl, spoons, measuring cups, apron, cake mix, frosting, sprinkles, etc. Less money, better treats) Newborn-sized baby doll, clothes that she wore as a baby, cute newborn-sized costumes (love after-Halloween clearance!), bottles, blankets, etc. and maybe a basket or cradle Keyboard with microphone Didj and games other little things DD4: Maybe an Aquadoodle, Digital Arts and Crafts Studio, or Kitchen set? Thinking of getting her a baby doll, too. She does play with them, but I think that is mostly because her big sister does. Vsmile Pocket, we already have games from our non-portable Vsmile. Got little stuff for her already DS3: Handy Manny tool truck. Cars, trucks, airplanes, trains, anything that goes. I've hit a few clearance sales this year and have quite a few to choose from. I'm thinking Shake 'n Go Mack, Walkin' Talkin' Lightning McQueen, and R/C Sheriff. I'll be a Cars Christmas! He has a few other little things, too - movies, game, pjs, photokin.

McDonald's usually offers those treat coupons a few times a year, they should have some Christmas ones, too. They only get so many and when they are gone they are gone, so buy then when you see them. I'm not sure if they still have them, but a couple years ago they still has the $5 coupon books. There are 5 x $1 McDonald's coupons in each book. You get to choose what to get and they give change. If they still have these... Burger King had some for Halloween this year. I think they were for french fries. Keep an eye out, they might do it again.

I thought that these were really cute when I first saw them. Then I came to my senses and realized that they would end up in the garage with all of my kids' other neglected toys. The only way that I would buy one of these is if one of my kids put it on thier must-have list, and as of now they don't even know that zhu zhu pets exist. Even then, I couldn't bring myself to pay more than retail on something that I don't think my kids would love for very long. This year I am steering away from toys that the kids watch and getting ones that they can do something with.

My nephew just got one for his b-day. There was a party going on so I didn't get to play with it, but it seemed like a dud. His seemed too heavy in the front so it dropped almost straight to the ground. I'm not sure if there is a way to tweek it so that it acutally works. If it actually flies it could be a really cool toy.

I looked at a 32" Westinghouse and a 40" Acer in store today. I can't guarentee they are the same ones that will be on sale, but wanted to get and idea of picture quality. They look OK to my untrained eye.

OK, I'll bite. All of a sudden I think I need 24 of these. How long does the 12/$30 last?

I'm happy they are doing something to keep the crowds under control. Hopefully they will come up with a system that will keep everyone happy(ish). I wonder: since I have to choose which 1 item to stand in line for, will I be able to get multiples of that item? Say, can I get 2 laptops for my 2 kids? Or get 2 cameras and trade one with friend who got 2 TVs? And will my cart full of BF movies, clothes and toys be able to stand in line with me?

so, will Target offer their doorbusters online? Not sure if I want to join the crazy mob for a TV...

Mmmmmm, yummy ad! Feed me more! Well, Target is definitely on my list for this year. I like $5 kids jammies, super-soft women's sweaters, movies (UP, Kung Fu Panda, Dark Knight, Transformers, others?) $3 sandwich maker (I know, you get what you pay for - but it might be worth a try), TVs are definatly tempting but I'm not sure if I can get a sitter long enough to sit in line. Oh and the $10 GC and shopping bag would be nice. $19 griddle was tempting, but the 2 reviews on amazon are not good.

I love this thread! Its a great reminder to not get too caught up in the hype of the holiday season! I have learned my lesson. Whenever possible I research electronics before I shop and touch all cloth (clothes, blankets, towels, etc) before I check out. I have had a lot of dud items on my BF want list that end up being junk, especially Wal-mart clothes. The last 2 years I ended up not buying the PJs, sweatshirts, towels and clogs that I thought I wanted to get. DD wanted the cupcake maker last year and it is her "must-have" item for this year. I don't want her to have free access to a jar of frosting, so I don't plan on buying it. I thought that Santa might bring it for her, but with all the bad reviews I doubt it. Santa wouldn't knowingly give a bad toy, right? I was pleasantly surprised with the cheap camera that I got from WM last BF. I was giving it as a gift and didn't want to give junk so I took it out and played with it before I wrapped it. It was OK. I don't think I would have been thrilled if I had bought it for myself, but it seemed good for my mom's first digital camera. She loves it. It still works well for her and I still get compliments and thanks for it.

Michaels has a lot of craft kits, and usually have 40-50% off coupons in the sunday paper. How about some beads and things so she can make her own jewlery?

Last year DD3 asked Santa for cake. I think she asked for that because her big sister was asking for a cupcake maker. She didn't know what that was, but she had cake on the brain when it was her turn to talk to Santa. So, on Christmas morning, there was a 8" chocolate on the shelf near her stocking. Both of my girls want fuzzy slipper socks, but I can't seem to find them in child sizes...

We are buying for 33 poeple, including 6 teacher gifts. It looks like we will be spending around $500. We have already spent about $275 and have more than half of the gifts taken care of. It really helped that we got a bunch of stuff at clearance sale prices throughout the year, otherwise we could easily go over that $740. Way over. That only includes gifts, though. We will be spending a couple hundred more on food, a christmas party, and trips to Grandmas' houses.

I understand where you are coming from. In our family the gift exchange has a limit of $20. I tend to spend the whole $20, but look for deals and often give gifts valued at much more. For example, last year an aunt wanted B&BW scentports. I waited until they were on sale and had a coupon so that I was able to give 2 scentports, refills, and some small lotions instead of the 1 I would have been able to buy otherwise. Most other people in the exchange would have gone to the store on a random day, bought the 1 scentport and something else to make up the difference to get to $20 and called it a day. However, if you are expected to spend $200 and your nephew has asked for an xbox you might be able to get it cheaper and make everyone happy. If you bought it at Walmart for $199 and got the $100 GC you could then use the GC to pay for gifts for other people, or "sell" the GC to your grocery budget, essentially making the xbox $100. Your nephew gets what he wants, you saved money, and his parents don't have to know that you got a deal - unless you want to tell them. After all, many people would just got to the store, pay the regular price, and be done with it. IMHO if put the time and energy into finding the deal then you have the right to choose what to do with the savings - you can keep it or pass it on (I would be very tempted to spend the GC on games and accessories to go with the xbox). Of course, this only works if you are giving something that people acutally want. I am not suggeting that you pick up that nasty sweater that has been sitting on a clearance rack since last year and claim it is worth the oringinal price.

Uh-Oh! I plan on giving my sister used books for Christmas! Am I a terrible person, lol? Wait! Let me explain myself. First of all, I would not normally give something I found at a rummage sale (except, maybe, to my own kids when they are too young to care). My sister has been laid off for most of the year and has 3 kids of her own to take care of. She will not be giving gifts to family. It's not as much fun to recieve when you can't give, so I am trying to get gifts that she won't fell guilty recieving. I went to an estate sale and picked up about 20 books, most by her 2 favorite authors, and couple random titles I think she might like. All are in excellent condition. And that's not all she's getting. I also plan on giving her a big box of household stuff from my stockpile (H&B products, batteries, candles, candy, etc.) and a digital camera with memory card, rechargeable batteries and digital frame (paid for with Walgreen's register rewards). As for my worst gift, I think that came from my Dad, purchased by his girlfriend. I think I was 16 that year and I got a lovely embroidered grandma sweater (with fringe around the embroidery), way too-small leather gloves, potpourri, and the movie Little Women. OK, I was a good kid, but not a complete prude! They ment well, but had no clue what I was about.

Who knows Kohl's? I am looking at the 9.99 holiday pendants. Is there an extra 20% off these? Is it just the pendant or will the chain be included?

DD6 saw a bratz hair dye/color/whatever kit on clearance a few months ago. She saw Target's orange clearance sticker on it and figured her chances were good so she hounded me until we had to leave the store. She has been begging for pink hairspray ever since! She will not be getting hair color stuff or the cupcake maker she has been begging for. I do plan on getting her a regular mini-muffin tin, though. I've already picked up some cake mix and mini cupcake baking cups. Hopefully she can be excited about that.

Scary! I'm glad you thought to call for a ride. Good reminder to everybody: make sure you take care of yourself. For your sake and for everyone else who is out shopping next to you!

Now I feel bad about buying those costumes at 75% on Wednesday! I was there at 7pm tonight, and I think that I'm the only sucker that didn't hold out for 90%. There were still 2 full aisles left! But I did get a cart-load of candy Wednesday, and that is all gone now. All they had left was some pumpkin-shaped candy corn things. I can hardly believe that it all sold in a couple days.

My week looks like this: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - make t-day menu, shop for grub, clean like a fool, prepare food Thursday morning - Put bird in oven, leave to pick up paper (perhaps at Kmart?) Thursday (after Kmart) - cook dinner, enjoy with family. Tuck kids into bed. When all calms down look over ads and plan (finalize) my attack (um, I mean shopping trip!) Thursday 11pm-store opening is a daze of half-hearted attempts at sleep mixed with waiting for the multiple different times that things are available for purchase online. Friday - shopping till around 10 or 12. Nap. Put up Christmas tree and watch the first holiday movies of the season with my kiddos. Saturday - catch up on a week's worth of sleep.

In the garage. It is such a mess that DH avoids going in there and the kids have no reason to be there in the winter (and no key). Believe me, an extra cardboard box or 12 will go completly unnoticed!

The books and stuffed animals are available year-round, the selection changes every few weeks (months?). I don't remember ever being in a Kohl's that didn't have these. The profits are donated, so no sales.

Thanks to all the toys I've found on clearance I am done shopping for holidays and birthdays for the rest of my natural life! OK, not really. But the toy clearance sales have helped. I am probably about 50% done. I have a pretty good idea of what everyone on my side of the family is getting. I need to look through the toys I've collected and decided what to give DD4, I already have DD6 and DS figured out. As for the in-laws, well, maybe the BF ads will inspire me...

Which candy tubs? Which q?

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