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Post by alsomsknit on Nov 9, 2024 13:53:49 GMT
Let’s have some fun and share ideas.
Any Christmas gifts purchased? Any new decoration ideas? Any recipes you wish to try or are anticipating? Anything Christmas related, please share.
Bought the first Christmas gift in mid-September. I was out by myself after an appointment. Found a cute t-shirt for Jay. This week, I also bought a couple of pairs of pj/lounge type pants. (I passed on the Aero ones, because I wasn’t sure if that brand was out or not. The following day he went to the store in search of socks and bought the Aero bottoms.)
DH is being given a new fountain pen. He complained the one he has doesn’t hold enough ink. Wondering if I should buy a black ink for his stocking. He also will be gifted a pair of pj bottoms.
I have a fountain pen for myself. Fountain pens are as bad a scrapbooking supplies. Still have an ink to buy for my stocking. Another two things are coming for my stocking—fountain pen ink and clips for my bullet journal (cats).
Years ago, DH and I decided to buy what we wanted for ourselves for the other to gift. We still buy some extras so there are a few surprises. There is a fair amount of trauma surrounding gift giving from my childhood.
Yesterday we went in search of initial ornaments for Dad, the new puppy, and kitten. Last year, I decided Dad needs a stocking at our house. Tried Kohl’s and they were UGLY. Found some of the personalized ornaments at the mall. It was a waste of money, but will work until I find what I want.
Also had a box of ornaments from a different shop. They reminded me of one’s Mom and Dad have on their tree. Then I remembered we may not have ornaments on the tree this year. I swear, that kitten has two brain cells: one for mischief, the other for chaos. My second idea was also shot down due to the kitten. (My other cats have never behaved this way.)
I am so ready to decorate the house for Christmas.
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,805 
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Post by ellen on Nov 9, 2024 14:21:03 GMT
I have been picking up items here and there for a while now. Here is a deal that I just took advantage of this morning. I love Rifle Paper company and their enamel cuff bracelets are on sale for $10 right now. I have some that I wear and I love them. I have given them as gifts and people have immediately put them on. They are so pretty and just a nice solid bracelet. I placed an order for six more even though I have a little stash of them to give as gifts. It just means I can keep it going longer. If you are wondering about wrist size, I don’t think they would work well for a larger wrist.
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Post by Merge on Nov 9, 2024 14:23:33 GMT
Yes. I ask my girls for preliminary ideas around September and start shopping then. If I do it little by little it doesn't break any one month's budget. I'll be done by Thanksgiving. My oldest mostly asks for stuff for her apartment these days and the youngest is still very much in college girl mode - wants this perfume and that fancy purse. I expect next year she'll be wanting apartment stuff, too.  |
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,805
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Post by ellen on Nov 9, 2024 14:26:43 GMT
Yes. I ask my girls for preliminary ideas around September and start shopping then. If I do it little by little it doesn't break any one month's budget. I'll be done by Thanksgiving. My oldest mostly asks for stuff for her apartment these days and the youngest is still very much in college girl mode - wants this perfume and that fancy purse. I expect next year she'll be wanting apartment stuff, too.  When my daughter was a senior in college she was so excited to get kitchen items. It made gift shopping so much easier. |
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pilcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,236
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Post by pilcas on Nov 9, 2024 14:30:53 GMT
My son is very hard to buy for so nothing for him yet. For my 25 yr old DD I have gotten her favorite eye cream. Cozy PJs, and that’s it.
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hutchfan
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,597
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Post by hutchfan on Nov 9, 2024 14:41:59 GMT
I am 90 percent done. And a few wrapped already. I still have the names we drew, a few stocking stuffers and books to buy.
My daughter sent a huge list that contains what she, her boyfriend and the twin boys wanted. It's my oldest grandson who said he can think of nothing that I struggled with but I pay attention all year and listened to a few things he mentioned and got those. My husband is always difficult but I got him a Cincinnati Bengals lunch cooler, a Cincinnati Bengals step stool, a personalized Cincinnati Bengals watch. I still have to pick up the tools he asked for. I feel good about where I am at.
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Post by alsomsknit on Nov 9, 2024 16:35:30 GMT
I have been picking up items here and there for a while now. Here is a deal that I just took advantage of this morning. I love Rifle Paper company and their enamel cuff bracelets are on sale for $10 right now. I have some that I wear and I love them. I have given them as gifts and people have immediately put them on. They are so pretty and just a nice solid bracelet. I placed an order for six more even though I have a little stash of them to give as gifts. It just means I can keep it going longer. If you are wondering about wrist size, I don’t think they would work well for a larger wrist. The bracelets are pretty. I do like the idea of extras for that gift you need last minute. The sketch book is tempting me. 😆 |
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Post by alsomsknit on Nov 9, 2024 16:38:28 GMT
I am 90 percent done. And a few wrapped already. I still have the names we drew, a few stocking stuffers and books to buy. My daughter sent a huge list that contains what she, her boyfriend and the twin boys wanted. It's my oldest grandson who said he can think of nothing that I struggled with but I pay attention all year and listened to a few things he mentioned and got those. My husband is always difficult but I got him a Cincinnati Bengals lunch cooler, a Cincinnati Bengals step stool, a personalized Cincinnati Bengals watch. I still have to pick up the tools he asked for. I feel good about where I am at. 90% done is fantastic! My goal is to be done shopping by the end of November. I try not to need to visit any store, beyond the market, during the month of December. |
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Post by mom on Nov 9, 2024 19:52:41 GMT
I have started but not near done.
DS1 (25) and his girlfriend are asking for house stuff, so they're getting a washing machine & dryer as their big gift. DS2 is getting a trip to Las Vegas for Imagine Dragons on NYE and money as his big gift. Both sons gifts are more than what we normally do, but they've asked for them to be Christmas and Birthday gifts so we went ahead and got them.
DH & I are traveling as our gifts to each other. So no need to buy something big there.
Let's see...for everyone else, so far I have ordered my 15 month old nephew a handmade wooden name puzzle & bought him a pair of boots. One niece loves baking so I ordered her a bunch of nicer quality baking things (cookie sheets, silicone mats, etc). The other niece is a teacher in DFW and instead of gifts, she has asked our entire family to purchase books for all of her English students. So I am sending money for that as well as a gift card for her.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,660
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Post by bethany102399 on Nov 9, 2024 20:07:50 GMT
I'm almost done. Combination of having not that many people to buy for and knowing I would have no vacation time once I started the new job meant I shopped early this year. I hope to start wrapping on Monday as I'm off work.
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huskergal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,429
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Post by huskergal on Nov 9, 2024 20:13:01 GMT
Unfortunately, retail therapy shopping has begun.
I got giant hoodies for my daughters and dil.
Got a D&D Dungeon Master sweatshirt for my oldest child.
Everyone gets a candle from Bath & Body Works.
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Post by mom on Nov 9, 2024 20:24:40 GMT
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Post by refugeepea on Nov 10, 2024 1:19:57 GMT
This is a bit specific because I bought some candles from a local store that are Gilmore Girls themed for my obsessed friend. I'm giving her Rory and Lorelei for Christmas and Luke and Luke's Diner for her birthday. I need to throw some other fun things in there. The obvious thing would be coffee, but she's not a drinker.
I bought my son a crocheted knit Grinch hat. For my oldest son, maybe some kind of game cards?? I don't know. I need specifics from him. Something like Dungeons and Dragons.
I need to think of something for my mom and daughter (probably books).
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teddyw
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,156
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Post by teddyw on Nov 10, 2024 2:23:22 GMT
Haven’t really started which is highly unusual for me. Plus 2 of my DDs have December birthdays.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,878
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Nov 10, 2024 4:07:48 GMT
I don’t buy for many.
My DD 13 is getting the poinsettia lego set and books by Holly Jackson
My DS 8 I’m at a total loss for
My niece 14 is getting an ulta gift card
My nephew 10 is getting an Amazon gift card
My nephew 14 is getting cash
My niece 11 is getting a Starbucks card
The nephews we see for Christmas will get something- non idea yet.
Grandparents will get Shutterfly albums from the last 2 years if I can get my life together and get them made. I done one each year for each of my kids.
DH and I don’t do gifts so it’s usually me filling stockings for us and the kids. In there we get bath stuff, candies, small Lego set, whatever else I find.
We try to have a low key Christmas around here. No idea what the Santa gifts will be. DS wants a VR but it’s pretty pricey.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 10, 2024 5:37:28 GMT
I bought myself a Lego Advent calendar, does that count?  Seriously though, I’ve bought a few things that DD said she wanted, but she was with me, they were on sale so I bought them and I said I was putting them away for Christmas. She wanted (and I bought) a fuzzy Cinnamoroll sweatshirt and matching shorts and a pink Hello Kitty sweatshirt all from Target. Bought myself two sets of baker themed Jibbitz and a set of 13 Christmas themed ones that I’ll share with DD when Woot had them cheap. I got her the Aldi cheese Advent calendar again and a chocolates one for DH, plus a big tub of the peppermint puffs they like. I also bought DD some Cinnamoroll Crocs that she wanted when the price dropped to half off. I bought DD and I gingerbread themed pajama shirts from Old Navy but will have to make one for DH because he will only wear shirts from Duluth Trading. I bought 11 yards of gingerbread themed flannel to make all of us matching PJ pants. DH bought all of us new Indian motorcycle zip front hoodies that I put away when they came. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Nov 10, 2024 7:32:37 GMT
Yes, the expensive Hess firetrucks were delivered to DIL for adult DGSs the other day.
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Post by supersoda on Nov 10, 2024 12:46:42 GMT
I’ve bought a bunch of Lego sets because I HAD to get the Books Are My Passion Set for my newly minted librarian daughter. It’s only available as a gift with purchase right now. The minifig looks just like her!
I’ve also picked up a few random things at craft fairs and festivals over the last couple of weeks, but I still have a long way to go.
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Post by mikklynn on Nov 10, 2024 12:52:11 GMT
I bought Vikings tickets for my DS and DGS. I have a couple things for my DD, including a portable mini air compressor link. This would make a great gift for any adult. |
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Post by wordfish on Nov 10, 2024 13:32:51 GMT
Unfortunately, retail therapy shopping has begun. Yup. This past Wednesday, early afternoon, one of my daughters very helpfully (and deliberately) let me in on her wedding plans for this summer. I'm sure she was giving me something to focus on, as I love to plan travel. They are eloping in February in Coronado with just my husband and I and her sisters there, so that her twin (who just had triplets) can be there. Then this summer, they are having a slightly larger ceremony at Glacier National Park. GNP is on my bucket list anyway, and I am very excited about this. How does this relate to Christmas gifts? I just dropped a large percentage of the Christmas budget at the GNP store. The daughter who is getting married and her fiance are completely done other than maybe a few stocking stuffers. I also got some small gifts for family members who I think are traveling to GNP this summer. I just hit Rifle Paper Co, so thanks to ellen for that hot tip. I got a pile of stuff there. I've also been getting stuff here and there, so I would say I am at least 50% done. |
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julie5
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,621
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Post by julie5 on Nov 10, 2024 13:36:05 GMT
My 25 year old daughter loves those make it mini things in the toy department. So I got her a Harry Potter potions class one. I actually bought all 3 of my adult children one because they’ll love it. I usually get my 20 year old play doh or something like that because he loves having something to “play with” on Christmas. I always get myself legos lol who says grown ups can’t still play like kids
This is my first year to be in my grandkids life so I’ve WAY over bought for them. Let’s just say I’m going to need to completely clear out my living room so we have room to sit! It definitely doesn’t help that I have a shopping addiction. 🫠
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anaterra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,132
Location: Texas
Jun 29, 2014 3:04:02 GMT
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Post by anaterra on Nov 10, 2024 14:34:58 GMT
I am 1 of those gmas who does want/need/wear/read... so I already have the books for all gks bought.. and we are getting them all hoodies this year.. so I have bought 2 of the 12... I will get those toothbrush kits that walmart puts out closer to time.. and wants... those are harder and harder to figure out and not spend a ton of money on..
but I know what to get for the girls... and the little boys.. its the older teen boys that suck.. they want expensive... and I have 12 grands... cant do expensive for all of the.. lmao
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Nov 10, 2024 15:53:44 GMT
Anaterra, for the older ones you can freeze coins in layers of water in a jar and give them “cold hard cash”. Also look up “clever money gift idea”
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,660
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Post by bethany102399 on Nov 10, 2024 17:55:19 GMT
Got a D&D Dungeon Master sweatshirt for my oldest child. oooh can you share? I've got 2 D&D players in this house. |
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huskergal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,429
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Post by huskergal on Nov 10, 2024 18:10:02 GMT
Got a D&D Dungeon Master sweatshirt for my oldest child. oooh can you share? I've got 2 D&D players in this house. This is the website. You can filter by D&D. |
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Post by alsomsknit on Nov 10, 2024 22:14:44 GMT
Unfortunately, retail therapy shopping has begun. Yup. This past Wednesday, early afternoon, one of my daughters very helpfully (and deliberately) let me in on her wedding plans for this summer. I'm sure she was giving me something to focus on, as I love to plan travel. They are eloping in February in Coronado with just my husband and I and her sisters there, so that her twin (who just had triplets) can be there. Then this summer, they are having a slightly larger ceremony at Glacier National Park. GNP is on my bucket list anyway, and I am very excited about this. How does this relate to Christmas gifts? I just dropped a large percentage of the Christmas budget at the GNP store. The daughter who is getting married and her fiance are completely done other than maybe a few stocking stuffers. I also got some small gifts for family members who I think are traveling to GNP this summer. I just hit Rifle Paper Co, so thanks to ellen for that hot tip. I got a pile of stuff there. I've also been getting stuff here and there, so I would say I am at least 50% done. Congratulations to your daughter and her fiancé! |
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Post by wordfish on Nov 11, 2024 1:08:17 GMT
Yup. This past Wednesday, early afternoon, one of my daughters very helpfully (and deliberately) let me in on her wedding plans for this summer. I'm sure she was giving me something to focus on, as I love to plan travel. They are eloping in February in Coronado with just my husband and I and her sisters there, so that her twin (who just had triplets) can be there. Then this summer, they are having a slightly larger ceremony at Glacier National Park. GNP is on my bucket list anyway, and I am very excited about this. How does this relate to Christmas gifts? I just dropped a large percentage of the Christmas budget at the GNP store. The daughter who is getting married and her fiance are completely done other than maybe a few stocking stuffers. I also got some small gifts for family members who I think are traveling to GNP this summer. I just hit Rifle Paper Co, so thanks to ellen for that hot tip. I got a pile of stuff there. I've also been getting stuff here and there, so I would say I am at least 50% done. Congratulations to your daughter and her fiancé! Thank you so much! |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Nov 11, 2024 1:22:41 GMT
I haven't gotten any gifts yet. The kids haven't even given me gift ideas. However, I have gotten a few decorations here and there but am going to try not to buy anything else. I got some hanging bells from Homegoods, some real touch pine branch picks and some gold photo frame ornaments from Target, and some indoor/outdoor lighted snowflakes from Target. I think I am going to try to hang three above the front door and then one inside hanging from a window. I don't think it should be difficult but we never do outdoor decorations.
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Post by needmysanity on Nov 11, 2024 17:53:32 GMT
I have started but I still have the bigger priced gifts for DH and DS to purchase.
My mom was super easy this year - she wanted food items. MIL was easier this year than normal because she found a spa in town that she enjoys so we did a big gift cert to that. DS and DIL in CA get dinner and a move gift certs this year.
I'm actually the hardest one to purchase for this year. I normally have a decent list to give DH but I can't think of things.
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Post by justkat on Nov 11, 2024 18:31:48 GMT
I'm almost finished with my shopping. I purchase items throughout the year. I'm working on stockings now and buying the last few tickets for holiday experiences. I'm really excited for Christmas this year (past few sucked due to deaths and Covid). After last Tuesday I'm trying to keep my excitement so I'm focusing on decorating for the holidays. I ordered several packs of bubble lights for the tree and can't wait for them to arrive.
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Seriously though, I’ve bought a few things that DD said she wanted, but she was with me, they were on sale so I bought them and I said I was putting them away for Christmas. She wanted (and I bought) a fuzzy Cinnamoroll sweatshirt and matching shorts and a pink Hello Kitty sweatshirt all from Target. Bought myself two sets of baker themed Jibbitz and a set of 13 Christmas themed ones that I’ll share with DD when Woot had them cheap. 
