Is anyone else aware that Christmas is fast approaching? Now that the temperatures have dropped so that it actually feels like fall, I’ve realized that Christmas is less than two months away. ACK!
Last year I went way overboard with gifts for my kids. It wasn’t intentional, but somehow I just kept buying stuff as I saw it, and when I went to get it all out to wrap it the week before Christmas, it looked like the Target toy department puked all over my bedroom.
So this year I’m trying to be more intentional about what I purchase and limit the gifts to a few nice things. I thought I’d share a few things I’ve found, and give you a chance to share your ideas too!
First, Penelope Peapod is either an adorable small handbag or a sweet seven-inch doll in a bassinet. In one quick and easy maneuver for even the smallest hands, the peapod opens and the fabric flips over the sides to create a beautiful bassinet and reveal a sweet, soft-body doll in a matching outfit.
My neighbor emailed me about these little dolls, and I wasted no time ordering two, one for each of my daughters. My girls love dolls, and they love handbags, so I’m sure these are going to be a hit.
Next, Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition combines the best of
classic Monopoly with updated electronic transactions. As with the
original version, players still operate with money, learn real-world
economics, competition and strategy, try to stay out of jail, and try
their best to get filthy rich. But this version has been updated to
reflect changes in how the real world uses money: All transactions are
conducted with Monopoly’s new banking card system.
Monopoly is my son’s favorite game. Unfortunately it is not MY favorite game. And one reason I hate it is all that paper money that you have to sort and keep track of. I think this electronic version is going to be a lot of fun and a lot less mess!
At the Pottery Barn outlet last Saturday, I found this adorable ironing board. My littlest daughter loves to role play, and I know she will love it. Now I just need to find a cute iron to go with it.
Beyond this, I have a pair of pajamas for each of them, and that’s it. I better get cracking.
What are you getting for your kids this year?
17 Responses
Figuring out what we are giving the kids is the hardest. First I have to make lists for Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles which means most of the kids wants and needs are already taken care of. This year though I already told them we are not buying their presents until spring. At our last couple of rides they have shown signs of outgrowing their motocross outfits so come spring we will take them shopping. I am picking up a few things for them to have Christmas morning.
This is going to be a slim christmas for us, so I will probably find one small gift (or two one for men, one for women) and buy lots of them and give those out.
I *try* to stick to the saying “something to wear, something you need, something to play with and something to read.” Since we have an only child, I usually end up getting two things in each category. Lots of books and a gift card to the book store as well. She is always thrilled with PJ’s and new art supplies. Wish she still loved dolls..that peapod set is adorable !
Oh I’m’ stressing… the money isn’t here this year like it has been in years past and this is the year that they want all the expensive stuff. But I do like that monopoly game. Matthew loves Monopoly, and like you, I can’t stand games with lots of pieces. So I think that I might pick that up for him. Also, hit mybargainbuddy.com and check them out. That’s normally where I go to find the best deals for the kids for stuff. And of course, I’ll need to buy myself a few things to put under the tree so that I have SOMETHING to open…
I am a little high strung when it comes to Christmas shopping because I have a post-Thanksgiving aversion to being in retail establishments. So Tigerfan and I are well into our gift buying. We are bereaking down this year and buying a wii for our “wee” ones. This is our first game system–we have resisted for 10 years, but we are breaking down this year! Our boys are wanting to start music lessons so there could possibly be some instruments and lessons as well if we can find them on a budget and my boys love playmobil so they will probably get one set. We are struggling with our 4 yr old girl. She wants everything she sees and her bedroom looks like a doll factory exploded so we hate to buy more baby stuff, but that is what she really wants. We have also ordered her her first “big girl” Bible. Our little Christmas surprise will probably be receiving diapers and perhaps a swing or bouncy seat since we had gotten rid of everything baby a couple of years ago. Happy shopping!
Yes…I definitely need to figure out something fun to get for my son. He’s only 1 yr old, so we’re not going to get him too much since he really doesn’t care yet anyways. 🙂 But it’s still fun to get a few little things! 🙂 I love the ironing board/iron idea though…too bad I don’t have a daughter yet! 🙂
I haven’t even thought of it yet. My youngest is also a Christmas Day baby so it’s crazy around here in the spending department. Now that mine are teens it’s getting harder because it’s getting more expensive. I mentioned to my oldest who is 17 1/2 that when I turned 16 I picked out a dish pattern and then all Christmas’ and birthday’s I got additions to my set so that by the time I moved out I had lots of things to stock my place. She looked at me like I’d just grown an extra head. Oh well. I tried.
i’ve been trying to give it all some thought, rather than blowing it all in a frenzied last minute shopping blowout…
I’ve been eyeballing that Monopoly too.
Blessings,
Karla
Son and DIL want us to cut down on Christmas this year so I don’t know what to get. Can’t just give clothes and clothes and clothes!!! Gotta have something fun! With just two grands to buy for I like to SPEND so what’s a Grammie to do?????
Last year I took T out to the mall and we did some shopping for Angel Tree the organization that buys for children who’s parents are in jail. We shopped for a little girl T’s age and she enjoyed that and I think she got the purpose of the whole thing. We will do that again this year too.
Also at church we do Christmas Child, Franklin Graham’s orgainization and I will take both T and D out to fill shoe boxes with goodies.
Glad you like the cookbook. Just wanted you to know that I appreciate all you do to help me with my blogging issues!! xoxox
i love the comment about “something to wear, something to play with, something you need and something to read”. That is SOOOO GREAT! in fact, since I have only bought my daughter a few things, I think I will adapt that.”
i go overboard too… and am really keeping myself in check this year. I am over half done with all of my shopping… this is a rarity for me!
We are getting our son one large gift, annual Christmas PJ’s and that is probably it! he will get enough from other family, and we are a short on money this year!! 🙂
The nice thing about traditional monopoly is that the kids learn adding/subtracting and figuring out percentages….. Does the new version eliminate this by doing all the calculations for you? If so, return it. I have been amazed by how a certain little one has done so well with the math in the traditional version. I hate to see it dumbed down.
Christmas? WHAT? Already talk of that? Oh I need to get it together or something.
I love the gifts you’ve chosen. Cute doll.
We are planning to get each of our boys just a couple things and put emphasis on the red suit guy up north. Our kids don’t need toys, so it makes it a little difficult. While I have started giving it some thought, I haven’t decided what to buy for sure.
I’m with you on the Christmas shopping. I’ve been asking the girls for what they want and they’ve already started making lists. This helps Mommy so much! I usually try to break my shopping up over 3 month period and usually I’m done by December 1st. But, I’m behind this year. We weren’t sure where we were going to spend Christmas, so that slowed me down. If we’re staying home that’s one thing, but if we’re traveling, then I have to plan differently. We are traveling, so most of my shopping with be done via the internet and ship things directly to my inlaws. So, now I can get busy!
Oh man, I do not want to start thinking about Christmas yet. I was in denial before I read this post. I was happy there, DCRMom. I was happy.
Jamie
Yes, I’ve noticed and Yes, I’m freaking out. I have NO idea what I’m doing this year.
Christmas always makes me wish I had a little girl to buy for!