Any Started or Done With Christmas Shopping?

[Janet]

I have finally started, but it won't take me very long this year. I only have the guys to buy for. All us kids quit buying for each other because it caught so expensive with everyone's growing families. So we all just bought for Mom and our own immediate family.

I have Ricky a couple of things and Rick just one so far. Need to find out what else they are hoping Santa :santa: brings them.

[DianaB]

I just received an order from Aeropostale for the older girls. I bought the three oldest hoodies with fur around the hood and a shirt. I got Daya basically the same thing except in men's clothing. She's not a very girly-girl. Amy says that she'll love it.

I ordered a nice hooded jacket for Tammy. She's hard for me to buy for and she had picked this out at Thanksgiving so I orded it. I was surprised when it was on sale for 40% off on cyber Monday!! And I order a picture frame set for Jaci. It's so cute.....It's frames and other pieces that go together to look like a tree. Here's what I got.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=17932616

They're hoping to buy a house soon (fingers crossed) and this will go perfectly in the living room!!

Our little Alco store had some pretty good sales on Thanksgiving weekend so I got a few things for Karlie and Dean. I've also got some perfume and a Wii game for Dae Lynn and the kids and I made hand and foot ornaments for her yesterday.

I'm hoping to get my shopping done early this year.......we'll see!! I think that Dae Lynn and I are going to Wichita next week so hopefully I'll get a lot more done then!!!

[Janet]

That wall plaque is really cute Diana. Since I don't have to buy as much this year, I'm hoping to be done by next week too. I still need to order Ricky some jeans from Kohl's and then find out what Rick would like to have.

[judy]

The picture frame is so nice, Diana! It sounds like you are almost done.

Janet, you are good to go too.

I have an easy Christmas this year. Brandon already got a new game thingamabob, which, I was told, is from me. Mackenzie is getting a cell phone, and I'll be paying for the plan monthly (God help me!) If she goes over, she loses the phone. It's more than I wanted to spend, but she wants a phone so badly, and Jessie and Steve cannot afford it. Kassidy wants some kind of dolls. I think they are twins???? Jessie and Steve are easy. I'll find him an antique guy thing, or give him a gift certificate. Jessie will also get a gift certificate. I'm not sure which store though. It's tricky, because if it's TJ Maxx, or JCPenney's, the girls may use it up before she gets herself anything. Then, it's monetary gifts for our maintenance guy, our manager, etc.,etc.

It's all about handing out money, as far as I'm concerned. I am such a grinch! This is not a holiday I enjoy! Jess and Steve go to midnight mass with the kids, so I don't even get to go to church. I do love the trees, and the decorated homes, and how excited the kids get.

[Lindsey]

I did most of my holiday shopping in Europe so I'm good to go! My dad and brother are getting hats with magnetic golf ball markers attached to the brim, from St Andrews golf course in Scotland, plus t-shirts from Italy and Ireland, and some fur-lined winter hats with ear flaps from Switzerland. They are also both getting tiny bottles of scotch from Scotland with our family name and tartan on it :) Crimson is getting knit mittens from Switzerland and perfume from France. My mom is getting a t-shirt from Ireland, perfume from France, a purse from Venice, and a little hand carved and glazed wooden tray from Pisa (I got one too which is in the bathroom with products on it!). The little girls each got little pink purses from Florence, and hats from Paris. For my grandma, I got a tea towel with our name and family crest from Scotland, as well as a little family history and family crest of her maiden name, from Ireland where her family was from.

I don't want to say here what I got for Scott in case he snoops on here! Of course, I couldn't get his in Europe because he was there lol! I got his presents last week while I was home and he was in Vegas :)

[judy]

Those are such great gifts, Linds!!! They will love them! (Do NOT listen to your brother's fiancee's remarks. She will probably say something nasty). I think your family will be thrilled. The gifts are all so thoughtful!

What is Scott getting you?

I have to stop in at the liquor store. I decided to give a bottle of wine with the cash gifts I am giving to the maintenance staff, etc. I still have to find out which phone Mackenzie wants so I can pick a plan for her. I'm really hoping for something around $50/month. I think that's more than enough. She will need unlimited texts for sure.

[DianaB]

Judy, check into adding Mackenzie to your plan. We can add a phone for about $15 a month and the price of unlimited texts.

Lindsey, your gifts sound really good! I wouldn't have thought about buying Christmas gifts that early!! Good for you!!

I still have a lot to do. I haven't even started on the guys yet. Hopefully I'll be able to get most of it done tomorrow.

[Lindsey]

Thanks guys! I just asked my brother to make sure, and yes, I did leave a shirt with him for his fiance when we got back from our trip, and she was away when we visited them. I never even got a thanks for it. I don't really expect to hear anything from her when she receives these presents either.

Judy, I think a bottle of wine is a great idea. I agree with Diana, you should see if you can add her to your plan!

Diana, I never buy gifts that early either! We started buying things for people as souveneirs but we kept seeing more things we wanted to get, and figured we'd give each person one or two things when we got home, and save the best things for Christmas presents. Except my mom, I couldn't save her best gift! She is Catholic, and I bought her rosary beads at the Vatican and had them blessed by a priest and delivered to our hotel later that evening. I gave her that as soon as we got home. I couldn't keep it a secret!

[Janet]

I guess I'm pretty much done unless I just want to buy something else. I was planning on getting Rick something, but he said "maybe we should just buy our own present" so I guess that's what I'll do. Problem is....I can't afford me.....LOLOL. I would really like to get Ricky a few more odds and ends and will before Christmas morning. Also need to get a couple stocking stuffers.

Great idea adding MacKenzie to your phone plan. So much cheaper for sure. I'm not a big fan of Christmas either Judy, haven't been for such a long time. Mom didn't make it much fun for us and it's pretty much stuck with me. I'm always thankful for the birth of Christ, but always ready for the hub bub of the holiday to be over with.

Lindsey...you did awesome. Everyone should love their gifts, if not, ask for them back...lol

[DianaB]

Lindsey, I wouldn't have been able to keep a gift like that a secret either!!! What a great gift to bring home!!!

[Blueyes]

You ladies are all doing great with your gifts!! I'll send money to my kids and grandkids since they are so far away. Michael and Rachel are so good about taking the kids on a special shopping trip to spend their money from us. Then we will all get on Skype to see what we bought them, lol!! Even when they were here we would all go shopping together and out to eat the day after Christmas, just for fun:) Boy, do I ever miss them!!

I have bought a few things for Mike, but he's just so good at buying things for himself that he doesn't leave anything for me, lol! He likes to shop for me too, so I really don't complain:p

[gja1000]

You ladies are all doing great with your gifts!! I'll send money to my kids and grandkids since they are so far away. Michael and Rachel are so good about taking the kids on a special shopping trip to spend their money from us. Then we will all get on Skype to see what we bought them, lol!! Even when they were here we would all go shopping together and out to eat the day after Christmas, just for fun:) Boy, do I ever miss them!!

I have bought a few things for Mike, but he's just so good at buying things for himself that he doesn't leave anything for me, lol! He likes to shop for me too, so I really don't complain:p

Yes Betsi, I'm missing my kids too, even though they are only 4 hours away, so I really shouldn't complain. But things have been so crazy around here, I haven't been able to go to Houston very much this fall. They have come up twice, but still not having them here for activities leading up to Christmas, is harder than I ever thought.

I bought gift cards for my 15 year old Abigail. Brooke and Bryan will want money. Gary got Emma Little Umi http://www.bradford.com.au/product_info.php/info/p399_Collectable-Doll-Little-Umi-Orangutan-Doll-Collectable-Orangutan-Doll.html. NO! I didn't pay $199 for her. I think she's a little scary looking in person and I'm not sure Emma will even like her, but that's what her Papaw wanted to get her. Then I got her a Giddy Up Go riding pony because you know she loves horses http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39WW247hLjg I got all the kids some fun things for their stockings, so yes, I think I'm about done. But it just hasn't been very much fun this year. I guess I'm feeling sorry for myself - maybe that is what has given me a case of the blahs! I need to go volunteer at the homeless shelter or something to get me over this case of feeling sorry for myself, or whatever it is.

[Blueyes]

I think it's just lonesome when our kids aren't nearby. Gayle, even though yours aren't but 4 hours away, they are still 4HOURS AWAY!! When you're used to seeing them every couple of days it really makes a difference. I LOVED having mine live with me all summer, but it makes the house extra empty when they leave. Thank Goodness for Skype!!!!!

[judy]

That pony is fabulous, Gayle! The doll does look cute in the picture. I hope Emma likes it.

Linds, your Mom's gift from the Vatican is priceless! You are really such a thoughtful young woman!!! What did she say when she got it?

I don't have a cell phone plan. I have pay as you go because we don't get cell phone service in too many spots around here. I leave mine in the car, and almost never use it. Jessie is the only person who has the number! Ir anyone wants to talk to me, it's either my home phone or email. I met somebpody who has a great phone from Walmart, and they have an unlimited text and call plan for $45/month. It's also pay as you go, so no contract. She will have to choose the phone. There is a really nice one for $79. I still haven't gotten the wine, Kassidy's gift, Brandon's little gift, stocking stuffers, or cards! I guess this week is it!

[gja1000]

I wrapped all my gifts today and I realize I need a few more stocking stuffers for Gary, Bryan, Emma and Abigail. I'll probably hit Big Lots for that stuff. Oh and Gary's sisters do stockings with mostly gag gifts when we go up after Christmas so we got lots of fishing stuff today for their stockings (all his sisters and their husbands love to fish). I need to get a few more little things for their stockings too, but I can do that at Big Lots too, or Dollar General.

I may not go to school tomorrow - I don't have any appointments and I have a few more papers to grade so I can do that here. So, maybe I can wrap up the stocking stuffers tomorrow too! That would be nice.

[Lindsey]

Judy, my mom was speechless when I gave her that gift! I think it was the best gift I've ever given!

I finally got all the presents wrapped today. A couple of nights ago a present appeared for me too! I have no idea what Scott could have gotten me, but I have been hinting about a few things for months lol!

[DianaB]

It sounds like you're almost done shopping, Gayle!! I think that Glen and I are going to Joplin this week to finish our shopping. He's wanting to buy some scuba gear so that will be his Christmas plus some clothes. He's so excited about scuba diving.

Gayle and Betsi, I felt like you guys last year with Jaci moved out. We had Christmas with the family early and was alone for Christmas day. It was so hard. I hope you find a way to fill things in so you feel better!! This year will be better for us since we have Dae Lynn and the kids here.

[Blueyes]

Mike and I will be alone this year on Christmas day too, but we'll celebrate with my brothers, sil, nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews on Christmas Eve. But it's still nothing like having my own kids and grandkids! Man, I miss my mom and dad, too. They have been gone 5 years, but I still miss them. I'm really not too sad, though. I try to remember that a thankful heart is a happy heart:)

[gja1000]

Mike and I will be alone this year on Christmas day too, but we'll celebrate with my brothers, sil, nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews on Christmas Eve. But it's still nothing like having my own kids and grandkids! Man, I miss my mom and dad, too. They have been gone 5 years, but I still miss them. I'm really not too sad, though. I try to remember that a thankful heart is a happy heart:)

Betsi, you say the best things. Thanks!

[DianaB]

Mike and I will be alone this year on Christmas day too, but we'll celebrate with my brothers, sil, nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews on Christmas Eve. But it's still nothing like having my own kids and grandkids! Man, I miss my mom and dad, too. They have been gone 5 years, but I still miss them. I'm really not too sad, though. I try to remember that a thankful heart is a happy heart:)


That's a wonderful way of looking at it!!! Just load up and come here!!!

[Blueyes]

Thanks Diana...we may just show up, lolol!! Have you ever seen any of the children's videos that are Veggie Tales? They are based on Bible stories and teach life lessons to kids, and they are talking vegetables! They are sooo good and funny. My favorite is about Madame Blueberry.. she thought that buying stuff at the Stuff Mart would make her happy but of course she was wrong. She finally learned "that a thankful heart is a happy heart, I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy place to start!"

The cute little songs in that video just stuck in my head. You should get Karlie one for Christmas!

[gja1000]

Oh yes! I've watched many a Veggie Tale show!

[Blueyes]

Dear Mercy!! I MUST be missing my grandkids if I'm thinking about Veggie Tales, LOL!!!

[gja1000]

I agree Betsi!!! Me too!

[Blueyes]

BTW, I'm done with my Christmas shopping! Now the wrapping begins:rolleyes:

[Janet]

I still have a few odds and ends to pick up and then start wrapping. Not sure what I want to get, but the guys need a little something more to open on Christmas morning. Sounds like we're all doing pretty well with our shopping.

[gja1000]

Gary asked me to help him wrap MY Christmas presents tonight - there were about 12 little boxes :eek: (they were bigger than jewelry boxes, so I don't think that's what it is). I asked him to not spend much money on me because we've spent so much this fall. He assured me it was just a lot of "little" things, but still....... TWELVE BOXES! :D

[Janet]

12 of them huh??? Sure hope the French hens, turtle Doves and the swans don't suffocate.

[Blueyes]

Hahaha Janet!!!!

Mike brought me my presents to wrap, too! They were in white boxes taped shut. I told him I wasn't wrapping them so he said he would just tie on a bow. Can't wait to see what they look like, lol! The rest he put in bags. Must be a man thing! He wasn't supposed to buy me much, either. I swear the man would spend every cent we had if I'd let him:rolleyes:

[gja1000]

Hahaha Janet!!!! Must be a man thing! He wasn't supposed to buy me much, either. I swear the man would spend every cent we had if I'd let him:rolleyes:

So would Gary - sometimes I just want to strangle him!!! LOL! I know he loves to get me things, and I like it too, but not when we've just spent so much money this fall. Oh well, he promised he didn't spend much, so it will be interesting to see what are in the boxes.

[Janet]

You ladies are so lucky. The best present my husband has EVER gotten me was my own tool box......so I would stay out of his. Everything need is in that box except for my drill. And worrying about him spending too much....LOLOL. Never happen. I wish my son would give me an idea of what he would like to have, but it's been mostly a guessing game. I sure hope he's surprised at some of it. :)

[Janet]

I'm done shopping....yeah!!! It's over, I'm done until next year. Didn't get alot, but if they are not going to give me a list to go by, then it's their fault.

Santa got Ricky a bendable ratchett set, 3 pr of jeans, ear muffs, and a camera you put in the woods to see how many deer are around your tree stand....or just to take pics of wildlife as they walk by.

Daddy's Santa got Ricky a Bionic ratchett, mustache and beard trimmer and I'm not sure what else so Ricky should be very happy.

I got Rick a pr. of ear muffs, somekind of Boresnake used to clean guns and a watch. He said he asked for one last year and didn't get one so thought he'd try again.

I know Ricky got me a new case with wireless keyboard for my IPad and Rick got me a recipe easy Crockpot Cookbook. Guess anything else will be found out Christmas morning.

[gja1000]

Your guys got some good stuff there, Janet! I got Gary one of those game cameras too. Well, he really got it for himself, since the one he has broke, so I'm wrapping it up for Christmas since he really isn't getting anything else.

I know Gary got me some Ugg boots I wanted and then I think the rest are little bird figurines - but there are about 12 boxes, so I hope I don't have TWELVE birds, I don't have room for that many!!! LOL!

I'm finished too, I just got the stocking stuffers for my mom this morning. And I also got her a couple of outfits on sale at Penny's. I went ahead and took them to her because I've got her a couple of things to unwrap already. I just got the outfits because she needs some clothes and they were on sale.

[JJJ]

Yay I'm done with my shopping.

I got them each a pair of shoes. And their taste are pretty high so that's a treat for them.

Then I bought them a laptop and a PS 3 or whatever that game is called. The laptop was on sale and suitable for all their homework. The PS 3 was 300 but i received a $100 credit at Walmart. And I go to Walmart every week.

I don't have anyone to buy me a Christmas present so I buy myself one. This year I bought me a 60 in LCD tv :D Original price was 2700 and I got it in clearance for 1300.

Good thing I have good credit :rolleyes:

[Janet]

Wow!! What a deal on the TV, you did good girl! Isn't it nice to be done shopping instead of worrying about right up until Christmas eve?

[gja1000]

Jessica, you did GOOD, girl!!! I don't care about anyone buying me Christmas presents, so I am happy when someone tells me to just buy something for myself. Gary will do that, but then he always buys something for me anyway. :roll eyes: Your kids are going to love their presents!!!

[judy]

Nice gifts evereybody! Betsi and Gayle, please post pix of what is in all yourn little boxes! Linds, what is Scott giving you?

Jessica, I love that you bought the TV, and at a great price! I also do a lot of shopping for myself when I am shopping for everybody else. My ex used to buy me beautiful gifts, but at some point, it really comes down to love is all you need, and I didn't love him.

Janet, it sounds like you and Rick have become good friends. I hope this is true, because that would be really nice for you!

I think I am done. I wrote out a bunch of checks for the staff around here, my hairdresser, and so on. I got lucky with the kids. Mackenzie has not picked out which cell phone she wants yet, but she will get to it. I can do a Walmart run for her phone and smartcard. Jessie went to Albany, and picked out gifts from me to Brandon and Kassidy, within my budget for them. I think she is even going to wrap them! I have a bunch of stocking stuffers for them, but I need a few more, especially for Brandon. They just don't have boy things in the dollar stores! I got the girls beautiful hand knit hats from a friend. She charged so little, I yelled at her! Jessie and Steve are getting gift cards, and that should do it. Jessie is working on a painting for me. I am so excited! She sketches and paints beautifully, and I have been asking her for one. She keeps getting better and better at it too.

I still haven't put my tree out! I thought the kids were coming to sleep over, and we could set everything up together, but they didn't. It should take me all of an hour.

I am finally in the Christmas mood. I enjoy giving gifts to people I care about, I just can't stand the hype, commercials, etc., etc.

Brandon and Kassidy were in the 4th grade school play last week. It was adorable, and Jessie made the costumes. It was about different bugs celebrating Christmas, and at the end, one of the "bugs" wished everybody a Very Merry Christmas. Then he said to have a wonderful holiday if you do not celebrate Christmas. I thought it was perfect! One little sentence, so nobody could fuss about being politically correct, and not a problem at all that this was a
Christmas play!

I have had it with political correctness! Where I live it is all about Christmas, and it is so much more comfortable, like when I was a kid.

[Janet]

Janet, it sounds like you and Rick have become good friends. I hope this is true, because that would be really nice for you! No...not really Judy...we mostly just co-habitate...lol. We get along for the most part, but that's about it.

I love it when the kids have school or church Christmas programs. They are so fun to watch and make it seem more like Christmas.

[Lindsey]

I have no idea what he got me Judy! I have dropped SO many hints about things I want! Mostly, an iPad or a similar tablet, or some jewelry. There was a commercial on the radio about the perfect gift being a gift card at the mall and Scott said "That's almost what I got for you but the people at work said I had to figure out something better" and I was like "Seriously? I have been telling you for months what I want and you were going to get a gift card?" I don't mind gift cards, but from him I want something more, something that takes effort and thought! Anyways, he said I have not told him anything I want. I said iPad and he said I wouldn't use it. I said jewelry and he said he already got me a ring, what more do I want? He said I already have jewelry around that I don't always wear. I said yeah, jewelry from Walmart. I want real jewelry that means something. Oh well. There's a box there. We'll see what it is.

I'm pretty sure he's not going to snoop here anymore... while he was in Vegas I got him a leaf blower/vacuum that he was looking at in Walmart (also handy for light snow!) and I went to Home Depot and after a lot of research from my dad, uncle, and brother, got him a good brand air compressor with a brad nailer. He can use it when we finish our basement, and he will also use the compressor for working on his truck he's restoring.

I am not in the Christmas mood at all. We're having a brown Christmas this year. It's the first time in years. Almost all of our snow is melted and there is no more in the forecast before the weekend. It feels like fall outside, not the winter wonderland it should be!

[JJJ]

Lindsey you cannot drop hints. You have to tell them what you want.

What I learn in life is that man that know exactly what the women wants is a player. The rest are poor individuals that break their heads trying to figure you out. Which is good because it's never good for a man to know you 100% you have to have something to intrigue them with.

I would rather them give me cold cash so I can pay my bills than get something I will want to return. Judy you are so right about the beautiful gifts too. Everyone in my family is so mad at me for dropping a guy with a PhD d from Rice that could afford every little thing I wanted. But gifts are not everything. I wish my kids understood that now :rolleyes: :D

[Lindsey]

Last night I was taking out presents from under the tree for my brother's family and my grandma, because we are going to take them to their houses today. I picked up one I don't remember wrapping and it says "To Lindsey From Santa" in Scott's writing :rolleyes: Scott insisted he had no idea where it came from lol! This morning he said it wasn't there to begin with, but he doesn't remember when he got it. He does know I picked him up from work and he brought it from his office to the car without me noticing lol! It is a pretty big box though, and heavy, so maybe it's something little and he just put it in a different box and weighed it down with something! Haha I have no idea!

Jessica and Judy, I know what you mean! I dated a wealthy guy too, he co-owned a crane company with his dad (he was a crane operator too, lots of $$$ in that!) and he grew up with money. I loved that he could take me nice places and pay for everything, but beyond that there was nothing! Well, except for other girls' clothing under his bed and mysteriously disappearing for days at a time and not calling me back... I wasn't the only one. He had the nerve to admit that sure, there were others, but I was the one he had feelings for, the one he always thought about, and the one he'd always be coming home to. The money wasn't worth staying with that!!! :mad:

I am most looking forward to my parents visiting, because they never really come out to our house anymore. I guess that's what we get for moving out of the city. But this time there is no shopping to do, no reason to spend time in the city, so we can actually just visit and not be running around doing other things.

Oh yeah, I guess we're not 100% done shopping yet either. Scott wants to buy something extra for his dad because he just got a gift card! I'm going to look online today and see if we can just go straight to a store after work and grab whatever it is we decide on!