Has anyone started buying/planning? If so, what do you plan to give your kids and DH/SO this year?
I keep hearing there may be supply chain and shipping issues, and like every year I’d like to plan ahead and not rush…though things always end up last minute anyway…
I would be a miracle if I could pin anything down for this bunch. Dh makes me want to throttle him every year. I like to he done by December and enjoy the season and he never tells me anything until a couple of weeks before. Ds is in the Army, so no clue. He doesn't even need money at this point. Dd wants gift cards to Chic Fil A and Dairy Queen because she will have her license. Hopeless.
Post by sandandsea on Sept 21, 2021 9:03:10 GMT -5
Both my boys need pants so there will be pants.
Not sure on their “big” fun gifts yet. Little guy wants more paw patrol stuff but has a ton already and is likely to soon outgrow it so we will see. Big guy wants Robux which drives me crazy.
ETA. New item added to big guys list. Pokémon cards. There’s a group that meets afterschool to trade and he’s been visiting and got his first real pack and has had a lot of fun with them. At least it makes him read and do math!?
I've heard the same thing re: supply issues. DH ordered new iPads for DDs last night, and they will be delivered toward the end of October. Their current ipads were refurbished when we bought them several years ago, and both have broken screens. It cost more to replace the screens than we paid, and there's not enough memory. So other than a few very small gifts, they're pretty much done.
For DH, I've been thinking about a Nespresso machine. He hates his Keurig - he said the coffee tastes like burnt crap. I don't drink coffee, so this really would be just for him. Also thinking about a soda stream since he drinks 5-6 cans of seltzer a day.
My parents are just about to start a small kitchen reno, so I might just get my mom a GC to Williams Sonoma for something for her new kitchen.
mae0111- I love our Nespresso machine. But I also love our Keurig, so there’s that.
I too have a son who just wants Robux. And honestly I’m good with that. It’s what he plays with now, so that’s fine. My kids’ iPads are old and slow and getting glitchy so we may upgrade them. We may also redo our play room to make it more a video game and hang out room. So maybe an inexpensive TV and some sort of video game console. They won’t get all those big things. So we will choose between the video game room or new iPads.
Post by supertrooper1 on Sept 21, 2021 10:21:21 GMT -5
Yes to supply issues. One of my clients is a major toy importer and they already came to me asking for alternate import options since their main place to import is LA/Long Beach. It's a ripple effect in the supply chain because ports in China are backed up, ships file an ETA into the U.S. ports but they're backed up so it causes electronic data issues once the goods are taken off the ship at the terminals.
Beau needs a new Camelbak but I have no idea what else. DS is really into Ryan's World. I hate the Ryan's World toys because they're expensive junk. But I might by him Ryan's World bedding. I'll probably get him a few more Switch games. I have no idea for a big gift.
Post by twinmomma on Sept 21, 2021 10:34:15 GMT -5
I have no idea. I usually try to wrap up all shopping by December so I don't have to fight the crowds but I haven't started shopping yet.
I was really excited to get the kids the Mario Kart game with the real cars you drive around when it was on sale last week. Until I realized it requires 3 of the game and 3 switches to be able to play it. So that's off the table.
We really need zero toys added to our home at this point so I don't even know where to start.
DH no clue. His b-day is in October so I need to worry about that first. He has bought himself a generator, lathe, and a couple other tools over the last 6 months so who knows.
DD I've started adding things to my wish list on Amazon but those items are more for other people than for me to buy. If we are still doing gymnastics there is talk about new team leotards that will cost 200+ so that might be her big gift.
I have no idea, and I usually don't start shopping until after Halloween and finish up the first week in Dec.
I do like the idea of maybe refreshing the playroom. We probably need to get rid of the trampoline. It is a bigger one for bigger kids, but the handle is totally broken. They did use it during elearning though. And we probably need a futon type idea in the playroom to watch TV and maybe for guests, but it would need wooden arms so that cat doesn't scratch it.
And then DS2 keeps saying he wants a red Jeep. DH is always worried about storage space in our garage, which is a valid concern, so I'm not sure if he'll go for it. But I'm considering this :
Though if we did just one big gift for each of them rather than more smaller items, maybe that would actually cut down on house clutter. We don't have a big yard, but since we live 12 houses for the elementary school and we play there almost everyday, the kids ride their toys there.
We gave DD a new iPad for her birthday, so I'm not sure what her big gift would be. But maybe she'd be fine with more smaller gifts. So far, I added her a wearable towel from an Instagram ad ("the towel back") because she always complains about wet hair on her back.
The last time I was at Target, they had a bunch of like stuffed animal rocking horses on sale, so I bought on for the baby. It's hard to buy for him since he has 3 older siblings, including 2 big brothers, but he also doesn't really care how much stuff he gets at this age.
DD has mentioned a hover board. Does anyone have one?
Post by twinmomma on Sept 21, 2021 14:01:42 GMT -5
sdlaura, The girls have a hoverboard that they share and love it. They have a very basic one that cost like $80 at Walmart because they saved up for it on their own. They've been talking about saving up for a second one so they can ride together. Beau's son has a ridiculous over the top one at his mom's house and honestly, it's not any different than the cheap one as far as enjoyment goes. It's way bigger too, so I almost think the cheaper one is better and easier for them to control.
twinmomma, DD stopped playing with toys in 3rd grade so she is extremely hard to shop for. She doesn't play video games, we have a couple family tablets, and I'm not ready for her to have a phone yet. I wish she had a huge wish list. She has a lego set, fancy art markers, and a diamond dot kit on her list.
186momx, That's where we're at. They're in 4th grade and already have a Switch and tablets. I'm sure when they start lists they'll have ridiculous things on there. They've talked about wanting a fancy computer set up to code and do YouTube videos on. Not happening. Maybe I'll just pull the two chromebooks I bought out of storage (they've never used them because we went remote and school issued some) and wrap those up. LOL
I haven’t really thought about gifts for DS (4). He keeps talking about some large Paw Patrol toys he saw at a thrift shop awhile back. I don’t really want to spend $$$ on large junk toys but if I find them used on FB Marketplace or something I might be tempted to get them. Our living room is already cluttered with large Hot Wheels tracks.
Last night I came up with a great idea for the girls! I was at Target and Polaroid cameras were marked down on clearance really significantly. I ended up buying two so that I didn't miss out on the deal, but after researching the actual camera last night, I think it's going to be too advanced for them and the film is outrageously expensive. So I'll be returning those.
BUT it did lead me down the path of camera research and the Fujifilm Instax Mini is going to be perfect for them! It comes in crazy colors, film is much less expensive, it's designed for taking selfies which they love to do with friends, and family members can buy them all kind of cheesy accessories like fun cases, more film, and bulletin boards and stuff to go along with it. Bam. Done. "Big" gift that actually isn't super expensive. They run about $70 each if they're not on sale.
twinmomma, I got those for my girls a few years ago and they were a huge hit! Really love them. Great idea!
The other big hit last year was a make up kit. Ulta had these $20 caboodle type kits with everything in them. They know the rules - no make up at school (it's actually a school rule, which makes my life easier), but they have a ton of fun just playing around and giving each other makeovers.
twinmomma, I'm totally taking your idea and running with it. I love taking pictures and the girls are starting to take an interest, wanting my phone to take pictures so they will love their own camera!
Another random gift idea: A Comfy. It's like a cross between a sweatshirt and a robe. I have one and love it. They come in kid sizes too and they always try to steal mine.
Last night I came up with a great idea for the girls! I was at Target and Polaroid cameras were marked down on clearance really significantly. I ended up buying two so that I didn't miss out on the deal, but after researching the actual camera last night, I think it's going to be too advanced for them and the film is outrageously expensive. So I'll be returning those.
BUT it did lead me down the path of camera research and the Fujifilm Instax Mini is going to be perfect for them! It comes in crazy colors, film is much less expensive, it's designed for taking selfies which they love to do with friends, and family members can buy them all kind of cheesy accessories like fun cases, more film, and bulletin boards and stuff to go along with it. Bam. Done. "Big" gift that actually isn't super expensive. They run about $70 each if they're not on sale.
DD1 got an Instax Mini for her birthday- she loves it!
I keep going back to this thread as I find things...
Kiehls is having a flash sale today, and a lot of their gift sets are super cheap. I just ordered a cleanser and moisturizer set for $12 (usually $20). I'm always looking for stocking stuffers that aren't candy, so I'm planning on this type of thing - masks from Sephora, etc. My girls (12 and 8) love them.
I just ordered Instamax cameras for the kids and encouraged MIL to get film for them. A package with the camera, case, 60 pack of film, photo book, and all sorts of little holders and accessories was $139.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
DD2 wants a Swiss Army knife and a chocolate fountain. Not sure what to do about all that.
I love this! Mainly because I have had to buy equally random stuff for my kids in years past. One year DD2 wanted x-rays. Did you know you can buy them on Amazon? LOL
I got my sister some funny tea towels, my other sister is getting a People of Walmart adult coloring book, I got DH a "how to appear smart in meetings" daily calendar, all the ladies on my street are getting a custom shirt with an inside joke on it, and a neighbor is getting some green dill dough (long story..).
Santa is getting me a coffee mug for work that says Some people just need a high five.. in the face.. with a chair. (Years ago I debated about whether it was appropriate to use a mug that says "oh for [picture of a fox] sake.. clearly I've reached a new point in life of not caring.)
I still need something for my four nephews, who are all grown adults and we technically shouldn't be buying them gifts (my family is weird), but not buying them something seems weird. (My family has a "once you hit 18, only your parents buy you gifts" rule. I don't know why, but they do.)