Is it too early for Christmas shopping?

[heygrey]

My birthday is in a couple weeks and once that passes I switch to Christmas mode. My goal is always to buy everything for our family before November 1st because I coordinate gifts and food for 5+ families through our food bank and that occupies a good 4-5 weeks leading up to Christmas.

[turkletsmom]

Sept 5, 2024 18:57:51 GMT -5 sterl724 said:

Sept 5, 2024 15:40:32 GMT -5 turkletsmom said:

DD has been saying all year that she wants a telescope. The one we decided to get her dropped from $129 to $49 about 2 weeks ago so we snagged that.
This is about the time I like to start adding ideas to my Amazon lists. DS always wants Mario LEGOs so I saved a bunch of new sets that just came out on amazon so I can keep an eye on the prices.

Telescope suggestions? I have a kid who has gotten really into space, planets and stars lately and just asked about a telescope. I have no idea what to look for!

Here's the one I ordered. www.amazon.com/dp/B081RJ8DW1?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

In case the link doesn't work it's Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners
We weren't sure what was considered good without spending $$$ but this one has good reviews and seems to be a few steps up from a toy at least. My DD is 7 and will think it's really cool you can connect it to a phone to take pics of what you see. It's probably going to mostly get used to look at birds in the yard lol.

[sterl724]

Sept 5, 2024 20:11:23 GMT -5 turkletsmom said:

Sept 5, 2024 18:57:51 GMT -5 sterl724 said:

Telescope suggestions? I have a kid who has gotten really into space, planets and stars lately and just asked about a telescope. I have no idea what to look for!

Here's the one I ordered. www.amazon.com/dp/B081RJ8DW1?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

In case the link doesn't work it's Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners
We weren't sure what was considered good without spending $$$ but this one has good reviews and seems to be a few steps up from a toy at least. My DD is 7 and will think it's really cool you can connect it to a phone to take pics of what you see. It's probably going to mostly get used to look at birds in the yard lol.

My kid is 7 as well and the photo option is awesome!

[fancynewbeesly]

DD1 right now is just wanting yarn and crochet patterns. Literally easy enough. 😂 She crochets amazing stuffed animals-we tell her she should sell them but she doesn’t. (She is 13). Bernant Baby Yarn is her yarn preference so we may just buy her a ton of it. 😂

[isabel]

So far I’ve purchased a kindle and case for DS1 during Prime Day, a mini lite bright for DS2 for his stocking, and hoodies for both of them with a line drawing of our dog on them.

I’m also planning on getting DS1 a gaming headset. No other progress so far though.

[krystee]

The kids want a virtual reality headset (each), and at the prices they are, they won’t get much else. Maybe a book, a pack of Pokemon cards, and a clothing item they need anyway. This will be VERY different from the many smaller items they usually get, but at least our house won’t be overrun with items they barely play with!

[midwestmama]

September makes sense to me to start Christmas shopping, if you find a deal you don't want to pass up on.

countthestars, my 13 yo DD wears her Ugg Tasmans all the time.

I'm planning to get my parents padded stadium seats for when they come watch DS's football and baseball games.

Outside of that, I'd love to do experience gifts, unless there is a physical thing the kids really want or need.

[candreco]

I haven't really started, but am keeping an eye out for experiences or consumables for everyone. I want no more stuff coming into my house.

[sometimesrunner]

I am also in the "we have too much crap" camp and want to massively scale-back Christmas. Both of our parents are divorced, so we inevitably end up with LOTS of people who end up buying for our children. I'm also struggling with the desire to make Christmas "magical" without lots of new presents. I think I just going to do stockings, an experience, and maybe just Santa presents. (which is always 1 gift each)

Also, I started putting a can of redi-whip in my kids stockings and letting them get a mouthful whenever they wanted, and they loved it so much they've started asking for birthday whipped cream, as well. I got the idea from the Cup of Jo blog and it is a hit.

[bex1973]

midwestmama, I just got a heated stadium seat on Amazon for the games my daughter cheers at! I think we're both in MI?

But I don't think it's ever too early honestly. I try not to pick up things that are too "trendy" early and try to pay attention to what my kid mentions multiple times. I like being able to spread the expense out. We also have the added challenge of kids b-day being 12/12 so I really try to spread things out.

I'm trying to lean heavy on experience gifts this year versus more stuff because stuff is becoming overwhelming to me.

[bcv513]

Sept 6, 2024 9:59:03 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

midwestmama, I just got a heated stadium seat on Amazon for the games my daughter cheers at! I think we're both in MI?

But I don't think it's ever too early honestly. I try not to pick up things that are too "trendy" early and try to pay attention to what my kid mentions multiple times. I like being able to spread the expense out. We also have the added challenge of kids b-day being 12/12 so I really try to spread things out.

I'm trying to lean heavy on experience gifts this year versus more stuff because stuff is becoming overwhelming to me.

Could you share a link to the seats? Those bleachers are tough on the butt!

[1yeartogo]

Sept 5, 2024 14:52:30 GMT -5 zarapipe said:

I so want to do an experience/trip gift this year. We have so much crap. I’ll take all the suggestions.

My family got a direct flight plus hotel package for Turks and Caicos pretty cheap one Christmas. It was awesome we told everyone no presents that the trip was our gift. Snorkeling a reef on Christmas was pretty cool!!

[underwaterrhymes]

I’m a planner and start early. @ I’ve already bought two gifts for our kids- a dart board and the Ransom Notes game.

[melmel4854]

I have bought a few things for my mom. I also got a few things for my cousin's son, but his birthday is the end of November so I think the things I already have will be for his birthday gift; not Christmas.

[HRH Queen Dick I]

I'm going to have to lock this down.

[wise_rita]

Sept 6, 2024 9:01:55 GMT -5 sometimesrunner said:

I am also in the "we have too much crap" camp and want to massively scale-back Christmas.

I have a reoccurring reminder each Nov 1 to do a major clean out.

I am blessedly still in the "thrifted gifts work just fine" stage of life (2 & 4) and I will be riding that wave for as long as I possibly can. I keep a gift larder throughout the year that I add to when I know something will work for the foreseeable future (Barbie car, favorite cartoon merch). I love it because my gift expenditure in December is minimal.

I'm obsessed with the "travel instead of gifts" crowd. Life goal!

[zizibet]

Sept 5, 2024 20:04:57 GMT -5 sent said:

Both kids will be getting one Disney Loungefly backpack each. They kept asking for them after our trip to Disney Paris so I said for Christmas. I'm eyeing the one for DS to catch it at the best price. Not sure yet of which one to get DD but she has time to give me some ideas.

The other day DS asked me "Where can you get the bigger stickers with the white border like DD has?" I mentioned a few placed online and he seemed disappointed because he likes shopping for things IRL with me. So I said he'd get some for Christmas and he perked up and ran away happy.

DD's birthday is in the beginning of December. She just said today she would like some stick on nails. I responded "easy enough."

Consider joining one ore more of the facebook groups if there's one of the older movies she likes- people are often selling ones in great condition. Also check Box Lunch (store carrying lots of fandom items), as well as disneystore.com and heruniverse.com as well as Loungefly.
They have their own licensed Loungefly products that are available only there. Apologies if you already knew that.

[sadlebred]

@wise_rita When I was growing up, my mom bought Xmas gifts from "mom and dad" and some from Santa at garage sales until I was in middle school. New gifts were from relatives since they sent money for her to spend on us and maybe Santa. We got a TON of gifts--but most cost my mom $.25-50 even back in the late 70s/early 80s.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Sept 6, 2024 19:58:02 GMT -5 bcv513 said:

Sept 6, 2024 9:59:03 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

midwestmama , I just got a heated stadium seat on Amazon for the games my daughter cheers at! I think we're both in MI?

But I don't think it's ever too early honestly. I try not to pick up things that are too "trendy" early and try to pay attention to what my kid mentions multiple times. I like being able to spread the expense out. We also have the added challenge of kids b-day being 12/12 so I really try to spread things out.

I'm trying to lean heavy on experience gifts this year versus more stuff because stuff is becoming overwhelming to me.

Could you share a link to the seats? Those bleachers are tough on the butt!

I'm not OP, but we just bought these and used for the football game on Friday, and I was happy with my purchase, but they aren't heated:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKWF43HR?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

After looking at all the others around us at previous games, I decided I wanted ones that had some padding and weren't just like camping chair material, didn't need to be 'set up' like snapping or attaching parts, hooked onto the bleachers, but easily, and were as light as possible.  These fit all of those requirements, and at Friday's game I congratulated myself on a well-thought-out purchase as I watched others fumble with their seats in the tight/crowded bleachers, and rejoiced that I never had to have someone's legs rub against my back again.

[isabel]

Sept 6, 2024 9:01:55 GMT -5 sometimesrunner said:

Also, I started putting a can of redi-whip in my kids stockings and letting them get a mouthful whenever they wanted, and they loved it so much they've started asking for birthday whipped cream, as well. I got the idea from the Cup of Jo blog and it is a hit.

I love this! Totally copying this year.

[bex1973]

Sept 6, 2024 19:58:02 GMT -5 bcv513 said:

Sept 6, 2024 9:59:03 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

midwestmama , I just got a heated stadium seat on Amazon for the games my daughter cheers at! I think we're both in MI?

But I don't think it's ever too early honestly. I try not to pick up things that are too "trendy" early and try to pay attention to what my kid mentions multiple times. I like being able to spread the expense out. We also have the added challenge of kids b-day being 12/12 so I really try to spread things out.

I'm trying to lean heavy on experience gifts this year versus more stuff because stuff is becoming overwhelming to me.

Could you share a link to the seats? Those bleachers are tough on the butt!

www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2YCD5PT?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1  You have to order a battery pack separate if you don't have one already - we got: www.amazon.com/dp/B0CF3WGHWN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1  And it can charge other things too.

[bears]

We just booked a cabin in the mountains for Christmas. It'll be the four of us plus the dog, great views, a hot tub, and I'm so pumped!

[konapoppy]

I’m starting (kids have October birthdays, and family asks for ideas too). One of my kids doesn’t want anything 🤷🏻‍♀️

I have an old more grown up doll house (yes there is such a thing!) that my kids have wanted to play with. So I am thinking about bringing that down and cleaning it up and getting a stand for it.

[fernweh]

I guess I have started. I say “guess” because I found an unopened Amazon box in my office with H’s name on it yesterday. I mentioned it to him and his response was “I ordered it for you to give to me for Christmas. It was on a really good sale, I promise to forget about it before then”

[lavenderblue]

It's never too early. My youngest DS is typically very difficult to buy for so I need all the time I can get for him LOL DD tends to like the popular stuff so it gets sold out quickly. I already ordered her Ugg Tasmans because I waited too long to get them for her last year.