always looking for cool gift ideas for adults, though. Like my Mom or my Dad (this will be my first year to buy him a gift since we've been re-united) or my husband.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Here's another related question - anyone know any cool board games? My family's favorite right now is Carcassone. Even my 7 year old loves playing it. I'd like something similar, that a fairly good range of ages can enjoy, and that doesn't get stale or old quickly, or rely on trivia.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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I shop as soon as I get the money. My husband's job provides us with holiday pay and a service bonus in November, I use that money and that money alone for Christmas shopping.
I would much rather get the items, have them stored and ready to put under the tree than be shopping in the middle of December with all the crowds. In December I like to bake cookies and make hot chocolate, and work on our children's program at church.
And if I'm early - I wonder what you think of my sister in law who finished three weeks ago. She started in August.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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My wife starts shopping the day after Christmas for next year. We're sending stuff down now to her brother and family there, and we're taking my parent's and brothers' stuff with us when we go to visit (soon!!!!).
Posts: 5422 | Registered: Dec 2001
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I started in August but am nowhere near done.
For the kids, I actually buy stuff off E-bay, they don't care if it's used, and I'm not supporting Sprawl-Mart.
Oh, just got my Hearthsong catalog, there are some cool things.
I get a lot of the kids gifts through online craft swaps. I love the homemade stuff-Olivia is getting a custom made snow fairy tutu with a leo embroidered with a snow fairy that looks like her. Matthew is getting a custom made Hogwarts robe, and not cheap polyester.
Posts: 1021 | Registered: Sep 2004
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This may be a bit selfpromotiong, but my Mother-In-Laws web biz is Gardens Green.Com. It has everything you need for the outside of your house, from gloves and hats to waterfalls.
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Usually the only person I shop early for is my husband because I like to get really awesome things for him and then pretend like I'm doing it all last minute. I get him convinced every year that he's getting Dollar Store quality gifts.
Posts: 6367 | Registered: Aug 2003
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I'll shop early if I get brilliant ideas. Otherwise, I wait until I can ask people what they want. I find that not too many people create wish lists in October, and those who do change them frequently.
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See, I start mentioning things to my husband that I need as early as October, that way I can forget what I asked for, I'm surprised, and I get things I'll actually use. Posts: 6367 | Registered: Aug 2003
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I am usually done shopping (except for stocking stuff) in August. I am way behind this year, but at least I have the majority done. I order a lot of the stuff online from stores with free shipping and have it sent to my office as it gets closer to Christmas. My dad always does his shopping on Christmas eve - it's his tradition.
Posts: 153 | Registered: Aug 2002
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Cor does most of our shopping. The season begins with the Disney 70% off liquidation sale at her school gym, where we get most of the girls' presents and presents for a few other people as well. She buys almost everything else online. Aside from the Disney sale, it was not looking like there was going to be much of a celebration this year, but, as I alluded to in another thread, we have found a way to restructure some of our debts that will free up money to do nice things like celebrate the holidays. In particular, we will stop getting ripped off by our escrow people for insurance and county taxes.
Oh, sorry. This is a thread about Christmas shopping.
So, um, yeah. The real challenge for me is shopping for Cor, because in the span of two weeks or so we have her birthday, Christmas, and our anniversary.
She (and we) certainly don't need more stuff. I like to get special consumables (like last year I bought a case of her favorite blueberry champagne from New Jersey. I also like to get her experiences, like tickets to a show she would love or something like that. Sadly, she's not into some of the things I would think would be cool experiences, like parasailing or something like that.
Posts: 13680 | Registered: Mar 2002
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I'm proud that I already have ideas (and one snuck-in gift) for Tom this year. I usually try to be done by Thanksgiving, though, since I start to get frustrated otherwise. I really need to get moving!
Carcassone has several expansions that are fun. We really love Apples to Apples, too, and find that even nongamers tend to love it as well. I also like the Settlers of Catan series. Guillotine has been a fun all-ages game, too.
Posts: 1777 | Registered: Jan 2003
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Experiences are great too! We always take which kids who want to go to The Nutcracker, and I am getting Livvie a horseback rising lesson.
Posts: 1021 | Registered: Sep 2004
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We just bought the makings for baby plaques for all the grandmas. We're casting Sophie's hand and putting it on a plaster plaque along with a picture frame and her name on top. I hope they like them! (and I hope they turn out well!)
Now I need to put on my thinking cap again for other gifts, although with all the chocolate threads running around I'm half tempted to get a big chocolate assortment for one of our "grab bag" family gifts. I might eat it all if I buy it now, though. Posts: 1777 | Registered: Jan 2003
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I also like to get her experiences, like tickets to a show she would love or something like that. Sadly, she's not into some of the things I would think would be cool experiences, like parasailing or something like that.
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