Christmas...

Maddie&EthansMom wrote: Thanks to Karen (and Martha Stewart b/c she had the same idea ) I'm going to do the 3 things for Christmas this year. We can't afford to do more than that anyway.

1) Something they can wear
2) Something they want
3) Something they can read

and in their stocking I will put stuff they need. (socks, undies, mittens, hats, etc) That way it seems like they are getting a little more, kwim?

I just need some ideas. Since I'm not getting much, I want it to be grand and special, kwim?

I think I will definetly be getting Ethan a battery operated John Deere tractor...he is in love with those things. I'm stumped on what to get Maddie, though.

coasterqueen replied: Well no thanks to me. My girlfriend gave me the idea last year, she just reminded me of it recently. Maybe she got it from Martha Stewart, who knows.

I'm thinking of doing the same thing but tweaking it a bit. Mainly because we got Kylie a desk and she really doesn't need it and she doesn't really want it, but we think she needs it.

And Megan NEEDS lots of things right now including car seats, etc. But we are going along the same lines at the 4 gift thing.

coasterqueen replied: Oh I have to add those John Deere Tractor things are so cute! My friend's son has one and Kylie and him rode on it all night the other night.

They are expensive but VERY cute! He'll LOVE IT!

Kaitlin'smom replied: humm well then I have 2 of the 3 already for her,

1) clothes and lots of them this is the tiem of year we all stock her wardrobe

2) she wants the Dora Talking Kitchen (its in a big box in the garage )

2) something to read hummm she coudl use some new books I am getting a bit tired fo the same old ones

and for her stocking she will get a combo of need/want, hats mitens (she has 2 set lat year not enough with going to the sitters) so Ihave 2 sets so far, play make-up she really is done I am not sure what all I have for her I have been getting things here and there and putting them away and with her birthday 3 days after its not hard to over buy for christmas and hold a few things back for birthday

but really we are trying to cut back

Boys r us replied: Ethan will LOVE the john deer!! Braedon has one!! He drives that thing all over the place! AS for Maddie, I don't know!!! Sorry I'm no help!

MommyToAshley replied: Great Idea.

We are going to limit the things that we get for Ashley too. I am getting her that play house and just a few other things. We did pick up the Star Sensation Entertainment System for Ashley. It's like karaoke but it also has a camera that puts their image on screen. She loves to sing and dance so we thought this was perfect for her.

Also, have you thought about the V.Smile Pocket for Maddie? It's like a gameboy but has educational games. It can also be connected to the TV. Ashley really likes it. Here a link a review: V.Smile Pocket Review

Maddie&EthansMom replied:
You know, I haven't even looked at the price. I may not be able to afford it this year. So don't hold me to it. He may not be getting one.

Maddie&EthansMom replied:
Those are great ideas, too! Thanks!!

coasterqueen replied:
I only know how expensive they are because my girlfriend told me. They are around $300, maybe a little less. He got his for his birthday so she said he wasn't getting anything big at all for Christmas.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Too late for this year - since most of my shopping is done...

but I thikn I'm going to start doing this too. We have SOOOO much stuff in our hosue - and I got rid of a lot of it.

Sometihng to read will be alittle hard - I don't know if I posted a picture of my hallway - I have 3 bookshelves full of books... lots of kids books...

Something to wear is usually taken care of at end-of-season sales, for the next year...

and the something they want changes every day!!!

They don,t really NEED anything... we usually buy something they NEED when they need it...

Hmmm... I'm starting to think that next Christmas is going to be very cheap!!!!!

Maddie&EthansMom replied: The problem with Maddie is that she wants EVERYTHING. How am I to know what to buy her??

NikkiM replied: It is the "something they wnat' that scares me lol. We are in the process of buying a house atm, closing this week actually... So mine are getting a swing set.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I may stick with the swing set idea I originally had and make that a combined gift. I dont' know. Whaaaa!!! I want Christmas to be special..I put way too much pressure on myself.

six_kids_at_28 replied: Every year my kids write their "letters to santa" and insist on doing it early
So...this year my kids want....
a dvd player dvds, a digital camera

WOW!!!! Do they think I'm made of money???