Can you believe it's coming so fast? Still shopping, too...5 kids down, 3 to go. Sorry, no knowledge of karaoke machines. Happy hunting and Merry Christmas!

Good luck shopping. I got up this morning and said, "IT'S THE 15TH???" DH laughed at me, and said I have lots of time still. We're having a party on the 22nd as well, so that should make my stress levels even higher.

Gotta check out more online merchants. The only way to shop when it's cold and snowing outside,lol

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Mari

A new kitchen!

Just kidding. Although, when the kids were talking about their wish lists I reminded them that we were cutting back this year somewhat b/c of the kitchen and their response was along the lines of why do we need a new kitchen (obviously they haven't looked at the state of our cabinets & floor and the general lack of work space and storage!) Kind of reminds you of what's important...they don't care about how the kitchen looks or works...as long as food comes out of it! Maybe we're too concerned about it...let me think...nope!

Anyway, it won't hurt them to have a "lighter" Christmas since I always over buy...

Nothing on Karaoke systems...sorry! I take it a microphone hooked into your sound system isn't enough?

DD is still in the "Littlest Pet Shop" stage/age and DS is into computers right now...he's never really had much on his list, he's pretty happy with whatever he has!

Have fun shopping and Merry Christmas!

I'm trying to figure out how to do Christmas this year. DS is only 2 so he really isn't counting the days, so it's more for us than him :) I got him (ok actually it's for his daddy and him) a fabulous thing...it's a chair/stool/ladder type thing that he can stand at the counter in the kitchen with daddy and cook on.

My mom (given strict instructions not to go overboard and not to get anything large) purchased a huge pool thing that is filled with plastic balls so he can swim in it or some gad awful thing. My mother is a darling...and she never listens LOL (Anyone want to rent us a basement for our ball pool?)

My girlfriend (auntie to DS) got him a dog six times larger than he is (suffed thank god) so pretty much we have to buy a new house to have Christmas heh heh

I couldn't squeeze it all into a suitcase so I suppose he'll have to settle for a stocking full of Backyardagins (which to him is heaven...and to his parents...a slow burning hell) Who invented those things???? :oP They're evil!

We're hoping for a new Christmas in 2008 Buehl! I'm glad you got yours this year ;) It will be so much fun to enjoy over the holidays!

Igloochic, I was laughing so hard when I read about what your mum got DS. Has he seen one before? I too tend to ask aunts and uncles NOT TO GO OVERBOARD, but they never listen! When DD was just 8 months old her first Christmas, one auntie (also God Mother) got her one of the bride Barbies & Ken plus Barbie's house! I still have the pics of a puzzled baby on Christmas morning, LOL

igloochic: we have the Learning Tower (called the Control Tower chez nous) and every child (and parent) who enters our house loves it! I wouldn't be surprised if we've "sold" thirty of them. Your son and husband are going to have so much fun with it! What a thoughtful gift. I had ours painted to match my sons' Kinderzeat / Tripp Trapp (in between child 1 and child 2 they changed the name -- go figure!).

We also have the ball pit (not sure if it's the same as your mum purchased, but it's brobdingnagian and filled with balls!) and again, every child (and adult) who comes over is mad for it. (in truth, the parents think it's great, but esp. great that it's here, in my home, not in theirs)

We're going down to NOLA for the week of xmas, so "Santa" will only be giving toys which are easy for me to pack ... an Amtrak train set for my 3.5 year-old and the Little Engine That Could set for my 1.5 year-old. He's not into trains, but I couldn't resist. He'll be happier with this book of babies' faces. He has recently entered that stage where he is besotted with babies!

I think I am most pleased with myself my husband's gift: his alma mater's license plate frames. He recently got a new car and it still has the dealer's frames on the dealer's advertisement (where the plates will go whenever they arrive!). He is not an easy fellow to buy for, so I am really excited about this.

For Hanukkah the laddies got gelt and loved it -- they are definitely my children because they adore chocolate! I didn't have it in me to do eight days of presents and then Christmas as well. Thank goodness for gelt.

Why is it that grandparents don't listen when we say "small"? That's (a large) part of the reason why we chose to go away for the holiday -- we (stupidly) thought it would encourage my parents to cool it. Wrong. Our living room is filled with boxes; I feel like a total grinch for begrudging it, though. However, I am the one who will have to find homes for all these new things. Also, and this is really picayune, we (again, I) am getting ready for movers to come to clear out the main floor of our house (for the remodel) so all this "stuff" is in my way. I guess I am pretty mean. Shoot.

Happy happy all!

Ha - Buehl, I have that same conversation in our house! DD has been hearing for months that Christmas would be a bit lean this year, and that she'd most likely be getting a can of paint. When they finished her room in November, she just said, "Well, I guess since they've already painted my room that means I get real presents for Christmas now, huh?".

The little minx ;)

In fact, 9yo seems to be the "bits and pieces year" - I put my foot down on a Wii and said NO from day one (not only money, she just has enough electronic/computer games and without a family/media room I REFUSE to have something like that in the living room!) and she didn't name any other "big" present, so it's all little things: some books, a skate bag, a pair of earrings similar to ones of mine she's always admired, the obligatory copy of Hairspray (complete with extras - anybody who's shopping or 8-12yo girls, that is definitely THE item of the year!), some bits and pieces for her new room etc etc.

For anybody looking for a slightly unusual gift for the under-10s, consider Sandra Boynton's WONDERFUL songbooks (yes, she of the greeting cards): Rhinoceros Tap, Philadelphia Chickens, Dog Train and the most recent release this year, Blue Moo.

RT and PC are more obviously for kids (although the grownups in this house adore them!); Dog Train is kid-friendly, but more of a rock'n'roll kind of piece, and Blue Moo is jukebox hits and seems to be a little more for the grownups. For a fun preview, check out the youtube link below

Here is a link that might be useful: The Making of Blue Moo

My "kids" are 21 and 20, so their toys are considerably more expensive than some of the above. (hee hee)

Karaoke machine - my daughters got one a few years back when they were still in high school. We sprung for the kind that had a built in screen for reading the "G" in CD-G's - i.e. the lyrics - as well as had both a CD-G player AND a tape player in it. The microphones are fairly junky, though. It's a nice machine for parties and just practicing for concerts. I think it's called a Singing Machine. It came from Target, less than $100 about 5 or 6 years ago.

DonnaR/CA

My splurge was the Super Star Theater. It is SO cool!

Also Pooki dolls, and Mayan temple blocks.

Lots of beautiful, hardbound books.

We bought a karaoke machine for DD about 5 years ago, don't remember the brand name, she pulled it off the shelf with the microphone, two years ago, and it didn't work after that. We bought it at toys are us for $100, or $150, it had a little TV screen, for the lyrics, and a camera. You hooked it up to your TV, and you appeared on the TV screen.

I have 2 girls: 2 and 4 years with birthdays in November and December- Do I really need another toy in my house???
They are getting new princess bikes: the 4 yr old with training wheels and the almost 2 yr old a trike with a canopy and a push bar for Mommy so she doesn't kill her back. They will also get clothes- they are like their mom and can never have enough! Little aprons with monograms may be cute to help mom in the kitchen (the new kitchen)

I'm excited about my kid's gifts this year. We'll see if they are. My girls are 10 and 14. We got a Wii (our first ever video game system) and I bought them tickets to see Monty Python's Spamalot at the National Theater in DC. They have the CD of the Broadway cast and know every word by heart. Hopefully the weather will cooperate for our January 2 trip to the show.

Spamalot is uproariously funny. We took our kids on a whim when we were in NYC, and I thought my older two might be amused, and thought our 9 yr old would be bored silly. We all cracked up the whole way through it. It was delightful. They'll love it!

deee it makes me so happy to hear this! As a professional performer myself, I get a real kick out of introducing my own DD to stuff LIVE and applaud you for giving your kids the chance! So many kids NEVER get the opportunity to see live performance (of any kind), and it's something that is so special - once experienced, never forgotton. Actually, one of DD's presents was an early one - I took her to see Hairspray onstage and she loved it.

This is a great thread!

We bought a DDR pad (Dance Dance Revolution) last year for the Play Station. The kids have used that for the entire year! We are getting a Wii for them this year and I am getting the DDR and 2 pads for it. I want the DDR in the family room where I will use it too. ItÂs very addictive and a great work out. I highly recommend the DDR and they make a version for every platform.

My younger cousins have had a karaoke machine for a few years. I don't know hwat kind it is, but I do know that my aunt gets great deals on discs for it on Ebay. Now that the older cousin is in college, she brings her own discs with her to karaoke night at bars etc. Now that's dedication!

BTW, I hope Santa's bringing THIS kid dividers for my vertical storage over the fridge and ovens....

We got a pedestal Singing Machine (with two microphones) last year and have been satisfied with it so far.

My favorite gift this year for 6-year-old Chloe is Eyeclops, a sort of magnifying glass that attaches to your television and magnifies things up to 200 times their original size. I figure we can look at things like the crystalline structure of sugar ... as well as the cruddy gunk under our seemingly-clean fingernails.

We also get her craft kits, like jewelry making, sand art, ceramics painting, etc.

One thing she's asking for is a hand held game system. Does anyone know what the options are, and what might work for a kid this age? I'm not entirely sure I want to get her started on this, but just in case ...

Here is a link that might be useful: Eyeclops at Amazon

joann, if you want an educational one, our kids have the Leap Frog Leapster L-Max. It can hookup to the TV so that certain games can be viewed on the big screen if they/you want. There are other games that only will show on the LMax itself. They have fun and play phonics, spelling, and math games. The only downside is that your dd will likely get about 2 yrs use out of it, then outgrow most of the available games. It supposed to be for kids up to 10, but not many of the games go to that age range.

Santa here had a great time shopping, wanna know how? I had knee surgery the Tuesday after Thanksgiving - realized while I was waiting for the anesthesologist that I had yet to start on Christmas (thank you kitchen remodel diversion) so when I came home from surgery I asked my hubby to set me up with the laptop after my leg was elevated and the ice put in place.....WELL, suffice it to say that shopping while on VICODIN is NOT recommended - by the end of the day, I was done with everyone (extended family too!). Problem was, I had no recollection of what I'd purchased so for the next 3 days, the email confirmations of shipments were a total surprise to me! The biggest bonehead move was the Wii off EBAY - yep, that's right, guess I must have figured that since I couldn't walk and wait in line like the rest of the world, Ebay was my oyster. God help me when the Visa bill arrives!!

LMAO MN It's like having Christmas twice :oP First you're suprised then they are :oP

dee & jeri-
Your families will love the Wii. We've had it for months now, and it sure is fun. Something the entire family can enjoy-- the bowling is great.

My kids are really into electronics, so my oldest son is getting his own xbox 360, middle son is getting Rockband, and my daughter wanted an ipod and some fun 'girl' stuff (littlest pet shop, play kitchen gadgets, and some dog that you can train!?)

I'm still not finished, but I have all week and basically just need to get stocking stuffers and some pj's and slippers..... hope to have a fun, but productive week!

FYI-- with money being a little tight this year, due to remodeling-of course!, I've decided to give all of my nieces/nephews each 2 movie tickets and some 'movie' candy. AAA offers 2 movie tix for $14.I'm afraid to order online this late so, I will be stopping by Costco this week and purchasing 2 for $15, picking up candy bars/red vines in bulk (Sam's Club sells red vines in individual packages)and put them in little stockings-- then I'm done!!! A rather inexpensive way to give a gift that can be used anytime. And if they don't show up to get their gifts-- my kids and I are going to the movies ALOT!!!!! Just thought I'd pass the idea along-- everybody LOVES to go to the movies!

Have a great week everyone!

Thanks for the Karaoke recommendations, but the latest I heard from one of the Elves is that a Guitar Hero III is a must have!lol Glad I held off on the Karaoke.

I enjoyed reading what Santa is bringing the kiddos, but especially loved Hockeymom's shopping experience online, LMAO That's hilarious, and good luck with your Visa bill.

Mari

I am still laughing about hockeymom's experience shopping on vicodin. Well, at least SHE'S finished!

Our kids are older- perfume and clothing for the girls and a great vintage alligator bag for DivaD1. (makes me think of - "in walked the doctor, in walked the nurse, in walked the lady with the alligator purse..."

A set of Riedel (sp?) wine glasses for DH, and a Wii, ostensibly for the kids while they're at home, but of course really for the hubby.

Any suggestions for a 21 YO DS? He wears clothing only to keep from being arrested or freezing to death, doesn't care what he drives or eats and is not a huge fan of video games. He would probably most love a trip somewhere, and after having him home from college and iced in for several days, it's looking better and better, IYKWIM.

Where does DS go to college? Any 6 flags or other fun amusement parks nearby? A water park perhaps? A season pass to one of those is an ideaÂ

Oh Mari! If you need Guitar Hero III--- you'd better get on that ASAP-- it's sold out everywhere, or at least was last week. Best Buy told my husband that the warehouse was completely out and they did not expect anymore before xmas. He found some through Amazon, but they were min. $150 each. I ended up finding the 2 I needed for $99 each. 2 boys= no sharing--- BRATS!

Good luck!!!

pecanpie - is he into music? does he have an ipod of some sort? itunes gift cards? concert tix somewhere? what about one of those virtual experiences (like a day at race car driving school or a day in a fighter jet simulator?). Or, is he into fitness or any particular sports? a day w/ a trainer? Tickets to a favorite team?

Since I'm off the narcotics now, thought I'd try to think clearly for someone else's benefit! ;P

I have two 6yr old boys and they are getting Nintendo DS's. There are MANY games for them for both boys and girls.

They are also getting a fusion scooter (gotta keep 'em moving and active) walkie talkies, remote control battlewheels, hyper dash and activity books.

My boys are 10 1/2 months apart with birthdays in Dec and Jan so Poly929 I feel your pain!

Merry Merry Everyone!

i got my 6 yr old boy a "his size" electric guitar, my 10 yr. old girl a "real" ie not Target skateboard, and my 13 yr.old girl a pair of Uggs. Other than that it's movies like Ratatouille, Hairspray, Spiderman 3, and books, new DVD players to replace the old X-mas present ones that were broken.

One set of grandkids is getting an xbox and games and another set is getting a wii and games.
A couple of months ago we took 2 g-daughters(ages 6&8) for a weekend in the RV. There was a huge playground at the park. A friendly grandpa type was using his metal detector and every single kid in the park began to follow him and ask questions. DH and I stood back to watch our g-daughters. Their Dad is a police officer so they have been warned of stranger danger many times. It only took about 2 minutes for them to become completely involved in what the man was doing. The 8 yr old even asked him if she could help dig if she found a stick. This guy looked like the Pied Piper with all those kids. So DH and I are giving each other metal detectors for Christmas and the girls will get them for their birthdays this year. We look forward to taking them out to look for buried treasure.
luvnola OT - I have 2 girls 10 1/2 months apart. They are in their 30s now. I loved having them so close in age. In high school they ended up in the same psychology class. They had to write papers about their families. That teacher must have enjoyed the different perspectives from siblings.

DH and I are just big kids at heart (no little ones here 'cept the cats!). I got my present already (when you celebrate both holidays, anything you get this time of year can count as a present!)--a bunch of All-Clad pots and pans! DH will get a new (and much-needed) cell phone, and maybe some professionally printed business cards.

Hopefully a set of earplugs for me because 5yr. old DS is getting DRUMS!!!

Actually, Igloochic, we don't have the kitchen yet...we just paid our first 33% the week b/f Thanksgiving...demo starts in mid to late February. But, since we know this is a big investment and we do not want to take out any loans, we're trying to cut back now!

While I was baking cookies this week I was fantasizing what it will be like next year! [A baking center for baking the cookies, a peninsula for decorating them, a separate cleanup area to stack the dishes, and a table to eat off of that won't be doing triple duty...baking, decorating, eating!] When I mentioned this to the kids they just rolled their eyes!

Remember how I said we were going to cut back this year? Well, DH came home with a Wii today!!!! A friend of his had bought one for his son and then found out his MIL (or SIL?) had already bought one for him...so he sold his to DH!!!

Now, DH wants to get a 2nd remote & nunchuck...which we probably will need since DS & DD like to play together (at least they do on the GameCube) This year he won't be able to accuse me of over buying!

Merry Christmas everyone!