ideas for gifts please...need to start shopping now

**alarosalpn** · 09-14-2011, 01:18 PM

I'm due Dec 21st so I have to start shopping now!
7yo son
11 yo neice
16 year old nephew
2 sister in laws
1 brother in law
father in law
mother in law
mom
dad
and myself (this is more for my sons joy-I fill my stocking with hygiene neccesities and small kitchen items...under tree gifts are household things)

**shoiji** · 09-14-2011, 01:48 PM

I would figure out a budget on how much you plan on spending on everyone and sticking to it as much as possible. Just because something is on sale does not mean you have to purchase something else so everyone gets the same dollar amount in their present.

If your son is into sports or a team any type of equipment or sports memorabilia would be nice.

For your 16 year old nephew I would think anything tech oriented would be nice even a gift card for a tech place or music site. You could include a cd holder or earphones with the gift card.

If you are into crafts you can decorate a photo album for the in-laws and parents for all the new family pictures they will be receiving throughout the year. You can give this with some baked goods if they enjoy baked goods.

For in sister and brother in-laws I think gift cards to favorite stores or restaurants with a bottle of wine or bag of great coffee beans if they enjoy coffee.

I would make a list with an idea of what you want to spend and give everyone. Personally I always enjoyed the gift certificate I received each year at christmas time for Macy's. For me it always felt so indulgent. Keep things as simple as possible.

Can remember years when I was able to get the x-mas shopping done right around Thanksgiving. Being able to avoid the mad holiday shopping seemed to make the holidays more enjoyable.

**Momto5RN** · 09-14-2011, 02:30 PM

if you have a cvs near you and any of those people own an ipod or iphone you can buy 50$ or more in itune GC this week atCVS and get 10$ back in extra care bucks.

you can get any denomination also 3- 10s come in a pack together and then they have 15 25 50 at cvs

i got 2 25 for christmas - will use the 10$ back on ECB deals next week

what is your budget ? is it less for relatives then for your own kids
are your kids asking for anything in particular ?

if you have a 5 and below store near you they have neat stuff in all ages ranges and electronics accessories too and our has local sports team items also

my 4th child was born the week before christmas even though i was due the first week of january- i had all my christmas shoping done early

i am almost done now for immediate family because i have been watching year round or saving GC etc i earned i know what style clothes and what interests the kids have i dont usually do the big fad things because they are usually way overpriced and break within a week . my kids know i need to have an idea of what they may want by late october - if the still " believe " i made them make their letter to santa right after halloween because it eliminated all the crazy commercials that come out after halloween to make you want the fad things

**Momto5RN** · 09-14-2011, 02:32 PM

walgreens had a deal thru the 17th online that you can make a personalized item in photo dept and get 5 $ off - there are cute photo books for 6.99 calanders for 9.99 one could make and personalize as gifts

**gottadance** · 10-29-2011, 09:03 PM

I'm due Dec 21st so I have to start shopping now!

7yo son - crafts and activities for winter; painting, etc. ; Pillow pet (these were all the rage last Xmas and my 7 yr old niece loved this)

11 yo niece - beads kits for making necklaces/bracelets (my niece loved this!)

16 year old nephew - HARD - gift card to purchase music from iTunes? shirt for fave sport team;

2 sister in laws - make them each a meal that is frozen so they don't have to cook one night; like lasagna; this is great during the holidays when everyone is busy - or for a cold winter night.

1 brother in law - Something sports related; his fave TV show on DVD; a gift card to his fave restaurant; if he likes to grill anything grill related - sauces, marinades, seasonings;

father in law - Make your MIL/FIL some homemade soup and freeze it give them a couple of jars
mother in law -

mom - pot pies from Harry and David (my mom loved these last year- they were an Oprah recommended item)

dad - History books? My dad loves these.

and myself (this is more for my sons joy-I fill my stocking with hygiene neccesities and small kitchen items...under tree gifts are household things)