Speaking of Christmas shopping.... Any ideas?

[Regina]

We are like you, Michelle. We don't spend a bunch, simply because it's not there to spend! ha ha

For awhile, we use to go in on a gift for my parents with my siblings. Then, one year on f.o. salary, they asked us to go in on a gift without telling us how much. Well, then it got to how much....I can't recall exactly, but it was about 250. my 3 siblings bought 1000 worth of stuff for my parents. after that, we said no more going in for us, and don't ask. We could barely afford our rent at the time. From then on, we decided to look at Christmas a little differently. So, yes, our kids get presents, my parents get a little something (books, movies, pizza pans, newspaper subscription, baggie of goodies, etc), Hubby's mom gets a Mass said for her, but we try not to do too many presents. Oh, we bake cookies for the chief pilots.

[Kristie]

I don't do pumkins.....they bring javalina's to my door looking for dessert

[Regina]

What's a javalina?

[czechmate]

One year, I gave J a talking travel alarm clock.
Sounds boring, except the alarm is either a standard alarm or a recorded message from home.
The kids and I recorded Wake Up Daddy, we miss you and we love you.

He thought that was the best gift ever!


Jen

[spotty4]

Originally Posted by czechmate

One year, I gave J a talking travel alarm clock.
Sounds boring, except the alarm is either a standard alarm or a recorded message from home.
The kids and I recorded Wake Up Daddy, we miss you and we love you.

He thought that was the best gift ever!

WOW! That's awesome. I bet he loved it. When on the road, its a daily reminder as to why he does the work he does. Great idea!

[christykay]

Originally Posted by Regina

What's a javalina?

A wild pig/hog

[UKcats06]

Originally Posted by christykay

A wild pig/hog

Just running around Scotsdale?!

[kly_2007]

You guys are already thinking about Christmas???!!! My goodness!! It is that time of year I guess. I have no idea what I am getting anyone. I have one good idea for my hubby. He has always wanted a remote control airplane. I want to get him a really nice one though but have no clue where to even start looking. His friend got one and he is all about it. Typical pilot!!! He always puts so much effort and research into his gifts and I have no idea what kind to get him. Any ideas?? Sorry I wasn't more helpful on this one.........

[ccbegay]

good grief...i'm still trying to figure out what holiday comes next??? hahaha...so apparently, it's pumpkin time??? hahaha...oh and christmas...i shop for my brother and sister which are pretty easy...clothes and video games...but this year and well last year, BF and I spent our first christmas together...i was just in between jobs and so didn't have much $$$ hanging around...but I think I might go for a grill set, we just bought a new grill this summer but no matching utensils and such, and he's been wanting to try buffalo meat like steaks/burgers/jerky, and so I might surprise him with that...other than than, i just might pay for someone to finish the tiling in the house, so its' one less thing on his 'list'...

shoot i need ideas too...we live together, no kids, one dog, and its just us two...last year, we went to FL for christmas, and this year, i have a feeling we'll be staying here...

[Regina]

Here's an idea for younger kids: About a week after Halloween, Target marks their costumes down to 90 percent off. I buy costumes for my kids as gifts for s[ecial occasions for about 2.00. They love to play dress-up throughout the year. The boys did inform me that I need to get some more boy dress-up clothes this year. My kids have over 20 cousins within walking distance from my house, and the little ones love to come over and play dress-up too. Last year, I took my little ones and the smaller cousins to a halloween thing at the library, and all the kids were just able to borrow costumes out of our dress-up bins.

For older girls: what about a kit of nail polish, nail polish remover, nail files, etc.? If you have a publix by you, they have a coupon for 2.00 off any covergirl product. Which makes nail polish less than $0.50. Put it in a cute little make-up bag, and it is a cute teenager gift. My sister did this for me one year when I was about 13, and I still remember it as one of my favorite gifts.

For s.o.'s: What about coupons made by you for massages, romantic dinners, etc.? When my husband and I were dating, he gave me 12 coupons for dates to go on: one was dinner cooked by him, skiing, putt-putt, movies, picnic, golf, etc. When we were first married with no money, we made coupons for each other for things like "being right for the day", massage for 30 minutes, etc. Even now, when we do have more money than 8 years ago, I would still say that if my hubby gave me some coupons for something like "peace and quiet for an afternoon", "taking a bath without the kids disturbing me", "romantic dinner after the kids go to bed", etc. I would still love to have something like that.