Need gift ideas

but DD10 is heavily into science and particularly astronomy. So far she's definitely getting a microscope and a book on astronomy. She also loves playing games with the whole family, so there will be plenty of family games coming in again this year, including a chess set. Always plenty of books, especially nature books and one maths book (what a mean mother!). She's also getting a Gap cardigan, long and cream, which we saw some time back but which was really not cheap by my standards and I thought maybe we'd see something similar elsewhere.

DS is getting binoculars and a set of the Magnetix/Geomag things from his grandparents for his birthday. More books as always, and an MP3 player - DD got a CD player for her birthday last year so we thought when he asked for the MP3 player it would make a good grandparent gift. Generally we don't do anything that has batteries except maybe watches! Games don't have batteries and nor do toys.

I'm looking for a proper but cheap version of The Polar Express - we have an old copy but the quality is awful. I also like to get one Christmas book and one Christmas CD each year, but I tend to make those 'advent' gifts so we can enjoy them for the whole season.

I've never had a girly girl so I only know what mine has and what I buy for my cousin's girly girl. This year I bought her a window cling craft set because she's growing out of her fairy/princess stage at last. Stickers are always welcome, and I bought some of those Rainbow Fairy books for this one last year too. I might be getting a load of the Princess Diaries for my DD this year. She enjoyed the first, book and film, but we've struggled to find the second book recently. Not sure my cousin's girl is really ready for that at age 7.

Clothes, vouchers, books... fill in the gaps!

Kerri.

We don't go in for lavish holidays; it leads to bad things, we've found. On St Nicholas Day (the 6th--eek! that's coming!) they get chocolate coins and a fun little giftie in their shoes. On Solstice, Father Winter leaves the entire family a present at the door (we have no idea what this year), and the girls get one present from us; this is our main gift day. On Christmas, Santa brings them each a present for themselves and one to share, plus a stocking full of little things, nuts and candy.

So far, for the presents from us they're getting Chinese pajama sets with matching parasols and fans. Santa is bringing Josie a set of origami books (bought) and a pile of pretty papers (not bought--need to hit Uwajimaya). LouLou is going to get a pile of paper doll, sticker and color books. And to share they're getting a scrapbook to fill up. None of that stuff is bought yet but it shouldn't be hard.

I've got John's present picked out but haven't gotten it yet.

Lynn Siprelle, Editor

Jenny-since you are out in such big open sky, would the girls like a telescope? Just a thought,maybe you already have one.

Heidi

I'm getting my DH an Ipod. The inlaws and I are giving it together. I told my mother maybe some sort of an accessory for it. I know he will like it. Then he can listen to his favorites while plowing those mile-long rows in the tractor. After all, Rush Limbaugh is only on for a couple of hours a day and there is so much time to fill. LOL! As many hours as he spends on the tractor or driving the truck hauling hay, I know he will enjoy it.

So, that's such a big gift, other than socks and underwear, that is all he is getting.

My DD9 is really into science, too, Kerri. The microscope is a fantastic idea! DD7 is my girly girl. They got a boombox last year from my inlaws, so I know CDs is always a good choice. If only I knew what some of the artists names are! LOL! I've been trying to listen to the pop station lately to find out (well, for that and the guys that do the morning show are friends of mine and are currently traveling to Iraq to give presents, notes and cards to our locally based troops over there--the 27th fighter wing from Cannon AFB).

Oh, and the Princess diaries books sounds like a great idea for both of them to share! I'll mention that to my aunt!

Thanks for the ideas! Keep 'em coming!

You all are way ahead of me! I need to get going!

Jenny, my DD8 is really like the music from HighSchool Musical - she just got the CD for her birthday. I bet Shelby and Ch'ree would love it , it is really fun music.
Andrea

The window-cling craft "stuff" was a HUGE hit with DD11.5 last year. I still have one in my kitchen window!

There is also a pretty cool "Kitchen chemistry" set out there...I got ours at Zany Brainy...both of my DDs had those at about age 8-10 and it's neat stuff.

We've also thoroughly used the microscope too. DD11 looked at anything and everything that would fit under the lens!

For general "pop" music there are CD's titled "NOW" and a number....I think the newest one is NOW23. They're a pretty decent compilation of top hits and artists from the pop scene. We've had many over the years starting with NOW6, I think! We have also loved "Kidz Bop" which is kids singing pop hits. DD11.5 still enjoys those.

Andrea, we have High School Musical and the kids LOVE it (dd7 got it for her birthday in June). My aunt said she saw the DVD of it the other day (already? I haven't seen it myself), and if so, they are probably going to get that.

Thanks Lenora! I had been thinking about the NOW cds, too. Yes, they are on 23 now. And I want to find the one (I think it's 21 or 19? Not sure) that has Will Smith's Switch, Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl (would it be the radio version? We have the GS CD and it is a version with a bad word) and I think it has a Black Eyed Peas song. I think those also have a country song on them, but it's always someone I can't stand like Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, or Kenny Chesney (funny how I dislike the most popular country artists. LOL!!). I think I'll go search for those NOW cds and see what they have on them! Great idea!

my DD's absolute faves are albums of The Beach Boys and John Denver, and she really likes Handel too. I think she'd probably pinch my Eagles album if I let it out of my sight (I got a DVD of a recent concert for my birthday from DH - the Farewell concert I didn't get to in Singapore a couple of years back - still makes me cry!). So music's easy here.

I usually read the kids' books slightly before they get to them, but thanks for the heads up on Princess Diaries. DD is very naive for a 10yr old and in many ways I'm happy for it to stay that way. She's not stupid though, just very different from the fashion victims in her school! When she tells people her favourite author is Enid Blyton she gets some very funny looks.

Michael Morpurgo books are HUGELY popular with kids over here - he also runs the charity that enabled DD to spend a week on a farm in September. I helped with the school library last year and the first thing most kids would ask would be about Michael Morpurgo books, from the 8yr olds and up.

DD is also into anything bug-related, so she'd probably go for those things where you can examine bugs with a built-in magnifier. I haven't bought them because we have a magnifying glass and a jam jar works for keeping things in one place! DS8-next-Friday is in the mood for joke books and factual books he can dip in and out of, so my parents have picked up a book called "Why don't penguins freeze" and I found an even better one called "How to avoid a wombat's bum". It should have him in stitches before he even opens it. I also found a set of Usborne books called "The Great XXX Search" (planet, dinosaur, city and... something else). It seems to be a bit of a Where's Wally but where you need to look for a varity of different things. They were flipping through some Where's Wally books a while back, so I'm hoping this will keep them occupied. Books are still the major part of Christmas or birthday giving from me, so I have to remind myself to give something a bit fun too. My parents never let me live down the year I gave DD (who was about 5) nothing but books and clothes, not a single toy! And she does like some babyish things at times, which drives me nuts.

the other thing might be things for the girls' room/s. DD will take anything with football or animals on it, so doing up her room isn't quite like making most girls' rooms nice! My mother chucked a mirror our way recently and DD has agreed to let me put it up. Fancy clocks are good too, and fun wall hooks. Places like... Pottery Barn Kids. I love looking at their website, but we don't have it here so it's strictly for inspiration. Mine also enjoy kits where they can make things to give to other people, like maybe paperweights or other giftie things - serious recycling!

I thought I was doing okay, but it's DS' birthday a week today and I am missing all sorts of things, including a card. DH can get that, since his work involves him being in a shop most of the day and I can't get out without the kids very easily between now and then.

Kerri.

Oh, I forgot I already got the girls a lamp! Each. They are still sitting in the back of my pickup, hiding. LOL! Actually, the problem is that they have a bunk beds. Whoever sleeps on the bottom has a lamp on the nightstand, but the top kinda gets left out in the dark (hehehe, like the pun?). So, I got them both a lamp that clips onto the headboard so they can read.

When you say football, Kerri, I'm assuming that's US soccer? I saw the cutest soccer thing the other day at Hobby Lobby! It was like a soccer ball shaped bulletin board, but without the push pins. Instead it had ribbons across it and you stick the momentos under the ribbons. Very cute. Both the girls played this year.

I try to force the girls to listen to my music. LOL! I love the country and classic rock stations. But now that Shelby has moved up to the front seat, she takes over the stereo. At least there is only one pop station we can get in and they edit it pretty good, no gangsta rap or stuff like that. They are both in the cheerleading/athlete crowd (HA, if you can call 23 kids in the 4th grade a crowd!), and they love to make up new dances and routines to more modern stuff.

As for Pottery Barn Kids, I get LOTS of inspiration from that catalog! I just eat it up! But I can't afford a thing in there. LOL! I've tried to make a few things I found though (not too much luck, need more practice).

There is the possibility that we will get the girls a bigger 4-wheeler ATV. They got one for their birthday this last year, but DD9 grew a few inches over the summer and is already too big for it. In fact, DS4 has taken it over and rides the heck out of it now and DD9 has to use mine. So, we may get a bigger one for the girls. If we go that route, they of course won't be getting anything else from us (except the already purchased lamps, which I got at Walmart for $7 each). And for the record, these aren't real expensive ATVs. They aren't a Honda (like mine) or a Polaris like FILs. I don't even know the name of them. They are under $1000, not $5000+. LOL! And hey, it's a tax writeoff! teehee. I'd love to get them a little horse, but DH still won't let me teach them to ride (something about an animal having a mind of it's own and the ATVs do not. LOL!).

This year I'm actually having an easier time with my girl age 8 almost 9. She seems to be working away from crappy little toys that just get broken or pieces lost. she is moving towards being a girly girl. I have a new skirt and blouse for her (though I must say it is getting harder to find clothes that are not meant for the "Pre-teen slut"), her very own hair dryer, some real make-up (she is not allowed out of the house wearing make-up, but she and her girly friends like to play dress up at the house), some real spa items like a manicure set, and the often scoffed at socks and underwear that every child in our family for generations receive from Santa Claus.

This year is tight though. Hubby is unemployed right now (anyone know a good executive level IT head hunter?) and I have been a mostly stay at home mom. We will manage, but Christmas will not be what it's been in years past, that's for sure.

Merry Christmas
Mary
http://www.fortheloveofbaking.com

I like that Password Journal idea Jenny - I think my DD8 would like that. She has asked for American Girl items, sports stuff???, movies, and books. DS9 is harder - he mostly likes PS2 games, sports, but has also asked for an air hockey table! Not sure where I would put it though. He is hard b/c his birthday is the 21st!

Good Afternoon!

TADA
morning routine
kids off to school
gas in van
mailed letter
Mom's to do some decluttering
Best Buy for PC games
bookstore for books
consignor's
Kmart for toy and robe
unloaded it all
sorted mail
late lunch
made egg salad with DD

PODA
couple calls
dinner
start wrapping
read with DD
homework

Jenny-if DH puts all his stuff out in his new barn you'll have room for that big truck you wanted awhile ago,right??!!

Andrea-your DD is a tomboyish girly girl? Mine is that same way and she isn't quite 6 yrs old. We don't have a PS or Xbox,we use the computer for games. DS almost 12 is into Sims and architecture type games and a few racing ones. DD does Jumpstart and Arthur type.

Better get the pork chops in the oven.....

Heidi

Sorry I posted on the wrong thread guys!!

Heidi

We don't care where you post Heidi! As long as you are posting!

DD used to be a VERY girlie girl - dance for 3 years, pink and purple clothes, the whole bit. Loved Barbies and Polly Pockets. Her dance picture from last June was the icing on the cake - Swan Lake they did and she is in a raspberry colored dance costume - the long puffy skirt with a tight sparkly top - it's beautiful!! Curly blond hair. Now she wears jeans and t-shirts every day! Says she loves sports - though she only plays soccer. No interest in dance or Barbies. Still likes American Girl though. Hard to figure out, but I know I can't fight it. I miss the girl stuff though! It has been enough to make me consider a 3rd child, but that is really not a good option for me.

Anyway, back to gifts - I made a visit to amazon today through this site and got some books and PS2 games and movies - yay! I'm getting something done. Thank God for the internet!
Andrea

I have to dress DD10 out of the boys' sections most of the time. Doesn't like anything pink, dresses, skirts, frills, funny-shaped sleeves, ruffle, lacy bits, anything remotely girly... So the next time you look at the girls clothing, you try mentally subtracting all of that and see if there's anything left... then call me and I'll come get it!

unfortunately I think it's genetic state so I'm paralysed to fight it... particularly since it comes through me from my mother!! Could be worse I guess... at least she hates the slutty clothes too.

Kerri.

Good point Kerri!

Our DDs sound very much alike.

I hated to wear dresses once I hit the 3rd or 4th grade. I'm still not too terribly fond of them, and if you were to drop in on me, you will find me in jeans, teeshirts and boots almost any time. I kinda dress my girls that way, too. DD7 is a little more girly. She likes dresses and her favorite color is pink. But for the most part, they wear jeans and t-shirts, too. Dresses are for church only, pretty much. School clothes and playclothes are the same. I do get their work jeans out of the boys section. Cheaper that way to buy them boys Wranglers at $14.99 each, rather than the $30-$40 for whatever they have in the girls section. LOL! I found a great deal on girls cargo pants at Old Navy over the summer and got 3 pairs of different colored ones for each of them at $3.99 each!

but even jeans and simple tops is no longer simple, not here anyway. Places like Landsend would be nice but our local version is SO expensive, as is Gap.

And I can't even get my daughter into something a bit nicer for Christmas. She's live in her England football shirt if I let her, or dirty, ripped jeans given half a chance. Even when she puts on a nice piece of clothing that I think she can't possibly object to she still manages to make it look like a rag. Even one piece of clothing among her Christmas gifts (other than underwear!) is something of a triumph over adversity. I certainly wouldn't mind a single pair of cargo pants in three different colours or more. I have to censor her when we go to her grandparents to make sure she isn't wearing the same dratted top she wears every week, and ensure she's at least wearing clean clothes that aren't ready for the rubbish bin!

Small wonder I stick to books and board games!

Kerri.