Ugh! Just got back from Christmas shopping 9:30-1:30! I can't feel my feet and my back is in PAIN. There has got to be a better way! I did some shopping online, but some people want specific things. My mall is 3 floors - too much for even me!

How does everyone do it?

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for the kids i do all on line shopping. for the grandchildren now that they are a little older we have this deal. we do it also for birthdays. we started it when the youngest was about 4. we wait until the holiday is done and they know what everyone got them. then we have a shopping trip. usually to walmart, target, or a toy store. they get specific money always equal amounts. then we shop for about 30 minutes. they can get anything from games to toys to clothing to jewelry. as long as it fits in the budget. since one grandchild's birthday is 12/28 we add in her birthday money and everyone gets a little 'unbirthday money'. they have a blast. they fill in what they missed for christmas or chanukah. in march we will do the same thing for the next grandchild. each other child gets that 'unbirthday money' so they get to shop also. it never takes more than about 30 minutes, the crowds are already gone, and the kids get what they want instead of duplicates or things they hate.

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Fortunately, I have very few people that I have to get gifts for. I always wait until Christmas Eve to do my shopping. The crowds are smaller and the selections are easier (because they are more limited). Besides, I never like to rush into things.

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Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

Gosh Corrine...I know how you feel. I've done online shopping now for years and only went to the mall a couple times in the past couple of years. Everyday a box or two would be waiting for me at the door. Since my Identity Fraud experence I'm now leary about buying anything on line! I absolutely refuse to go shopping on weekends so we will have to start (yes I have not started yet) one night after working an 8 hour day! I am soooo not looking forward to it. Being that the kids are getting older its actually harder to buy for them. Was so much easier when we could just go to Toys r Us and be done! I'm beginning to sound like Scrooge already!

Take a nice hot bath to soothe those bones!!!

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"These are a few of my favorite things"
...Elisa
defecting to St. Thomas/St. John Oct. 10-17, '09, St. Thomas/St. John 2/23-3/3, 2010

I hate going to malls during Holiday time. I now go to local shopping plazas and buy what I need there. We have a gigantic new mall (Coastal Grand) and we've only been into Sears there. We don't have a lot to buy for so it's usually Myrtle Beach golf club polo shirts (just go to the pro shops) and an unusual ornament (year-round open St. Knick-Knacks Shoppe). For our friends in NJ, we're going to get a gift certificate for their favorite restaurant.

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It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere

This is why we go to Aruba for Christmas, and have been for the past few years. The deal is no gift buying! I will say there are no little children, so no one worries there. The holiday now is about spending quality time together. Since Christmas time is a little more expensive, the no gift rule makes up for it. 17 days and counting for me!!!

Very good idea!!!!!!


Too many obligations here for us to pick up and leave!

Charlie... too funny, that's exactly what my husband used to do and seemed to get the best sales!!

My daughter's birthday is 12/12 and my Mom's 12/15, and since we celebrate Xmas and Channukah, it's a bit of a busy time. Marnie's birthday was easy.. she and a girlfriend are going to see Fiddler On The Roof in New York on Wednesday, so that and lunch is my present to her. No matter what I've ever bought my Mom, she returns so now I do money for her, too, and take her out for dinner.

The Xmas/Channukah gifts will be mainly money along with a few other little things. (Yes, Corrine, I was forced to go to my jeweler)

Those days of running to the mall are long over for me. I go one time and that's it. Oh do I love QVC!!

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The countdown's begun!
January 30th to February 27th!

Only a man!

Sherry, I like your idea alot. But this I love:

Sorry all for the grumpy thread. After a nap and dinner and a glass of wine I feel better now!
Part of my problem is so many people to shop for- 9 nieces and nephews, tons of in-laws, my daughter's unending list, my daughter's boyfriend, co-workers, student helpers, etc. The list never ends.

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What??!!

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Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

Like Tracey - I'll be in Aruba this year (on purpose - so I don't have to do any gift buying).

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March 25-April 22, 2010
Aruba since 1985

I hate the mall PERIOD. I shop online primarily and I also make presents too. It's much more fun than sitting in some horrible line.

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Amie
Stylish Crochet Patterns
See me on this t.v. show!
"I'm not an actress. I just play one on t.v."

Corrine - What are you looking forward to receiving this Christmas?

As listed in the dysfunctional thread, holidays for many of us are an excellent excuse to plan a trip to Aruba! Our cruise this year is our Christmas present to each other (and her parents), something I'm working on establishing as a tradition...

Most of any shgopping I do (besides Loren $$$$$) is for young nephews, which is the kind of shopping I like. I enjoy looking at all the trucks and coloring books and the like, imagining what I would have wanted. But the mall? NO WAY. I'm with Sherry and Charlie - online, or last minute.

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Yikes donnie.... I better let this one slide!!! lol

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The countdown's begun!
January 30th to February 27th!

OMG, I realized today I am not done! Forgot Steve's gift certificate and every year I buy Jamie a Boyd's bear, one of those resin ones. She has a nice collection and looks forward to it. I have to go back to the mall................please shoot me now.

donnie, this year I am having my friend the jeweler reset my grandmother's diamond into another pendant, since the chain got all messed up on the one I have now. It is small but sentimental, not only because it was hers but because when we got engaged many moons ago, we had no money at all and my mother gave it to me (it was a ring originally) to use as an engagement ring. I had it for 10 years until he got me a bigger one. I also hope to receive some books (the new EL Doctorow and Frank MCourt) and CDs (love that new Green Day). I think a new pocketbook is in the works, as he came home with a large Macy's bag last night.

How about you all?

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And what does that mean, Miss Elaine?

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Thanks Elaine. I didn't proofread before I posted, but Corrine knew what I was asking!!!
And how about you? Any presents you are looking forward to?

That sounds like a great present Corrine. This year we have already bought new living room furniture and carpeting. The carpet was just installed before Thanksgiving. So I will get Val a DVD player for the bedroom TV, Bath & Body Works again and she needs a good pair of gloves. All sounds boring, but it is what she wants. We were done with Taylor's shopping 2 weeks ago. Toys R Us will not lose money this quarter!! She has more toys than I ever did. And this doesn't include what the aunts, uncles and grandparents are going to get her! She has been a good girl though. My parents buy her a bear every year too.

I know this sounds corny donnie, but there's nothing I really need.. and, I've always hated asking for anything. Marnie usually does a very nice job with what she gets me, and I like the idea of being surprised. My standard line to her is "don't spend a lot of money," but that falls on deaf ears! Besides, what I really want, one can't buy!! lol

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The countdown's begun!
January 30th to February 27th!

donnie - smart to buy toys from Toys R Us early! By December, they start running out of stock! Online ordering has helped with that. Years ago, when Jamie was young, I had to drive all over.

We sometimes do house presents too - I think it is a great idea. Just for your info - I"ve switched to some Victoria Secret body lotions. They are excellent quality!

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To be safe, I think I'll leave that remark alone Elaine!!! I am sure that Marnie will again surprise you with something special(as you deserve it).

We always try to have the shopping 90% done by Thanksgiving. Then it really isn't too bad for us.
I guess I'll have to give Victoria's Secret a shot this year! I am sure that Taylor will get a kick out of shopping this year on daddy and daughter's day.

Daddy and daughter's day? That sounds like a nice idea!

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We do that every year so that Val can wrap the presents. We have a blast in the mall. Taylor gets wired on sugar and we hit every ride in the mall. She also loves to tell me what type of jewelry mommy likes!! And her favorite words are "Charge It"

They don't have Yap Yum boys too?

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Maybe I should start a new business on the island.... "boy joy toys?"

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The countdown's begun!
January 30th to February 27th!

I am at a COMPLETE loss for what to get the three people in my life: mom, step-father, and Lar. Lar only likes expensive things like computer monitors and studio gear and hates when I buy him clothes (which I can afford). My parents never want anything and don't really need anything. I'm at a loss there. I'm making her a handbag that I have on my site in brown and I'm considering making him some work hats too. He has one his mother crocheted him (she passed away a day before Princess Diana) and he still wears it. So I thought I'd make him another one. I'm just clueless there.

UGH...back to shopping online.

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Amie
Stylish Crochet Patterns
See me on this t.v. show!
"I'm not an actress. I just play one on t.v."

amie, my mother in law is retired in a small house and doesn't need anything. I get her a different gift donation to UNICEF, Wildlife Federation, Humane Society etc. each year, plus some good books and some pre-made soups I found at craft fairs or on gooseberrypatch.com. You just add a couple of fresh ingredients and you have homemade soup! Have you tried Brookstone or Brookstone.com? They have some expensive stuff but lots in inexpensive gadgets. Good Luck!

Donnie - what a nice idea! Good for you!

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Satellite radio makes a great gift, and keeps on giving - I got in a few years ago, and rediscovered my love of music. At 40 cents a day it's money well spent! www.sirius.com

A book store is always a good place to browse the aisles, a nice coffee table book also keeps on giving...

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Have you ever tried giving things like....cookie mix in a jar...or brownies in a jar. Even hot chocolate mix. You assemble the dry ingredients, layering them, so they are pretty, in a nice glass jar, with a tag included with baking instructions. I will look for the web site if anyone is interested.

I done this too! Excellent idea, easyway to make delicious cookies! Target has a whole selection, the ingredients already in the jar.

I forgot to mention my MIL is an animal lover, that is why I gave donations to animal organizations. Here is also the Heifer Project that will buy an animal for a village overseas, that they can use for milk, wool, eggs, etc.

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The subject of brownies seems to come up on this board fairly regularly.

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Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

...said the Deadhead...

Loren baked a bunch of goodies for Christmas gifts last year, including cookies and little mini-loaves of fruity bread (SO tasty!). If that didn't take enough out of her, she bought regular/plain tins at the Container Store and then did a fancy job of dressing them up, using glue and ribbons and paper etc etc. In the end they all looked great, but probably were just gobbled up w/o any notice of the fancy tins they came in

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Just making an observation

Another observation...I wanna be on Loren's gift list!

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Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

Charlie!!! I love your new avatar!! Soooooooooo cute!

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The countdown's begun!
January 30th to February 27th!

Thank you, Elaine.

I don't know if anyone noticed but I tried a few out this evening before settling on this one. Hey, change is good!

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Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

Sorry I meant to say "I have done this too"

Charlie what is that teddy bear called again? There used to be car stickers with him.

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I would have noticed Kevin! I love stuff like that!

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If any one noticed??? We're a bunch of "yentas" here!!

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The countdown's begun!
January 30th to February 27th!

Um, okay, you asked. Most deadheads call them 'acid bears.' Of course, there are stories behind that name as well (that pertain to a particular member of the extended Grateful Dead family whose nickname was 'Bear') but, talk about going off topic!

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Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

No, Charlie, I would swear there was another name for them. I think the younger kids had them when Jamie was young, believe it or not, and he had a different name. Oh well.

Who's a yenta???

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Corrine - you're so cute, and so innocent in a nice way...

Let's hear who thinks they're a yenta and why!! I know, I know Charlie, this is

, but who cares!! lol

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The countdown's begun!
January 30th to February 27th!

As you say, oh, well. As with everything else in that little community, lots of room for different interpretations. To quote a lyric, "Got no signs or dividing lines and very few rules to guide."
Nobody I know, for sure!

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Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

lmao! Where do you get these thingies? You got a secret stash from Blenchi?

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Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

I have my own "thingies." I simply copy something I see that I think is cute... but, don't tell anybody, okay?? lol

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The countdown's begun!
January 30th to February 27th!

Okay. Nobody else will ever know.

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Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

I have no idea what one is, but I'm guessing that it involves being female and Jewish. Am I close??

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I know what one is but, like the gag ball that came before, I'm not telling.

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Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

Thank you! I am definitely a yenta!!! I totally forgot what the topic was......

PS - So is Steve, as a few of you know!

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