I have the task of shopping for my Mom for my kids' x-mas gifts.
Its too hard for her to figure out... or she ends up at the mall, cruising around and literally calling me every 5 minutes with what she sees at the store giving me a play by play of EVERYTHING that is on the shelves. And reading labels whilst I am on the other end of the phone... drifting away because it is using up minutes!
Too hard.
Anyone ever shop at "The Grommet?"
They have some cool stuff. Never shopped there though.
Then there are the online deals w/free shipping happening now at major stores.
And the "Ugglys" toy which is selling out all over already!
Boys seem to like this.
Maybe Grandma will get my son that... have to swing it by her first as an idea.
Just a fun toy, nothing brain scientist about it. Just fun. So why not.....
Then the Tween girl ages.
My daughter.
But she's not that hard to shop for.
Anyway, just rambling here wondering what you all have as ideas or already bought.
My kids are 7 and 11.
Boy and girl!
My boys are 6 and 8 and they are asking for GI Joes and WWE Wrestlers this year. My 8 year old is asking for MInecraft stuff and another thing that escapes me right now, but something like Borgot. The 6 year old is also asking for sports stuff.
My daughter is into cooking and jewelry mostly...so that makes it easy. She is 10. She also asked for a pair of moccassins.
We haven't made any decisions, but some ideas on our minds for Kiddo (6):
Razor scooter
Lego Technics set (store downtown)
Cute owl alarm clock (land of nod, it hoots you awake)
Drawing/art supplies, as he is really into making 'comic books'
and I'm going to sew him some cute old-school flannel pjs. I'm sure there are other stocking stuffer things that will surface as we get closer to the holiday. We try not to go nuts. My SIL is getting him a subscription to Highlights, which I love-- cute stories, no advertising, just challenges his reading level.
Places I shop on line for gifts:
Amazon
http://www.alibris.com (for books I can't find on Amazon - our son reads lots of books from the 80's and 90's - you can't find them in stores anymore)
http://www.scientificsonline.com
I turn to Amazon first. They have about everything - and they have customer reviews to go with them. I had not shopped online until ten years ago, when my second granddaughter was born. She was born with a bum heart (she had valve surgery when she was six weeks old), so I spent my Christmas-shopping time driving back and forth to Children's Hospital. That was the year I discovered Amazon. I make sure I can get the free shipping practically all the time. Yay! (Granddaughter is doing very well!)
I find that books and art supplies work for most every age. Not the craft or art *kits* - those don't go over well! But give them paper, pencils, clay, etc. (one girl is getting watercolor supplies), and they go to town.
I do not buy online unless it's a good deal with free shipping. I have already purchased online from Amazon.com this year. My son is 8 and likes hex bugs, any type of small car, and books. My daughter is almost ten and also likes small toys (but also wants Girly stuff and electronics). When I shop from the grandparents I lean towards games and educational toys. There are some hot dots cards at Toys R Us that I have in my basket right now. The set I have earmarked for my daughter allows the child to make their own hot dots games and quizes (hot dots are cards that have multiple choice questions and a corresponding pen that encourages the kids). And for my son fun spelling. My kids love to play school and quiz each other-so I know they'll love it.
I usually shop on Amazon and only buy things with free shipping when you spend a certain amount. My mother gives me money for my dd and I do all the shopping, wrap it and bring it over to her to give to my dd. It's much easier that way (I take a picture of it before I wrap it so she knows what it is.)
My daughter will turn 19 at Christmas.
She has done favorite Victoria's Secret pj's that get for her every year. I stuff her stocking with Clinique that she uses and rolled up $$.
I do shop for a couple if nieces and nephews and I like the catalog Vermont Country Store for products that were popular years ago like fisher price toys, candies ( candy Legos... Build then eat) some cooking items.
I like Bits and Pieces catalog for unique items as well. A long time ago I bought " money bar soap" which is a bar of soap with $$ in the middle anywhere from $1-$20 bill. That is a request yearly and they love it. The catalog also has neat puzzles, etc.
I like to find unique fun items and match with practical items.
Happy shopping
My son wants a Rainbow Loom. I made the mistake of ordering one on Amazon without noticing it was a 3rd party seller in China. I saw when I got the Shipping notice. *sigh* t will almost certainly be a counterfeit. I ordered one off RainbowLoom.com too, to make sure I got a real one. If the Amazon one is also real, then I'll gift one to my niece.
I like shop.lego.com because some sets are hard to find in stores. You can also get a bunch of single-type bricks if you need them. They usually have a free shipping promo.
I also like ThinkGeek.com, for kids and adults too.
http://www.imaginetoys.com/?gclid=CIPt95i177oCFYVZ7AodmGwAhA
http://www.toystogrowon.com/home
http://www.magiccabin.com/toys-and-games.htm
I have ordered from these catalogs and now they are also online..
Of course I loved giving outdoor active toys. Air Pogo, Zipline, Twizzler..
