Family Gift List
Black Friday. Cyber Monday. December begins in just a few more days. Christmas shopping is in full swing. This year I’m mostly shopping for my 9-year old daughter and a few older family members.
Legos
Legos have been the big thing in our house for the last year or so. There are so many different LEGO sets that are super fun to make together as a family or for your child to do alone. I think at this point, we have nearly all the Lego Friends and most of the Lego Elves sets. So when I saw this Lego Women of Nasa set and Lego Space Shuttle, I couldn’t resist. Love when I can encourage strong and powerful women and have fun. I’ll also be purchasing the Lego Friends Ice Skating Rink. You can find these sets on Amazon, though they have been sold out and restocked periodically. Lego Women of Nasa and Lego Creator Space Shuttle
Telescope
My girl is really into astronomy and space so we’re considering adding a telescope to our very short list of astronomy things. We’re planning to visit a planetarium at a local college in a few week so a telescope and astronomy books will hopefully encourage her love of space. Not sure yet what model or brand of telescope to purchase, but we’ve been comparing several from a list at Space.com.
Photo Gifts
One of my favorite gifts to give, and receive, is anything personalized with a family photo. I’ve always created photo calendars from Shutterfly but this year I’ve gone way beyond that. Shutterfly has an amazing assortment of photo gifts for purchase, and the coupon deals lately have been just as awesome. So far, I’ve ordered a Christmas stocking with several photos from the year, 2 photo calendars, all of my Christmas and holiday cards, a metal bookmark, several magnets, a notebook, a set of address labels, and a 16″ x 10″ photo. I’m sure I’ll be ordering a few more prints of school photos as gifts for aunts and uncles. If you haven’t tried Shutterfly yet, I highly recommend them. There’s always several promotions available on their website, and even better ones on their app, to help you save some money.
NY Knicks tickets
My youngest stepson and his dad have started a tradition of visiting New York City and catching a NY Knicks game for Christmas. Sometimes they catch a second game for his birthday in February.
Handmade Soaps
Every year at the New York State Fair, we must visit the Morning Mist handmade soap vendor. Their soap smells terrific, has a creamy lather and lasts quite a long time. My favorite fragrances are Lemongrass, Peppermint and Mint Julep.
Stocking Stuffers
I love Black Friday sales. Not the jam packed big box stores sales, but drug stores instead. I was able to get a large assortment of candy, gum, make-up and other small items perfect for stockings. As always, I love free or nearly free things!
Other gifts
During the summer, I purchased a bushel of peaches and canned a lot of peach pie filling, peach jam and peach syrup. I also saved and dried several pints of mint leaves for tea. I love giving out these homemade gifts to friends and relatives who don’t really need or want anything but I still want to give a gift to. My sister will definitely be the recipient of these homemade goodies.
My other favorite gift is Yankee candles. Awhile back, Yankee Candle was having a terrific sale. I purchased 8 large jar candles quite inexpensively as well as car fresheners of various fragrances. They have been in the gift stockpile since July and will be made into gifts for the holidays. Candle jars and car jars are great for stockings or adding to the top of a gift for a little something special.
I’m sure there will be a few other odds and ends, but that’s the bulk of my Christmas and holiday shopping.
What’s on your shopping list? Do you have any hints for saving money this holiday season? Leave a comment below!
