Christmas is Coming!!!

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #300 on: December 20, 2007, 07:27:14 PM » by Nickole

I may have mentioned this somewhere before, but there is an ebay store called restaurant.com
http://stores.ebay.com/Restaurant-dot-com
and they also have a website that is the same but WITHOUT any www. It's just restaurant.com.
http://restaurant.com/
Anyway, you can find local restaurant gift certificates - usually $25 certificates for only $10 (most of the time minimum purchase of $35 - all the stipulations are written on the certificate so read carefully). We have bought so many from this company for gifts. Great deal! They are great for couple gifts, and last minute, as you print them out right after you pay. They are not chain restaurants, but local ones, so just search your state and scroll and look at them all. That is the easiest way to find ones in your area. Also, we have, in a pinch, bought one really quick and printed it out, for US to go out to eat. Instant gift certificate and it is all legit.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #301 on: December 20, 2007, 08:34:30 PM » by *MommaJo*

Quote from: Nickole on December 20, 2007, 07:27:14 PM

..........http://stores.ebay.com/Restaurant-dot-com
and they also have a website that is the same but WITHOUT any www. It's just restaurant.com.
http://restaurant.com/
Anyway, you can find local restaurant gift certificates - usually $25 certificates for only $10 (most of the time minimum purchase of $35 - all the stipulations are written on the certificate so read carefully). ..........

Great Find! Thanks!

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #302 on: December 20, 2007, 08:36:22 PM » by Nickole

Quote from: *MommaJo* on December 20, 2007, 08:34:30 PM

Quote from: Nickole on December 20, 2007, 07:27:14 PM

Great Find! Thanks!

Sure! Except if you live in northern Ohio apparently you will have no luck finding anything. Wink

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #303 on: December 20, 2007, 08:49:08 PM » by *MommaJo*

Quote from: Nickole on December 20, 2007, 08:36:22 PM

Quote from: *MommaJo* on December 20, 2007, 08:34:30 PM

Quote from: Nickole on December 20, 2007, 07:27:14 PM

Great Find! Thanks!

Sure! Except if you live in northern Ohio apparently you will have no luck finding anything. Wink

I just did a 30 mile search from my zip and only got 6 or 7 resturants. All of them were at the 30 mile distance!

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #304 on: December 20, 2007, 08:54:27 PM » by healthyinOhio

Quote from: *MommaJo* on December 20, 2007, 08:49:08 PM

Quote from: Nickole on December 20, 2007, 08:36:22 PM

Quote from: *MommaJo* on December 20, 2007, 08:34:30 PM

Quote from: Nickole on December 20, 2007, 07:27:14 PM

Great Find! Thanks!

Sure! Except if you live in northern Ohio apparently you will have no luck finding anything. Wink

I just did a 30 mile search from my zip and only got 6 or 7 resturants. All of them were at the 30 mile distance!

Apparently, the only place to eat is North Carolina! Cheesy

I'm coming, Nickole!

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #305 on: December 20, 2007, 09:07:52 PM » by Nickole

Haha, ok so they don't have a ton of places, and not many really close to me either, but it's still worth looking AND like I said, I have bought most as gifts - we have a lot of family that live more in the city so it's easy to find places that are at least kind of near them, to give as a gift. Sorry no one's having any luck! Cheesy

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #306 on: December 20, 2007, 09:37:58 PM » by Melie

Wow! I got 65 restaurants within a 30 mile radius. I'm fairly close to a large city though.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #307 on: December 20, 2007, 09:43:19 PM » by Nickole

Quote from: hhmom on December 20, 2007, 09:37:58 PM

Wow! I got 65 restaurants within a 30 mile radius. I'm fairly close to a large city though.

Thank you thank you thank you! I am vindicated! Cheesy

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #308 on: December 21, 2007, 12:44:20 AM » by Melie

Quote from: Nickole on December 20, 2007, 09:43:19 PM

Quote from: hhmom on December 20, 2007, 09:37:58 PM

Wow! I got 65 restaurants within a 30 mile radius. I'm fairly close to a large city though.

Thank you thank you thank you! I am vindicated! Cheesy

Hey, no problem. You can send me the money later. Grin

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #309 on: December 21, 2007, 06:33:29 AM » by Nickole

Quote from: hhmom on December 21, 2007, 12:44:20 AM

Quote from: Nickole on December 20, 2007, 09:43:19 PM

Quote from: hhmom on December 20, 2007, 09:37:58 PM

Wow! I got 65 restaurants within a 30 mile radius. I'm fairly close to a large city though.

Thank you thank you thank you! I am vindicated! Cheesy

Hey, no problem. You can send me the money later. Grin

How 'bout a gift certificate? *snicker*

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #310 on: December 21, 2007, 10:44:27 AM » by GarlicMomma

Ok, now I know I live in the boonies! Only 2 restaurants came up for me. One is 20 miles away, and another is in a town I have no idea where it is at. Grin

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #311 on: January 16, 2008, 04:45:10 PM » by Kitty

OK, I know that Christmas has passed, but I wanted to put these in here while I was thinking of them so I can read it next Fall. Wink

I'm going to give birdhouses/feeders, I think, and a 2nd idea is to paint those wooden letters to spell out names for children's rooms...or house signs...

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #312 on: January 16, 2008, 05:02:28 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: Yooper on January 16, 2008, 04:45:10 PM

OK, I know that Christmas has passed, but I wanted to put these in here while I was thinking of them so I can read it next Fall. Wink

I'm going to give birdhouses/feeders, I think, and a 2nd idea is to paint those wooden letters to spell out names for children's rooms...or house signs...

What about the homemade bath bombs that they are chatting about now. And maybe some of the hats. Grin

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #313 on: January 16, 2008, 06:25:58 PM » by mauimom

Quote from: ~Nickole~ on December 20, 2007, 07:27:14 PM

I'm a little behind on this, but I just checked Hawaii and there are NO restaurants for me to go to!!! Angry

Do they think we don't eat out or what??

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #314 on: November 08, 2008, 05:55:05 PM » by CrimsonRose

Tis the season to share Christmas gift ideas again!

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #315 on: November 08, 2008, 07:24:13 PM » by its_me518

Quote from: CrimsonRose on November 08, 2008, 05:55:05 PM

Tis the season to share Christmas gift ideas again!

I don't know if this is what anyone is looking for, but we are selling some stuff on ebay that would make awesome Christmas presents for a very cheap price.

Check this like http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php?topic=3039.msg208901;topicseen#new

Reply # 65

It includes a Sony Playstation 2, Cutco Fishing/Fillet Knife, and a Canon Camera.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #316 on: November 12, 2008, 08:25:03 AM » by Mama Sita

OK, Christmas is just around the corner again, and I would like to know how you ladies do C-mas with large families. What I mean is, do you buy gifts for all your children, or let the older ones exchange names, or Huh

Or maybe one gift for the whole family (games, etc)? I'm from a large family myself, and my parents really struggle to get EVERYBODY a gift, including 15+ grandchildren. It's almost bordering on ridiculous.

I guess I'm looking for some ways to simplify Christmas without breaking the bank every year.

Just wondering how you all do it. Thanks.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #317 on: November 12, 2008, 08:55:58 AM » by lovingmomof2

Quote from: Mama Sita on November 12, 2008, 08:25:03 AM

I think I can help. I am the oldest of 10 with the youngest being 4 years old and only 8 months older than my first. That is fun.

I am not sure sure from what perspective you are wanting it, so I will just give you what everybody does.

3 of us are out of the house. We do not exchange gifts between us, simply because none of our budgets can handle it. We do however find thing through out the year on sale and such that we help each other out with.

My parents buy gifts for all of their kids and 4 soon to be 5 grandchildren. My mom is always shopping sales through out the year with Christmas in mind so almost never has limit shopping to do and the kids always get nice gifts for a very small fraction of the regular price. Sometimes my mom will sew gifts examples would be princess dresses, prairie dresses, pajamas, blankets and such. Last year her gift to me was some old family pictures of my great grandmother with her family when she was just a baby and also one of her and one of her husband. These were of course black and white prints in some old frames. I love this gift and get compliments on it all the time. They didn't cost that much to do and are special.

Sometimes brothers and sisters buy gifts for each other, but that just depends on if they have money or not. My parents have in the past given out extra jobs for the kids to make a little extra money for the holidays and they sometimes eather purchase something small or they will go in together for someone and get something bigger. All this just depends on how things are that particular year.

My husband and I have in the past bought gifts for all our brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews, but not this year. We can't afford it. We just simply told them the fact, that this wasn't a good year for us and of course they understood. One thing I have done for gifts for others is bake homemade goodies, make soap, bath salts things like that don't usually cost too much. As far as our children go. Last year my daughter got a baby doll stroller and my son got a train. We don't want to make a habit of a bunch of gifts at Christmas. We don't want to buy a bunch of things that they really don't need. My son plays with his train everyday to this day and my daughter goes back and forth between babies and her dishes. This year we will not be getting them any toys. I am not sure what we are going to do. I am thinking about sewing my daughter a sleeping beauty dress (got fabric on sale cheap after halloween.), but this may wait until her birthday. We tend to celebrate the birthdays a little more than Christmas as it is their "Special Day".

This won't help much for this year, but the best thing that we can do is shop the sales. This does of course assume that you are having good finances through out the year and aren't pinching pennies.

That is all I can think of right now. I hope this helps you some.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #318 on: November 12, 2008, 10:01:26 AM » by CountyCork

I have 6 kids. This is our first year celebrating Christmas since our oldest was a baby. We took a bit of a break Wink

Anyway, we've already started getting organized. Each kiddo will get one nice gift, and then the boys are getting a "group" gift and the girls are too. Then each will get some stuff in their stocking - treats and tiny gifts. We're not having them get anything for each other at this point, but I thought of having them draw names and then making a "coupon" for their person for a day of whatever - chores, play, attention, an outing. Some special time. They all have plenty of toys and gizmos and I'd rather have it be something meaningful from one child to the other.

My parents send money for each kid, and I buy gifts. This is a chance to get something big they need, like a ski helmet, skates, etc.

Almost all our bdays are this time of year - one today, one new years eve, one early Jan, one late Jan, one early Feb (then one spring) so that's a LOT of gifts for little kids. It can get nutso.

Since we are basically starting fresh this year, we have other expenses, but we'll add gradually. I like homemade!

I want the kids to help make gifts for extended folks. So good for them to be part of it. We'll make granola, seasoned salt, trail mix, etc for gift baskets, and I also want to make jars of bath salts for some lady members.

The gift thing can be so out of whack, but we also know that it's a big part of the season. We decided that we don't want to get grumpy about gifts or communicate that to the kiddos. I say sock away your money early, buy gifts along the way, keep a big list! Make treats for their stockings (gingerbread cookies, fruit leather, jerky) to keep a healthy balance.

It is the season for giving, afterall! Grin

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #319 on: November 12, 2008, 10:06:55 AM » by RB

For our children, we give them each one book, ( usually from Vision Forum or Lamplighter) and then we also have one gift box of video's/ games for the whole family to share together. This helps with keeping the cost down for us, and then for birthdays we usually spent a little more. Although, I'm thinking we may need to simplify even more this year, and maybe give the children one gift box to enjoy together. The whole month of December (advent) is a celebration for us, it helps to keep our focus on why we celebrate Christmas.

We give our parents gift bags, with healthy foods, like raw honey, nuts, cheese, organic chocolate bars......etc. This can get costly too! Looking forward to seeing what other people do.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #320 on: November 12, 2008, 10:58:59 AM » by Mama Sita

Quote from: lovingmomof2 on November 12, 2008, 08:55:58 AM

I think I can help. I am the oldest of 10 with the youngest being 4 years old and only 8 months older than my first. That is fun.

I am the oldest of 9, and now when you start adding in siblings, spouses (all married except 2), and grandkids, that's a LOT of people.

A few years ago, the adults (siblings + spouses) started exchanging names, and we put a $ limit on the gifts--somewhere between $15-20. Well, some of us could hardly afford the $15, while others (unmarried, making lots of $$) chose to spend $50 or more on their person. Hmmm, let's just say there was lots of hurt feelings and eventually, we quit the whole thing. Now, I just make homemade gifts for each family unit, mostly which seems to be well-received. Some are still balking at not exchanging names--mostly the ones who exceeded the spending limit.

So....that's been our experience. Good and bad.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #321 on: November 12, 2008, 11:06:45 AM » by hi_itsgwen

We are all into thrifyness on my side of the family, so we have all agreed to do "thrift gifts" for each other. I just stow away things that I find throughout the year in a gift tub. We spend a few dollars a piece on a stocking gift for each person in our extended family, or I make goodies (homemade chocolate covered cherries!!!!) On hubby's side of the family, all the grown kids draw names, and then we all buy for his parents and the kids. This helps keep costs down a lot.

My kids each make a list (with a little help) of the people they want to buy for, and we go to the Dollar Tree or the thrift store with their money. It's funny to see what they choose. My father in law got an asian walking stick (cane) one year, and last year, DD got a fly fishing magazine from DS...he was sure she would love it Cheesy

They love to pick things out for each other, and even wrap the gifts themselves. These are great learning experiences for them on the giving and recieving end. We also usually let each child do an Operation Christmas Child box (Dollar Tree) filled with gifts for a child overseas.

For big families, it would be fun to let the kids each draw a name and do a 'secret santa' stocking. They could make things, go to the $ store, etc. We always love stockings.

Another neat idea I just saw this year is to give gifts to the house...this family had one of the giant novely stockings, and they each gave a 'housewarming' gift. So that's kind of fun too.

Love the book idea. My sis let each child unwrap a special pair of PJ's every year on Christmas Eve, and they'd have pictures done in front of the tree in their jammies, and then have hot cocoa and snacks.

She's a planner. We're usually up wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve till the wee hours Cheesy

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #322 on: November 12, 2008, 12:39:59 PM » by lovingmomof2

Quote from: hi_itsgwen on November 12, 2008, 11:06:45 AM

My sis let each child unwrap a special pair of PJ's every year on Christmas Eve, and they'd have pictures done in front of the tree in their jammies, and then have hot cocoa and snacks.

She's a planner. We're usually up wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve till the wee hours Cheesy

We always do the pj's here. I forgot that one. I will either make them matching pj's or buy them end of season for the next year. You can get Christmas jammies cheap after Christmas.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #323 on: November 12, 2008, 07:16:45 PM » by LisaY

I can relate a lot to lovingmomof2. I'm the oldest of eleven--I have one daughter and another on the way, but so far no other grandkids. My next youngest sister was married this year. We've done a lot of the same things other people are mentioning--my mom's a great planner, and is always watching for Christmas/birthday gifts on sale all year. Each one of us siblings gets something for every other, but we often go in together for expensive items and/or one person will buy a large gift for several to share (an event, dinner out, etc.). (When I was younger, my oldest brother didn't like thinking of gifts, so he would donate money to my ideas and we would put both our names on everything!) Even with combined gifts, our gift pile on Christmas morning never fits under the tree!

Also, instead of each person OPENING all their gifts at the same time, the youngest gets to GIVE all his gifts out at once, and watch everyone open them at the same time. Then it's the next youngest's turn. That way, the emphasis is more on the giver than the receiver, and everyone has something to do.

My youngest brother and sister always brag to everyone about what good deals they got on all our gifts--they know it's a good thing to be thrifty! (Last year, a bulk package of individual chip bags divided between us, for instance...)

We also make a lot of our own gifts, which helps with the cost. Some have become traditional--the two-year-old that year always makes Fruit Loop necklaces and bracelets for everyone, for instance.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #324 on: November 12, 2008, 07:34:46 PM » by burlsgirl

A few years back, once all my siblings were married, we stopped exchanging gifts with each other. We also stopped exchanging with dh's brother & wife. All the siblings buy for each others' kids, though. And we all still buy for Mom & Dad.

Since everyone already has everything they need or want, we started buying steaks for our parents. Every year around Christmas, we start looking for specials, and we always find ribeyes for about $3.99/lb. which is a great price. We buy them lots of steaks that they can freeze and eat throughout the year. They love it!

So we basically buy for our kids, our parents and each other, which is WAY more than it used to be when we were buying for everyone who even THOUGHT about being related! Cheesy

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #325 on: November 12, 2008, 08:48:52 PM » by hedy

The steaks are a great idea! I was just talking to my aunt today and she said they give each of their kids a quarter beef for Christmas out of the cows they raise every year.

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #326 on: November 13, 2008, 02:26:31 PM » by burlsgirl

Quote from: hedy on November 12, 2008, 08:48:52 PM

The steaks are a great idea! I was just talking to my aunt today and she said they give each of their kids a quarter beef for Christmas out of the cows they raise every year.

The first year we gave steaks, we were a little iffy...like, "is this a dumb gift??" Then we thought about how much WE would love getting steaks! Actually, a perfect gift for us would be about 100 lbs. of ground beef!! Cheesy

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #327 on: November 13, 2008, 02:32:41 PM » by *MommaJo*

Quote from: Yooper on January 16, 2008, 04:45:10 PM

OK, I know that Christmas has passed, but I wanted to put these in here while I was thinking of them so I can read it next Fall. Wink

I'm going to give birdhouses/feeders, I think, and a 2nd idea is to paint those wooden letters to spell out names for children's rooms...or house signs...

So, Yooper. Did you read this post yet?! Cheesy

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #328 on: November 13, 2008, 05:53:17 PM » by petrimama

I need gift ideas for my husband's two bosses. In the past we have gotten them Leatherman knives, gift cards, and various other things.
Would it be weird to get them each a filet of beef? Being that we live in a suburb of NYC it is not typical to buy other people meat, but I figure people enjoy a filet mignon dinner no matter where they live, right? Be honest please so I don't make a fool of my husband. ~L

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Re: Christmas is Coming!!!
« Reply #329 on: November 13, 2008, 06:28:10 PM » by boysmama