[LiteraryLark]

I have Christmas fever because I never know where I'll be working or my financial situation at any given time (I went three months unemployed then was asked to resign at the Hampton and now I have two job offers I am deciding on) and it is getting closer and closer to Christmas...THREE MORE MONTHS! I tend to stress out by the thought of not having anything for my parents to give them, because they mean so much to me and even though I know they'll understand, I want to show my appreciation for them and be able to be apart of the Christmas magic of picking out and handing them their presents from me.

So, two things I am looking for:

1. Every year my parents and I exchange "The Big Gift". The "Big Gift" is the present that would bring the most joy for the receiver and it is the most special presents out of all of them. I am really doubtful that my blanket would be finished on time, so I need a backup Big Gift. I can either give my parents a Big Gift for the both of them, or I can give a personal Big Gift to each of them.

2. I am really looking for handmade gifts or really fun gifts. There was an article a member shared where the idea was to get different sized small boxes and put fun goodies in there. I really like that idea.

If you have any ideas on a Big Gift or fun/handmade gifts, I'd really appreciate it.

[LiteraryLark]

Soooo I went Christmas shopping with two ideas in mind.

One is for the stackable boxes and the other was inspired by what my Mamma does for me for Christmas--she would get a tin and fill it with silly goodies like little toys, glitter, and chocolate coins. So what I am going to do is get the toilet paper rolls I've been saving for projects and fill them with goodies and tape them up and wrap it nice. So it would be a variation on stocking stuffers.

I found it surprisingly difficult to find little things to stick in a toilet paper roll that my parents would actually like. I found those weird bouncy balls that have frills on them, I have a toy camaro like my Dad's that I had painted for a project that I never finished, and I have emergency glows sticks...some i might just fill with candy...If you have more ideas of little gifts I can stick inside a toilet paper roll, send them my way.

I was exhausted by the end of it, looped the store ten times, but at least I got some gifts going, and none of it was expensive...everything I got was under $10.

We have had a string of Mikey and Minnie lights hanging all year for the grandkids. They are nuts for Mickey!!

[bounceback]

lip glosses or chapstick, jewelry, hershey kisses, tea candles, tea bags, etc.

[LiteraryLark]

I think the most important thing for ME is to emphasize on making this Christmas FUN. I have such bad anxiety that I hardly enjoy Christmas when it's here because I'm just so nervous. This year, I'm going to have FUN picking out presents, I'm going to have FUN wrapping the presents, and I'm going to have FUN opening and giving presents. I'm going to look for ways to make the experience as FUN as possible.

[~Christina]

Play Dough! Everyone loves that stuff !!

Bubbles, again .....who doesn't like to blow bubbles??

And of course a Slinky and a crazy 8 ball .

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Play Dough! Everyone loves that stuff !!

Bubbles, again .....who doesn't like to blow bubbles??

And of course a Slinky and a crazy 8 ball .

Ooooohhhh I could probably get a jynxed crazy 8 ball that says really weird stuff.

EDIT: FOUND ONE

http://www.retroplanet.com/PROD/3292...UgoaArlT8P8HAQ

[LiteraryLark]

I actually think my mom might like that one...I can picture her bringing it to work...good idea!

[LiteraryLark]

There was sooooooo much to look at in the website I found, but nothing for my Dad. My dad is tough to shop for.

EDIT:

I found this one for Dad...cuz he likes Sci-Fi and he grew up in the 70s. And it was only $3.99

http://www.retroplanet.com/PROD/58461.html

EDIT EDIT: The best deal I can get on those toys would be on the website I found...$12 for the toys plus $12 shipping. That's the best deal on the web but I don't want to pay $24 for a magic 8 ball and a retro toy...Suggestions? Advice?

EDIT EDIT EDIT: I googled toy shops in my area. I'm sure there will be some retro gems somewhere, and no shipping fees or having to wait for it to arrive!

it's funny you should start this thread!.

earlier on this week i was asked, "so what food do you like eating at christmas time?"

(huh, random question in september?)

[LiteraryLark]

I decided I didn't want to pay for shipping for toys I know they won't use.

Instead, I paid a visit to the local toy store and got my dad a 1970s edition of a toy Paratrooper and a 7-in-1 survival whistle...which the toy owner said is a genuine fully-functioning tool, and I know he has an emergency kit in both cars.

I bought a bunch of cool stuff, all of it was $8 or under

For the TP roll stocking stuffers (which I bought red duct tape for to keep it festive-looking) I got my parents two emergency glow sticks that can be turned on and off and will last for up to 20 hours...I got them frilly bouncy balls for fun...candy such as smarties, skittles, and dum dums (because obviously Christmas candy isn't in stock yet, so I bought them candy I would like to eat) to fit inside either by themselves or with a toy. For my dad, I got him a hand-painted (by me) toy car Camaro in the same make if the car he has.

For the stackables, I got my mom and dad beanies, I got my mom art stuff like canvases, brushes, paints, oil pastels, and a sketchbook.

And when I get hired and paid I'll be getting my parents the Fit Bit Ulta for the Big Gift.

It's great that everything I got was under $10, leaves me more to shop for.

And I got Cards Against Humanity for myself, one of my favorites.

In case nobody mentioned it already. Try Evilbay (eBay) they have about everything you could want.

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

There was sooooooo much to look at in the website I found, but nothing for my Dad. My dad is tough to shop for.

EDIT:

I found this one for Dad...cuz he likes Sci-Fi and he grew up in the 70s. And it was only $3.99

Raygun Sci-Fi Water Squirter Toy Set Of 2 | Classic Kids Toys | RetroPlanet.com

EDIT EDIT: The best deal I can get on those toys would be on the website I found...$12 for the toys plus $12 shipping. That's the best deal on the web but I don't want to pay $24 for a magic 8 ball and a retro toy...Suggestions? Advice?

EDIT EDIT EDIT: I googled toy shops in my area. I'm sure there will be some retro gems somewhere, and no shipping fees or having to wait for it to arrive!

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by igiveupinohio

In case nobody mentioned it already. Try Evilbay (eBay) they have about everything you could want.

I did...too much for shipping.

I think that is where people make most of their money! I sometimes buy racing postcards and if they will fit in a standard envelope, they charge you 3.50 shipping and send it for 47 cents! That is what ticks me off.

[LiteraryLark]

I got a text from my mom saying come November she wants the house decked out in Xmas attire, get everything down from the attic, and be as festive as we can be. I'm down with that