Holiday Planning

[Marty]

Hi Guys, I'm your holiday maniac as you know and I want to get a jump start on holiday preparation. I'm ready to shop for a few gifts and here's the thing: There's a really big mall I have never been to and I am not familiar with "mall stores" other than Sears and JCPenney. I know, that's pitiful. I don't like big mall crowds anyhow at all but I thought if I shop early I can avoid getting claustrophobic! And I have no idea what to get anyone yet either. I've been told that Bed-Bath-& Beyond is good so that's on my list. What are some other stores that are a must? What are your favorites?

I also would love some ideas on what to get my baby granddaughter who will be one on January 3. I'm a bit rusty in the baby department and well, I'm not too good at baby girl toys and things. Ideas welcome!

Next: Dumb shipping question: I only mail out books and cards so I don't have a clue about the latest charges and changes on packages. I have to use the US Post office to mail things as there is no Fed X etc. around here. Besides weight, do they also go by the size of the package too?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mona]

Marty if you go to www.usps.com you can figure out the postage right there from home, as long as you have a scale that measures accurately.(ozs) Yes, they ask you for the dimensions too, and then they calculate it for you.

Have fun shopping for that little girl. At that age, just stick with dolls or learning type toys and some cute little outfits. Since you'll be at the mall, check out Baby Gap, Mommy and Me etc. Oh, and don;t forget to get a nice horsey "Baby's 1st Christmas" ornament for the tree! And a nice little red velveteen dress, and......LOL!

 

[REO]

I agree! A red velveteen dress with white lace is a must! And taking her for photos!

 

[chandab]

The USPS has flat-rate priority envelopes and boxes, they are awesome if what you are shipping fits in the boxes. Unless price has gone up again, Medium flat-rate boxes are $11.35, large flat-rate box are $15.45; these are rates to anywhere in the US. Two different shapes/sizes of Medium flat-rate boxes; 8.5x11x5 and 12x13.5x3 And, two different sizes large flat-rate, one is sized for board games (Like Monopoly size) and the other 12x12x5.5. You must use the USPS provided Flat-rate boxes to get the flat rate price.

I've found for me, that the flat-rates are great for packages weighing over 3# and going out of state, otherwise its a crap shoot if regular priority or flat-rate is cheaper.

They also have Regional Flat-rate boxes now as well, but you can only print that postage on-line and you have to order the special boxes on-line.

I love Bath & Body Works, love to go into the stores when I get to a mall and check out all the new scents of lotions and shower gels, etc. [i'm so far from malls now, that I just order scents I already know on-line.] I haven't been to a mall in 2 years, so I have no idea what chain stores are there anymore.

 

[Marty]

I KNEW this was the right place to ask. You guys are walking encycloepdias! I have the Red Velvet dress covered. Its kinda long-ish and adorable. All picked out, I saw it online just have to go and buy it. They didn't have a Baby Gap or Mommy and Me when my kids were babies so that's a new one I have to put on my list with Bath and Body Works. YAY! Excited this year!!! I took this today on my porch---Little Miss Lexis Clair:

 

[Carolyn R]

Oh Marty, you're so sweet. I am going to be completely honest here, I worked in a high end toy store that was part of FOA Schwartz for several years. They closed their doors, but I have to say, there are a few neat toys, but after awhile, they all seem to do the same thing....ABC's and 123's. There is very little that kids really need at that age and a lot gets given away. My favorite toy that we carried for that age group was the Music Blocks by Neurosmith, Each block plays a small piece of a classical music composition, if you scramble the blocks, it mixes the composition, if you flip each block to one of its different sides (that are marked with shapes) it plays that portion of the composition with a different instrument. Here's a link


I did not like the jumbo music block or the single square ones that are a large cube.

Thomas the tank wooden trains were one of my sons favorites, oh and I forgot the Tomy Ball Party ( the one that has the bounce platform) the wood bench with the big wood pegs and the hammer you pound them in with is probably closer to a 18-24 month old toy as well as the Tomy ball party, but they were favorites. Tomy does make a pop and pull dome that look like a gum ball machine, you put the balls in the top, pull the handle and they spin around and spit it the opening. That is a little shorter and more stout for young kids, the base is a one piece construction they can put their weight on without it coming apart.

My best advice otherwise is a savings bond and/or Lambie blanket you can have her name embroidered on it like this one, type in lamb blanket in the search bar, http://www.williamsburgmarketplace.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductView?storeId=10001&jspStoreDir=wmarket&categoryId=25844&catalogId=12122&langId=-1 the silky edge is a must, LoL, I still remember holding my blanket while sucking my thumb and rubbing the silky edge on my face, seriously, isn't it strange what stays in our heads?

 

[MajorClementine]

My son loved toys that made noise at a year old. They didn't have to be obnoxious or anything but he liked to push buttons and hear sounds and see lights.

I always hit up Brookstone if there is one in the mall. Great for "gadget lovers" in the family. Plus they have massage chairs and you'll need to try them out after walking around the mall all day

 

[Carolyn R]

My son loved toys that made noise at a year old. They didn't have to be obnoxious or anything but he liked to push buttons and hear sounds and see lights.

I always hit up Brookstone if there is one in the mall. Great for "gadget lovers" in the family. Plus they have massage chairs and you'll need to try them out after walking around the mall all day

Oh, speaking of books, Love you forever is a wonderful book to give with an inscription in it. My 21 year old niece still cries when she reads the copy she got as a baby.

 

[CZP1]

Definately Bath and Body Works, I like Yankee Candles (love the tarte warmers) of course if there is a Godiva or Rocky Candy (something like that in the name store) gotta check out chocolate. Your grandaughter is adorable!! Very blessed.

As for the gift for baby, learning toys, a dolly, books seem to be a favorite too. Of course a frilly girl dresses are always on the list with little black patent mary janes!

Have fun!!

Chris

 

[Riverrose28]

Some others have given you great ideas. As for the mall, if they have a Victoria Secret, go in there for lotions, they smell so good. As for your Grand daughter, after you spend a small fortune on toys, go to the box store and get her a big box, turn it into a little playhouse, she'll love it.

 

[disneyhorse]

My twins turned a year old this year and there are some favorite toys:

Anything by fisher-price ""little people" but the school bus and the barn are their very favorite!

A ride-on car. We have the Mickey and Minnie Mouse ones.

The Leap Frog brand "discovery house" with buttons on all four sides has entertained them for hours.

A rocking horse. We have the rockin rider horse and bull.

Books... You can't have too many.

Furby... It's expensive and not technically for toddlers but my little girl thinks its her personal pet and is very attached to that annoying thing.

Stuffed animals are usually beloved by little girls. Mine has a billion in her crib and she gives them all kisses each night.

Anyway, those toys are their very favorites that are played with pretty much daily. We've got a lot of toys but some are rarely played with and others didn't seem to make the cut and got donated.

 

[disneyhorse]

Oh , and I do MOST of my shopping online! I sign up for their emails and then use coupon codes for discounts like free shipping. You can cut out the middleman and just have things wrapped and shipped right to your friends and family. The retailers usually have good rates on shipping and packing materials anyway.

I've got most of my Christmas shopping done, I do it year round for good deals!

 

[Ashley]

Santa just got mya a bunch of leap frog learning toys at target. They were buy on get one half off

 

[Marty]

The hermit thanks you guys! I"m actually going to start Christmas shopping this weekend to the shock and horror of Mr. Retirement. He said "Its not even Halloween yet"

I don't care. I am so tired of not being able to sit back and relax and enjoy the season because all I do is hustle and bustle right up till Christmas Eve when I'm still doing laundry, cooking and wrapping.. Guess I'm really getting OLD because I used to thrive on it, but now I want to slow down and appreciate the tv show specials, take my time, and not be punching a time clock. Thanks all again. I'm taking a list frorm this thread and intend to go scope out all these stores I've never been too! YAY!

 

[Marsha Cassada]

My experience shopping for my little ones is shopping too early isn't a good thing. They want something at the last minute.

I usually buy clothes for mine, as children nowdays seem to have EVERYTHING. One year olds don't really get it, so clothes and something cuddly are best. Board books. Sheets with nice graphics. A riding toy is a good investment. The big plastic car that is pushed by foot is still in use after 12 years. My grandchildren have a garage full of "rolling stock" and enjoy every one.

I don't do malls, mostly shop online/catalogs or local shops.

I have 6 now, from 3 months to 12 years. Some ages are harder than others. And remember, whatever tradition you start NOW you will be stuck with forever.

 

[Marty]

This is so nuts but my kids had just about everything in the world.They had so much as little kids it was really sinful. How silly that was because at that young age, they were just as happy to play with plastic measuring cups or my pots and pans as toddlers!

Now here's a little tippy for you guys with kids who already have too many toys. I removed half of their toys one day and put them away in storage and only left the ones they seemed to play with the most. A few months later, I changed them out again and it was like they were new all over again.

 

[Jill]

Marty, I haven't been in a mall in more than a decade!!! And I have an office location by Tyson's Corner, which is probably one of the nicest malls on the east coast. Okay, I have done the Coach and Dooney & Burke OUTLET mall thing, if that counts?

Do you like to shop online? Tha's how I do nearly everything... even groceries!

If you like to shop online, you can google the store name and "coupon codes" and usually save yourself some $$$.

For gifts, of course, depends on who the receipent is. I like to give my sister purses, and I get her kids whatever she sends me links for as I have no clue what they've already got or even what we've already given them at this point. For a more "general" female gift, I personally like (and enjoy myself) Bath & Body Works. For more expensive perfumes (or any other than B&BW), Fragrance.net has good deals and nice sales. I also think that restaurant gift cards are nice for couples, because that's something they can do to give themselves a nice time. Who doesn't enjoy dinner out?

It's just too easy, and so economical now days, to shop online. I just don't have the patience or desire to go to the mall. NO thank you!!!

 

[Debby - LB]

Marty for your beautiful Granddaughter these are two of the best things of all presents that I gave to my Ava Grace last year. I have never seen 2 toys played with more or a small child to learn more from. The first is the Fisher-Price laugh & learn dance and play puppy

and the second is Leap Frogs My Pal Violet

Violet you set up with your computer and add your childs name and favorite things and she talks to them. I did this before I gave it to Ava and put it back in the box and wrapped it, when she hugged her Violet said I love you Ava and she tells Ava I love mashed potatoes just like you...she is soooo cute. Ava has learned so much by playing with these two it is amazing. I highly recommend them both.

PS The My Pal is also available as My Pal Scout for little boys.

 

[Ashley]

Violet is awsome. Unfortunatly I think mom likes to play with it more then Mya.....

Mya's fav toys happen to be her very expensive stuffed bug from when we had our week long hospital stay when she was sick and her lemur we got at the zoo. She has way to many toys to count (mostly hand me downs) but I did get her 6 new toys for xmas and birthday. I get her the toys that are a bit older and only learning toys. I think its a waist of money to buy toys that teach nothing.