Post by misshart00 on Jul 15, 2015 15:12:28 GMT -5
We got board books and clothes. And a couple small toys. We didn't really go all out for DD's first Christmas because we know she won't remember it and j don't like having a bunch of junk around.
Christmas jammies and some books I know will be ataples each year. Other than that I'm not sure, will wait until I see what we need. Probably not much because the grandparents and great aunts and uncles on dh's side go crazy, and I'm sure my mom will too. She already told me she's been Xmas shopping for dd. Good idea to look for the car seat on Black Friday!
Yeah, we won't go overboard, but I am already expecting grandparents to ask what we need for him. I was thinking diapers and clothes. I DNW junk toys everywhere in my house. The swing and exersaucer take up too much space as it is.
If we are lucky, I might be able to keep DS in the infant carseat and get a convertible around Black Friday/Easter on sale with Christmas money. I seriously doubt it though considering he is so long.
Post by allonsy221b on Jul 15, 2015 15:34:14 GMT -5
Good idea on the convertible car seat! I'm putting that as my number 1 thing haha. My mom was supposed to buy me one for my shower but then had a huge bill come up so I told her not to worry about it. He's already 27 inches though so I don't think I'll last until Christmas
Someone on my previous bmb mentioned the following idea and I told DH and he loved it so that's what we have been sticking with.
It's something you want, something you need, something you wear and something you read. So we get these 4 gifts for DD which can be something as big or small as we want and then she gets a stocking and a bigger gift (toy) from Santa.
DD1 was born in feb 13 and for her first Xmas we got her, well Santa did, the fisher price walk around car. She was so excited! She stills plays with it.
I don't think we will get anything big for him. Probably a cute onesie. However I am deathly afraid of what the IL's will buy him. I dont want to be that crazy mom that gives a list but I DO NOT WANT all those noisy toys and junk! We are thinking of moving next year so maybe I can use that as an excuse.
If they really cared about us they'd gift him a month of daycare. Shesh.
My mom and step dad get us Mother's Day out for one day a week. It's wonderful.
And all the noisy toys, we just let them play with them for awhile, put them away, then garage sale.
I don't think we will get anything big for him. Probably a cute onesie. However I am deathly afraid of what the IL's will buy him. I dont want to be that crazy mom that gives a list but I DO NOT WANT all those noisy toys and junk! We are thinking of moving next year so maybe I can use that as an excuse.
If they really cared about us they'd gift him a month of daycare. Shesh.
A month of daycare is an awesome idea. I wish the grandparents would think of that. Or diapers and wipes or formula...
Post by misshart00 on Jul 15, 2015 20:37:40 GMT -5
This makes me so happy that my mom is freakishly practical.
My MIL on the other hand... Let's just say DD has more clothes than she wears (because we get baskets of clothes every time she comes), and baskets upon baskets of toys. Have I mentioned DD isn't even 2?
Post by WittyLittle on Jul 16, 2015 6:33:22 GMT -5
Oooooh I hadn't thought about Christmas at all yet! I hope it's fun! I remember my sister was so excited for her LO's first christmas, said they wanted to be home just them to have this magical experience, and then her LO was a super grump all day and totally ruined the atmosphere. I'm really careful now not to get my expectations up, I could really see this happening to us! Presents wise I think I will keep it with toys/things I was meaning to get him anyway (just in case he doesn't like them that we don't get overly disappointed) and from family I have nooooo idea. They'll be about 9months old then, so it should be a fun age to shop for!
I have been thinking long term. DD's birthday is only one month after Christmas so I have been trying to think of not what I want for a 11 month old but what I want for a 20 month old. So hopefully I can encourage grandparents to look more at a kid sized table and chairs and bug picture items. I am also hoping it might stem the amount of stuff they buy. I much prefer one nice piece instead of a thousand pieces of clutter.
Post by AppropriateChocolate on Jul 16, 2015 20:36:22 GMT -5
OMG our babies will be 9+ months st Christmas...I'm not ready ladies. I am all about spoiling the kids at Christmas bug with 3 girls I have no idea. I'll probably get DD a few small toys, a present from each of her sisters and maybe some clothes.
Box of paper because that's what he'll be more interested in anyway.
Clothes will be the big thing. I got him a rocking horse, but will probably save that for his birthday as my husband pointed out that it's for kids 3-6 years old.
Post by FlutterOfYoshis on Jul 20, 2015 9:32:32 GMT -5
I know some grandparents will do whatever they want regardlees of what you tell them (ahem, my mother), but I'm a fan of at least giving ideas to go by so you get some of what you actually want/need. We like using Amazon wishlists because you can include ideas like daycare and diapers as well as links to items from other sites.
That said, I like the want, need, wear, read idea. We'll see how it goes in practice lol
Post by dmorgendorffer on Jul 20, 2015 9:55:17 GMT -5
Ugh Christmas. A little thread drift but making Christmas plans is always contentious for me and DH. We don't live that close to either of our families so we have to divide up our time, and MIL and DH start planning for Thanksgiving / Christmas some time in June. I feel like my family gets the shaft because we aren't early planners.
DH already told MIL that we will be there for the full week for Thanksgiving, and told me that means we will spend Christmas with my family but I am not holding my breath. Before DH's parents moved their tradition was to go out in NYC Christmas Eve and they still come up to do that every year. We did that with them last year and then they came to spend Christmas morning at our house in NJ before we drove up to see my parents but the whole thing felt very rushed.
Its the one thing that I think MIL is pushy about, she's so sentimental about holidays and I'm sure its only going to be worse now that DD is here. I'm not sure how to make it "fair" but I think because they always plan so far ahead of time seeing my family just becomes secondary - like we have these plans with DH's family and we just have to get visiting mine out of the way.
Edited to say - Sorry for the long rant! Wasn't expecting that when I started the post.
Post by lilyelayne on Jul 20, 2015 10:02:20 GMT -5
dmorgendorffer my advice is to set up a schedule and stick to it as much as possible. Maybe divide thanksgiving & Christmas - this year, thanksgiving with ILs, Christmas with your parents. Next year, thanksgiving with your parents, Christmas with ILs. It's simple enough to remember, and easy to repeat over and over if whatever family member is trying to guilt you into a trip you can't / don't want to take. And your families can count on you definitely being there for one holiday, and definitely not for another, no matter how early or late things get planned. Alternatively, depending on the size of your extended family, you can bite the bullet and host everyone for Christmas every year and make it your new tradition. But, uh, that's likely a huge undertaking, so consider carefully
Post by lilyelayne on Jul 20, 2015 10:11:29 GMT -5
My ILs are insane when it comes to Christmas presents, including my two SILs (especially the one who doesn't have kids). I think my nephews got 10 presents a piece plus the same number of shared ones last year. I love the idea of want/need/wear/read but I can't exactly limit the amount of presents my kid gets and have him watch his cousins open twice that many (in the future when he knows what's going on). I can hopefully get DH on board for not going over the top ourselves. We've been working on scaling back our gift giving, especially to the kiddos, and trying to give something other than toys. I'd much rather pay for a couple months of dance lessons for my niece and give her a book to unwrap than try to pick out the best doll in the toy aisle, you know?
I know some grandparents will do whatever they want regardlees of what you tell them (ahem, my mother), but I'm a fan of at least giving ideas to go by so you get some of what you actually want/need. We like using Amazon wishlists because you can include ideas like daycare and diapers as well as links to items from other sites.
That said, I like the want, need, wear, read idea. We'll see how it goes in practice lol
Totally get this - my mom is the same! She does whatever she wants whenever she wants. I love the want, need, wear, read and will do it with dd. if anyone asks what we want/need I plan on saying Amazon gift cards for diapers and formula, inspired by this thread.
Ugh Christmas. A little thread drift but making Christmas plans is always contentious for me and DH. We don't live that close to either of our families so we have to divide up our time, and MIL and DH start planning for Thanksgiving / Christmas some time in June. I feel like my family gets the shaft because we aren't early planners.
DH already told MIL that we will be there for the full week for Thanksgiving, and told me that means we will spend Christmas with my family but I am not holding my breath. Before DH's parents moved their tradition was to go out in NYC Christmas Eve and they still come up to do that every year. We did that with them last year and then they came to spend Christmas morning at our house in NJ before we drove up to see my parents but the whole thing felt very rushed.
Its the one thing that I think MIL is pushy about, she's so sentimental about holidays and I'm sure its only going to be worse now that DD is here. I'm not sure how to make it "fair" but I think because they always plan so far ahead of time seeing my family just becomes secondary - like we have these plans with DH's family and we just have to get visiting mine out of the way.
Edited to say - Sorry for the long rant! Wasn't expecting that when I started the post.
Sorry you have to deal with that stress! Holidays can be so hard. Set boundaries early and stick to them! I'm going to have to as well, holidays are always high drama with my family.
Ugh Christmas. A little thread drift but making Christmas plans is always contentious for me and DH. We don't live that close to either of our families so we have to divide up our time, and MIL and DH start planning for Thanksgiving / Christmas some time in June. I feel like my family gets the shaft because we aren't early planners.
DH already told MIL that we will be there for the full week for Thanksgiving, and told me that means we will spend Christmas with my family but I am not holding my breath. Before DH's parents moved their tradition was to go out in NYC Christmas Eve and they still come up to do that every year. We did that with them last year and then they came to spend Christmas morning at our house in NJ before we drove up to see my parents but the whole thing felt very rushed.
Its the one thing that I think MIL is pushy about, she's so sentimental about holidays and I'm sure its only going to be worse now that DD is here. I'm not sure how to make it "fair" but I think because they always plan so far ahead of time seeing my family just becomes secondary - like we have these plans with DH's family and we just have to get visiting mine out of the way.
Edited to say - Sorry for the long rant! Wasn't expecting that when I started the post.
So sorry! I deal with the same crap, but both of our families are here in town! MIL HAS to celebrate the day of, ugh.
Haha I told DH I am not buying B anything because she won't know the difference anyways!
Truthfully I figure the aunts, uncles and grandparents will have it covered. I do like the idea of want, need, wear, read.
Brady is the first grandchild on his side and since DH's parents aren't together, Brady gets double. I already know they will go ape shit, so we really aren't planning to buy him anything.
Post by cloe111479 on Jul 20, 2015 15:16:20 GMT -5
Since dh' s parents are divorced, we do 3 Christmases. And I am sure dd will get soooo much. Luckily, alsnost everyone will ask for specific ideas- so we won't get tons of random stuff. And man it's going to suck coming up with birthday stuff right after? 2/9.
Also, my parents are still waiting to get a present for her for her christening. My godmother got her a cross necklace. Her god parents got her a cross for her wall so my parents were sort of left without something to get. I think they are going to get her the little chair from pottery barn but are waiting until she may actually use it.
I may tell them or in laws to get us a zoo/aquarium membership for her bday next year.
Ugh Christmas. A little thread drift but making Christmas plans is always contentious for me and DH. We don't live that close to either of our families so we have to divide up our time, and MIL and DH start planning for Thanksgiving / Christmas some time in June. I feel like my family gets the shaft because we aren't early planners.
DH already told MIL that we will be there for the full week for Thanksgiving, and told me that means we will spend Christmas with my family but I am not holding my breath. Before DH's parents moved their tradition was to go out in NYC Christmas Eve and they still come up to do that every year. We did that with them last year and then they came to spend Christmas morning at our house in NJ before we drove up to see my parents but the whole thing felt very rushed.
Its the one thing that I think MIL is pushy about, she's so sentimental about holidays and I'm sure its only going to be worse now that DD is here. I'm not sure how to make it "fair" but I think because they always plan so far ahead of time seeing my family just becomes secondary - like we have these plans with DH's family and we just have to get visiting mine out of the way.
Edited to say - Sorry for the long rant! Wasn't expecting that when I started the post.
So sorry! I deal with the same crap, but both of our families are here in town! MIL HAS to celebrate the day of, ugh.
I have both sides of the family here in town as well. My MIL is ALWAYS complaining about when SIL takes the kids to see her side of the family for one of the holidays. If they got Thanksgiving last year, we got Christmas, the following year they get Christmas and we get Thanksgiving. I see no problem with it but MIL acts like the world is ending. They live 5 minutes away from her, she can see them all year!
What we have to do is go to one house, then the other for Thanksgiving, and then for Christmas I host a family dinner Christmas eve, then spend the morning with my family and the evening with his. It's exhausting but then everyone gets time together.
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