Small Christmas gifts I can start purchasing now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom used to do fun little cards with things like "You get to choose tonight's dinner" or "Ice cream out with mom" choices. Even as a teen, I loved them. Also, $1-2 scratch off tickets.

My kids are crazy about those. Their favorite is "get out of dinner free card." They get to have cereal or a sandwich while the rest of us eat dinner. I only give out like 1 a year of that one.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried shopping used? We love thrift stores, garage sales and consignment sales (there were some big ones this past weekend and everyone there was getting Christmas gifts). DH and I make a lot of money, but it seems wasteful to buy new when there's so much "like new" or brand new stuff that people are selling. We've always done this though so my kids aren't offended at all.

With teens, vintage clothing is all the rage. I just got a vintage Guess acid washed jean jacket for $2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried shopping used? We love thrift stores, garage sales and consignment sales (there were some big ones this past weekend and everyone there was getting Christmas gifts). DH and I make a lot of money, but it seems wasteful to buy new when there's so much "like new" or brand new stuff that people are selling. We've always done this though so my kids aren't offended at all.

With teens, vintage clothing is all the rage. I just got a vintage Guess acid washed jean jacket for $2.

I know we’re going off topic but I just got my teen a black puffy Tommy Hilfiger coat for $15 at the thrift store. Looks unworn. She’s so happy.

[Anonymous]

My kids stockings are mostly filled with favorite snacks and slightly upgraded toiletries - stuff I’d likely be spending some money on otherwise. Socks, a rolled up shirt I think they’ll like. I’d start keeping an eye out for sales on their favorite candy or toiletries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom used to do fun little cards with things like "You get to choose tonight's dinner" or "Ice cream out with mom" choices. Even as a teen, I loved them. Also, $1-2 scratch off tickets.

My kids are crazy about those. Their favorite is "get out of dinner free card." They get to have cereal or a sandwich while the rest of us eat dinner. I only give out like 1 a year of that one.

I think it's crazy to control what a teenager eats. If my kid wants to eat cereal, who cares? They don't do it every night, and they get plenty of veggies/fruits. Controlling when they can eat cereal is bonkers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom used to do fun little cards with things like "You get to choose tonight's dinner" or "Ice cream out with mom" choices. Even as a teen, I loved them. Also, $1-2 scratch off tickets.

My kids are crazy about those. Their favorite is "get out of dinner free card." They get to have cereal or a sandwich while the rest of us eat dinner. I only give out like 1 a year of that one.

I think it's crazy to control what a teenager eats. If my kid wants to eat cereal, who cares? They don't do it every night, and they get plenty of veggies/fruits. Controlling when they can eat cereal is bonkers.

What?? We make dinner and eat as a family. That's not controlling at all.

[Anonymous]

Here are few more “substantial” items for under $10. They may be in the $10-$13 range.

Mascara lashes
Eyebrow gel
Eyebrow curler
Nail polish
Cheap gold jewelry (hoop earrings)
Pimple patches
Body butter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom used to do fun little cards with things like "You get to choose tonight's dinner" or "Ice cream out with mom" choices. Even as a teen, I loved them. Also, $1-2 scratch off tickets.

My kids are crazy about those. Their favorite is "get out of dinner free card." They get to have cereal or a sandwich while the rest of us eat dinner. I only give out like 1 a year of that one.

I think it's crazy to control what a teenager eats. If my kid wants to eat cereal, who cares? They don't do it every night, and they get plenty of veggies/fruits. Controlling when they can eat cereal is bonkers.

This is the argument of someone who doesn't value the importance of a family dinner. It's not about the menu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I buy some of my kids’ gifts are the thrift store (usually Unique Thrift). Things like board games, books, puzzles, etc. You can often find things in good condition. Also, re: books, some libraries have book sales in the fall. Lots of great stuff at ours for very cheap.

Teens don’t want board games, books or puzzles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom used to do fun little cards with things like "You get to choose tonight's dinner" or "Ice cream out with mom" choices. Even as a teen, I loved them. Also, $1-2 scratch off tickets.

My kids are crazy about those. Their favorite is "get out of dinner free card." They get to have cereal or a sandwich while the rest of us eat dinner. I only give out like 1 a year of that one.

Um…that sounds more like a punishment. Cereal for dinner? Seriously? That’s not enough to fill up a growing teen. Mine wants a real meal.

[Anonymous]

Love the coupon ideas for ice cream with mom. (Or ... your favorite dinner made by mom, or your favorite batch of cookies made by mom. whatever the budget allows.)

Another idea which I'm sure will be controversial is scratch-offs. You can spend $5 and get a lot of excitement/entertainment out of the whole process.

Yet another suggestion (that will likely also be controversial) is to wrap the different items. I wrap very loosely/imperfectly in tissue paper. It slows down the opening process and makes it more of an event.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I buy some of my kids’ gifts are the thrift store (usually Unique Thrift). Things like board games, books, puzzles, etc. You can often find things in good condition. Also, re: books, some libraries have book sales in the fall. Lots of great stuff at ours for very cheap.

Teens don’t want board games, books or puzzles.

Not sure what kind of kids you're raising but sure they do! Uno is a big hit, so is ticket to ride, as is new books. Games are great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom used to do fun little cards with things like "You get to choose tonight's dinner" or "Ice cream out with mom" choices. Even as a teen, I loved them. Also, $1-2 scratch off tickets.

My kids are crazy about those. Their favorite is "get out of dinner free card." They get to have cereal or a sandwich while the rest of us eat dinner. I only give out like 1 a year of that one.

Um…that sounds more like a punishment. Cereal for dinner? Seriously? That’s not enough to fill up a growing teen. Mine wants a real meal.

lol. They can eat whatever they want with their get out of dinner free card. The one who likes cereal is a girl tween. They don't want the real meal, that's the point. She often uses her card when we make something like ribs or cheeseburgers on the grill, neither of which she's a fan of.

[Anonymous]

Thrift stores and book sales are good places to shop for teens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom used to do fun little cards with things like "You get to choose tonight's dinner" or "Ice cream out with mom" choices. Even as a teen, I loved them. Also, $1-2 scratch off tickets.

My kids are crazy about those. Their favorite is "get out of dinner free card." They get to have cereal or a sandwich while the rest of us eat dinner. I only give out like 1 a year of that one.

Um…that sounds more like a punishment. Cereal for dinner? Seriously? That’s not enough to fill up a growing teen. Mine wants a real meal.

Stop derailing the thread and give OP gift ideas pps.