<p>how is everyones shopping going?</p>
<p>i took off work yesterday and got a lot done… i think one or two more trips will take care of everything… most quirky purchase yesterday was a mandolin :)</p>
<p>I haven’t even started. Granted I’m in the middle of nowhere with no car which makes things complicated…</p>
<p>Well, hey honey!!! You are the <em>coolest</em> gift giver EVER! A mandolin??? Who’s getting that?? My shopping <em>ISN’T</em> going!! I need to get it in gear here pretty soon before the kids’ lists get longer and looooonger and loooooooooonger!!! :D</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>For a small present, I bought my wife one of those Nitrous Oxide Whipped Cream thingies… She is a whipped cream FANATIC.</p>
<p>Anyone have any experience with one?</p>
<p>No mandolin, but I did buy younger son a hard case for “Dot,” his number 2 guitar. (His guitars are named Harvey, Sheila, and Dot.) Since his birthday is also this month, he might also end up with an iPod. Finally. It’s a shame music is such an over-done EC, because he lives to play guitar, trumpet, and, most recently, French horn.</p>
<p>digmedia:</p>
<p>That’s funny because that’s what I told my husband I wanted! I saw them at Williams Sonoma and threw a little “wanting tantrum.”</p>
<p>B, it’s for a friend of mine. three of us are pitching in together to get it for him. Last year he got a ukulele and the year before an accordian… he’s probably starting to expect weird instruments. :)</p>
<p>I got my mom a customized eagles jersey with her name on it (she’s a huge eagles fan). I got my dad some random stuff on his list - one of those massage things that you put on a seat, an out door temperature guage, and a dvd. My one set of grandparents are getting a vacumn and a bunch of polaroid film (I never knew that 600 film was so expensive. next year maybe I’ll get them a digital camera… haha). The other set is getting a steelers fishing box and a bunch of puzzles. There are a few little cousins and such that i buy for and they mostly got clothing. I got one little girl a Dora bike but apparently her parents got her a bike too so I have to take mine back and come up with a new gift. I am getting my cousin that I live with a bean bag chair once I find one. The guy i’m dating is getting both of the post secret books that are out now (which may make a great gift to your kids if they are into that kind of thing - type post secret into amazon.com), a graphic novel/book, a batman belt, and batman boxers. I may still get him a calendar and a framed picture of myself.</p>
<p>I have no clue what to get my sister… she’s pretty much the only one I have to do yet. I may just get her some things for college but i really don’t know. Maybe I will just give her some money towards a laptop. (She wants to buy a macbook) but I feel like i should have an actual gift to give her… maybe a laptop bag or something would do along with some money.</p>
<p>brookstone has the softest fleece NAP blankets…also pillows and socks to match…might be fun for her dorm bed…
or nice bracelet…I gave some gals a Maine charm bracelet a few yrs ago…they still love them…
the Roz Chas cartoon book, new this season…she does New Yorker cartoons…
also, think of kitchen things that will last…I got a set of heart shaped measuring spoons from a dear friend one year…I have given them since then to a bunch of my gal friends… kind of fun to think about “loved” ones as you bake…or a great marble rolling pin…
a nice, small pair of binoculars for concerts…
a pair of Ugg boots? in an awesome color… </p>
<p>good luck shopping…</p>
<p>I’m at a new school, that means my family should be expecting a new wardrobe from that school ;)! Haven’t started shopping for it yet though :p.</p>
<p>It’s not December 24th yet, is it?</p>
<p>fendergirl, the personalized Eagles jersey is a great idea! Can I ask where you got it? My 70+ year old mom is also a big fan and although it’s too late for Christmas, maybe her birthday would work. 
</p>
<p>maineparent, I agree that those NAP blankets and socks are wonderful. A couple of my friends are receiving those this year! Can you tell me where you got the heart-shaped measuring spoons? Thanks!</p>
<p>And to answer your question, fendergirl, my shopping is virtually finished. And I’ve wrapped most of it, too! As I explained in another thread, I started early and we all agreed to scale things back this year, and for some reason, I’m unusually organized (for a change) and am stress-free. It’s nice! I even have most of my cards written.</p>
<p>Yay, I’m almost done, but I still have to wrap, wrap and wrap some more. I have a lot to mail too (yuck). Oh, and those Christmas cards have to be written too.</p>
<p>alwaysamom,</p>
<p>I got it on <a href=“http://www.nflshop.com%5B/url%5D”>www.nflshop.com</a>. My mom wears kids XL jerseys because she’s kind of small and she swims in the mens jerseys. I think I paid about $70 for it. The adult sizes cost more of course. It actually didn’t take too long to come… I think i had it in 2-3 weeks, so if you order one now you <em>may</em> get it by christmas… although I obviously can’t guarantee anything.</p>
<p>on a side note, i decided to get the post secret books for my sister as well. I’m also going to get her a laptop sleeve thing that way she can use whatever backpack she wants for when she does get her laptop.</p>
<p>fendergirl~</p>
<p>Even if he expects a weird instrument, he’ll have to be in suspense as to WHICH ONE! <em>lol</em></p>
<p>maineparent~</p>
<p>Those nap blankets/pillows/socks are the <em>BEST</em>. My D’s bf got her one last year for her b-day! I’ve already told my D that is what I want this year! Napping is one of my hobbies! ;)</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>Alwaysamom and Berurah…
glad you agree with my nap blanket suggestion…we just got one the other nite… I have wanted it since I spent a nite at a Home Suites and there was one at the bottom of the bed…so, we “had” to go to the mall the other nite and I couldn’t wait to open it up…</p>
<p>and <a href=“http://www.paderno.com/us/purchasing/#Factorythe[/url]”>http://www.paderno.com/us/purchasing/#Factorythe</a> Heart Shape measuring spoons are from Paderno…which is the maker of a very nice line of pans…they have outlet stores all over… and you can also shop online from them directly… they are out hq’d out of Canada… here is the web site for their outlets:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.paderno.com/us/purchasing/#Factory[/url]”>http://www.paderno.com/us/purchasing/#Factory</a></p>
<p>here is their site for the measuring spoons:
<a href=“http://paderno.com/products/products.cfm?subID=42#9[/url]”>http://paderno.com/products/products.cfm?subID=42#9</a></p>
<p>I can’t find the heart measuring spoons on the site…but I have bought at least 10 sets in the past few years between the outlet in Freeport Maine and online from Paderno directly…</p>
<p>maybe just google heart measuring spoons to find some of the different options in your area? Paderno is the brand that I have bought, however.</p>
<p>digmedia, my little brother has one. It’s pretty awesome.</p>