Reader Q: What is on your Christmas list this year?
I love making Christmas lists for my children, but I dread making them for myself. I feel like I have so much that I don’t really need anything. I know how fun it is to see other people’s holiday lists though because it can help you in creating your own lists. Without further adieu, here is my wish list for this year!
The first thing on my list is that people make a donation to our Big Give this year. I have been working so hard on this and want to really give our local homeless shelter a really great Christmas this year. Our family does charitable giving in lieu of gift exchanges so I look forward to putting money in for good causes this year. I encourage you all to do the same or request that charitable gifts be made instead of getting something on your Christmas list.
One of the gifts that I received as an early Christmas gift was a Kindle. I get to do some traveling with my work and I am an avid reader. On my last trip, I was toting four library books to keep me entertained. While I was out of town, Oprah had the Kindle on her show and my husband ordered one for me at the special discount price. It was the best gift he could have ever got me, although a little extravagant for our usual “only buy for the kids” Christmas. I absolutely love it and am asking for Amazon gift cards so I can download books on it for reading. I am a gadget girl and the convenience of having all of my books on this little reader is such a special treat. You can download newspapers, books, and blogs into it and keep your reading in one little spot.
As a Christmas gift to my husband, this Mighty Bright clip-on light would be great so he could sleep at night while I am reading. I drive him crazy reading in bed so this would be a great gift for both of us. This gift would be only $13, but would add a lot of sleep value for my husband.
A makeup brush set is top priority on my list this year. This set from Ulta is only $19.99. Why might I ask for this? Well, my daughter managed to find a lemonade packet from our kitchen and decided to mix up a batch of lemonade in the toilet. With no spoons within toddler-level, mommy’s make-up bag came in handy and she used my brushes as her official stirrers. Nothing like swiping a damp brush across your face to make you wonder how it got so wet? Evidence of pink residue and other fine handiwork led me to the conclusion that I should get a fresh set of brushes.
Another item on my list was the Apples to Apples game. Our family loves board games and this is one that I would really like to add to our family collection. I absolutely love this game and it is a great game to play when we have friends over.
I have a wine opener on our list because ours has kicked the can. I prefer the Rabbit style of wine opener. I am not into the wine opening sets because they require more space in my limited kitchen cupboard space. This Houdini Lever Style Wine Opener is a steal in the black color for a little over $20!
I would like to get a dry erase calendar with a set of colored markers to get our family organized for the new year. This jumbo calendar is what I have in mind for our kitchen so we can get everyone’s schedule in one spot. This calendar is only $14.99 through the Container Store.
One thing that I have not bought for myself in years and years is perfume. A little known fact about my husband is that he has no sense of smell. I seem to not make the extra effort with things like this because I know it is wasted, but I love a good perfume so I would love to have some even if it is for only my own benefit. One of my favorites is Clinique Happy perfume. Just a teeny bottle would be great for those special occasions.
I would love one of these mother’s necklaces with my kid’s names on it. I can already see this necklace around my neck. This one is sold by Moppets Closets and is $27. I love that it says blessed on it with the names surrounding it because that is exactly how I feel as a mom.
I love bamboo placemats and we have had these on our table for years. They are easy to clean and can be rolled up and stored when we want to throw a tablecloth on our table. After eight years though,they are showing their age and are falling apart. I love these bamboo placemats in black because they wouldn’t show any food stains. These are $14.90 for four.
I really would love an oilcloth tablecloth for my table and I think this color would be perfect in my kitchen:
Chalkydoodles makes custom ones with a gingham border that would be a wonderful and useful splurge in my kitchen. If I get holiday money this year, I am putting it towards this. For my table size it is a splurge at $44, but would be used for a long time. Oilcloth appeals to me with two messy kids so I would love to have one of these in my kitchen.
My French Press broke so I would love to get another one to replace it. I found my first one at a thrift store, but is rare you find one with all the working parts on it. This Bonjour Hugo accommodates three cups of coffee (or one Amy cup) and is unbreakable. You have to be careful with the glass ones and this one could stand my abuse a little more. Best of all, it is priced at $12.90.
I got the first Digital Photography book by Scott Kelby last year for Christmas and absolutely fell in love with this book. I would love to get this Digital Photography 2 book as a holiday gift. I would recommend these books to anyone who is trying to understand photography without a lot of mumbo jumbo language. These books are absolutely great for beginners.
Other things that will always make the list are-
- Michael’s or Hobby Lobby gift cards to help feed my crafting addictions. I was also thinking I would like to take the next level to cake decorating so those could also go towards my supplies.
- Candles, but they have to be food-related scents and I love holiday-ish scented stuff.
- Starbuck’s gift cards to splurge on my favorite coffee drinks.
- Babysitting- We love anyone who offers to help us with the kids so we can have a date night. Even the gift of time during the day so I can whip the house back into shape is always a hit!
- A maid- If I can’t get the babysitter, I could really use a maid to help me with my house.
What is on your holiday wish list this year?
SO much to comment on…what an impressive Christmas wish list. I don't have a wish list, except we want a new digital camera (what kind do you have? Ours is like 6 years old) and a new mattress (which used to be my mom's and is like 25 years old!). But, we'll probably be buying those pricey gifts for ourselves at some point.
We don't really buy for many people like we used to. We've slowly decreased who we buy for or how much we spend. Because it's gotten ridiculous, they don't really need anything, we can't afford it AND (most importantly) we're much more into spending our money and time on more outreach things at Christmas, mainly through our church. I'm leaning more towards the homemade gift route; however, I'm not very crafty. So, here's a future blog post for you….homemade (frugal) gift ideas for the not-so-crafty!
Anyway, the Kindle. I didn't even know what that was called, so thanks for the name for it. Gosh, will we all be using those someday? They are quite pricey…I hope they get more reasonable over time. I just have a hard time believing I'll be reading my books on that eventually. I love holding and cracking open an actual book.
The story of Emily making lemonade in the toilet with your makeup brushes…that is hilarious (I'm sorry). GREAT story.
We broke down and bought Apples to Apples last year. I have fond memories of playing it with M&M; friends. It's a great game. However, I've found we usually only have one couple over (for entertaining) and it's not a good game to play with just 4 people. We've got to have some parties apparently!
That rabbit-style wine opener looks cool. I have not seen that. Very classy.
Love the necklace. Very cute for a mother's necklace.
I hope you get a lot from your list
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Ha! Well, I doubt I will get much off of the list, but I know it is fun for gift ideas to see what other people would like to receive.
I have the Canon Powershot S5 and I love it. I guess they are phasing them out so if you want one, I would get it now. It has been worth every penny of investment for my website. Several other friends I know have gotten one and are equally as happy with it.
I am working on some other gift-giving lists too and homemade gift ideas. I will definitely keep posting ideas!!
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I had absolutely no idea what to buy my best friend and then I saw those necklaces. They are perfect with her two boys names on them. Thanks you just solved my big dilema
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Niki- I am so happy that helped. That is exactly why I posted it. Finding gifts is hard so I hope that this helps (particularly with guys) to know what a girl wants
I hope your friend likes the necklace. I think that is a really special gift that she would cherish forever!
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Thanks for sharing, Amy! I am definitely going to get my best friend that necklace for her first Mother’s Day. She’s expecting twins in February after ttcing for 5 years!
As for my list, my favorite gifts are always books. And I’m with you on the maid — that would be a GREAT gift!
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This is so not to knock a gift off your list – but did you know that if you friend clinique at facebook that they’ll send you a sample of Happy? I just found out a couple days ago – so seeing this on your list… and knowing you’re a frugal blogger, too… made me think to say something =)
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Oh how I love writing Christmas lists! And I’m pleasantly surprised when someone actually gets me something from it. LOL
I love that mother’s necklace!
I will add that to my list.
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Mama K- I feel the SAME way! I love making the lists and it is great when people actually buy stuff off of them
MamaOnABudget- You know, one of my friends sent me that through Facebook- I had forgotten about that. It would definitely give me a chance to try the perfume out
Thank you!!
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A kindle would be wonderful!! – but that’s more a wish list item.
I want a subscription to ‘everyday food’ by martha stewart
i-pod – i would like to enter the 20th century before the 21st is over
drill press – yup!
a gift certificate to the local fair trade store — love that place
a single pearl necklace
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A drill press? Now that is a new one for moms
You are way more ambitious than me 
Everyday Food would be great too!
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I’m with Anonymous. I would like an iPod too. My boys love theirs. I could put all those podcasts on it that I want to listen to.
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Amy! Meijer has Apples to Apples this week for $10! I had it in my hand to buy it yesterday and decided to wait to see if I got it for Christmas. On the top of my list was a Wii, but with Amy’s hot tip this morning we got one today so Steve said that’s it for presents this year. I love that necklace you posted! I may have to forward that link on to Steve.
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Impressive list. I’m on the fence when it comes to a Kindle…..there’s something about a real book that I’m not quite ready to give up.
Here’s my list –
Lounge clothes (thermal or flannel pants, fuzzy socks), subscription to Real Simple magazine, gift cards to the bookstore, earrings/necklace (I think I need to add the one on your list).
I bought the game Pictureeka for one of our girls as a gift. She loves to play games and I thought this one looked like a great one for our collection. From what I can tell it’s a board game similar to the I Spy books.
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Amy,
First of all, thank you for your prayers and support. I am sorry to hear about your grandma.
Second, this was a fun post to read. I am definitely not a gadget girl, but I’m glad you’re enjoying your Kindle!
We love Apples to Apples, too–such a fun game. Thanks for sharing your list with us!
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Carrie- I am thinking of your family right now. My prayers are with your dad and with you all. I can’t imagine how hard this must be, but know that I am thinking of you.
Christina- You are totally going to love that Wii! You might be sore those first few days even though you workout
I definitely felt old 
Thanks for the tip on the Apples to Apples- I didn’t know it was on sale for that cheap. I might have to get this for some people too at that price.
Love reading everyone’s wish lists!
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What fun! I love to see what other people would like to get as a gift. And these are some great gift giving ideas too! Thanks for sharing!
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Great ideas, ladies! I have a camera on my wish list this year…it would help, I’m sure, if I could make up my mind what kind I wanted!
Amy, what camera are you using these days?
Also, have you heard of ELF (eyes lips face) cosmetics? They have some great makeup brush sets and most brushes are priced at $1 each! I love their eyeshadow and lipsticks/glosses. I have a few brushes and think they’re great too.
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