Holiday shopping gets trickier as your kids get older. I find most gift guides and suggestions are either geared towards the under 5 set, or else they are grouped into certain “types” that my kids and husband (and myself) don’t fit into. My daughter would hate half the stuff geared towards girls her age, my son is in a weird place where toys are too young for him, but he’s not into teen stuff, and my husband is NOT the type who cares about new socks or a tie.
I find traditional gift guides and sales pages are set up to sell us stuff that aren’t really…practical…for the life I lead? Or the lives my friends lead? We are also in our 40’s, buy what we want throughout the year, and I don’t buy for a million people other than my immediate family. Most of the sales would be something I’d partake in for myself, but not for my kids. There have been a few sales I jumped into, to save money, and I’ll outline that below.
Right now my kids are 12 (almost 13) and 11. They aren’t into toys and like most kids their age, like electronics and giftcards that they can buy things for themselves. We tend to get one bigger gift for them to share, and then a bunch of smaller things. My husband and I typically buy things for ourselves that are on sale, we rarely surprise each other. I don’t care as much about getting stuff under the tree, I spoil myself during the year. I’ll often grab a few things and put them under the tree for myself…Merry Christmas from me to me, lol.
At this point we both want bigger ticket items and we will splurge on those some years. This year I need a new computer (my ten year old laptop is struggling), and he wants an Apple Watch and needs a new phone.
Let’s get into the things I am purchasing and I’ll separate it by person!
ME
Again, I tend to shop for myself each year. We have been married 16 years, have the same checking account, and surprises are tricky. Last year he did get me Airpods and I love them, but I honestly don’t care about being surprised or gifted things during the holidays. Trust me, I buy plenty for myself throughout the year!
I have been needing a smaller vacuum downstairs so I don’t have to haul our bigger one up and down the stairs. I grabbed this Shark corded stick vacuum this week and now I’m old enough to be excited by vacuums.
I also grabbed this Bissel powered mop because my new floors have grooves my regular mop can’t get into and again, it was on sale!
You guys know my love of QVC and Diamonique rings + jewelry. I almost always grab myself a new ring (or two) and recently ordered this ring with this wedding band. I also want this pink ring because I think it is so fun!
After trying a sample of Santal 33, I had to get the bigger size! I originally wasn’t sure of this perfume, but now I am straight up addicted to it.
An early gift, I love this Christmas tree! I want a tree in every single room this time of year and I love the ease of this lit up, fake tree.
I snagged these Koolaburra by Ugg boots and they are so easy to slip on and off, and I don’t have to wear socks with them (I hate wearing socks!)
These fleece lined pom pom hats are so cute and so warm! I have 3 of them.
These affirmation cards are so pretty! I hang them in my office with this pretty ‘stars’ hanger.
I don’t have these hiking boots, but I’d love them for when it snows and I go for walks. The reviews are really great.
THE JACKET from Amazon is as warm as it says it is and is worth the hype. I have it is black.
MY DAUGHTER (who loves Anime and hates pink and is an amazing artist!)
Luckily, my daughter writes me an extensive Xmas wish list that she is always adding to and lets me know exactly what she wants! This years she wants…
For her stocking…
Barnes and Noble gift cards (so she can buy Manga books!)
Target gift cards (because, Target;)
Hot Topic gift cards (her fave clothing store)
I also add in lotions, deodorant, face oils, masks, etc…
For under the tree…
She has been begging for a pet FOREVER, so this year we are getting her a gerbil cage and she can pick out a gerbil after Christmas. She is going to be so excited! (We don’t want a high maintenace pet.)
I am buying her this hooded robe and these slippers because she is always cold.
These button ups that her fave anime characters wear, and a white turtleneck to wear under (as she saw someone wear on TikTok and became obsessed!)
She really wants some Tarot cards and a beginner book.
I love this light up picture holder for her room.
MY SON (who loves video games and playing outside, equally)
My son is 11 this year and didn’t even write a list this year! He told me he ‘doesn’t really need anything‘ and is content with what he has. SO, that meant I had to do some serious sleuthing and come up with things he would love.)
In his stocking…
An Xbox gift card so he can buy upgrades in Minecraft
A rubix cube
Cozy socks (which he loves!)
Special treats and candies
He loves a good fact book!
Deodorant, lotion, maybe some body spray? LOLZ
For under the tree…
He loves basketball, so I snagged him this over the door basketball hoop
This magnetic dart board (to relieve boredom in between Zoom school sessions.)
Glow in the Dark capture the flag
Forza 4 for Xbox
New Nike sneakers (he actually doesn’t fit in big kid shoes sizes or men’s shoes, so I buy him women’s shoes.)
Sports hoodies and tee shirts
The BIG GIFT for both to share…
We went back and forth on this as we already have an Xbox, but decided to grab the Nintendo Switch for them (the second it went on sale and before it sold out in .2 seconds!) They have been begging for it and we decided to grab it. It has been a YEAR with a lot of change and thought this would be fun this winter. I can’t wait to see their faces when they open it!
I also grabbed them Animal Crossing, Breath of the Wild, and Hyrule Warriors.
MY HUSBAND (who is selfless and, like me, buys what he wants throughout the year!)
I am grabbing him a few things to open this year just for fun, stuff he needs but most likely wouldn’t buy himself.
This Patriot’s Salute to Service hoodie
He loves tee shirts, he tends to like Barstool tees or ones that show fave shoes are characters on them.
He doesn’t currently have a jacket, I might grab him this one.
We have done a lot of remodeling this year and I think he needs this laser measuring tape.
I am going to grab him cooking utensils and fun stuff for his stocking as he loves to cook!
That’s it! I have about 1/3 bought right now and will slowly grab things as I see them. I do most of my shopping online and TRY to be done by December 15th so I can relax before the holidays.
