Christmas Shopping

[Carolyn]

Anybody started theirs yet? Or are you finished already?

I did a lot of buying in the US for the kids, lots of little bits and pieces, although I still need to get a "big" present for Karl yet.

Anders, I was going to buy him a DVD player, but after second thoughts, I decided that being a guy, he probably wouldn't approve of MY choice in that department, so I talked with him and sure enough, he wants some definite say in that, so we're going to be buying a combo DVD-Video player, which he will pick out, and then give each other a small present on Julafton when we exchange presents.

Thanks to Debbie here, I've been able to order his favorite movie from England, "Once Upon A Time In America" (usch, but he loves it) and so that's what he'll get under the tree this year. I can only put this here because he never reads PS,

[lizardek]

I'm pretty happy with my progress. I've got my family in the States finished, and my family here finished, and got tickets to HIPP HIPP for Anders which he'll be thrilled about Now, we have to get presents for Anders' parents and his kid's sisters and we're done.

[Kitty Sue]

I decided this year to do advent calendars for the guys. So I got an early start picking up little things for those. That got me in the shopping mood. So as of today I have everything for the 2 advent calendars and the 2 stockings. All of Ibo's gifts are bought and there is just one more to purchase for Llywellyn. Everything is even wrapped.

The gifts for my nieces and nephews in Canada are bought and the kidlet and I are making swedish christmas ornaments for the rest of the family over there. So that box should be sent off in a week.

That leave gifts for my fellow's family and he has to help with those. *laugh* I am hoping by to be completely done by Dec 1st and not have to battle crowds in the stores.

[Sabeine]

Man you women are awesome! What planning and organization you all have. I haven't started on any gifts yet. The dumb part is that I work part time in a clothing store and we have started with the holiday rush of selling. People are saying to us, "I'd better get this now before it's gone", or "I don't want to be here in the last minute". Last year Anders and I couldn't figure out what to get the women in his and my family. In a panic on Dec 23rd, all of them got satin pyjamas from my store, though not in the same colors. His mom, his sister, my mom, my sister, and my stepmom. Luckily for me, my mom and my step mom would never compare notes on the gifts, and my sister lives too far away from my mom so she'd never find out either. They all seemed to like them, and they were really gorgeous colors but I promised myself last year that I would have my stuff done earlier this year. I also promised that I'd get different gifts for each of them this year. I have a huge feeling I'll end up giving similar gifts to all of them again this year. I've already been eyeing things in my store that would work for all of them. Jeez, I am pathetic.

Before someone says that I am the worst gift giver ever, I did buy a pair of the satin pj's for myself. I really liked them, so it wasn't like I just picked any old thing and gave them away. Well, that's my excuse for now.

[jacqlynn]

hello you all......I am jealous you are there and I am here (california, the cold part) and my little girl is there. We did get webcams so we get to see each other, so nice, she looks really happy.I have already sent her favorite Christmas cookies and some sonoma wine for the adults in the family and some of my shopping is done, but she likes this song and I don't know who sings it. Some of the lyrics are " all we do is make up and break up when love hurts it won't work" does anyone have a teenager who might know what song that is??
I want to get the cd to send to her. I can really only send her small gifts so it would be so good to know. Any other suggestions for American or Swedish teens in the middle of Sweden? Or their families?
Happiest of Holidays!
JacLyn

[Maja]

Hey Jacqlynn! I know exactly what song you're thinking of...It's Blu Cantrell and the song is Breathe ((I know another member to this site has posted on her LJ very recently just how much she loves Blu Cantrell ha! )). I really like this song actually. I haven't heard the cd, but if it's for a younger girl, I'd kinda be careful because the lyrics on the album could get a bit out of hand. (You know how those rappers are!) ::saying with old woman voice and shaking her finger::
Christmas time is soooo sooon! Merry XMas! Oh gosh, am I jumping the gun a little?

[Sabeine]

It's hard to say what Swedish teenagers would like. I think in many ways they are a lot like American teens these days, having a similar taste in music, clothes, movies etc... the one item I do know that many teens here like are Levi's jeans, the tight fitting low waisted kind, that are popular in N. America as well. I have cousins here (half of family in the US, half here) and they request Levi's from me when I go to the States to visit my family there. A pair of jeans in the States can cost around $30 (even cheaper if you buy them new on Ebay) and the same pair here will cost between $75-90! I have no idea why they are so much more expensive here. I can understand the higher taxes here, but that is a bit over the top in my opinion.

I sure can't speak for all teens, but the ones I have bought the Levi's for really loved them.

[Carolyn]

They are expensive here because Levis has very tight contracts and controls which shops and how much they can sell the jeans for. In European markets, they can do that because the markets are SO much smaller than the U.S. markets. You NEVER see brands like Levis or Wranglers or Dockers on sale in Sweden and that is precisely the reason why. Shop tries to sell cheaper than Levis tells them to, shop doesn't get to sell Levis anymore.

[Suzanne]

I'm about halfway finished with my shopping. This has been the most exciting shopping I've ever done since I can get things that I know Per and his family will like and at a great price! I bought two Tommy Hilfiger purses, TH socks, TH shirt and TH hooded sweater for his 16 year-old daughter for about $55. I found some great makeup at a steal for about $3. I got Per a piece of jewelry and bought a bottle of Johnnie Walker for his dad. I have Fanny May and Godiva candies for his mom.

I am so going to miss the sales here. This will be my last Christmas shopping in Indiana for a while!

[Sabeine]

I don't know if they've heard of Fanny Mae, or Godiva here. I've yet to see it so far.

[Suzanne]

They probably haven't although all the airports seem to have Godiva. I brought his mom and dad the Godiva candy (I got at the Pepperidge Farms outlet store for half price for $12). I have to say, I scored very big points with them!

[Pam]

Bracelets. My sister should be sending my supplies this week and most people on my list are getting hand-made scented bracelets....even the boys if I can make some that aren't too "sissified" for them.
Anyone else gets home-made candies. I've stared making it already.

[Maja]

I refuse to buy XMas presents. So instead I'm making something very interesting for my friends & family. But I can't post it here incase anyone decides to read here. I just don't have the money to spend even though I wish more than anything I could shower everyone around with me with gifts.

[Carrie]

We haven't even started our Christmas shopping yet. I think I'm just going to send big tins of cookies to my in-laws and call it good. They have 6 kids between them ages 9-26 (I'm 29) and I really don't want to spend our money on kids that aren't even kids and don't send thank you notes. I am trying to convince my hubby that we are only obligated to send presents to the kids who are still living at home (2 of them). We'll see.

I have no idea what we are going to do for my family. We are moving to the US on Jan 1 and are having a family Christmas Jan 3 or 4 so I think we'll just buy something after we get there. We don't want to drag stuff all across the globe. I only have four family members on my side, so it's a little easier than the in-laws (13 members).

I also have no idea what we are going to do for each other. Maybe our plane tickets are our presents. I don't know! Christmas shopping has just about been the last thing on my mind lately.

[Leslie]

WOO HOO! I bought my very first Christmas present today! One person down and only 21 more family members to go. ;D