-First request.... my husband honestly can't think of anything he wants for Christmas. He just built himself a new computer so he says he doesn't want anything, but I want to get him at least a little something. Any suggestions of things that have been a big hit with your husbands, brothers, dads, etc? I'd especially like suggestions from friends or family of Matt.
MATT YOU ARE FORBIDDEN TO READ THE COMMENTS
-Second request. Charlotte really doesn't need too much, and she won't know it's Christmas anyway. I would still like to get her at least one toy that I know she will like between now and next Christmas. So all you moms out there what did your babies play with for hours, what helped you to keep your sanity? There are so many HUGE baby toys out there I would like to avoid turning my house into a complete baby land but I'm willing to buy maybe one big toy if she'll really use it. I already have a swing but that's about it. So tell me your kid's favorite toys, books, or movies large or small.
Okay...so about Charlotte- we loved our exersaucer. We used it for endless hours for botht the kids. We had one that folded down and was easy for us to transport with us when we went to a friends house for the day. For Emma's first Christmas (she was about a month old) we just got her a stocking with her name on it. (Ebay) Good luck on not allowing your house to become a babyland.
ReplyDeleteAbout Matt, get him a themed gift. Like "a day off" with a movie or TV series on DVD he would like, some snacks and a gift card to a computer store so he can do lots of fun things in one day....Good luck. Luckily my husband likes books, so he always gets a bunch of those.
(I'm putting links on this ... hopefully they work!)
ReplyDeleteWell, something that she could use right away that I have heard RAVES about is this:
http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Rainforest-Melodies-Lights-Deluxe/dp/B000FFL58Q/ref=pd_cp_ba_1?pf_rd_p=413863701&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000I2UJ0Q&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0AWER9Z4ZZ26Z2HES26R
If you want to buy for the future, this is what we are getting Enoch for Christmas (he will be just shy of 6 months):
http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-K6070-Rainforest-Jumperoo/dp/B000I2UJ0Q/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1228144397&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Sassy-Babys-First-Rattle-Teether/dp/B0002Q92V0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1228144808&sr=8-1
A lot of people love the exersaucers, but we didn't have much luck with ours so that's why I'm getting the jumperoo. Heard good things about that one, too. Hopefully Enoch likes it!
As for the hubby, I have no clue. I usually get Sam shirts and books. If Matt drives a lot you could always gets him a book on cd (my dad, who hates to read, loves those). We are getting my in-laws The Peacegiver on cd (it is an amazing book). Good luck figuring that one out!
We've always borrowed the excersaucer to save money. She will need a very soft baby doll eventually. Charlie likes balls. beeps. buttons. I love the melissa and doug wooden toys.
ReplyDeleteAs for the hubby, I'd suggest edible gifts. What's his love language? coupons might be go
As I have neither a husband nor a baby, I will not attempt to offer my advice at this time. Just wanted to see my name on the comments page.
ReplyDeleteFirst year is tough on gifts for babies; we usually just got "baby utility" stuff that helped Mom more than babies. I will second the exersaucer idea... and if you don't have a high chair for her yet, there are some good ones out there that adjust to accommodate babies as they grow, sit up on their own, etc. Around 12 months I'd recommend you start having her watch LeapFrog's "Letter Factory" but that's still pretty far off and makes a good birthday gift.
ReplyDeleteAs for Matt, you can never go wrong with finding yourself something nice to wear for him!
That said... I know he has a habit of personally obtaining whatever games he wants to play with his shiny new computer, but he's always been a fan of RTS games, so if he doesn't have Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 you might look into that (ignore the Amazon rating, it is an ongoing DRM protest, not a reflection on the game itself). You have to buy it (as opposed to getting it via other methods) to play online with other people, so he may be interested in owning a copy. Other great games to pick up for his new rig include Fallout 3, Mass Effect, and Far Cry 2, but Matt may very well have those already... I can't remember if he allows himself to play Grand Theft Auto anymore, but GTA4 comes out for the PC on December 2nd as well, and it's supposed to be quite good. His computer can handle whatever you throw at it.
You might look at some board games, we usually get at least one every year. You can get them quite cheap at ThoughtHammer.com or NewSpiel.com. ThoughtHammer additionally puts links to BoardGameGeek reviews so you can figure out whether the game is to your tastes. Not sure if you're looking for more group games, or two-player, or whatever but there are lots of choices.
Finally, books. I know you're already working through Robert Jordan... I can't remember if Matt reads sci-fi as well as fantasy, but I recently enjoyed Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash very, very much. On the fantasy side of things, has he read George R. R. Martin? Some find Martin dull compared to Jordan, but others disagree.
It's been a few years so I know I'm not completely in touch with Matt's tastes, but hopefully this has given you something to work with. d^_^b
On second thought, if you decide to go with a Neal Stephenson book, go with The Diamond Age (subtitled "A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer"). The ending is kind of weird and a little unsatisfying, but most of the book addresses some very interesting questions about how to raise children who are not merely bright, but truly special. Some of the best sci-fi I've read in a long time, and it should appeal to Matt's interests both in technology and in his daughter's well-being.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, I'll stand by my other recommendations. Good luck!
I've bought a bunch of little things and hid them around the house, sending my husband on a scavenger hunt. I've picked out a cute/corny love song and bought things that go with each line of the song, a candy bar card (where you write a love letter using the candy as some of the words. (ie: "Oh-Henry, I mean_______! I just wanted to "take5" to tell you what a "Big Hunk" you are....)Or you can have him plan is own night with you. My husband loves computer games so I did it sort of WOW style. I let him pick the meal, the dessert and the night time activity outfit.
ReplyDeleteSeth is always bugging me to play chess with him, so one year I made him a coupon book - with the main coupon being to play a game of chess with him. What is that one little thing that you hate to do, but Matt loves to do - makes a perfect gift!
ReplyDeletegift for matt- I got Daniel a willow tree figure that is called "new dad" it is so precious! i am in the same situation with Benjamin so I can't really help you out there! sorry!
ReplyDeleteGlenn becks new book: Christmas Sweater and get him a new sweater if he likes it.
ReplyDeleteGlenn becks new book: Christmas Sweater and get him a new sweater if he likes it.
ReplyDeleteDiapers-always a great gift for the baby. You take their picture on top of them. Its cute for the babys first christmas pic. Also a play mat for the ground.One that has the toys hanging over their head, with those plastic chain link things you can take apart. Other rattles and toys of thiers also connect.Thats what both my kids got and they were born in October.
ReplyDeleteI totally stole the quizzes from someone else's blog too! I don't know if you are using or plan on using music to help with the bedtime routine with Charlotte, but we always have, and we got Brielle a CD from Deseret book of Christmas music done as lullabies--I think it is called Mary's lullaby. We already have the one that is Primary songs and I love it. The exersaucer is probably a good idea. I've borrowed them, but never bought one, and they come in really handy sometimes.
ReplyDelete