Organizing Christmas Wish Lists

I have a friend who was out in the cold on Thanksgiving night, waiting for the stores to open at midnight.  Did I mention it was 22 degrees out?  Oh did I also mention, she wasn't waiting in her car, but outside in line waiting to get in?  This to me, is baffling.  I just did some good old internet shopping, can't beat it.  The way I see it, I might not have saved twenty bucks, but I think my comfort, safety and sanity is worth that extra twenty bucks!

How many of you went out Black Friday shopping?

I know here in Massachusetts, it's a bit crazier than other states since our stores can't actually  open on Thanksgiving day, so everyone makes a mad dash at midnight. I won't hold it against you if you say you went out.  Well, maybe I won't.

Anyway, it got me wondering, what is it that everyone is after this year?  I haven't heard too much hype about any one specific thing that is a MUST have.  Remember The Tickle Me Elmo craze?  Am I aging myself with that reference?  Well, then I'll really age myself with this one, Cabbage Patch Dolls!  Yes, I know they are around still, but for you young ones, they were new and HOT when I was a kid.  You had to order them months ahead of time and even then you weren't guaranteed to end up with one.    

Since my kids (well two of the three) aren't old enough to write out Christmas lists just yet, we have found the best way to keep an organized list of their dream gifts is with an Amazon.com Wish List.  I set one up for each kid and I can add everything they desire onto the list.  I also easily installed the Wish List Button so we can add items from any website, not just Amazon.  When family members ask me what the kids want for Christmas I just email them the link to the list.  Easy peasy.  You, the gift buyer, also have the capability of marking it as purchased to avoid duplicating gifts.

Oh, I almost forgot, my BIGGEST TIP for adding things to their lists:  When we are at a store and they start saying "I want this", "I want that" (which will always happen), I simply whip out my phone and snap a picture of the item.  The kids get a kick out of it and it makes it much easier for me to remember the hundreds of useless items they want.

Well, since I'm so curious what everyone else is buying this year, I figured I'd share a few items that we've recently added to our family wish lists.  The best way to get good gift ideas is to see what everyone else is buying, right? 

I'd love for you to share your top three gifts you're getting with me?  I could use the help!

Josh - Boy -  Almost 5 years old  

1.
Zoomer - This is the one that he asked for and I thought I could ignore but he just keeps talking about how he can't wait to teach his robot dog tricks etc.  So how can I not get it?  Does anyone already have one of these?  Is it obnoxious?  I need to know what I am in for?

2.
  LEGO City Fire Station 60004 -  I can already feel those Legos under my feet, as I stumble across the room, cursing! We are at that stage with building things that the larger "baby" blocks (Duplo) aren't cutting it.  It's time to have him graduate into the smaller pieces.  So we decided to stick to the Lego City set.  Hopefully we can get a good amount of the kits because my kid won't be satisfied until he has the entire city built. 

3.
Fisher-Price Imaginext Monsters University Scare Factory - I have to admit, of all the toys we have, I actually love the Imaginext line of toys.  We have all the Batman ones and Toy Story.  We just keep a small tote for all the figures and it makes for an easy clean up.  This is a for sure buy for us this year.

Nora - Girl - Just turned 2

1. Toy Vacuum- Dyson Ball Vacuum With Real Suction and Sounds - I actually purchased this about a month ago.  It was the first gift I bought.  I have the identical vacuum and whenever I'm vacuuming, my little love, wants to help so this was a no brainer.  Why is it little ones love to help clean, but when they get old enough to actually clean, they want no part of it?

2. Step2 Lifestyle Custom Kitchen, Black and Red - Again, already bought.  This was a no brainer, 2 year old girl - kitchen - yes, of course.  What little girl doesn't love a kitchen set?

3. Just Play Doc McStuffins Get Better Checkup Center Playset - We LOVE Doc McStuffins around here.  It's one show of theirs that I can stomach to listen to.  I think it's great and the kids love it.  We also will be purchasing the various doctor kits etc. because those are super cute too!

Tori - Girl - Almost 17 (yikes)

1. UGG Australia Women's Classic Cardy - These are a maybe, depending on grades, just so happens report cards come out this week!

2. Wonderstruck Taylor Swift Wonderstruck Enchanted Taylor Swift Eau De Parfum, 1.7 Ounce - Why is it that teenage girls have endless scents?  I prefer to pick one and stick with it.

3. Bath & Body Works Forever Midnight Fine Fragrance Mist 8 oz (236 ML) - See what did I tell you? More fragrance!  And the list goes on and on.  There are about 5 Bath and Body Works fragrances, 3 Victoria Secret sprays and forget about the scented lotions! Aye!

Christine (ME) - Woman - Age - Let's just say in her 30s

1. Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5-1/2-Quart Round French Oven, Cherry This is one of those things that every year I lust after, but I just can't spend the money on myself, because I don't know exactly how often I would use it.  It's a fantasy gift for me.

2. Ninja BL660 Professional Blender with Single Serve. - This is the same situation as the Le Crueset, where it is something I would love to own, but just don't know how often I would actually use it.

3. KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Empire Red - Do you see the trend with what I want yet?  All things that I would love to own, but would never spend on myself, which makes them perfect gifts!

You may be wondering why no husband list?  Well, that is because he NEVER tells anyone anything he wants.  He's not trying to be difficult, he just has a knack for not being able to come up with ideas, until say, right after you buy his gifts, or maybe a week after Christmas.

So there you have it.  Foody Schmoody Family Christmas List.

Do we have anything similar on our lists? 
What are you tricks for keeping an organized list?