2009 Holiday Hits and Misses

[MamaMolly]

DD is 3.
Hits: Aquadoodle
Dress up clothes
3 pack of Bonnie Bell chapstick. She's smeared about half a tube of one on her face already. She loves, loves, loves it. I love, love, love that I got it at the after Christmas 90% off sale at Target last year. Thanks BBB!!

misses:
Chutes and Ladders from ILs. She already got it for her birthday (they were there ) and doesn't really like it yet. I think she needs more practice getting used to the idea of taking turns, counting spaces, etc. She's still a little 'young' for it. We'll add this one to the gift closet when they aren't looking.

Hasen't seen (and won't): from my family BTW
yet another matching card game. The last thing we need, especially with Strawberry Shortcake on it. DD has 4 sets of matching games. The DK books one is a hit (hand me down from a friend) and the rest are getting re-gifted.
Horrible non-outfits from the end of season sale at Kohls. There is a reason these clothes were marked down to $1. They are fugly. Plus I don't have time, energy or interest in digging around in DDs clothes to make a match. I buy *outfits* because it is just easer and cheaper in the long run.

[MMMommy]

DD1 (5)
Hits:
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Magic Set
Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster
Dreamtown Sweet Lily Castle

DD2 (4)
Hits:
Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster
Dreamtown Sweet Lily Castle

To be determined (for both):
Melissa & Doug Play Money
Kidkraft Kitchen (an upgrade from their old one)

[amandabea]

I held several items back because as I was wrapping, I felt there was just too much for DD to appreciate.

Nearly 3 yo girl
Hits:
Cinderella dress
Corelle Red Headed Vanilla Doll
Snow White doll dress (matches DD's from Halloween)
Sleeping Beauty doll dress (matches DD's from DL trip in Nov)
Sleeping Beauty movie
Ballerina music box
Pretty much if it was princess-themed, then it was a hit

Misses:
Kitty cat polliwog slippers (DD has always refused to wear slippers)
No other clear misses yet

Not enough time to assess:
Doll cradle
Tag Reader (how I ended up w/ 13 books and 2 activity card sets is beyond me)

The good news is that I'm set with presents for DD's late Jan b-day, Valentines day, and Easter.

[pb&j]

Almost 4 y.o. boy:
Hits:
-"Laser gun" with lights and sounds (DH got it last minute, not sure where)
-Toothbrushes
-Big boy bike! We had rain/freezing rain here all day, so he rode it around in the house
-Umbrella
-Sleeping bag
-Playmobil forklift

Misses -
-Snow globe (from ILs). I won't let him touch it b/c it is extremely fragile.
-Staplerless stapler. Turns out, his whole attraction to the stapler is actually the staples.

DD, age 1:
Hits:
-Play kitchen (DS also really liked this)
-toy purse w/stuff inside (got this for <$5)
-the bags and boxes everything came in
-Robeez booties from my sister. So cute, I wish they came in my size

Misses:
-Stuffed animals. (Not a surprise to us)

Me, 30-something
Hits:
-http://www.gearhartschocolates.com/ , esp my favorite favorite pistachio toffees
-new paint in our master bedroom and bath!! Sherwin Williams Bamboo Shoot in the bedroom, and Ben Moore Crystalline in the bath, 'cuz I know you're wondering.
-Keurig, from my parents, so that now I don't have to spend time brewing a pot of coffee when I just want a cup of decaf. Plus, our ancient coffeemake just broke TODAY, so it was very timely!!

DH, 40-something
Hits:
-LL Bean duffel
-iPod nano and Bose earbuds

[MommyofAmaya]

Hits 3.5yo girl
Parents animal hospital w/vet equipment
Lulu the cat
leapster
M&D Train
stick horse

Hits 1.5yo boy
Lulu the cat (he definitely thinks it is real and has been snuggling with it all day)
harmonica
M&D train (specifically the musical caboose)

Misses
learning resources play food
Sebastian's Tidoo (he hasn't looked at it.. prefers the kitty)
playsilks haven't been glanced at since exiting of the stocking
Hungry Pelican (a little babyish at point.. and pricey too. I'm glad it wasn't my $).

[Tnstrainor]

DS --3

Hits--

Hockey Guys
Break the Ice
Hungry Hippos
Lightning McQueen's friend
books
Spencer and Rosie

Misses
Geotrax track--Cars


He still has several gifts to open but is in bed. Lots of gifts to be put away for a rainy day.

[DietCokeLover]

DD (3)
Hits:
$1 flashlight
play food for her kitchen set (we already had)
HUGE electric walk-on keyboard/ piano from my parents
books
crayons

Misses:
American Girl DVD

DS (2)
Hits:
$1 flashlight
M&D magnetic fishing game puzzle
Play vaccuum
play food for kitchen set

Misses:
ABC Elmo that in laws bought

To be determined:
TAGs for both kids (I forgot to get batteries for them!)
Zippity (haven't hooked it up yet)
IKEA train set (still in box)

[infomama]

Dd1 (6)
Hits-Tinkerbell outfit (my dress up trunk), toy ATM, earrings, wristlet, Cherry Blossom Market and Rose Petal Cottage, Ariel spin brush
Misses- Not 100% sure yet but she is kind of lukewarm on the Tag reader and cape

Dd2 (2)
Hits- Battat dollhouse, Fairy costume (MDUT again), cape, Market and Cottage (mentioned above), Barney DVDs
Misses-nothing so far

DH
He loves his 'car care kit'-basically a bunch of really nice products to clean, shine and protect his new truck, clothes from J. Crew, money towards a spray bedliner. He wasn't enamored with the Kreg joint system I got him but I think he is going to keep it. He says he wants to try to make a bench and a bookshelf to start....we will see.

[Twoboos]

Hits:
Both: Wii Littlest Pet shop (HUGE!!), Wii Sports Resort
Barbie 3 Musketeers and Diamond Castle dressup dresses

DD1 (6)
Faux American Girl Doll, suitcase of clothes made by MIL, and Doll Trunk
TinkerBell pop up tea kettle playset
Angel Slippers from Garnet Hill
Star Wars Princess Amidala figurines

DD2 (4)
Strawberry Shortcake playset
Fairy Tinker Toys
Faux American Girl Doll, suitcase of clothes made by MIL, and Doll Trunk


Misses/paying no attention to:
Games (Picktureka, Uno, Rush Hour)
Books (Little house set, star wars pop up book)

Probably a hit, will know this aftn - tix to the Nutcracker!!!

[daisymommy]

HITS

3.5 year old DD
Fisher Price Loving Family Dollhouse and furniture.
Hannah went crazy for it! Played with it all-day-long, and didn't want to stop to open any other presents or eat her breakfast

Fisher Price Trio pink blocks set

7 year old DS
Leapfrog Didj and games
Bionicle


4 month old
Fisher Price Rainforest Mobile
Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Soothe and Glow Seahorse

I love that both of these have very soft and soothing, non-mechanical music and sounds. Not obnoxious and annoying for grown-ups to listen to or scary for baby.

Melissa and Doug soft Rainbow Stacker (he's too young to play with it right now, but I looked it over and think it will be great in a few months). each ring either crackles/crinkles, rattles, or has a bell in it. The little red bulb on top squeaks.