How specific are you with wish lists for the kids??

[Fishie Kisses]

Thank you for all the suggestions! I do like the idea of consumables. He asks almost daily to do an art project and he's getting old enough that he can do more than just color with crayons.

MIL does awesome with clothing choices...she actually ONLY shops at Kohls. And luckily my dad just takes me shopping with him. I guess I don't have too much to worry about, I just hate the thought of getting stuff I can't even exchange or something and then it never gets used

[Fishie Kisses]

Originally Posted by psylion I would feel uncomfortable asking for only particular stores, especially expensive ones. I as a general rule avoid asking for clothes though since father in law is an indiscriminate garage sale shopper and MIL seems to think that brown and orange are the only colors that exist in the world (earth tones make me barf). I think the disposable stuff like art supplies idea is the best one.

I couldn't help but chuckle at this because I know people like that

[cmarsh31]

The only clothes I ask for are pjs, I figure those work either way. My kids are long & skinny and the ILs only shop bargain racks - ie no slims/adjustable waist available - so it's not worth the hassle of just hoping to return stuff that won't work or fit (I'm not making a trip to the mall to return pants that cost $1.49, I just end up donating everything). So, I end up spending money on clothes and have them buy games, books, toys, craft stuff, etc because I can just make an easy Amazon list for them to buy from (of course, MIL won't actually buy off the list, just buys the stuff, then it doesn't get marked and we end up with doubles - I've started asking her a few weeks before holiday/birthday to tell me what she bought so I can take care of it).

Oh, other lesson learned, if there is ONE THING the kid wants, don't put that important item on the list. One year, MIL didn't bother to buy it, this year she wanted him to open it at her house (a whole other HUGE issues as to why she couldn't come to ours, 15 minutes away), so on Christmas morning, the one thing he had wanted for a year (a DS) wasn't under the tree. We basically had to tell him that it was at the grandparents house - DH said never again will we do that to our kid if it's something we have the means to provide.