Not ready to give up on the new scooter altogether. But I certainly expected a bit more enthusiasm than it's gotten. We bought the scooter for my 5-year-old for Christmas because we just knew it would be a hit.

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As hard as we try, it's hard to distance the holidays from the consumerism that accompanies them. Moms around CafeMom want to know how much everyone spent on their kids this year. I found numerous threads in several groups.

 

I did notice at least one trend -- moms tend to spend more the older their kids get. In one discussion, moms who spend $1,000 on each child were detailing their gifts, which included iPods, music and accessories, scooters, and bicycles.

I must admit, I'd have a hard time trying to spend that much money on my toddler and kindergartner even if I had it. It's not that they don't want want want -- they do. But it's usually for little stuff, like toy cars and dolls. I think I managed to keep the Christmas tab this year at about $50 per child -- not including the gifts from grandma and grandpa and relatives, of course.

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Say you have no time to shop anymore -- the stores are just too annoying right now anyway -- but you still have a lady on your list and you just don't know what to get her. Maybe she's your friend, your neighbor who always feeds your cats while you're away, the babysitter...and you want to get her something special, but you've got under $10 to spare and the clock is ticking.

I've got some great ideas and they aren't difficult to make!

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While a lot of moms on tight budgets had to cut back on gifts this year, a number of mommies are still worried that their toddlers are getting way too much stuff -- from Santa, grandparents, friends, etc.

Even celebrities that can afford to shower their kiddies in gifts are choosing not to do so. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie buy a few new toys for their six children, but they put way more emphasis on homemade presents. Even actress Keri Russell limits the number of gifts her son River Deary receives from family.

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...of the non-lame variety. That's what workitmom.com bloggers milkandcookie promise in their hilarious post today. What they don't give is a bunch of instructions (click the links for that), but truthfully, once you look at the pictures you can figure it out. All you need is, well, the stuff below, and some crafty kids with a little time on their hands.

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Look what one of my best girls got me for Christmas! These are mini reusable plates that sit on your finger so you can balance a tasty treat and your beverage at the exact same time. Never again will I have to juggle drinks, food, cocktail napkins, etc. I can't wait to use these at the next party. Seriously, my friend knows me too well!

Know someone who these babies would be perfect for? Get them at Fred Flare. A set of 10 is $12. And if you order today (Tuesday), it will still ship just in the nick of time for Christmas.

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Need a last minute gift? I got this idea after hearing Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, the wife-and-husband team who writes the Tastings column in the Wall Street Journal, on the radio. They like to give a set of beautiful yet inexpensive wine glasses to their friends and family. Why is this such a versatile idea?

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I don't know about you, but it's not always easy for me to buy gifts for my husband. He likes a lot of things -- comics, video games, toast (yes...he loves toast) -- but which is the right game, the right comic, and um...toast?

Last year, my mom gave him cufflinks. No, he doesn't wear fancy shirts all the time, but I have to say he loved the gift. They were engraved with his initials and he could finally wear his French cuff shirt on special occasions. You can get cufflinks at major department stores. For a new dad, these Safety Pin Cufflinks ($33.99 from Cuff-Daddy) are perfect.

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