Christmas List - Then vs Now

LakeR2014 · December 2014

As we get ready for the holidays - I was thinking about the things I had on my wish list when I was younger versus today....

Child Age me: Easy Bake Oven
Grown Up me: Basket of necessities (detergent, toilet paper, shampoo, soap, grocery giftcard, etc) that I won't have to buy for at least two months.*

What was on your childhood wish list and what's on your grown-up one now? Do you remember when the change from 'I want for Christmas' to 'I need for Christmas' occurred?

*My mom gets us a 'practical' gift every year with the above contents and it's my favorite gift to look forward to. I take it as - she gives us all the semi-expensive necessity things we NEED and then allows us to spend the money we would've on those on a dinner out or movie or game we want to go to later.

VulgarGirl · December 2014

One year when I was a kid someone gave me $25 in gift certificates (the actual paper ones, 5 of them $5 each, very exciting) to McDonalds...it was like the best gift ever. I was so excitied cause I could buy all the milkshakes I wanted and no one could say boo about it.

Now their milkshakes suck. But if someone got me $25 to like the grocery store, I'd be over the moon.

Food pleased me back then and it pleases me now.

theartistformerlyknownas · December 2014

I always wanted clothes for Christmas, and I'm still happy to get them now. With a sister 16 months older than me and an August birthday, I rarely got new winter clothes except for Christmas gifts. So that "want to need" shift happened when I was maybe 9.

I like to get my nieces and nephews a combo of fun and practical - they each got 1 toy, 2 books, and pajamas from Auntie Lolo.

peachy13 · December 2014

6 years old: circling every f*cking item in two Toys R Us catalogs, handing one copy to my parents and mailing the other to Santa, and getting maybe 3ish toys out of the 800 things I circled.

28 years old: "mom can I have a vacuum for Christmas? ... and maybe wine?"

novella1186 · December 2014

I always asked for toys and nonsense such as a pet mouse (which I got but not as an xmas gift).

In college I started asking for necessary stuff like socks because I couldn't afford anything and I'd rather get "needs" than fun stuff.

Now I want clothes and liquor. Cuz clothes are awesome, and liquor.

[Deleted User] · December 2014

I remember making wish lists as a kid, but honestly don't remember what I put on them. I can remember things I received, but whether or not I asked for them (or someone just decided to buy them for us) I can't remember.

I think moving out on my own was when I started wishing for things I needed vs. wanted. This year I actually want very few materials things, be they needs or wants, as I have no space for them! The exceptions are an actual trash can (we use a bag that hangs from our pantry door right now), and a "bag lady" cart for hauling my groceries from where I park my car to the door or my apartment.

My FMIL mentioned gifting us with an "experience" instead of things this year, and I'm a-okay with that as I've been trying to do the same for her and her husband. Or edible gifts as they don't last long.

theartistformerlyknownas · December 2014

peachy13 said:

6 years old: circling every f*cking item in two Toys R Us catalogs, handing one copy to my parents and mailing the other to Santa, and getting maybe 3ish toys out of the 800 things I circled.

28 years old: "mom can I have a vacuum for Christmas? ... and maybe wine?"

Ummm ok yeah I did this too. With the gigantic JCPenney catalog. Every damn Barbie thing in there (and all the clothes), circled and dog-eared. I even paper-clipped coupons to my itemized 400 item list, because come on, frugality.

dcbride86 · December 2014

When I was little I wanted every accessory ever for my American Girl Doll (Samantha). Now I'd like mostly money (I don't ask for it, but I'd like it), work clothes, and makeup because that stuff is expensive but necessary

maeday2 · December 2014

I just had this conversation with my mom this weekend.

I remember circling shit in the 5 inch thick Sears catalog and deeming which items were too expensive, so Santa should pick those up. You're welcome, mom & dad.

This Christmas my family and FI's family have yelled at us because we just told them to use our registries for gifts. It's stuff we actually need, for the most part.

luckya23 · December 2014

novella1186 said:
I always asked for toys and nonsense such as a pet mouse (which I got but not as an xmas gift).

In college I started asking for necessary stuff like socks because I couldn't afford anything and I'd rather get "needs" than fun stuff.

Now I want clothes and liquor. Cuz clothes are awesome, and liquor.

I also asked for different pets for xmas but only got a cat when I was 4.

This year I asked for toys/puzzles for my dog and a doggie DNA test. I know I'm getting the test, I saw it at my mom's!!

I don't want anyone else trying to buy me clothes... it always ended up in a full day of returns for me!

mikenberger · December 2014

Mine was the delias catalog or Alloy. And all my sizes and stars beside the things I wanted. More stars, the more I wanted.

Now my Christmas list is: Money and a remote car starter because starting my car at 5:50am is a SON OF A BITCH. Oh and a free oil change to the mechanic shop of Dad.

beethery · December 2014

I have no idea what the hell I want this year. When I was a kid, I didn't know either and I felt weird asking. Barbie shit was always good for me and everyone knew that.

buttercup1958 · December 2014

When I was a kid: Clothes, toys, and random fun things. Like my parents got me a bass, a record player, and a bike.

Now: I just mainly ask for money and anything else they can think of. I don't really need or want much. I did ask for crappy Walmart clothes so I can be comfy in one of my classes. We are going to be outside all day and it will be cold. So it's mostly pratical but I'm sure my mom got me other things ha.

steph861 · December 2014

maeday2 said:
I just had this conversation with my mom this weekend.

I remember circling shit in the 5 inch thick Sears catalog and deeming which items were too expensive, so Santa should pick those up. You're welcome, mom & dad.

This Christmas my family and FI's family have yelled at us because we just told them to use our registries for gifts. It's stuff we actually need, for the most part.

The Barbie pages of the Sears Wish Book were always loose and dog-eared after I looked at the catalogue. They're still the first pages I turn to...

kat1114 · December 2014

I actually have the letter I wrote to Santa when I was 6 because my mom threw it in a box of pictures to save. Six year old me asked for an Ini Kamoze tape, a Cranberries tape, a hockey stick, and roller skates.

Adult me enjoys pretty much anything I get. Although my mom did ask me what I wanted this year, and I told her some cycling gear or anything left on our registry.

jenna8984 · December 2014

I definitely did the Alloy/ Delia's circling of clothes with sizes and colors labeled. When I was in 4th grade I asked for a younger sibling. Had no idea why my friends had one and I didn't. My mom's tubes were tied so that went unfulfilled. haha

When I was in college my parents automatically switched to necessities like parts for my car and grocery gift cards.

Once I graduated college, we haven't lived in the same state or had Christmas together for 8 years so they just send a check. I ask DH for majority need items like stuff for the house.

manillabar · December 2014

I never made an actual list, or wrote letters to santa or anything, but if anyone asked it was the usual stuff like dolls, other toys and games, and pretty clothes. The highlights were when I got a my size barbie and an easy bake oven. Oh, and the Christmas before I turned 11 I decided it would be my last year for dolls and I told everyone that. I got some really good dolls that year.

Now, my wish list (I wrote one this year because my siblings and I did a secret santa thing online and it asked for a wish list) says "clothes for work and boots good for snow." In the recent past I've also asked for things like a new desk for my room and books.

ElcaB · December 2014

LakeR2014 said: As we get ready for the holidays - I was thinking about the things I had on my wish list when I was younger versus today....

Child Age me: Easy Bake Oven
Grown Up me: Basket of necessities (detergent, toilet paper, shampoo, soap, grocery giftcard, etc) that I won't have to buy for at least two months.*

*My mom gets us a 'practical' gift every year with the above contents and it's my favorite gift to look forward to. I take it as - she gives us all the semi-expensive necessity things we NEED and then allows us to spend the money we would've on those on a dinner out or movie or game we want to go to later.

I always look forward to my stocking from MIL. She stuffs it with deodorant, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo & conditioner, hand lotion, etc.

When I was little I wanted American Girl dolls. Now:

"Dear Santa,

I would like a spiralizer for the kitchen (ZOMG zucchini noodles AMIRITE) and Hotel Collection bath towels from Macy's (because wrapping oneself in luxury after every shower is the gift that keeps on giving all year 'round). Oh, and snow boots because I'm tired of choosing between fashion and dry feet.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Give the reindeer kisses from me, mmmkay?

Love,

ElcaB"

ETF: Quote box.

AddieCake · December 2014

Last week I saw a thing about toys from childhood, and I legit want Fashion Plates all over again.

beethery · December 2014

AddieCake said:

Last week I saw a thing about toys from childhood, and I legit want Fashion Plates all over again.

I had a barbie fashion plate thing that I was OBSESSED WITH. One of my friends stole it and my dad got me some kind of Barbie fashion/coloring program. Basically you kitted Barbie out with everything. Hair, hair accessories, jewelry, clothes, shoes, all of it. Then you picked a background and colored it in with a fill tool like on MSPaint. I spent HOURS doing that, and then printing it out on our dot matrix printer and coloring it in with markers.

STARMOON44 · December 2014

I still kinda want the same things: books, something pretty to bake with, new pajamas and slippers, something sparkly, and chocolate that is mine all mine I don't have to share with anyone.

plainjane0415 · December 2014

Not sure if all towns do this or not, but we would write our santa letters at school, and then our teachers would turn them into our local newspaper and they would put them in the paper. I used to think that was so cool because I really thought santa would see my letter.. I vividly remember one Christmas where I asked for the Grape Escape game, and a personalized doll, like American Girl, but not. My mom had me fill out this form and I got to pick her hair color, eye color, skin color, clothes all of that. I ended up with a red haired green eyed doll name Alexandria. And that was my most favorite Christmas ever.

Now, I'm with everyone else on the practical gifts. I already got weathertech floor mats for my new car from FI, and I'm not sure what my parents will get me, but I'm sure it's going to be something like gift cards to Kroger or something..

SJM7538 · December 2014

childhood was always barbies and clothes. from age 16 to probably 24 or 25 was money. 26 is when I met and moved in with H and from then on its always been need vs. want. last year it was gift certificate so we could purchase a new bed. we just did Christmas dinner early with my dad and my father in law this past weekend and my father in law got my stairs for my two smaller dogs so they can get up into our bed. Best gift ever! and I asked my mom for a new casserole dish this year.

my dad did get H and I gift cards for dinner and a movie Which is awesome bc money has been tight so we haven't been on a date in forever.

l9i · December 2014

When I was younger it was American Girl anything and all the things. Then it shifted to clothes. When I started college I told my parents I wanted to start getting house stuff so when I moved out I had the basics. They ignored that request the first year, the next year I only got house stuff like glasses, dishes, pots and pans, etc and it was probably my favorite Christmas, no lie. I moved out wthin that year so it was great to be prepared. Since then it's been practical items and I love getting things like that. I had Christmas last weekend with my parents and you bet I was excited about the gravy boat, printer, and new alarm clock.

lyndausvi · December 2014

I lived in the time where you would eagerly wait for the Sears Wish book to come out. Then you would go through every page oohing and ah-hing over all the new toys that were in there. Such a magical time.

Back in the day it was Barbie. I got the townhouse one year and my sister got the corvette (or maybe the other way around). We were in heaven.

Story time - We moved to Richmond which was 4 hours away from my mom's family. It was a HUGE deal, as no one every moved. She even has a huge family, but they all lived in DE. Not visiting at xmas was not an option at the time.

So we celebrated xmas dinner and mass on the 24th. Santa came on the 25th and then we were to hop in the car and drive to DE for a few days Well Santa brought an Easy Back Oven. OMG, my sister and I HAD, I mean just HAD to bake a cake for grandma.

So we did and my sister held that cake in her lap the entire way. I'm talking 4 HOURS. We get out of the car at my aunt's house and it was icy. Sis slipped and she fell on the cake (it was wrapped)

It was so sad looking. She was in tears. Like a good grandma she loved the cake and ate some. That was a long time ago, but we all remember like it was yesterday.

maeday2 · December 2014

beethery said:

AddieCake said:

Last week I saw a thing about toys from childhood, and I legit want Fashion Plates all over again.

I had a barbie fashion plate thing that I was OBSESSED WITH. One of my friends stole it and my dad got me some kind of Barbie fashion/coloring program. Basically you kitted Barbie out with everything. Hair, hair accessories, jewelry, clothes, shoes, all of it. Then you picked a background and colored it in with a fill tool like on MSPaint. I spent HOURS doing that, and then printing it out on our dot matrix printer and coloring it in with markers.

I had this! I can still visualize the polka dot and floral patterns that were my favorites and subsequently on every damn piece of clothing I made. The actual product never up to snuff though. I just suck at being a fashion designer.

lmcooper86 · December 2014

steph861 said:

I just had this conversation with my mom this weekend.

I remember circling shit in the 5 inch thick Sears catalog and deeming which items were too expensive, so Santa should pick those up. You're welcome, mom & dad.

This Christmas my family and FI's family have yelled at us because we just told them to use our registries for gifts. It's stuff we actually need, for the most part.
The Barbie pages of the Sears Wish Book were always loose and dog-eared after I looked at the catalogue. They're still the first pages I turn to...

Yup, the Sears Wish Book always resulted in lots of circling and folding. My mom actually hid it a few years so we didn't know it had arrived because she didn't want to listen to us talking about Barbies for a month.

We almost always got a mix of fun and practical. Like a couple toys or games, and then some new clothes and books and stuff.

It's still the same, but the "weighting" (for lack of a better word) has shifted to more practical. We'll get a couple fun things, like a new movie or something silly in our stockings, but it's more house stuff or clothes for work (or the money to go buy them). I think that shift happened when we went to university.

beethery · December 2014

maeday2 said:

beethery said:

AddieCake said:

Last week I saw a thing about toys from childhood, and I legit want Fashion Plates all over again.

I had a barbie fashion plate thing that I was OBSESSED WITH. One of my friends stole it and my dad got me some kind of Barbie fashion/coloring program. Basically you kitted Barbie out with everything. Hair, hair accessories, jewelry, clothes, shoes, all of it. Then you picked a background and colored it in with a fill tool like on MSPaint. I spent HOURS doing that, and then printing it out on our dot matrix printer and coloring it in with markers.

I had this! I can still visualize the polka dot and floral patterns that were my favorites and subsequently on every damn piece of clothing I made. The actual product never up to snuff though. I just suck at being a fashion designer.

Was it the weird light yellow color during the outfitting? It was all black and white MSDOS looking until you got to the coloring part.

God I loved that program.

maeday2 · December 2014

beethery said:

maeday2 said:

beethery said:

AddieCake said:

Last week I saw a thing about toys from childhood, and I legit want Fashion Plates all over again.

I had a barbie fashion plate thing that I was OBSESSED WITH. One of my friends stole it and my dad got me some kind of Barbie fashion/coloring program. Basically you kitted Barbie out with everything. Hair, hair accessories, jewelry, clothes, shoes, all of it. Then you picked a background and colored it in with a fill tool like on MSPaint. I spent HOURS doing that, and then printing it out on our dot matrix printer and coloring it in with markers.

I had this! I can still visualize the polka dot and floral patterns that were my favorites and subsequently on every damn piece of clothing I made. The actual product never up to snuff though. I just suck at being a fashion designer.

Was it the weird light yellow color during the outfitting? It was all black and white MSDOS looking until you got to the coloring part.

God I loved that program.

YES.

I'm not shitting you, I think I still have the program manual in my childhood "box of shit" my mom so lovingly calls it. The CD-ROM (because you said the whole thing back then) may still be alive, too. I will hunt for it over Christmas, because now I have to know.

chibiyui · December 2014

Sears wish book was the BEST. I still remember this bitchin Barbie Dream Closet Playset that I wanted SO BAD.

I always wanted toys as a kid. Toys Toys Toys. Then in high school I wanted video games. Getting Majora's Mask was THE BEST CHRISTMAS. I read teh fucking instruction booklet while driving to Grammy's because I just wanted to play that game SO DAMN BAD.

It was in college that I started to appreciate "needs" gifts. I remember getting dress socks and being very excited.

But seriously, I still want fun stuff. Like, if I have a random ass amiibo under the tree from H I'll be so excited. I just love toys and I always will. Like, I can't wait for my Niece to get a little bigger so I can buy her bitchin Barbie and Monster High stuff. And Ponies. Shit, I still buy myself blind bag ponies and figures. I appreciate the needs, especially the mid-range high end needs that I might not buy due to price, but I'll always love freaking toys.

novella1186 · December 2014

maeday2 said:

beethery said:

AddieCake said:

Last week I saw a thing about toys from childhood, and I legit want Fashion Plates all over again.

I had a barbie fashion plate thing that I was OBSESSED WITH. One of my friends stole it and my dad got me some kind of Barbie fashion/coloring program. Basically you kitted Barbie out with everything. Hair, hair accessories, jewelry, clothes, shoes, all of it. Then you picked a background and colored it in with a fill tool like on MSPaint. I spent HOURS doing that, and then printing it out on our dot matrix printer and coloring it in with markers.

I had this! I can still visualize the polka dot and floral patterns that were my favorites and subsequently on every damn piece of clothing I made. The actual product never up to snuff though. I just suck at being a fashion designer.

Are you guys talking about the Barbie Magic Hair-Styler? Cuz I had that for our computer and I was OBSESSED with it. I would probably still play it if it were compatible with anything newer than Windows '93

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