Christmas shopping...

[Solincia]

Okay, so yes, I mentioned it!

Every year, it's inevitable, I'm stuck christmas shopping during the final moments just before the clock strikes 12 and the jolly ol' saint nick is to be dropping down the chimney spreading his Christmas cheer.

So this year, I decided, was to be different.

I started picking up little gifts here and there, starting back in February, and have continued throughout the summer. I'm determined to have all of my shopping done by October.

My work schedule gets hectic during the holiday season, and we aren't allowed to take time off between Nov 25 and new years... so only the regular days off for me. Every year it's the same... rush rush rush! Not this year, hopefully!!

I'm mentioning this because my boyfriend thought it was funny that I just bought a hat for my niece for Christmas, and it's still August.

I want to be on the slopes, not in the malls, when the snow is falling. What do you ladies do? Do you end up rushing around too, or do you have a plan such as this to prepare for the holiday season?

 

[Severine]

I try to do most of my shopping online. I hate crowds. But I'm also not great about planning ahead (and lose things easily so it's probably better that way). I have to say that once child #2 came along and money got tighter, though, shopping for Christmas for everyone else became less fun. :( So now I procrastinate....

 

[Jilly]

I help out at the ski shop during the Christmas rush, so I try to get things done before Dec 1. Doesn't always happen, but I try. I like to be able to sit back and relax during the holidays if I can. So usually the only thing I'm buying the few days before is food! So far this year, I've got the birthdays over with, now time to think about the Christmas. DH and I have a policy of only a certain amount of money for each other. Birthday you can go wild, but Christmas not. Mostly because we want to go skiing and need the money for that. The men in my life are getting hard to buy for though, so it's thinking cap time!

 

[RachelV]

Oh my god. I start Christmas shopping around the 21st and usually finish frantically on the morning of the 24th. So I'm just going to put my fingers in my ears and whistle and pretend this thread doesn't exist until then... ;)

 

[ski diva]

I'm an on-line shopper, myself. I used to do catalogs, but on line is even easier. Anyway, in my area of VT we don't have too much to choose from. So that's one reason I shop on line. Also, I hate shopping malls. I find them depressing, particularly around Christmas. (I know, I'm weird.) I guess I'm lazy, too -- I want the whole process to be as effortless as possible. One of my favorite innovations: gift cards. The recipient can use it to get something they really want, and presto! You've given a nice gift.

No idea when I'll start Christmas shopping, but it won't be before Thanksgiving.

 

[pinto]

I always trick myself (not on purpose): I pick up a few things early, at summer sales and then a couple more things in early fall. Then I think I've actually made a dent in my shopping, so I forget about it ... until mid-December, when I'm panicked.

 

[altagirl]

This summer I explained to my family that I don't want to participate in exchanging gifts anymore. I'll buy something for my sister's new baby, but the whole process for us has gotten to the point where we ask what other people want, and then they give you specific things, and it turns out they should just buy it themselves because it's too hard to find just the right thing... and we mail each other checks.

Rotating checks is just silly. Commercialized holidays and the associated stress, guilt and expense are even sillier. I'm opting out.

I'm just going to spend the holidays hanging out with my friends, calling my family members and inviting everyone we know over for a big dinner celebration. Last year we did a massive Thanksgiving for 40 or so people, went to another friend's party for Christmas dinner and then threw another massive sushi party just after New Years. That's the extent of my holiday spirit. Bah humbug.

 

[astridhj]

I start in November and finish off some time in December. I put some good non-Christmassy songs on my Ipod, and go to the shopping malls. This year I will be working during Christmas, so I will probably spend a little extra on the gifts for my family since they will not see me during Christmas.

 

[Lola]

I shop all year long and store gifts in one closet at home. Then, usually around Thanksgiving, I go through the closet and am pleasantly surprised by how little shopping I have left to do.

Also, for those who shop online, you should check out Benevolink. Please see this thread: https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4467

You can get great discounts from major retailers through Benevolink and donate them to your favorite charity. I just love this idea!

 

[vmec]

Glad I'm not the only one! I always started to think about x-mas shopping as soon as school goes in. Maybe it's something about when I see all the "Fall Fashion" come in that it makes me think of cold, which makes me think of winter, which makes me think of x-mas.

I always start look around September for gifts. Though usually it's so-n-so would like that... he/she'd like that... and I LOVE this... wouldn't this look great on me! hehe.

 

[Robyn]

I've actually started thinking of Christmas gifts early this year! And for once I've got 2 choices for my aunt and uncle, now I just have to decide which one. So, I know what they, my cousin and my dad are getting still need to work on step mom, mom and stepdad. My friends and I don't exchange and sis and I agree to save each other the cash unless we're together with family.

 

[Jilly]

I"m down to the men in my life - Dad and DH. Rest are bought or they're gift card (TG for Tim Hortons!)

 

[ScottishGirlie]

I've got a couple of things sorted and I know what I'm getting for another few peeps so I should just get on with it really.

I am going to be cutting back a bit this year as funds aren't that great plus it just gets silly really.

But yes, why are men so hard to buy for!