No Groaning Please but - How organised are you with your Christmas shopping?

Question

Do you leave it to the last minute?
Are you well organised and relaxed with your feet up while everyone else is panicking?
Any useful tips?

I've had a couple of charity Christmas gift catalogues in the post this morning, which made me think 'Goodness me, Is it that time already', or words to that effect.

Every year, I make a list of people and presents and plan to get the shopping done early and not leave it to the last minute. Last year was the best effort - shopped in good time but left the wrapping til the last minute and nearly got caught out.

Apologies to all for mentioning Christmas at this time - it was the catalogues that prompted me. I don't mind the charity catalogues as they come inside their magazines.

Answer 1

In my younger years I'd have all my shopping done before October rolled around, so I'd spend the days getting closer carefully wrapping each specially selected gift while others ran amuk trying to git r done.

As I got older, I kept meaning to finish early. I absolutely hate the malls after Thanksgiving, and it's really unfair to start putting out Christmas stuff in July! So I'd put it off until the weather felt more like Christmas. Which meant I was among those running amuk just before the holidays in the malls and shops that were just too crowded with grumpy people.

Then I discovered I could get really super stuff by shopping online! Yee hah! A glass or two or three of good wine, good music, my laptop, and I'm done in no time!

Answer 2

Honestly I'm not real organized when it comes to shopping. I always say that I am going to start early,hit big sales,shop all year, etc., yet every year I wait. Why, I don't know. I might find what I think is that perfect gift, then change my mind, or think I might get a better price some where else, or hope it goes on sale. Another big thing with me is where to store it, when stores had lay-a-way I always had a pretty good start. Oh well, yes the time is getting closer, maybe I should start now and at least do a little better.

Answer 3

Now that I am retired (1 year), I can finally shop early and get the best goods and sales. It is hard to buy for men so that is a challenge.

Once the after-school sales are over (in August) and they start putting up the seasonal decorations (in August), I will go and look around. Only have to buy for 8 people, aside from the toy drives I give to each year. Sooo, hopefully I won't get caught and can relax and enjoy the season.

I love wrapping presents and decorating the house. Maybe I can help in my Church this year also. Was never able to do that when I was working.

Answer 4

For the last 4 yrs I just put a gift certificate in a christmas card, except my youngest grandson wants money, He just got his drivers licence and first set of wheels a medium sized pickup that takes lots of gas, his part time job doesn't quite cut it since gas prices went through the roof here in Calif.

Answer 5

My husband and I never give out Christmas presents to all of his relatives, all 35 plus, possibly 40 of them. We usually show up with enough Lobster and Shrimp and prepare a huge Christmas meal for them. We are both good cooks and enjoy it. If you ask any family member what they got for Christmas last year, they can never remember who gave them what, but they always remember THE MEAL. Last year we showed up with over 200 Lobster and 100 lbs of shrimp, we also deep fry-ed a turkey and had all the fixins.
Now, my son, we only have one child living, he is happy to get money, he's 21, so money suits him fine.
My mother-in-law will shop year around, she does yard sales, close out sales, any kind of sale. I'm not kidding, she has a closet full of gifts, something comes up and she selects one.
When I was a single Mom, I would put things on lay-a-way all year, just to survive Christmas.
Lay-a-way is a single Moms best friend.

Answer 6

I buy stuff off Ebay all year round and put it away for Birthdays and Christmas, I lothe and detest the mad shoppers in the town, its so much easier this way and you have all over the world to choose from, the choice is massive and much better than your local High Street. So yes you could say I'm very organised.

Answer 7

Hi florence, I must admit, I did groan a bit. I only have one present bought and have about 30 to buy for!! I will probably do the same as last year. Still run around on Christmas Eve!!

Answer 8

Hi Florence...due to illnesss last September i was stretched out on the sofa and thru boredom flicked on the tv satelite shopping chanels, what a relevation. I managed to do all my christmas shopping getting good qualkity gifts at seriously cheaper prices. I fully intend to do the same again this year as i can actully come up with something with more thought in it for the recipient and not have to que at shops. Best bit was it all came delivered or by the postman.

Answer 9

Apart from if I see some thing that is just right for somebody through the year I'll grab it the rest i do on Christmas eve can't have three months of stressing about something that only needs a day,

Answer 10

Why bring this up this early? Surely October is the time to think about how much to spend, which people to give gifts to. Let's get Summer (ha ha) over first.