Has anyone started Christmas shopping yet?

[Pam]

I have gotten a few things. I have learned from past years to get it when I see it rather than wait. It may not be there when you go back! Soooo, with a nip in the air that tells us that Christmas is around the corner, how about you?

[pomtzu]

I'm the same as you, Pam. I have a few things and only because I found a good sale price on something I was going to get anyway, and one item that I had to custom order. I really don't know what to get anyone again this year, but that's about par for the course. :(

[Karen]

I haven't even started Christmas shopping thinking yet! :)

[Pinot's Mom]

Christmas shopping is rather minimal in our house. We came to an agreement many years ago in our families that we all DON'T NEED ANYTHING! So, we do little gift baskets with consumables that will be used, and call it a day. We're all very blessed and fortunate and would rather put resources where they're needed elsewhere.

[Cataholic]

Christmas shopping is rather minimal in our house. We came to an agreement many years ago in our families that we all DON'T NEED ANYTHING! So, we do little gift baskets with consumables that will be used, and call it a day. We're all very blessed and fortunate and would rather put resources where they're needed elsewhere.


I so love this idea, and wish I could totally implement it everywhere! I like the idea of sponsoring those less fortunate- be they furry, skinned, known or otherwise.

[Grace]

Our list is short, but I do start in January. If I see something, I buy it then. Spreading the buying over the year makes it feel like you spend less.

We don't give to each other. Instead we give to a couple of charitable organizations dealing with animals and birds.

[Catty1]

:eek::eek::eek:

[Asiel]

I've started buying a few items that I know is needed but we don't go overboard like we used to anymore. We also pool our money and donate to the animal shelter and I pick up items on sale year round so it makes quite a few huge boxes of stuff that they can really use. If someone mentions a special something I will jot it down and get it, otherwise we mostly get eatables also and for some we get bath stuff that I know they love. Besides that, being together is our biggest treat and we always invite someone who is alone to share our meal. We always try to get a homeless child to share the day also.

[Taz_Zoee]

I voted Bah Humbug. Only because I do not have money to shop now. Hopefully I will by Thanksgiving. I'm actually going to do the Black Friday thing with my mom, SIL and nieces. I'm scared!! I hate shopping! LOL

[prechrswife]

I didn't vote because it isn't too early, but I haven't bought anything yet. I am going to get some books for the kids at the preschool book fair in the morning, and a couple of them are already set aside for me, but I don't think I can count it as a purchase just yet.:)

[DJFyrewolf36]

I'm making gifts for people this year and Ive started getting the materials...does that count? ;)

[Pembroke_Corgi]

We really only buy presents for the kids in the family, so we haven't started yet. Instead of buying for adults, we starting doing a gift exchange.

Last year my mom and grandma came for Christmas so we had us, them, and my brother and SIL put our names in a hat. We picked one person (we kept it secret till after we exchanged gifts) and spent $20. It was fun! I got some cashmere socks and a gingerbread house (my brother got my name, but he cheated because my husband helped him pick the stuff out! I liked it anyway. :)).

[Edwina's Secretary]

I do it all year round. When I see something clever or interesting or at an exceptional price or from someplace I've traveled...I get it and put it in a dresser I have just for that.

I may not buy it for anyone in particular. Then I decide. Somethings stay in the drawer for a while until the right occasion/person.

[caseysmom]

I try to spread out the expense over sept, oct, nov and dec so yes I have started.....costco has the perfumes in around august/september so I bought 3 bottles of juicy couture, its a great price there.

[lvpets2002]

:) I have already bought my Christmas Cards.. Does that Count??:D

[chocolatepuppy]

I start picking up a few things as early as Sept. I don't buy for many, most is spent on my furkids.:o It's nice to have a few things put away and at least a few ideas of what to pick up for the rest on my list. :)

[Genny]

My mom and I always go Christmas shopping together and we don't ever get started until like a week right before Christmas lol!

[cassiesmom]

Christmas shopping is rather minimal in our house. We came to an agreement many years ago in our families that we all DON'T NEED ANYTHING! So, we do little gift baskets with consumables that will be used, and call it a day. We're all very blessed and fortunate and would rather put resources where they're needed elsewhere.

I wish my family would do this. I haven't started Christmas anything yet. We will probably start rehearsing Advent music at church in the next couple of weeks.

[Nomilynn]

I voted yes, as I've done my budget.. haven't actually bought something yet.

[Daisy and Delilah]

For the last several years, we give each other maybe one gift, if that. All of us pick a family that needs help and we all pitch in for a local no kill shelter that needs help desperately.

So far, every year, we have contributed to the same family. It's a single Mom with a young boy with cancer and another son. Last year we bought them food for the holiday and tickets to Sea World. They had a blast and made us a little photo album of the trip.

We usually buy all kinds of pet food and supplies for the shelter but they need cash this year. That's what we'll do. Not as much as in the past but as much as we can spare.

My gifts this year will be quilted items I've either already made or will make.:)

[catnapper]

Of course! I am actually usually done by Halloween because I work retail, and I won't have time as the holodays come near. I'm actually a bit behind this year, but not really since I'm asking to cut back on who I buy gifts for.

[kitten645]

I pick up things all year round for my neices and nephew. If I think "oh Paige would love this" into the basket it goes! I've learned not to wait because it will be GONE! LOL! My youngest siblings are single and learning to cook. I work at a gourmet store so when I get freebies or deals, I save it for them rather than use it myself. The older (still younger than me!) have everything they could need or want and more. They buy whatever they want for themselves so it's a little tricky. I LOVE the Amazon lists they have. As long as they keep it updated and haven't already filled their own wish list :rolleyes: I do get them autographed cookbooks. That's fun!
Claudia

[Alysser]

Nope, I don't even know what to buy half my family. My brother is taking me and my sister to Boston over winter break, so hopefully will find something there. My mom asked me what I wanted the other day, I got all I wanted and more (mikey). :) So, I am happy, but I do need to find some gifts fast...and I need to keep my savings afloat to. :D

[Pam]

There is one drawback to shopping early. Back when the kids were little I would hide things as I bought them (all over the house!) Occasionally, as the last gift was opened on Christmas morning I would think to myself....hmmm, I remember buying such and such. Wonder where it is? :rolleyes: I have been known to stumble across a hidden Christmas gift in February. :o

[Edwina's Secretary]

There is one drawback to shopping early. Back when the kids were little I would hide things as I bought them (all over the house!) Occasionally, as the last gift was opened on Christmas morning I would think to myself....hmmm, I remember buying such and such. Wonder where it is? :rolleyes: I have been known to stumble across a hidden Christmas gift in February. :o

When I went to trade in my car a few years ago I found in the trunk the Harley Davidson Monoply game I had bought for my husband for Christmas.

It was April...:eek::eek::eek:

[Randi]

I buy presents only for a small family and a few friends. My family and I usually give each other lists and it's practical things we can USE, we give each other. Not very exiting, but for friends I enjoy finding little things I know they'll like. I got a something this April for a dear friend.

This year, I'll make chocolade truffles for my vet and his assistants. They're all so nice!

[kokopup]

I had rather take a beating than to shop, especially the Mall type of shopping. I only have to buy for my wife and Grand kids and that is it. I usually give my Grand kids American Express gift cards that can be used anywhere. I have an understanding with my wife that she buys her own gifts then I will wrap them
and put them under the tree. I do usually buy some small something as a stocking
stuffer and that's it. I put no on the poll.:D

[Zippy]

I have!I have already bought my grandparents there gifts and wrapped them.I love giving gifts.I still have 6 people to buy for.I have started filling out my christmas cards already too.I get them at the end of every year after they go on sale and use them for next year.:)

[Pam]

I just got in from doing some serious shopping at Kohl's. They have great sales on everything and I had a 15% coupon to use that came in the mail. Then at the checkout I got back *Kohl's bucks* to use on my next trip and I have another coupon which starts next week. ;)

[sparks19]

I OFFICIALLY started last night lol.

I've only bought one thing so far.

Had someone custom make me a sign for my step dad's garage. This is his pride and joy. He worked so hard to turn it from a garage into a games room basically. it's his little man haven hahaha. he has all his tools in there, a tv, stereo, karaoke machine, pool table/ping pong table, and dart board. it's a really cool place and he did a very good job with it.

So I had someone make him a sign that says "What happens in the garage Stays in the garage" hehe

[prechrswife]

Okay, I voted because I have officially started now. Not much, but a start...

[Randi]

Found this old thread and thought I would bump it up. :D

I've changed my Christmas shopping since then. I buy little things all year round, when I see something that fits a particular person, but in my family we have a new custom... we each buy one thing costing no more than about $10, then after dinner, we sit around and take turns throwing this enormous dice on the floor, and the one who get a six first, pick a gift (they are all wrapped). When everyone has opened their gifts, we play one more dice game, on time (like 10 15 min. only one person knows how long the game continues), and if anyone wants to pick another person's gift, they can when they get a six.

This way, we don't get lots of things we don't need/want, and we have more time to sit around a chat. :)

Oh, and each family bring an "almond gift" to put inside the Ris a la Mande. The one(s) who get the almond(s) get to pick a gift from the table - it's usually chocolate or some kind of deli food, but sometimes it is a little booklet with political satire. :)

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Nearly 4 weeks ago, I saw a perfect blender, and it was a very reasonable price!
I bought it and once home, I store it in the basement untill our Jo passed by;
Every year he keeps asking me "what would you like to get mom?"
So now he was happy that the problem was solved even before he realised once more that he "didn't know what to get";);):D
So, YES I have, and I will even be happier at Christmas...!
Oops yes, I may NOT forget to act "surprised" then.... :pLOL:p

[cassiesmom]

I was shopping for a birthday gift on Saturday and I had one of those "that's a perfect gift" moments. So yes, I bought my first Christmas gift of the year when I wasn't even looking for one!

My mom has already asked what I'd like for Christmas. There's nothing I particularly need. Best gift is the opportunity to spend time with my family. They're so busy, it's nice to just slow down and be together for one whole afternoon (well, two- Thanksgiving and Christmas).

[mon]

The only people my husband and I exchange gifts with anymore simply suggested the other week that we quit it and just enjoy one another's company! Honestly, we are so relieved. We are at an age where we all have what we love, the malls are crammed already, cannot even find a place to park at Guildford mall and it's only Nov. SO glad we don't have to do that again. Christmas gift every year from now on. They insist on homemade caramel corn though, gotta draw the line somewhere! Merry Christmas!!

[mon]

I'm making gifts for people this year and Ive started getting the materials...does that count? ;)

Totally counts, like all over great!