:)

[C.Ann]

If you didn't do any of your Christmas shopping until the week of Christmas?

I have done this in the past and probably spent a quarter of what I normally would.. Too hard walking through the stores for several weeks ahead of time without seeing "this and that" - "that so-and-so" would "love" - and it's "only" X amount of money.. (Especially true when you're shopping for kids.. LOL

 

[crz4mm2]

I have always said to my Mom that we should do Christmas in Jan... THat way we could get in on all the after xmas sales!! LOL.

I have never done it, but would like to. With my schedule, I could never do it though... too much work and call to be able to go at the last minute

 

[Ohiodislover]

In college, I would work extra during break, so I could Christmas shop. I would usually get the "Good" check right before Christmas, so would always wait.

I find when I wait closer to Christmas, I spend less. One problem is when I start, and finish early, I get out of the mood before the day gets here, so I have to go out and get more.

 

[C.Ann]

I have always said to my Mom that we should do Christmas in Jan... THat way we could get in on all the after xmas sales!! LOL.

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We actually did this one year - just for myself, my late DH, and my youngest daughter that was still living at home.. We went out the day after Christmas and I can honestly say that we easily bought three times as much stuff with the budgeted amount of money than we could have purchased before Christmas!

 

[crz4mm2]

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We actually did this one year - just for myself, my late DH, and my youngest daughter that was still living at home.. We went out the day after Christmas and I can honestly say that we easily bought three times as much stuff with the budgeted amount of money than we could have purchased before Christmas!

I have no doubt of that!! The prices are 1/2 of what they are before!

 

[TwinsinCA]

If you are shopping for other adults, it is a good idea. But if you are shopping for children who still believe in Santa and have their hearts set on something specific, I would not chance waiting until the last minute. Once I know what my kids want, I try to get it as soon as possible. You just never know what might sell out before Christmas. (and I am not talking big things like a wii -- but things like a specific Dora doll they wanted a few years ago)

 

[LisaZee]

I've had the opposite problem. The closer to Christmas I shop, the more money I spend. It's cuz I relent and go for easy/big stuff that I know people really want that may be more than I wanted to spend, because I KNOW I have to come home with something. Plus the closer it gets the more likely I am to get aggravated with the malls and shop online, but then I have to pay ridiculous shipping charges to get the gifts to me in time. Retailers totally have me coming and going - I'm a mess!

 

[grumpy donald]

I do it backwards. The closer I get the more apt I am to go buy a bunch of filler.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

My mom had a great idea - for the past couple of years any friends and/or relatives that don't live close by get a donation made to a charity. My mom quit buying expensive cheese and sausage packages and instead donates to things like The Heifer Project.

I'd love to do this for my in-laws but I don't think they would appreciate it

 

[Michelle67]

I'd probably save almost all of it because I would try going out in that madness exactly once, have a nervous breakdown and not buy any Christmas presents at all.

I do my darndest to be done by Dec. 1st so that the only store I have to step foot in during the month of December is the grocery store. I also stocked my pantry really well yesterday so that the December grocery shopping can be limited to mostly quick bread and milk runs.

 

[Planogirl]

I browse around just before Christmas just to see what's on sale and what I could possibly add. I don't mind the crowds though.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I was just thinking this today. The list just keeps getting longer and longer. I buy stuff on sale early in the year, then the boys start seeing other stuff they want. So I would figure I could save about half my spending if I waited til the bitter end. Next year I am really going to try to do this.

 

[juligrl]

If you didn't do any of your Christmas shopping until the week of Christmas?

I have done this in the past and probably spent a quarter of what I normally would.. Too hard walking through the stores for several weeks ahead of time without seeing "this and that" - "that so-and-so" would "love" - and it's "only" X amount of money.. (Especially true when you're shopping for kids.. LOL

Have any of you ever done this?

That's me!

I do all my shopping in the week before Christmas. Things are usually pretty picked over by then, but then again, in our family the emphasis of Christmas is not really on the gifts, so I can put off shopping until the last minute. No adults really expect a gift so if they get something small but meaningful it's an added delight.

 

[clgwli]

Nope. I start my shopping in the summer. I have a firm list and I stick to it. It gives me time to find the best deals for each gift. I usually shop online so I can save a ton if I find sales and free shipping.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I would probably waste more on fuel trying to find things. The stores here usually have summer swimsuits and shorts out before Christmas, and anything cold weather related is picked through with sizes impossible to find right before Christmas. Toy departments are usually bare, and video game cases empty. We'll be done this weekend.