Anyone else with no presents purchased so far?

[beckmrk04]

I feel like I'm waaay behind, even though it's not even Thanksgiving! I don't have a clue what to buy for anyone, and I'm starting to stress about it a little. I know I have time, but for some reason it feels like I'm running out of time. Maybe because we already have our tree up and it looks naked underneath.

So, anyone else out there with no presents purchased, and no idea what to buy?

 

[Mickey&Donald]

Haven't bought anything, and I'm not going to this year.

I feel way more relaxed now.

 

[beckmrk04]

Haven't bought anything, and I'm not going to this year.

I feel way more relaxed now.

Wow!

We have definitely scaled way back on what we purchase and for whom we purchase. I convinced my side of the family to draw names- it was getting out of control trying to buy for everyone! And entirely too expensive.

So, I have to buy for DH and DD. We draw names on DH's side and now on my side. I need to buy for Dnephew, a coworker (for an exchange), and I'll buy something for my sister (just because).

And, at work we decided to adopt a local family for Christmas (the mom is 32, has 4 kids, and has inoperable cancer - this will very likely be her last Christmas with her children, so we're trying to do as much as we can to make sure it's a good one and that she doesn't have to worry about trying to buy for her kids).

I'll probably give my parents, ILs and grandparents framed pictures of DD, too.

So, I guess I have a rudimentary plan- just no list, no purchases, and not too many ideas.

 

[JennaTX]

I haven't bought anything yet!

The only idea I have so far.... my kids bought me fuzzy and funky socks for my birthday that I have not seen since, they took them over.

So #1 on my list is fuzzy,funky socks for the kids!

 

[Mickey&Donald]

Wow!

I'm in the process of divorcing my husband -- I'm really not in the holiday mood this year. I've told everyone I'm not doing Christmas, and that they shouldn't buy me anything either and they all seem to understand (also, I'm trying to clear a lot of stuff OUT of my house in case I end up moving.. don't need to add to the piles). Whether they will actually not buy me things is to be seen... I understand that my family and friends will probably especially want to give me things this year, but I just sort of want to fast forward to January.

And, at work we decided to adopt a local family for Christmas (the mom is 32, has 4 kids, and has inoperable cancer - this will very likely be her last Christmas with her children, so we're trying to do as much as we can to make sure it's a good one and that she doesn't have to worry about trying to buy for her kids).

I think this is so admirable and wonderful. I wish more people weren't so focused on buying more STUFF that they really don't need when there are so many people out there who would benefit greatly from that money.

A married couple I know aren't buying each other anything for Christmas this year, but instead sponsoring a family who wouldn't have a Christmas otherwise. THAT is what the season should be about, IMO.

 

[Michelle67]

I'm in the process of divorcing my husband -- I'm really not in the holiday mood this year. I've told everyone I'm not doing Christmas, and that they shouldn't buy me anything either and they all seem to understand (also, I'm trying to clear a lot of stuff OUT of my house in case I end up moving.. don't need to add to the piles). Whether they will actually not buy me things is to be seen... I understand that my family and friends will probably especially want to give me things this year, but I just sort of want to fast forward to January.

I'm sorry to hear that. I remember the first Christmas after splitting up with my ex. It was tough. We had a child, though, so I had to buck up and pretend I was in the spirit, which kinda stunk. I remember crying half way through the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve and my daughter looking at me like I'd lost my mind. Can't really blame her...it's not supposed to be a sad story.

Thankfully I've got a lot of my shopping done already. We try to keep it to cash-only (and this year is strictly cash only) so I do a little every payday starting in October. I'm at the point now where most of what I have left to buy will be orders placed through consultants and online orders, so I won't have to deal with any wacko crowds.

 

[beckmrk04]

I'm in the process of divorcing my husband -- I'm really not in the holiday mood this year.

It's understandable.

I think this is so admirable and wonderful. I wish more people weren't so focused on buying more STUFF that they really don't need when there are so many people out there who would benefit greatly from that money.

A married couple I know aren't buying each other anything for Christmas this year, but instead sponsoring a family who wouldn't have a Christmas otherwise. THAT is what the season should be about, IMO.

That's kind of what my DH and I decided. We'll still probably buy each other small presents, but we decided that this woman and her family need this more than we do. I can't imagine being in her situation. But, one of the girls at work called her and told her to get us some wish lists from the kids, and we're on a Christmas mission. She was so happy, and so relieved.

Really, we certainly aren't wealthy but there is nothing that we truly "need" that we don't already have. And we're still going to buy for our DD (who will be almost 22 months at Christmas), but we're not going to go overboard because 1) she's so young and really would get just as big a kick out of opening empty boxes and 2) everyone else in our family (both sides) will buy her a ton of stuff and 3) she's already got SO many things- she can't possibly play with everything and we just don't have the room.

 

[Michelle67]

That's such a wonderful thing to do. My mother is adopting a family with three kids this year, so I asked if I can pitch in and help. Can't afford to do a family by myself, but I'd love to shop for one of the kids!

 

[beckmrk04]

(and this year is strictly cash only)

- Us too.

I did a Christmas Club, so I had some money saved- which helps so much. I've still got it in my savings account for when I finally figure out what the heck I need to go get. I'm going to decide on a dollar amount for each person, split it into marked envelopes, and hopefully that will keep me from overspending- when the cash is gone, that person is done!

 

[Mickey&Donald]

I'm sorry to hear that. I remember the first Christmas after splitting up with my ex. It was tough. We had a child, though, so I had to buck up and pretend I was in the spirit, which kinda stunk. I remember crying half way through the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve and my daughter looking at me like I'd lost my mind. Can't really blame her...it's not supposed to be a sad story.

Thanks... yeah, I'm really grateful I don't have any children. I can't imagine trying to keep it together for them. Divorce is always awful, but I am extra angry with the soon-to-be ex-H for turning into a horrible adulterous jerk just before the holidays.

Luckily, his family wants to spend Thanksgiving with me. Ha!

 

[beckmrk04]

That's such a wonderful thing to do. My mother is adopting a family with three kids this year, so I asked if I can pitch in and help. Can't afford to do a family by myself, but I'd love to shop for one of the kids!

We couldn't do the family ourselves, either. BUT- since we decided to do this at work, we have all been spreading the word and SO MANY people have volunteered to help us, either with cash donations or by buying some things from the kids' lists! The outpouring of generosity has been so uplifting. I am so excited!! They have been through so much (and sadly, will still go through so much more), but we're at least going to make sure that Christmas isn't an unecessary stress for them, kwim?

 

[Michelle67]

We couldn't do the family ourselves, either. BUT- since we decided to do this at work, we have all been spreading the word and SO MANY people have volunteered to help us, either with cash donations or by buying some things from the kids' lists! The outpouring of generosity has been so uplifting. I am so excited!! They have been through so much (and sadly, will still go through so much more), but we're at least going to make sure that Christmas isn't an unecessary stress for them, kwim?

Yeah, I do, and I think it's wonderful of you. We're being kinda sneaky about the family my mother is adopting. She knows them through her social circle, but they are not close friends. I belong to a small private charity that provides food baskets for families at Christmas. We do two events per year with live music, raffles, and a silent auction, and all the profit goes to the food. We get awesome support from local bands and artists, and also from the local grocery stores and turkey farm who give us amazing deals and throw in free stuff too. Anyhow, my mom asked the family if she can put their name in, and then told them that "sometimes they do gifts too." We don't. We used to up until a few years ago, but we made a tough decision (emotionally, for some of us) to stick with food because we could help a lot more people. She didn't want them to know that she is personally buying stuff for them in case it made them uncomfortable, so she's putting the "blame" on my group. Cool with me.

 

[Cindy B]

Me... worse yet I won't have time to shop until Dec 19th!

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[golfgal]

I haven't really bought anything. DD13 got her letter jacket as a Christmas present but she wanted that in June so she has that already. I think we are getting a big tv this year so the need to actually go out and shop is limited. My Dad and Step-Mom are coming up for Christmas so I will wait to do stocking stuffer shopping until they get here because my Step-Mom likes to help with that.

DD wants some new pj's so she will get those. She found some at Target that she likes so I will probably buy those. They boys haven't given me any ideas yet. I don't typically shop until after Thanksgiving anyway so I am way ahead of schedule this year.

 

[cruellababy]

I haven't started yet either. I enjoy the hustle/bustle of the month of December. I'll pick up a couple of things on black friday and go from there.

 

[beckmrk04]

I enjoy the hustle/bustle of the month of December.

I do too! I love it. I love crowded shopping malls and Christmas music and snow- the whole bit. Puts me in the spirit!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I haven't bought anything yet. So not alone.

 

[C.Ann]

I have 3 small things purchased.. However, I'm not stressed at all.. I'll be spending less this year - which probably will mean fewer gifts - and I'll either get some things on-line or go out the last week before Christmas when the stores are practically giving the stuff away for free..

 

[ZephyrHawk]

My mom is the easiest person in the world to buy for. She is done. Completely. Including stocking stuffers. Everything but wrapping. I've got several good ideas for her birthday and next year as well.

Total gifts obtained for other people to date? Zero.