Do you Christmas shop all year?

[luvmy3]

Yes, I shop all year round. If I see a great deal on something that I know someone will love, I'll grab it. I have plastic bins in my garage that I store everything in. I love to be finished by Thanksgiving that way I can enjoy the season instead of dealing with the crowds, traffic and stressing what to get someone because time is running out.

 

[Mom2micayla]

No. Last year I did and when it came time to wrap gifts etc I found my boys just weren't into some of the things I had bought earlier. This year I will wait until closer and then see. I think they are entering the "fewer bigger gifts" stage.

This is me too. I used to shop all year 'round, until I realized that what my kids were into in July wasn't usually what they liked in Dec. So I more or less stopped doing year round shopping. Plus like you mentioned 2 of my 4 kids are moving into the phase of wanting bigger, more expensive things (like iPods, laptops, etc) so there is no point in a way of shopping early. Instead, I just try to make a Christmas fund and set money aside all year long for my holiday shopping so I'm not taking a big hit financially in Nov/Dec.

 

[shelby101301]

yes, I shop through the whole year, but more for people like my in-laws and adults. I've been finding as my kids get older, they start to request things closer to Christmas and if I'm done with their budgets, I'm up the creek.

Last year, I still shopped early - My Christmas club becomes available the first week of Oct, but I held some back. It did seem to work better. {(If you don't have a Christmas account, I highly recommend it. )

I got into the habit of wrapping early when my youngest had an 11/20 due date. I couldn't imagine trying to shop and wrap with a newborn, so I had everything bought and wrapped by 11/1...it was a life saver.

While I don't get it done that early every year, I do try and get it as much wrapped by Dec 1 and it does indeed make for a much lovelier holiday. I spend weekends doing fun things with my kids now.

 

[mombrontrent]

No No No! I used to but like PP mentioned decemeber would roll around and my kids had a list of stuff they wanted which of course wasn't the stuff I got on "Clearence". So it really was no bargain since I would wind up buying them the stuff they wanted plus they would get all this junk I bought because it was "such a great deal". They were getting so much stuff and alot of it was just stuff I bought becasue it was a great deal and they didn't even want it. So now I wait and buy stuff that they really want and like PP said now that the older 2 are getting older they want "big ticket" items that are always on sale during the holiday season anyways.

 

[jestagrl79]

I do shopping the first half or so of the year. I'm self employed in the retail industry and one of my kiddo's has a Dec. birthday so Oct-Dec is insane around here. I don't have time to do much shopping then! We just do a single gift for each child, and then Santa brings three gifts for each person, so we don't have that much to purchase. This year? The kids are getting Mickey Mouse personalized duffels bags, bought on clearance plus sale at the Disney Store. They're also getting another surprise trip to Disney in January - which is why I'm here...

 

[neatokimmo]

Shopping year around last year didn't work for me. DD got tons of stuff, 80% she didn't like at the end of the year.

This year I am considering 1 or 2 pieces of gym equipment. I can build a balance beam and I might get her an octagon rolling thingamagig for back flips.

 

[monkey30]

Heck we started in January!!LOL

Git the MIL something from Mexcio!We will be doing more shopping when in WDW in august hoping to get most of the outlaws....I mean inlaws done!

 

[nunzia]

I also start shopping on Dec 26 for the next year..I have 9 grandkids aged 10-0 and alot of extended family and also birthdays and I get them back to school outfits. I have a closet in my craft room with shelving units inside (it was the master bedroom and was a nearly full wall closet..took off the door, put up a big curtain to cover it) and the shelves are full all year long. When Hallmark had their 75% off Christmas I bought gift exchange items for DH office party since we always do the same thing. As the kids get older I'll go to more specific things, but generally can count on the girls liking Disney girly stuff, horses, etc and the boys still like Transformers, Legos, video games...they all like board games and crafts. I buy 'tuck in' type gifts for kids and their spouses when I come across things and then have a fund I pull from for their 'Santa' gifts..I pretty much already know what I'll get for those so will start looking fairly soon. I also shop some at the holidays but it's mainly for little extras, special foods, fun stuff..not pressure "what do I BUY' stuff.

 

[monkey30]

Heck we started in January!!LOL

Git the MIL something from Mexcio!We will be doing more shopping when in WDW in august hoping to get most of the outlaws....I mean inlaws done!

Oh and for the people we shop for early they are practical gifts, nothing to outrageous, and its something they would appreciate (like the chip and dip platter we got MIL!!)

 

[furb & dez]

Nope. Giving "thoughtful" (pretty precious princess magically twinkly "thoughtful") gifts to everyone and their cousins and being a budget-minded, responsible person are anethema.

For most of my friends I will throw a party or do a nice dinner out at a fancy restaurant. For family I may give gifts, but they are always practical. Older people don't need "stuff," so I usually give grocery/movie gift cards that they will actually use and appreciate. Younger people usually will actually use practical gifts, particularly if they are struggling. When you're young and on a tight budget, replacing things like underwear, socks, towels, etc. is tough to do!

Breaking your bank to buy "junk" because everyone expects you to do so is pretty immature, really. If you can't afford to give gifts... don't. There is no shame is saying, "I'd love to give you XXXX, but money is just too tight. Why don't we go to lunch/have a movie night/take a day trip instead?" Anyone immature enough to throw a fit about not getting a gift is, well, immature.

 

[Colleen27]

I'm generally not organized enough for that. I either end up with too much stuff or lose track of where I put things or otherwise manage to turn it into money wasted rather than money saved. But two of my three kids and three of my four nieces/nephews have summer birthdays, so I shop the first half of the year for those occasions and the second half for Christmas (we don't exchange gifts among the adults other than buying for our parents).

 

[pigletto]

Breaking your bank to buy "junk" because everyone expects you to do so is pretty immature, really. If you can't afford to give gifts... don't.

It isn't about "budget" necessarily, though of course I want to keep that in check. My post was wondering if it ends up being a good thing or a bad thing for most. I'm not into buying "junk" just because. I just think you can be thoughtful and get someone something they like without doing it in December.

My sister for example has very defined interests. If I were to pick her up something that fell within those interests in September she's still going to love it.

The kids would be more difficult as their interests do change.. but like I mentioned twice now, they would get few gifts from us on Christmas and we would take them on a trip just after the holidays.

 

[MagiKitty]

I don't think people were advocating buying "junk" just to buy. I think a lot of people know they have a lot of smaller gifts to buy--for co-workers, the mailman, manicurist, teachers. You just want to give a little something to say "thanks for the great job you do, we appreciate it". Giving a dinner or gift cards is a lovely sentiment, but for others, they like to give a small gift. Its not immature to say thank you, or to be appreciated.

I like to go shopping. And if I happen to find something on sale that I know would be appreciated by someone during the holiday season, then I buy it. Part of the season for me is giving a gift and showing my appreciation. It works for me. I am not breaking the bank by far, but I'd much rather shop throughout the year rather than stress out during the already hectic season looking and settling for something.

 

[sydneysmom]

Nope. Giving "thoughtful" (pretty precious princess magically twinkly "thoughtful") gifts to everyone and their cousins and being a budget-minded, responsible person are anethema.

For most of my friends I will throw a party or do a nice dinner out at a fancy restaurant. For family I may give gifts, but they are always practical. Older people don't need "stuff," so I usually give grocery/movie gift cards that they will actually use and appreciate. Younger people usually will actually use practical gifts, particularly if they are struggling. When you're young and on a tight budget, replacing things like underwear, socks, towels, etc. is tough to do!

Breaking your bank to buy "junk" because everyone expects you to do so is pretty immature, really. If you can't afford to give gifts... don't. There is no shame is saying, "I'd love to give you XXXX, but money is just too tight. Why don't we go to lunch/have a movie night/take a day trip instead?" Anyone immature enough to throw a fit about not getting a gift is, well, immature.

Wow, that's a bit judgemental ? so in your eyes, the only gift worth getting is one that's expensive and at full price ? seems like you're maybe the immature one.

I don't think people are saying "they can't " buy gifts, but if something that they know someone might love is on sale, it's pretty smart to buy it. Personally, I think saving money shows maturity....turning your nose up at everyone here, does not.

 

[chris31997]

I usually start early. I make a list, usually practicall gifts for adults that fall along thier intersts and fun, practical, learning gifts for the kids. Of course all of this will lean towards where DH is stationed at the time. I have one place that I stash everything, wrapping paper, tape, you name it I also have the kids start working on the gifts that they make for the grandparents(tradition). That takes forever We also have to ship everything so I have to build that into it. For our family, I do start buying things for our family, but I tend to take it more slowly just in case wants change

For friends, the kids and I make homemade goodies and deliever it to them.

 

[Metsfan520]

Well, now that many stores are strict about returns, I don't like to buy stuff too far in advance. If something's broken, or doesn't fit & I bought it in March to give to someone for Christmas, many stores won't let you return or exchange it. and like others have noted, kids change their minds a lot. So I'd rather put money aside & shop closer to the holidays.

 

[pigletto]

Well, now that many stores are strict about returns, I don't like to buy stuff too far in advance. If something's broken, or doesn't fit & I bought it in March to give to someone for Christmas, many stores won't let you return or exchange it. and like others have noted, kids change their minds a lot. So I'd rather put money aside & shop closer to the holidays.

This is also a good point! So it would be best to avoid any clothing etc if I'm not sure.

 

[disneyofcourse]

I've shopped year round for years but this year.....NOTHING...Not one thing so far.

 

[Yoshi]

I shop for all gifts the entire year. Birthdays, Anniversaries, Christmas and any other occasion where I need a gift. I usually look at the clearance sections in stores and can find some amazing deals. As an example, I give a lot of video games as presents to friends for birthdays and to some younger cousins at Christmas and I can usually pick up some normally expensive games for next to nothing throughout the year. If I waited until November or December to buy the games, I wouldn't find the same deals since everyone is shopping then and stores seem to be more hesitant to mark down stuff (not regular sales or Black Friday deals) that time of year.

 

[Traveliz]

I do - for several reasons.

First I LOVE the season but hate to say no I can't do this or enjoy that because I HAVE to go shopping. By being done well in advance I can enjoy the books that come out at Christmas, the movies, the plays, the special events. Oh I still get to the Mall but I don't have to find something or else.

Second, I pay close attention to what people want or prefer, keep notes and then buy as I find it.

Third, I do Craft shows every weekend from October on selling my lighted snowmen and Hymnal Angels and a good weekend can mean a busy week of making more. Good to not have the stress of needing to shop in there too!

Our kids are older (24,33) but I still buy for them. Generally they have books or movies or such on their list and I can get them anytime.

I also do stockings and put lunch bags in my craft room and fill those with stocking like items (lip balm, hair ties). That way I am not at Walgreens on Christmas Eve trying to fill the stockings.

And finally it makes it so much easier on the budget. I don't even have to budget - its something here and there. Not everything the week of December 1.

Liz